Synopses & Reviews
Review
"It is remarkable—even stunning—that no biography of Austin, one of the fathers of Texas, has appeared since 1925.In that time, Sam Houston has received several full-scale treatments (at least two just in the past ten years), while David G.Burnet, Thomas J.Rusk, Samuel Williams, and other Texas leaders have also attracted modern biographers. Austin, however, died before he could play a significant role in the Republic of Texas, and he was, it must be said, not the sort of colorful frontiersman often celebrated in Texas. While any study of Austin would be warmly welcomed, Cantrell's biography is as close to definitive as is possible, given the paucity of sources on certain phases in
Austin's life. Cantrell writes well and is sensitive to complexities of Stephen Austin, as well as his father, the ambitious and intrepid Moses Austin. Perhaps most impressive is Cantrell's handling of Austin's long and often intimate involvement with Mexican politics." Reviewed by Andrew Witmer, Virginia Quarterly Review (Copyright 2006 Virginia Quarterly Review)
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 463-478) and index.
Table of Contents
A foundation for greatness, 1793-1810 -- Successes and failures, 1810-1818 --- New beginnings, 1819-1820 -- Texas, 1820-1821 -- Mexico, 1821-1823 -- Empresario Estevan F. Austin, 1823-1825 -- Staying the course, 1825-1827 -- Crises, personal and political, 1828-1830 -- We will be happy, 1830-1831 -- The call of duty, 1832-1833 -- Prison, 1833-1834 -- War is our only resource, 1835 -- The road to independence, 1835-1836 -- Home, 1836.