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Post by Hollowhorn on Feb 4, 2012 15:55:33 GMT -5
I am well aware of the ‘issues’ surrounding Tom Lindley’s book ‘Alamo Traces’ But having just finished reading it, I must say I found it fascinating. The chapter on the ‘Second Reinforcement’ was riveting, I own no other ‘Alamo’ book as yet that has so many ‘post-it’ notes within its pages, darn near one for every page.
It has taken me weeks to get through that chapter alone, I found that I was spending hours on-line each evening trying to prove or disprove Tom’s claims (without much result either way, truth be told) but still, page for page, hour for hour, it has got to be one of the most rewarding ‘Alamo’ books that I have bought so far, £ for £ or $ for $. (‘Alamo Reader’ excepted of course)
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Post by timniesen on Feb 4, 2012 16:28:11 GMT -5
Folks, Note that on the phone close to his death, Tom admitted that Stuart Reid had effectively refuted his version of how the second reinforcment had occured. Yet, Tom remained defiant, stressing that his theory of how the second reinforcement had occured was just one possibility of how that this event could have happened. He stated that the second reinforcement of the Alamo certainly could have happened in many other scenarios, and not just in the way that he presented this theory in his book. Tim
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Post by Jim Boylston on Feb 4, 2012 16:53:32 GMT -5
I am well aware of the ‘issues’ surrounding Tom Lindley’s book ‘Alamo Traces’ But having just finished reading it, I must say I found it fascinating. The chapter on the ‘Second Reinforcement’ was riveting, I own no other ‘Alamo’ book as yet that has so many ‘post-it’ notes within its pages, darn near one for every page. It has taken me weeks to get through that chapter alone, I found that I was spending hours on-line each evening trying to prove or disprove Tom’s claims (without much result either way, truth be told) but still, page for page, hour for hour, it has got to be one of the most rewarding ‘Alamo’ books that I have bought so far, £ for £ or $ for $. (‘Alamo Reader’ excepted of course) For all that Tom and I disagreed on, he was always one of my favorite people to talk with. He definitely made one think about alternative scenarios and possibilities. He also gave me some great advice: Don't believe anything without reading the primary source yourself. Jim |
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Post by Herb on Feb 4, 2012 18:57:13 GMT -5
Jim, a lot of us miss Tom. He could make you think, whether you agreed with him or not.
As far as the second reinforcement theory, there's quite a discussion aboitvit on this forum. Stuart Reid's article in the Alamo Journal is a must read, as is the Sutherland accounts found in The Alamo Reader. While Tom considered Sutherland unreliable - you need to read him anyway and decide for yourself. There's a lot mote out there, but that's a good start.
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Post by timniesen on Feb 6, 2012 12:11:46 GMT -5
Jim, Tom told me that he considered you the critic who was the most fair to his works. Tim
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Post by Jim Boylston on Feb 6, 2012 14:42:08 GMT -5
Jim, Tom told me that he considered you the critic who was the most fair to his works. Tim That's nice to know, Tim. I respected Tom's work and liked him personally. Enjoyed his company. San Antonio visits aren't the same since his passing. Jim |
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Post by tman56 on Feb 22, 2012 23:14:38 GMT -5
I think my favorite assessment of Tom's book came from Stephen Harrigan, who said that (and I'm paraphrasing) any future historians writing about the Alamo would have to at least consider what Tom had put forth. I know a lot of Tom's theories have been called into question or even refuted, but he was spending long hours digging into records that no one had looked at, and he arguably set a new standard for original research. His questions, finds and theories made all of us question harder and dig deeper, whether we agreed with him or not. Like Jim mentioned, spending time discussing and debating with him was one of the real highlights of High Holy Days.
John Hinnant used to call Tom "my favorite curmudgeon". Tom would just growl in response. One of my favorite "Tom stories" was that he went to the special showing of Wayne's THE ALAMO that they did inside the Alamo compound at Alamo Village. When it was over Hinnant turned to Tom and said: "See, Tom, now you know how it really happened!" Tom just shook his head and grumbled, "If you say so."
I really miss that old curmudgeon.
tman56
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Post by Hollowhorn on Mar 19, 2012 18:24:54 GMT -5
Folks, Note that on the phone close to his death, Tom admitted that Stuart Reid had effectively refuted his version of how the second reinforcment had occured. Tim, were Stuart's comments published in the Alamo Journal? If so, which issue? If not, where else? |
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