Rating: 
Summary: Getting to the truth of the Alamo
Review: I'm not sure if William C. Davis' "Three Roads to the Alamo" is a reinterpretation of the 1836 Alamo siege more than it is a truly exhaustive study of the three men who define that battle. A detailed and fascinating examination of the lives of David Crockett, James Bowie and William Barret Travis, "Three Roads to the Alamo" cuts through the myth and legend, revealing the dirt and substance of these men's lives en route to their eventual deaths in San Antonio.Certainly the myth of Crockett is dented somewhat, as we see that he is a man clumsy in politics, impatient with family life, seeking the next adventure. Bowie also comes across as a rather scandalous man, involved in shady land and slave dealings which would have most certainly placed him in jail today. And finally Travis, whose life has never before been examined with such detail, comes across as a rather poor businessman, constantly in debt and a obsessive womanizer to boot. Like all great historical figures shrouded in myth, it was only a matter of time before modern-day historians placed these Texas revolutionary heroes beneath a very un-romantic, yet 21st century microscope. So it comes as a rather stunning surprise that after these three statue-like figures are dressed down in human fashion, by battle's end they still, somehow, manage to put their past behind them and become heroes in spite of their many flaws. I'm not sure if Mr. Davis did this intentionally, just as I'm not sure if you could truly draw a portrait of these men and this battle and not find shades of extraordinary heroism within the walls of that mission fortress. Certainly, John Wayne's infamous 1960 film "The Alamo" is anything but the truth, but the great unvarnished fact about this story is that even with the bones revealed, these men still come across as noble and heroic, having seized an incredible moment in time, thus surviving for all eternity. And that, undoubtedly, is what continues to fascinate Americans, if not world citizens, about this battle. These men, while holding out for the hope of reinforcements, chose to stay, eventually sealing their doom. Yes, the line may not have been drawn in the sand, but in "Three Roads to the Alamo," that obvious fact becomes surprisingly irrelevant. Warts and all, these men's lives serve as the proper contrast to their eventual final deeds, making their decisions in 1836 all the more unforgettable. "Three Roads to the Alamo" is a intimately detailed historic work, which will fascinate all readers interested in this legendary battle. Arguably, it is one of the finest books yet written about this 13-day siege.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best Alamo Books
Review: In Three Roads to the Alamo, William C. Davis paints a broader picture of the events in Texas in 1836. He looks at the three most famous Alamo defenders, Travis, Crockett, and Bowie, and tells their live stories. He mixes them with important events of the time, finally weaving them all together for the Alamo siege. It can be a little dry at times, but it is a great book for any Texan or history student.
Rating:
Summary: A superb historical work
Review: Not much more here than has already been said, though I feel the real coup de grace was Davis's willingness and ability to gather previously difficult to obtain information in the Mexican military archives. The reference and support information alone is worth the price of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Scoundrels or martyrs?
Review: Now I know all the details of Bowie's land schemes and Travis's shortcomings as a lawyer but for the life of me I can't figure out what the author dislikes about poor old Davey. Its true that Bowie was a land shark as were many of the Louisiana gentry as well as the United States government. Travis I can excuse because of his youth and he died writing the most stirring appeals in Texas and American history. Of course few hear them today in the politically correct society that we now have. The author takes Crockett to task for the very things that made him an American legend before he became the symbol of the Alamo. Poor Crockett could do nothing to please this author. If he stood by his convictions he was a bumbling neer to well. If he compromised he was betraying his constituency. As was said by a much greater writer years back,'when the legend is greater than the truth, print the legend'. Or at least hold back snide comments and analysis. Despite the bias flaws this work will give you a chance to see the turmoil and the many facets of these three men. Sadly it is lacking in information of the fateful thirteen days of glory.
Rating:
Summary: For Alamo junkies
Review: OK, I read every book written on the Alamo, so I had to read this one. While you have to plow through a lot of history of these three that occurs before they ever reach Texas, I must say I learned new things about each. There is no question - they are not the guilded "heros" we have worshipped for so long in Texas, but I like them better as real people. Not necessarily an "easy" read, but if you follow Texas history, a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on Texas ever written!
Review: The research is incredible. I even read all the notes, and they are as facinating as the book. I wish he had spent another couple of hundred pages on Travis' diary. His conclusions on Houston were a bit on the ruthless side. The Alamo was going to fall, no matter how many reinforements were sent. But, this story needed to be told by someone who would take the time to "look it up". And, look it up is exactly what Mr. Davis has done!
Rating:
Summary: Three cheers for "Three Roads"!
Review: The settlement of new territory comes in three phases. The first are the trailblazers, like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Then come the speculators seeking to make a quick profit (like James Bowie) and then come the "nesters," the teachers, lawyers (like William Travis), homesteaders who make a community. William O. Davis' fascinating book offers three short biographies of three very different men and how they all came to meet their fate at the Alamo. Crockett is the most endearing. He comes across as a very sweet-natured and good-hearted person who strives very hard to improve himself. Bowie was an out-and-out crook and con-man. (His story is really pretty shocking to someone who grew up with the hagiography of Texian heroes!) Travis also had a few skeletons in his closet, in that he came to Texas to escape an unpleasant personal situation elsewhere. But people like these men were the founders of The Republic of Texas. It's my observation that some of the most successful Texans have combined aspects of all these men. (Lyndon Johnson and Ross Perot immediately come to mind.) Even though I'm a native Texan (some my ancestors came to Texas with the Robertson colony and another fought at San Jacinto), there were a lot of things that were new to me in this book. This is insightful and incisive writing. I recommend it to all lovers of Texas history. It has deepened my understanding of everything else I have read on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: Three cheers for "Three Roads"!
Review: The settlement of new territory comes in three phases. The first are the trailblazers, like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Then come the speculators seeking to make a quick profit (like James Bowie) and then come the "nesters," the teachers, lawyers (like William Travis), homesteaders who make a community. William O. Davis' fascinating book offers three short biographies of three very different men and how they all came to meet their fate at the Alamo. Crockett is the most endearing. He comes across as a very sweet-natured and good-hearted person who strives very hard to improve himself. Bowie was an out-and-out crook and con-man. (His story is really pretty shocking to someone who grew up with the hagiography of Texian heroes!) Travis also had a few skeletons in his closet, in that he came to Texas to escape an unpleasant personal situation elsewhere. But people like these men were the founders of The Republic of Texas. It's my observation that some of the most successful Texans have combined aspects of all these men. (Lyndon Johnson and Ross Perot immediately come to mind.) Even though I'm a native Texan (some my ancestors came to Texas with the Robertson colony and another fought at San Jacinto), there were a lot of things that were new to me in this book. This is insightful and incisive writing. I recommend it to all lovers of Texas history. It has deepened my understanding of everything else I have read on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: A Look Behind the Legends
Review: The story of the Alamo has become the stuff of legend. The names most associated with the Alamo-James Bowie, David Crockett, and William Butler Travis-have taken on a mythological aura-especially in Texas. Davis' goal here is not to tell the story of the Alamo again (the actual battle covers very few pages) but to take a look behind the legends and attempt to draw a human portrait of these three heroes of the Alamo with flaws (and there are a lot of flaws here) and all.
David Crockett had already become the stuff of legend by the time he made his way to the Alamo. Davis implies he only referred to himself as Davy to further the popular image of himself as a naïve back woodsman. David further implied that Crockett was inept and selfish at best in politics and neglectful of family. Of the three, however, Crockett does emerge as the most sympathetic. Bowie is presented as shady at best. In his pre-Alamo days, Bowie was a greedy speculator who was not above slave-trading or colossal dishonesty in the attempt to acquire land. There is little source material for Travis' life. Yet, Davis is able to draw a convincing picture of this failed lawyer who fled his native state to flee financial collapse and professional ruin.
Ultimately, what will cause this book to become a classic on this near-mythological battle will be that Davis examines these three guys as human and not as solely legends. If he had chosen to write one book on each of these three it would have been a good book; by choosing to write about all three in one book he has produced a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, stunningly detailed triple biography
Review: This book combines the best in historical detail and accuracy with a bold, dramatic narrative that propels the reader forward. Travis, Crockett and Bowie are revealed as full human beings not caricatures or tall-tale characters. The research is exhaustive and the portraits of the men are clear and strong. One knows the tragic event that sealed their fate, and Davis debunks some of the myth clouding the Alamo and the three men inextricably linked to it. It is also a book about a young country and the unique and fascinating men that forged the American West. Not just for Alamo enthusiasts--there's plenty here for everyone! It contains the exhaustive research, humor, attention to detail and "readability" that characterize Davis' books. If you've read his Civil War books--give this one a try! If you've never read him, it's a great introduction to his style. Quite Simply a GREAT read.
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