The Gates of the Alamo (Abridged) Audiobook, by Stephen Harrigan Play Audiobook Sample

The Gates of the Alamo (Abridged) Audiobook

The Gates of the Alamo (Abridged) Audiobook, by Stephen Harrigan Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Henry Leyva Publisher: Random House Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2000 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

The time is 1836. At the center of a canvas crowded with Mexicans and Americans, with Karankawa and Comanche Indians, with settlers of many nationalities, stand three people whose fortunes quickly become our urgent concern: Edmund McGowan, a naturalist of towering courage and intellect, whose life's work is threatened by the war against Mexico and whose character is tested by his own dangerous pride; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper on the Texas coast, a determined and resourceful woman; and her 16-year-old son Terrell, whose first shattering experience with love leads him instead to war, and into the crucible of the Alamo.

As Edmund McGowan and Mary Mott take off in pursuit of Terrell and follow him into the fortress, the powerful but wary attraction between them deepens. And the listener is drawn with them into the harrowing days of the battle itself.

Filled with dramatic scenes, abounding in fictional and historical personalities - among them James Bowie, David Crockett, and William Travis - The Gates of the Alamo enfolds us in history, and through its remarkable and passionate storytelling allows us to participate at last in an American legend.

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"As an Alamo fanatic, I've read just about everything ever written about the siege of the Alamo. Stephen Harrigans novel outshines every other tome on the subject. His historical research is dead on and his characterizations are great. He creates people you care about."

— Michael (5 out of 5 stars)

The Gates of the Alamo Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.16129032258065 out of 54.16129032258065 out of 54.16129032258065 out of 54.16129032258065 out of 54.16129032258065 out of 5 (4.16)
5 Stars: 10
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 5
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1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fine Historical background. A great tale that gives a real sense of what it might be like for the ordinary person to be swept up in something totally extraordinary. A broader view of Texas and it's history than is usually seen. "

    — Kerry, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It avoids the "Well hello Sam Houston! I'm Davy Crockett!" and gives a more realistic portrayal of the battle of the Alamo. "

    — Kelly, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a great "learning" book about Texas history. It was a captivating story and also a little gruesome in the details. "

    — Kristie, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I grew up in San Antonio, but Steve had me there in a way I'd never been before. I thought I knew Texas history, but he gave me the living, breathing variety. "

    — Sue, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An excellent book describing what happened leading up to and immediately following the battle from the perspective of the Texans et al as well as the Mexicans. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy historical novels. "

    — Al, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 6th generation Texan here ... how could I NOT like this book? "

    — Elaine, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very engrossing tale of historical event, the Alamo conflict...want to read more by this author. "

    — Trisha, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I thought it was a good book and very educational about a battle I wasn't familiar with. But it kind of dragged on and I wish the ending was better. But overall I was happy with it. "

    — Amanda, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent historical novel. Well researched and interesting story. Follows 3 Texas colonists with varying loyalty to the cause. "

    — Sbfrazier, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoy historical fiction and being a Texan I love my Texas history. This is a great combination of the two. "

    — Michelle, 10/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Little slow to start, but once it kicked in it turned out to be a pretty good read. "

    — James, 9/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " the best book about the alamo "

    — Clint, 2/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Continuing my Texas theme, this is the best, detailed account of the times and the events leading up to the taking of the Alamo by Santa Ana's army. It's a fictional account, but with so much detail that I came away understanding a load more about the attitudes and the times. "

    — David, 11/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I'm not a big fan of historical fiction but The Gates of the Alamo was outstanding and is historically quite accurate! "

    — Bob, 4/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a a great fictional account of the days leading up to and the siege of the Alamo. A fresh take on a well-known story, which gives the perspective of not only the defenders but of the Mexican soldiers. "

    — Kathy, 3/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An interesting dramatized retelling of the Alamo story w/o all the absurd Texian mythology & legend. "

    — Dave, 2/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Heading to San Antonio so I read this - learned a lot about the history. Enjoyable. "

    — Lois, 11/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book, great story around a great story! I haven't been so into a book in a long time. I couldn't put it down. "

    — Tag, 8/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Well researched, highly compelling historical novel. "

    — Andy, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Every Texan should read this book. Not only to learn, but to be entertained by some great writing. And I'm not just saying that because Steve is my uncle! "

    — Curlykerry, 5/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting and different historical book. Took a little time to get into it but well worth the effort. Enjoyed it very much. "

    — Annice, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good audiobook to tune into for the 8 hour drive from El Paso to San Antonio. As the story progressed, so did my awareness of the elements in it all around me. "

    — upthetrellis, 2/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Best book that I've read about the characters and the Alamo. This is historical fiction and very well written and entertaining story. "

    — Guzclues, 2/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is a a great fictional account of the days leading up to and the siege of the Alamo. A fresh take on a well-known story, which gives the perspective of not only the defenders but of the Mexican soldiers. "

    — Kathy, 10/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent historical novel. Well researched and interesting story. Follows 3 Texas colonists with varying loyalty to the cause. "

    — Sbfrazier, 7/18/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A historically accurate novel about the events leading up to the siege of the Alamo. Great character development and descriptive writing. At almost 600 pages it is overly long but this guy is good. "

    — Chuck, 4/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An interesting dramatized retelling of the Alamo story w/o all the absurd Texian mythology & legend. "

    — Dave, 5/2/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I thought it was a good book and very educational about a battle I wasn't familiar with. But it kind of dragged on and I wish the ending was better. But overall I was happy with it. "

    — Amanda, 4/13/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyed this historical novel set at the battle of the Alamo. "

    — Terry, 3/21/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is a novel about a boy that escapes from the Alamo. I REALLY liked this book when I read it in 2001. I ranked it up there with "Lonesome Dove". Which is one of my all-time favorites. "

    — Amy, 1/30/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An excellent book describing what happened leading up to and immediately following the battle from the perspective of the Texans et al as well as the Mexicans. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy historical novels. "

    — Al, 1/27/2009

About Stephen Harrigan

Stephen Harrigan, a longtime writer for Texas Monthly and many other magazines, is the author of the novels Aransas and Jacob’s Well. His other books include Water and Light: A Diver’s Journey to a Coral Reef and the essay collections A Natural State and Comanche Midnight. He lives in Austin, Texas.

About Henry Leyva

Henry Leyva, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, is a classically trained actor with extensive work in theater, television, film, and radio. He has appeared off Broadway and in regional theaters across the country in many plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, and Street Car Named Desire. He has also performed in audio dramas for the Syfy Channel and National Public Radio