Forget the Alamo

The Rise and Fall of an American Myth

De: Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, Jason Stanford

Narrado por: Fred Sanders

A New York Times best seller!

"Lively and absorbing...." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Engrossing." (Wall Street Journal)

"Entertaining and well-researched...." (Houston Chronicle)

Three noted Texan writers combine forces to tell the real story of the Alamo, dispelling the myths, exploring why they had their day for so long, and explaining why the ugly fight about its meaning is now coming to a head.

Every nation needs its creation myth, and since Texas was a nation before it was a state, it's no surprise that its myths bite deep. There's no piece of history more important to Texans than the Battle of the Alamo, when Davy Crockett and a band of rebels went down in a blaze of glory fighting for independence from Mexico, losing the battle but setting Texas up to win the war. However, that version of events, as Forget the Alamo definitively shows, owes more to fantasy than reality. Just as the site of the Alamo was left in ruins for decades, its story was forgotten and twisted over time, with the contributions of Tejanos - Texans of Mexican origin, who fought alongside the Anglo rebels - scrubbed from the record, and the origin of the conflict over Mexico's push to abolish slavery papered over. Forget the Alamo provocatively explains the true story of the battle against the backdrop of Texas's struggle for independence, then shows how the sausage of myth got made in the Jim Crow South of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As uncomfortable as it may be to hear for some, celebrating the Alamo has long had an echo of celebrating whiteness.

In the past 40-some years, waves of revisionists have come at this topic, and at times have made real progress toward a more nuanced and inclusive story that doesn't alienate anyone. But we are not living in one of those times; the fight over the Alamo's meaning has become more pitched than ever in the past few years, even violent, as Texas's future begins to look more and more different from its past. It's the perfect time for a wise and generous-spirited book that shines the bright light of the truth into a place that's gotten awfully dark.

©2021 Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, Jason Stanford (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford urge us to reconsider the Alamo, a symbol we’ve been taught to fiercely and uncritically remember...the book provides strong, provocative critiques of US imperialism and colonialism. The myth of the Alamo, as we know it, is a lie. It’s been a part of the lie students have learned in school, and animates the lies peddled by legislation like the 1836 Project and the critical race theory bill. But if you want to truly remember the past, you first have to forget it.” (Texas Observer)

“Lively and absorbing.... Much of the fun of the book derives from how deftly it strips that varnish off and demolishes the prevailing (White) racist shibboleths - in particular, what the authors call the Heroic Anglo Narrative of Texas history.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Lively, entertaining and well-researched.... The greatest surprise of Forget the Alamo is its clear-eyed explication of the ways politicians, educators, writers, filmmakers, and TV executives used the Alamo to serve whatever message they were promoting.” (Houston Chronicle)

Solid. Eye Opening.

5th Gen. Texan here. This was an unflinching look at the roller coaster that has been Texas politics through the lens of its biggest pawn. The Alamo.

Robust, Fresh Take on The Alamo

I bought this after hearing Burroughs discuss it on NPR. His enthusiasm was fantastic. The book turned out to be more of that with loads of great history. It puts The Alamo squarely in its historical and contemporary space. Regardless of your political beliefs, it should be thought-provoking. I enjoyed it immensely. If I had one criticism it would be the narrator read it so straightforward. I would have preferred Burroughs with his engaging cadence and excitement. Great read though.

Alamo: Its Myth, History, and Significance

This is a timely book, as the previous standard for Texas and much of American history was to advance white males as primary drivers. "Forget the Alamo" first dissects the legendary (emphasis on "legend") battle, delving into the personal lives of its key players--William Barrett Travis, James Bowie, and David "Davy" Crockett. This book also looks carefully at the troubled relationship between Mexico and the "Texian" immigrants from the Southern United States who brought enslaved black human beings with them to work the cotton fields that blanketed East Texas. Mexico abolished slavery, but the Texians under Stephen F. Austin established a work-around so blacks were indentured for life. Eventually, this system collapsed and a war of independence ensued between the province North of the Rio Grande and the Mexican state. A lingering and shameful tradition developed in which the Mexicans were portrayed as subhuman brutes. Texan students of Mexican heritage were harassed by Anglo classmates on field trips to the Alamo, and Texas 7th graders were taught that the brave Anglo fighters at the battle were mercilessly slaughtered by bloodthirsty, cowardly Mexican soldiers. All this, the authors discover, was largely based on second-hand accounts from the few survivors.

The subsequent history of the Alamo as a collection of buildings and the "Legend of the Alamo" in literature, movies, and television is explored in detail. Fess Parker and John Wayne portrayed Davy Crockett, with Parker becoming a "phenom" in the mid-1950's, inspiring countless young boys like me to don coonskin caps, purchase toy flintlock rifles, and set up backyard Alamos.

English singer/songwriter Phil Collins' obsession with Alamo battle artifacts prompted him to collect dozens of items of dubious origin, items which Collins offered to the State of Texas in return for Texas building a "world class" museum in San Antonio to house his collection. Eventually, this deal fell through as State officials quibbled over how much should be spent on the museum, which agency has control over the site, and whether Collins' artifacts were indeed genuine.

"Forget the Alamo" is not a scholarly work, and its story is hobbled by the refusal of several key players such as Phil Collins and Texas Land Office Commissioner George Prescott Bush to contribute interviews or statements to the authors. In places, the informality of the writing seems inappropriate, considering the seriousness of the subject. Nevertheless, this is an important addition to the Alamo story which sets the record straight on what is fact, fiction, legend, and myth about the battle and its long-lasting aftermath.

Sorting out "truth"

Great overview of the history. Makes one thing of how our perception of reality might be askewed.

True story of the Alamo that needs repeating

I’m a Texan and this book should be the history book given to all young Texans.

It’s the truth and it makes me so sad to know what lies we all grew up with and are still hearing.

Please, Read and Educate your children.

Evenhanded

Very balanced view while being historically accurate. Well worth the listen if you are interested in history and the politics of history today.

History that NEEDS to be learned

The book does an amazing job of challenging your thoughts and education around the formation of texas and gives you the unapologetic real history.

The big fat lie of Texas

I grew up learning these stories from my uncles and grandparents, but hearing them validated what they told us when we were young. It brings much comfort to our late ancestors that fought and died in Texas as the Mexican Americans. it is now 2024 and we’re still hearing and seeing the same ignorant rhetoric About the Alamo in state government. Thank you for investing time and bringing light to the big Texans lie.

For Every Texan

Living in San Antonio, some (mostly Phil Collins and the fake memorabilia) is openly discussed. However much of the basic foundations are lost to what has become “normal”. In a time when public opinion seems to guide what is taught and education board meetings are the frontlines for a white nationalist culture war, this is a book that will likely be banned from most school libraries. That is an absolute shame, for this is an even handed, faithful retelling of both the old and the recent. It should be taught. No question about it. Furthermore it is a compelling, interesting story of the winding history. One that pulls the reader along and makes us examine how we came to take certain “truths” for granted. Lastly, this book is a wonderful examination of how myth making and well, propaganda can become respected “fact” for generations.

Eye-opening

An eye-opening history and presentation of the Alamo past--present. I thought I knew something about the "Heroic Last Stand" --now I know I do.
I heard about this book in an article, about how the Governor of Texas was trying to block this book--which led me to check it out; the Governor called it "...fact free..." --and he is wrong. Well researched, well written, committed to truth--the authors deliver, perhaps to much truth. I still admire Davy Crockett and the last stand, if anything I appreciate it a bit more now that I know the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo was a colabrative effort by many Tejanos/Texans. Like so many true stories there is unsettling tragedy wrapped up in the history.