In the Shadow of the Alamo

Rating:
Summary: Shows the "other side" of the Texas Revolution.
Review: Nine years ago, Lorenzo's father was conscripted into the Mexican army, leaving behind Lorenzo, his little sister, and their pregnant mother. They never heard from him again. The year is now 1835, and life in their small village has not gotten any easier. Since his mother's death four years ago, Lorenzo has had to care for his two younger sisters. He believes the family is cursed and never expects to see his father again. While working in the fields, Lorenzo and some of the other village men are conscripted into the army to fight in the Texas campaign. Lorenzo, at fifteen, is too young to be conscripted, but the local landowner's son lies and says he meets the age requirement. Lorenzo is forced into a war he doesn't believe in, as his aunt and sisters join the other camp followers. Tragedy after tragedy follow on the long winter march to Texas. Their ultimate destination: the Alamo. The author has written a wonderful historical novel showing the "other side" in the Texas Revolution. The Mexican soldiers are portrayed as ordinary men who were forced to join the army and had no choice but to obey their superiors. I highly reccomend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Alamo Aveneged!
Review: This is a stirring story of a young Mexican peasant who is press-ganged into Santa Anna's army, as it prepares to march North into Texas to fight the Texan rebels at the Alamo and San Jacinto. While historical fiction, this is still a worthy book.
The author has paid close attention to historical details, and has correctly listed Mexican generals, regiments and battalions. While intended for young adults, older readers will find this an entertaining read as well. The story brings light upon the suffering and privations that the Mexican army endured in order to fight this campaign. Seen in this perspective, the legendary Texas heros of the Alamo seem mere mortals, and our sympathies go out instead to the poor, bedraggled, Mexican soldiers. While not one of the great armies of the day, the Mexican military suffered from chronic shortages, poor quality officers, and corruption. Not the least of its problems was in the form of Santa Anna himself, who lead irrationally, often marching his soldiers into the ground with little concern for their well-being. The Presidente's arrogance and vanity only compounded these problems.
At the Alamo 600 Mexican solders were sacreficed to his vanity. Had the great Napolean of the West waited a few more days for his siege guns to arrive, he could have reduced the Alamo Mission to ruins, and achieved his victory at far less cost. This book points out the dismay the Mexican soldiers felt from his arrogant and detached leadership. The humilating defeat at San Jacinto would end the forlorn Texas campaign and set the stage for the far greater conflict with the United States nearly a decade later, where Santa Anna would again lead his country to defeat.

Rating:
Summary: Alamo Aveneged!
Review: This is a stirring story of a young Mexican peasant who is press-ganged into Santa Anna's army, as it prepares to march North into Texas to fight the Texan rebels at the Alamo and San Jacinto. While historical fiction, this is still a worthy book.
The author has paid close attention to historical details, and has correctly listed Mexican generals, regiments and battalions. While intended for young adults, older readers will find this an entertaining read as well. The story brings light upon the suffering and privations that the Mexican army endured in order to fight this campaign. Seen in this perspective, the legendary Texas heros of the Alamo seem mere mortals, and our sympathies go out instead to the poor, bedraggled, Mexican soldiers. While not one of the great armies of the day, the Mexican military suffered from chronic shortages, poor quality officers, and corruption. Not the least of its problems was in the form of Santa Anna himself, who lead irrationally, often marching his soldiers into the ground with little concern for their well-being. The Presidente's arrogance and vanity only compounded these problems.
At the Alamo 600 Mexican solders were sacreficed to his vanity. Had the great Napolean of the West waited a few more days for his siege guns to arrive, he could have reduced the Alamo Mission to ruins, and achieved his victory at far less cost. This book points out the dismay the Mexican soldiers felt from his arrogant and detached leadership. The humilating defeat at San Jacinto would end the forlorn Texas campaign and set the stage for the far greater conflict with the United States nearly a decade later, where Santa Anna would again lead his country to defeat.