Audiobook24 hours
The Gates of the Alamo
Written by Stephen Harrigan
Narrated by George Guidall
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
Best-selling author Stephen Harrigan brings one of the pivotal battles in American history to life in this fiery, unforgettable novel. Meticulously researched and overflowing with fascinating characters, The Gates of the Alamo is an experience history buffs and fiction fans will equally enjoy. Edmund McGowan is a gifted naturalist whose life's work is threatened by war. Mary Mott is a widowed innkeeper forced to rely on her own resources for survival. Mary's 16-year-old son, Terrell, is a young man about to experience his first taste of love. Focusing on these three characters-and sprinkling in real-life figures such as James Bowie and Davy Crockett-Harrigan gives a human face to a true American legend. Told from the perspective of the Mexican attackers as well as the American defenders, this New York Times best-seller vividly recreates a time and a place where honor and gallant death shaped generations of people. George Guidall's narration captures all the drama of ordinary people living through extraordinary events.
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Reviews for The Gates of the Alamo
Rating: 4.125 out of 5 stars
4/5
8 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I loved the story which was very realistic.It was healing to read this after watching the terrible recent movie about the Alamo. Provided a gllimpse into the lives of some famous Americans in a very human way without taking anythiing from their celebrated bravery.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A very interesting take on the familiar story of the Alamo. The characters are brought to a level of realism not found in non-fiction histories of this epic battle. Very enjoyable so much so, that the reading went fast despite the length of the book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Remarkable novel both in the detail he adds to the historical context, and his care with that history. He also does an excellent job of illustrating the anglo vs hispanic division in the time period.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5After struggling through two non-fiction books about the Alamo, it was a relief to read this novel. Beautifully written, with compelling characters, I really enjoyed it. The relentless graphic violence of the last 90 or so pages might be disturbing to some--I needed to rest my eyes with something lighter in order to be able to fall asleep, but war is ugly, and the violence shows up the absurdity of the "battle of flowers" held at the Alamo many years later to commemorate the battle.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5the best book about the alamo
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Gates of the Alamo is an extremely long novel by Stephen Harrigan. It tells the story of the defeat of the Texian patriots by the army of Mexican General Santa Anna at the Alamo in March 1836. The story is told from the viewpoint of three fictional characters who were involved in the famous siege and battle.For myself, and I suspect for anyone not raised in Texas, not much is known about the Alamo, other than “Remember the Alamo!” So this book can serve as a lesson in Texas history. While very few Texian rebels actually survived the battle, the Alamo was the decisive factor in establishing Texian independence. In April 1836 the rebels, under the command of Sam Houston, defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, and drove them out of Texas.The Gates of the Alamo tells the story of Edmund McGowan, Mary Mott and Terrell Mott. McGowan is a botanist, hired by the Mexican government to explore and classify the flora of the Texas territory. Mary Mott is a widow who runs an inn in Texas; Terrell is her sixteen-year old son. There are many other characters in this book, including the famous Alamo fighters Jim Bowie, William Travis, and Davy Crockett.As with any novel based on a historical event, the events themselves are real and in this case are depicted accurately. Of course the personal situations and conversations are pure speculation. But this novel does bring the characters to life. It is quite detailed and thorough. The only complaint I have is that is far too long. The paperback edition is 577 pages. So, be warned.The Gates of the Alamo is the sixth book I’ve read for the Book Awards Reading Challenge. It was the Spur Award winner for Best Western Novel in 2001. Four to go!