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The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo--and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation Audiobook
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(3.11) - 159 listener ratings
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On February 23, 1836, a large Mexican army led by dictator Santa Anna reached San Antonio and laid siege to about 175 Texas rebels holed up in the Alamo. The Texans refused to surrender for nearly two weeks until almost 2,000 Mexican troops unleashed a final assault. The defenders fought valiantly-for their lives and for a free and independent Texas-but in the end, they were all slaughtered. Their ultimate sacrifice inspired the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo!" and eventual triumph.
Exhaustively researched, and drawing upon fresh primary sources in U.S. and Mexican archives, The Blood of Heros is the definitive account of this epic battle. Populated by larger-than-life characters -- including Davy Crockett, James Bowie, William Barret Travis -- this is a stirring story of audacity, valor, and redemption.
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"This is one of the better books I have read on the history of the Alamo and war for Texas Independence. James Donovan does a great job of researching a variety of sources and giving the reader an in-depth look at the Alamo and those that died defending it. I liked this book much better than Donovan's first book, A Terrible Glory, which was a look at Custer's last stand. The one thing I did not like about the book is that I thought it could have used more maps in the book. It would have been useful to have a map that showed Mexican troop placements during the siege and the movements on the day of battle. A map of Texas with towns, colonies, forts, etc. from 1836 would have been useful too. When he mentioned them in the book, I knew where they were located, but it would have been a helpful visual for those not familiar with that area of Texas. I would recommend this book to any person that is intrigued by the story of the Alamo and it's defenders."
— Clint (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Combines strong narrative chops with exhaustive research…By the time the shooting starts, we’ve established an emotional connection to the characters that makes them all the more poignant and tragic…The carnage of the battle, which culminates with the slaughter of the defenders by bayonet-wielding Mexican soldiers, makes for brutal reading. But this wasn’t the ersatz violence of a football game; it was the real thing, which is what we’re supposed to remember. After reading The Blood of Heroes, which sears the events of 1836 on our memories as if branding cattle, no one is likely to forget.”
— USA Today -
“Underscores why the men who fell at the Alamo are rightly seen as heroes whose sacrifice inspired a people to see their situation aright, and to prevail. James Donovan has told their story well. Blood of Heroes is just the book for anyone who in unacquainted with the great story of the Alamo or who wants to dig deeper into the history of the Texas Revolution.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Donovan’s gripping book is history at its best—exactingly sourced and written with a vividness that challenges you to put it down.”
— Washington Times -
“Donovan demonstrates convincingly that the actual events of the extended struggle for the Alamo were just as dramatic as screenwriters imagined them. A crucible moment in American history author comes alive in the words of a bestselling author.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Drawing on plenty of research and primary sources from both sides of the conflict, Donovan breathlessly re-creates the thirteen-day skirmish.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Donovan underscores his strengths as a writer—a flair for detail and story—with his own narration, which skillfully conveys the drama of the event. With a youthful, slightly gravelly voice, he is superbly cast to narrate:One can imagine him as one of the young volunteers who manned the doomed fort.”
— AudioFile -
“Without breaking the flow of his compelling story, Donovan reliably separates fact from legend, persuasively assessing the evidence and artfully setting the scene. An authoritative, moving retelling of an enduring episode of sacrifice and courage.”
— Kirkus Reviews
The Blood of Heroes Listener Reviews
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" I liked the book. it was easy to read & the narrative was not hard to follow. "
— Hazel, 2/19/2014 -
" An interesting read that removes much of the mythologizing of the various well known historical characters involved in Texas' fight for independence. "
— David, 2/4/2014 -
" I love the story and I love the message and hoped to find out more about the men and women that risked their lives at the Alamo. But the book was plodding and found myself wanting it to end just so I could move on to another book. "
— Tom, 1/13/2014 -
" Well researched and well written, Donovan's book is a good introduction to the Texas war for independence. The background to the war was sketched in well enough (though I prefer William Davis's "Three Roads to the Alamo" in that regard), but the taking of the Alamo lacks significant detail and doesn't stand up to Stephem Hardin's "The Texian Iliad," or to William Davis. (Read "Sleuthing the Alamo" for a view of how the battle of the Alamo continues to this day.) "
— Larry, 1/6/2014 -
" Enjoyed the notes as much as the book. Will never be able to watch the movie in the same way again. "
— Paula, 1/1/2014 -
" Texas history, well written. "
— Mark, 11/1/2013 -
" An excellent book that provides in detail the struggles of the Texas pioneers. It provides the background of the key individuals as well as a blow-by-blow account of the battle at the Alamo. I would recommend this book to anyone who has interest in American history. I fine book! "
— Eliot, 10/2/2013 -
" Good book. Detailed the lives of the major players at the Alamo - Jim Bowie, Steven Travis, Davy Crockett. He then tells the story of the Texas fight for revolution. A great book - certainly a time period I haven't read about often. Highly recommend. "
— Jared, 8/23/2013 -
" This is a very well-written, engaging account of the Alamo and its aftermath. It answers several questions that I have had in the past about the events during February-March of 1836. "
— Bill, 8/6/2013 -
" Brilliant. A pleasure to read. "
— Matt, 7/19/2013 -
" This was a good overview of the Battle of the Alamo and the immediate impact afterward. "
— Matthew, 5/27/2013 -
" An excellent job of providing the Alamo's full story. Includes the events leading up to and after this historic battle. Excellent mini-biographies of all the key figures involved in the fight for Texas independence. "
— Doyle, 5/16/2013 -
" I found the book interesting but wish the story and writing were more textured. "
— Rick, 1/30/2013 -
" Very well written and researched. You get an excellent feel for the situation faced by both forces and the towering historical personalities. This is a really good author as I have also read his book on Custer and it was equally outstanding. "
— Nick, 12/17/2012 -
" Loved it. A well researched and thoughtful story about the myth and reality of the Texas' fight for independence. "
— Mike, 12/3/2012 -
" I love books like this that take a comprehensive look at historical events. The amazing twists of fate, decisions that should have been disastrous weren't, the human frailties and egos, the acts of selfless bravery -- they're all here. This is an AMAZING read. "
— Geoff, 10/25/2012 -
" A dramatic and historically intriguing account that places the heroic epic in context. "
— Ross, 10/23/2012
About James Donovan
James Donovan is the author of three bestselling books of history, Shoot for the Moon: The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Appollo 11, The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo—and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation, and A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn—the Last Great Battle of the American West.