Sword of San Jacinto: A Life of Sam Houston

Covers the essentials.Doesn't elide Houston's Unionism in the face of Texas's treason in 1860-61.

Enjoyable book about a bigger than life hero and politician.

This book informs you about the specifics of Sam Houston's life, the truth about the Texas-Mexico border, and the Republic of Texas. As a native Texan I have to say that without a doubt this is a must-read book.Houston's greatness comes through. A pioneer, frontiersman, warrior, leader, and politician are just some of Houston's attributes depicted.

I recommend Sam Houston: A Biography of the Father of Texas, by John Hoyt Williams. Our library has both books, and after I thoroughly enjoyed John Hoyt Williams’s Sam Houston: A Biography of the Father of Texas, I thought I’d compare it with De Bruhl’s. It may have said the same thing, but it didn’t convey that subtle sense of meaning to the account.

Great book, beautifully written and a page-turner that you will not want to put down. A fabulous account of a great hero of Texas! Highly recommended!

Great write - very insightful

Great read on the life of a great American.

Marshall De Bruhl has produced one of the best biographies I have read. Beginning with his grandfather John Houston's arrival in America, De Bruhl lays the foundation for why General Sam Houston was who he was and became who he became, to use the authors own words, "...an authentic American hero. Wounded in the War of 1812 and the Texas revolution. Congressman. Governor of two states, Tennessee and Texas. Ambassador from the Cherokee Nation. United States senator. Commander-in-chief of the Texan army. Twice president of the Republic of Texas."Even this seems to be an understatement of the achievements of this fascinating and unusual patriot. To add from the 403 pages of biography that follows this statement on page xi of the authors note, one needs only to pick from over four decades of public service. Houston was, in fact repeatedly re-elected to lead Texas as both governor and president, including the term in which Texas seceded from the Union against his strong opposition; add to that, his strong leadership in congress opposing anything that would jeopardize the union. He strongly opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and openly warned that it would lead the nation into war. When Texas tried to secede as a republic not aligned with the Confederacy in 1861, and the Confederacy forcefully took over the state, he refused to pledge loyalty to the new "nation" and allowed himself to be removed from office by the replacement legislature. And, again, he warned that Civil War would follow, predicting that it would not be short, but would flood the land with the blood of young Texans.Was Sam Houston a genuine hero as presented by De Bruhl? Absolutely. However, he was not presented as anything more than a hero with clay feet. The author makes no effort to smooth over or cover up Houston's flaws: his alcoholism, his sometimes radically spiteful verbal attacks on his opponents, and his marital problems. Yet, in this even handed biography, the author reveals his subject's humanity as well as his courage and determination to do what was right and moral. By the end of his life, Houston had abandoned alcohol, established a solid marriage that produced 8 children, and been baptized. He never conquered his tendency toward verbal personal attacks on his opponents, but neither did he ever cease to speak his mind and stand for what he believed was right, regardless of whether or not it was popular. I am, however, forced to admit that no matter how great he was and how much he did, knowing his personal problems and battle with alcoholism, I most likely would not have voted for him for any public office. And that would have been tragic. I cannot imagine what Texas & America would have become had he not been allowed to lead.As a fellow Texan who grew up near the San Jacinto battlefield, I have always been aware of Sam Houston & his great contribution to Texas history. I have read several books about that history recently, but nothing I have read was as interesting, informative and helpful in understanding all that Houston did for both Texas and America as is De Bruhl's work. I would consider this book to be a masterpiece of biographical information. Houston was far more involved in American events during his lifetime than any other history book has led me to realize. Therefore, I am immensely grateful to De Bruhl for his presentation, and highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know more about America, Texas, and this great man.Five stars because I cannot give it more.