book: The Gates of the Alamo

[Del Groves]

I hope this isn't old news - I didn't find any references to this book in this thread. I just learned yesterday of the book and will be soon reading it. Anyone read it? Thoughts?

The Gates of the Alamo, by Stephen Harrigan

Here are some reviews:

www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:76462

www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:76461

www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/adp/central/books/reviews/gates_of_alamo.html

I have read the two novels by Charles Frazier: "Cold Mountain" and "Thirteen Moons"; particularly "Thirteen Moons" which offers a lot of historical historical backstory of the culture of America that existed prior to and at the time of the Alamo. These books [including "The Gates of the Alamo"] are historical fiction novels yet are framed against a backdrop of real people and events. For example, I learned of the very real 'lost' State of Franklin in reading "Thirteen Moons" - quite a coincidence since I recently relocated to NE Tennessee which was encompassed within the short-lived State.

[Jim Boylston]

Del, Gates of the Alamo is a great read. Steve Harrigan makes the characters come alive. I thought he did a good job on Crockett, though his characterization of Bowie has come under criticism. I like the fact that he relied on fictitious characters to tell his story rather than place the "big three" front and center.

I also enjoyed both Frazier novels. I was pleasantly surprised by Crockett's cameo in "Thirteen Moons."

Jim

[Del Groves]

I'm anxiously awaiting "Thirteen Moons" the movie. Must say I'll have to reread the ending as I must have missed the author's intent. I watched an interview with the author about this book and, supposedly, his narrator wasn't based on a real character but I think he drew heavily on the life of Daniel Boone (also a fixture in this part of Tennessee).

"Cold Mountain" was a marvelous read! The first time around, I wasn't as impressed with the movie - mostly I didn't like Nicole Kidman's role. Funny when you think about casting: 3 of the main characters aren't American! I recently re-watched the film and enjoyed it more but still the book is a literary classic.

I just obtained a copy of "The Gates of the Alamo" and look forward to starting. Heard any buzz about a movie? Can't imagine some studio hasn't at least optioned the rights.

[Allen Wiener]

I doubt we will see a new Alamo movie for a very long time.

[Donald Hash]

I've not finished "Gates of the Alamo" but from what I've read so far, it's very good. I also like how the fictitious characters tell the story. The amount of details is amazing.

Harrigan also wrote the introduction to Lindley's "Alamo Traces".

[Rich Curilla]

Harrigan is a solid Alamologist in addition to being a great fiction writer. His setting for Gates... is very accurate and real-feel. As someone who knows the 1836 environs of the Alamo and Bexar as well as I do, it was a grand pleasure reading a fictional spin from someone who knows them even better. If a guy is in the river and swims down an acequia, you can be sure it was there and not just invented by the author.

Steve Harrigan was one of the seven Alamo historians invited to participate in a weekend round table historical discussion with Ron Howard in Austin back in 2002 in preparation for The Alamo (2004).

[Paul Sylvain]

Jun 2, 2010 11:30:19 GMT -5 Allen Wiener said:

I doubt we will see a new Alamo movie for a very long time.

Sad to say, but methinks you are right.

[Tom Nuckols]

I enjoyed "Gates of the Alamo" tremendously. Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is Travis' line in the sand episode. You should read it just to find out how deftly Harrigan handled it.

BTW, its protagonist is based on a real person, Gideon Lincecum:

www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/LL/fli3.html

This I know because I'm lifelong friends with his descendant Jerry Lincecum, who co-authored "Adventures of a Frontier Naturalist: The Life and Times of Dr. Gideon Lincecum," which Texas A&M Press published.

[Kevin Young]

Jun 2, 2010 11:13:09 GMT -5 Del Groves said:

I'm anxiously awaiting "Thirteen Moons" the movie. Must say I'll have to reread the ending as I must have missed the author's intent. I watched an interview with the author about this book and, supposedly, his narrator wasn't based on a real character but I think he drew heavily on the life of Daniel Boone (also a fixture in this part of Tennessee).

"Cold Mountain" was a marvelous read! The first time around, I wasn't as impressed with the movie - mostly I didn't like Nicole Kidman's role. Funny when you think about casting: 3 of the main characters aren't American! I recently re-watched the film and enjoyed it more but still the book is a literary classic.

I just obtained a copy of "The Gates of the Alamo" and look forward to starting. Heard any buzz about a movie? Can't imagine some studio hasn't at least optioned the rights.

The Disney film of late killed any chance of an new Alamo movie.

[Kevin Young]

Gates is an excellent novel and Steve has been in the fold writing and talking about the Alamo/Texas Rev for years. He started with an article on the Alamo in 1975/76 in Texas Monthly....

[Rich Curilla]

Jun 6, 2010 7:00:43 GMT -5 Kevin Young said:

The Disney film of late killed any chance of an new Alamo movie.

The handling of the Disney film by Disney killed the chances.

[zanoya59]

My favorite novel. Too bad Ron Howard didn't make a movie of THIS story. Entertaining, yet true to history.

[Paul Sylvain]

Jul 23, 2010 17:45:02 GMT -5 @zanoya59 said:

My favorite novel. Too bad Ron Howard didn't make a movie of THIS story. Entertaining, yet true to history.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[Kevin Young]

Jul 29, 2010 4:18:13 GMT -5 Paul Sylvain said:

Jul 23, 2010 17:45:02 GMT -5 @zanoya59 said:

My favorite novel. Too bad Ron Howard didn't make a movie of THIS story. Entertaining, yet true to history.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Amen!