Another great piece of American history, annotated by an author, who is a joy to read.

Probably should go back and re-read this book straight through. This was such an on again off again read that I’m not able to do it justice in this review. I am giving it a three-star review as I didn’t hold my attention as well as other books he’s written such as the Ben Franklin biography.

I was very interested in the history of Texas and it’s involvement with becoming part of the United States. And I think this book hits on all that history very well, including bringing to light the roles and personalities of the “larger than life“ figures, such as Davy, Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, Santa Anna, & Stephen F Austin.

I would not put too much credence in my star rating. I enjoyed the book while I was reading it but I always found other things to read or just not pick it up to finish it over the 4 months. Still a good book covering a little known part of American history -at least little known to me.

Excellent and thorough breakdown of Texas history from Spain to Mexico to Texas to the USA. A detailed history of Stephen F Austin, San Houston and David Crockett and their influence on the history of Texas as it is today.

As a native Texan, I took Texas History in order to graduate from High School. This book mainly focuses on the main characters involved in the struggle for independence, i.e., Houston, Travis, Bowie, Austin, Santa Ana and others. It is told in story form and is very interesting.

Helped to demystify some of the legends that Texans hold about the glorious days of the war of independence and of the Republic.

This is a well written story of how Texas broke away from Mexico, became an independent nation and was later annexed by the U. S. Mostly though it is a story of interesting characters who were, according to Brands, opportunists. Santa Anna and his generals used Texas as an opportunity to consolidate their power in Mexico by suppressing rebels who were seen as American invaders. Stephan Austin saw Texas as an opportunity to become both powerful and wealthy as a land agent who brought in immigrants to settle the Texas area. This would develop the land and thus bring in more taxes for Mexico but also be a buffer to the Indian tribes, mostly Comanche. Travis saw Texas as an opportunity to start over and get away from familial obligations and debt in the US. Bowie saw this as an opportunity to make money. His swindling had gotten him into trouble in Louisiana and he had to flee. Davey Crockett hoped to revive his failed political career and reputation. He nevertheless was already a living legend. Finally, Sam Houston left behind a failed marriage and political career and saw Texas as an opportunity for renewal. Most gave their lives for Texas. Brands does an excellent job telling about the struggles immigrants had during the rebellion against Mexico and how many became refugees in their own land. The one person who shines through and foresaw the problems Mexico would have with the Texas settlers was Mexican General Teran`. His suggestions of how to regain control of the area were not heeded. He also saw Texas as critical to the economy of Mexico. During the rebellion there were two struggles going on at the same time; one fighting the Mexican government to be recognized as an independent province within Mexico and the other fighting for independence from Mexico and hoping to become a part of the United States. Sam Houston was a reluctant military leader, slow to act. He had to deal with Texan rebels who were very independent and difficult to control. They had a mind of their own and often disobeyed Houston’s orders which actually led to a victory at San Jacinto over Santa Anna and independence for Texas. One cannot overlook the brutal massacres that took place at the hands of Santa Anna at Goliad and the Alamo. For this he was never really held accountable but rather used as an agent to negotiate Texan independence with Washington D. C. Two items permeating the story is the problem of slavery that came with Texan independence and whether it would become a state. The other factor behind the scenes was former president Andrew Jackson who in his dying days lobbied heavily for Texas to become a part of the U.S., his legacy. A good read by H. W. Brands.

While I initially had some misgivings about the almost too-heroic portrayal of the Anglo Texas revolutionaries, I was pleased to see a “warts and all” portrayal by the final chapters of the book. The direct quotes from primary sources are fascinating, and the Democratic chaos of the Texan army is laid bare as the liability it truly was. Perhaps the best part, however, is saved for the chapters after the victory over Santa Ana, where the conflicting and sometimes morally reprehensible motives for independence from Mexico and annexation by the United States are closely examined (especially in dealing with the issue of slavery and the treatment of Native Americans). Ultimately, it is a worthwhile read that serves to highlight the fallibility of all sides of the conflict, showcasing some of the best and worst of 19th Century attitudes/values and of humanity in general.

Excellent read - lots of details. Fun to travel in Texas and think about what went on there in the 1800s and what it would have been like to live then.

Believing that Democracy will eventually correct its mistakes, Sam Houston had a helluva lot of foresight. I hope he continues to be correct.

PS I noticed the blaring omission of The Yellow Rose, the woman credited for 'distracting' Santa Ana prior to the attack at San Jacinto. I should have recognized that as a myth!!!

Brands is an academic but he doesn't write academically, and I like that because I read history for entertainment. LSN gives nice detail about the characters of Houston, Austin, Travis, Santa Anna, and Bowie, but little about the first Texas president Burnet.

[After second reading, revised rating to 3.5, down from 4]

A thorough and able telling of the historical events leading to and through the Texas Revolution and their annexation into the United States. Though the book ends well (its flourish in an examination of Sam Houston's having to preside over the dissolution of the annexation he strove so hard to facilitate), through most of its length the narrative merely navigates from event to event. It makes good use of epistolary sources and written accounts from several sides of the conflict, but it serves mostly as a summary.

As I've just completed Ron Chernow's masterful biography Alexander Hamilton, I admit that H.W. Brands' treatment suffers in comparison, and likely depresses my reaction to Lone Star Nation. Brand's work is a good introduction to the subject, and covers the primary points of Texas' movement toward independence - expressing nuanced views of most characters involved - but it ultimately feels like a utilitarian treatment.

H.W. Brands, of the University of Texas Austin, is one of America's most prolific historians. One could even say, without too much injustice, that he might be a little too prolific. He's written and edited dozens of books. Most of these cover well-trodden territory, from half a dozen of the most popular and most famous presidents (FDR, TR, LBJ, and so on.) to a smattering of grand narratives (the California Gold Rush, capitalism in the last half of the nineteenth century). In this book on the fight for Texas independence, Brands shows he is a pellucid and accomplished writer, but he leaves the reader without any signposts as the reasons or importance of the events he describes.

Brands begins the book, with nary a thesis or explanation, with Moses Austin, and his son Stephen, going West from Virginia to start a lead mine outside St. Louis, then under Spanish suzerainty. After the land underneath him was a given from Spain to France and then to America, he cemented another deal with newly independent Mexico to start a colony in yet-unsettled Texas. When Moses died in 1821, heavily indebted, his well-educated son took over the debts and project. Austin would spend the next 15 years turning Texas into a thriving colony of Americans (and American slaves), which mainly, on his part, involved constant negotiations with the Mexican government. His colonies attracted people like the inveterate drunk, but already nationally-famous fighter, Jim Bowie; the former law partner but soon-to-be resistance leader William Travis, and the ex-Andrew Jackson confident, Whig Congressman, and all-around wild man Davy Crockett. All three of these men would be killed by Mexican dictator Santa Anna at the Alamo in 1836, after they had helped declare independence against him for abrogating the old Mexican Constitution of 1824. Sam Houston, a giant of a man who once lived for years living with the Cherokee but who also spent years as a self-pitying drunk, got Texas's revenge by taking over the army and capturing Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto soon after, ensuring Texas independence.

In the end, the profusion of names and battles leaves one wondering why it all matters, and Brands does little to add to the drama or explain its significance. Still, at its best, the book has surprisingly forthright letters and diary entries from settlers and leaders like Austin himself, explaining how they used their luggage as cover against Indian attacks and offensive fires, or how they captured smugglers and engaged in impromptu country justice trials. Brands would have done better to let more of these people tell the story, and then help explain it all to the reader.

I appreciate Texas history more now than when I took the required class in 7th grade! Now that I live about 15 miles from Washington-on-the-Brazos, and a field trip to San Felipe de Austin is for the Texas Master Naturalist Training class in archeology, I understand more about this early history of Texas.

H.W. Brands "Lone Star Nation: The Epic Story of the Battle for Texas Independence" is an interesting look at the history of the Texas from the point of the state's settlement through the end of the Civil War. Across over 500 pages Brands takes we the reader on a journey across the history of the state and explains some of the myth behind the story that is out there about the state and also fills in blanks about certain parts of the state's history that we the non-native might find interesting and also adds to the history of one of the more unique pieces of the landscape in American history. As someone who is a fan of Brands and his works, this book doesn't disappoint although at times the book can be a bit tedious. Overall though, this is still a book I highly recommend for anyone with a love of history and the parts that make it what it is