Sam Houston
The Life and Times of the Liberator of Texas, an Authentic American Hero
by John Hoyt Williams

An Almost Forgotten, Yet Fascinating, Texan Populist
September 4, 2000

Who is the Houston, the city, and Houston, the popular street in Manhattan named after, anyway?
This fascinating and highly readerable biography retells the legend of Sam Houston, the controversial governor of Tennessee and Texas, the first president of the Republic of Texas, and a protege of Andrew Jackson. Williams' recreates the political and historical atmosphere of Manifest Destiny era in a critical, yet sympathetic biography that should become a standard work for 19th century history buffs. Williams portrays Houston as a charmistic man and alcoholic, a distrustful populist, and an authentic American hero who tried to keep Texas in the Union.

Williams' Houston is also an easy target for revisionist historians looking for expansionist villains. An occassional supporter of the Know Nothing party, Houston defended slavery and advocated a war with Mexico to unite all Americans in 1860. It was a futile effort to both prevent the Civil War and become president of the United States. Williams suggests that Houston's temper and penchant for secrecy blocked his highest political ambitions. Williamns' vibrant biography illuminates the enduring appeal (and danger) of an authentic military hero and populist politician. Full of memorable quotes and extensive resource notes, this compelling biography is the kind of first rate history that tantalizes readers with absorbing "what ifs" and the lost possibilities of a distant time and place.

I learned a great deal reading this book and highly recommend it. Books like this demonstrate how many great stories remain untold or forgotten in our history - even when cities and streets are named after yesterday's idols.

 

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