Texas rising : the epic true story of the Lone Star Republic and the rise of the Texas Rangers, 1836-1846

March 1836: the Republic of Texas, just weeks old, is already near collapse. William Barret Travis and his brave defenders of the Alamo in San Antonio have been slaughtered. Hundreds more Texan soldiers have surrendered at Goliad, only to be marched outside the fortress and executed by order of the ruthless Mexican general Santa Anna, a dictator denying Texans their freedom and liberty. General Sam Houston -- a hard-drinking, hot-tempered opportunist -- remains in command of a small band of volunteer colonists, mercenaries, and the newly organized Texas Rangers. They are the last hope for Texas to challenge the relentless advance of Santa Anna's much larger Mexican army -- yet many of them curse Houston, enraged by his decision to retreat across Texas before the advancing enemy. The exhausted, outnumbered rebels will meet their destiny on an empty plain near the Gulf Coast next to the San Jacinto River -- and make a stand that determines the fate of the young nation. "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" will be the battle cries, and the order of the day will echo Travis's at the Alamo: victory or death. Texas Rising is the official nonfiction companion to History's dramatic series, produced by the same team behind the award-winning ratings blockbuster Hatfields and McCoys. Acclaimed Texas historian Stephen L. Moore's new narrative history tells the full, thrilling story of the Texas Revolution from its humble beginnings to its dramatic conclusion, and reveals the contributions of the fabled Texas Rangers -- both during the revolution and in the frontier Indian wars that followed. - Jacket flap. "The official nonfiction companion to the History Channel dramatic series Texas Rising (produced by the same team that made the record-breaking Hatfields & McCoys): a thrilling new narrative history of the Texas Revolution and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers who patrolled the violent western frontier. In 1836, if west of the Mississippi was considered the Wild West then Texas was hell on earth--a hot bed of conflict. Who would win the war over Texas? Crushed from the outside by Mexican armadas and attacked from within by ferocious Comanche tribes, no one was safe. But this was a time of bravery, a time to die for what you believed in and a time to stand tall against the cruel rule of the Mexican General Santa Anna and his forces. The Texas Rangers, a ragtag crew of men fighting on horseback, were often outnumbered by as many as fifty-to-one. Yet under renowned General Sam Houston they achieved victory against nearly impossible odds, earning a legendary place in American history. Acclaimed Texas historian Stephen L. Moore's Texas Rising, the official companion to the epic History Channel series of the same name, brings to life the violent Texas frontier and the Rangers' heroic deeds during the Texas Revolution. Published with the full support and backing of History Channel, Texas Rising is an unforgettable history of this iconic band of fighters"-- Provided by publisher Map of Texas, 1836 Map of the Battle of San Jacinto Prologue Ranger life Seeds of rebellion "Come and take it" "The day was soon ours" The raven Revolutionary rangers "You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas" "I shall never surrender or retreat" The fall of the Alamo Fannin's battle at Coleto Creek "Damned anxious to fight" The fork in the road "Daring chivalry": the first duel Slaughter at San Jacinto Texas rising New challenges for a new nation Lamar's Cherokee war of extinction War with the Comanches Captain Devil Jack Triumph at Walker's Creek Epilogue