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Review of Jim Bowie Bio- Interesting Facts- Emotional Ending✅ Nakazono Family

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Name: Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis: Davis, William C.: 9780060930943: Amazon.com: Books
Price: 16.7 USD
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Rating: 4.4 (348 reviews)

William C. Davis

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Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis Paperback – April 7, 1999

by William C. Davis (Author)

348 ratings

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"William C. Davis's Three Roads to the Alamo is far and away the best account of the Alamo I have ever read. The portraits of Crockett, Bowie, and Travis are brilliantly sketched in a fast-moving story that keeps the reader riveted to the very last word." — Stephen B. Oates

Three Roads to the Alamois the definitive book about the lives of David Crockett, James Bowie and William Barret Travis—the legendary frontiersmen and fighters who met their destiny at the Alamo in one of the most famous and tragic battles in American history—and about what really happened in that battle.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exhaustive research by a master practitioner sweeps aside layers of legendry to reveal three giants of the Alamo in their true character and significance. Three Roads to the Alamo will occupy the authoritative high ground for years to come." — Robert M. Utley

"William C. Davis's Three Roads to the Alamo is far and away the best account of the Alamo I have ever read. The portraits of Crockett, Bowie, and Travis are brilliantly sketched in a fast-moving story that keeps the reader riveted to the very last word." — Stephen B. Oates

"Davis, a well-regarded biographer of Confederate figures, has turned over every documentary rock about Crockett, Bowie, and Travis, who had never encountered one another until the Texans revolted in 1835. So this book is effectively three books in one, and colorful ones at that...a dense but flowing narrative." — Bookist

"[A] myth-shattering retelling. Three Roads to the Alamo [is] a major and at times daring study." — Daily Press, Inc. Newport News, Va.

"A splendid narrative history, perceptive, authoritative, and moving." — Kirkus Reviews

"A stunning work—well written, exceedinly well-researched, interesting and enlightening." — Austin-American Statesman

"Davis has provided a fresh and challenging look not only at the icons of Texas independence but at the March 6, 1836, battle at the old San Antonio mission in which the three heroes died, as did all the other 180 defenders. From the opening pages, in which the three heroes first meet in New Orleans in 1827, to the post-mortem assessment of them, Three Roads to the Alamo is an illuminating, exhaustive but never exhausting book." — Rocky Mountain News (Denver)

"Exhaustive research by a master practitioner sweeps aside layers of legendry to reveal three giants of the Alamo in their true character and significance. Three Roads to the Alamo will occupy the authoritative high ground for years to come." — Robert M. Utley, author of 13 books on Western American History

"The reality really is far more interesting than the myth, as William C. Davis proves in this ambitious, extensively researched and compelling joint biography. Davis. . . brings a sympathetic, nuanced approach to his task of chipping away legends and falsehoods. He injects blood and marrow into desiccated icons. The Crockett, Bowie and Travis that emerge may be less godlike than some might wish—the three were flawed, fascinating, larger than life. But to evoke them as this book does is to give history a deeply human face." — Houston Chronicle

"There is no doubt this book is the best-researched and best-written history of the lives of Crockett, Bowie and Travis yet published. Mr. Davis makes their lives more exciting and vivid than their legens—a must-read for anyone interested in Texas history." — Dallas Morning News

"Three Roads to the Alamo represents a new wave in Alamo literature that is just beginning to appear in print. This book marks a maturing of Alamo historiography and is a must for any student of this epic event....Highly recommended." — San Antonio Express News

From the Back Cover

Three Roads to the Alamo is the definitive book about the lives of David Crockett, James Bowie and William Barret Travis—the legendary frontiersmen and fighters who met their destiny at the Alamo in one of the most famous and tragic battles in American history—and about what really happened in that battle.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial; First PB Edition (April 7, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 832 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060930942
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060930943
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.65 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.34 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #619,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #417 in Mexico History
- #5,551 in World War II History (Books)
- #9,427 in U.S. State & Local History

Customer Reviews:
348 ratings

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Customers find the book fascinating for its detailed exploration of the lives of key Alamo figures, and one customer notes how it cuts through historical mythology. Moreover, the book receives praise for its thorough research and excellent price point. However, the writing quality receives mixed feedback, with some customers finding it well written while others say it's hard to follow. Additionally, several customers report issues with typos throughout the text.

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Detail Readability Research quality Value for money Writing quality Typos

46 customers mention "Detail"39 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed exploration of the lives of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis, providing a thorough account of the major historical figures involved.

"...Otherwise, the book is still the best overall biography of the three principals and the battle itself...." Read more

"...David Crockett (as he preferred to be called) was a good man and was honest to a fault, though he was also in debt for much of his life...." Read more

"...But this book is the full picture of these three men, with all their short comings...." Read more

"It shows a a real account of their lives, and not romanticized version from Texas history class. The amount of annotation is incredible...." Read more

37 customers mention "Readability"37 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and interesting, with one customer noting it's a must-read for history enthusiasts.

"...copy of “The Iron Mistress” (history based novel) which was a big read for a young kid...." Read more

"...It is a truly great piece of work. Thank you, Mr. Davis!!!" Read more

"...A great book. A brilliant book." Read more

"...in the politics that lead to the fall of the Alamo, this is an important book" Read more

17 customers mention "Research quality"17 positive0 negative

Customers praise the thorough research of the book, with multiple reviews noting the exceptional job done by the author in exploring his subjects. However, some customers mention that there is no shortage of misinformation to squelch.

"...the research and the actual story, Mr. Davis did an exceptional job of researching his subjects...." Read more

"...covered in "Three Roads to the Alamo" This book is deep and well researched. The foot notes were as interesting as the book itself...." Read more

"...social difficulties before moving to Texas, but this book spares nothing in the details. And Bowie ? A land swindler, forger, slave trader, liar...." Read more

"...But on the other hand, the story is well researched and gripping. I'm continuing to read it despite the typo handicap...." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers excellent value for money.

"...This is the great value of his book." Read more

"Arrive in great condition. Speedy delivery. Good price. I would buy from them again." Read more

"...You never really know what you are going to get, but the price was low enough to take the risk...." Read more

"...A true bargain and very pleased with delivery!" Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it very well written while others report that most of it is unreadable and difficult to follow.

"...This book is so well researched, it's scary. And well written as well. I loved it...." Read more

"...errors, especially beginning with the second half of the book, made reading difficult...." Read more

"A well written and documented narrative of the paths that Travis, Bowie, and Crockett took to their improbable legacy as heroes...." Read more

"...The book is so well written and the narrative of the Alamo so well told that everyone in my family was engaged...." Read more

5 customers mention "Typos"0 positive5 negative

Customers report numerous typos and misspellings throughout the book, with one customer noting formatting mistakes in the Kindle version.

"...The other problem is the increasing number of typos and misprints particularly in the last couple of chapters...." Read more

"I might have rated this with four stars but the typographical errors, especially beginning with the second half of the book, made reading difficult...." Read more

"...What is frustrating the hell out of me are the typos in the Kindle version. David Crokett? " move faster than a company with its impendimenta."..." Read more

"...Only critical point is that there were many many misspelling of words, letting the connotation leave me and was somewhat distracting...." Read more

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Robert Mike
The Best Alamo Book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2017
Verified Purchase

I just reread Three Roads to the Alamo as a Kindle edition. The are only two quibbles I have with the Kindle version. One is the lack of illustrations other than one diagram of the mission. The print edition has several pages of illustrations which relate to the text, particularly with respects to comments on the portraits of Bowie, Crockett and Travis. Not a big problem as I have several other sources for the illustrations. The other problem is the increasing number of typos and misprints particularly in the last couple of chapters. Otherwise, the book is still the best overall biography of the three principals and the battle itself. Many of the latest theories and discussions are actually discussed, such as how did Crockett die, the "coffin" which has been stated as containing remains of Bowie, Crockett and Travis (easily explained as a memorial rather than actual having their remains. Also addressed is the number of men in the Alamo (from @ 180 to perhaps 250) and the attempted escape of many during the last battle. Other authors go into more detail of individual aspects if the history of the Alamo, but this is the book to read to learn of the history and legends behind the three protagonists and the battle itself.

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Mark R. Brewer
The Long Way to the Alamo
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
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THREE ROADS TO THE ALAMO is not really about the Alamo. Only a few pages are devoted to that epic battle. The book is a biography of the three most prominent men to have died there: David Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Travis. Each of their "roads" is quite long. Author William C. Davis has a reputation for detail, and he certainly lives up to it here. Parts of the book are dry and caught up in minutiae. This is especially so in the chapters that deal with Jim Bowie's false land claims.

These three men died as heroes at the Alamo, and that they certainly were. But they may not fit the popular image of heroes. Bowie was an especially unethical man, forging bogus land claims in Arkansas and Louisiana to such a great extent that officials in Washington D.C. took to calling all false land claims "Bowie claims." He sold land he didn't own, and went to Texas to escape arrest. He also lied to his Mexican father-in-law about his age and his wealth in order to win the man's daughter in marriage. He never invented the Bowie knife and never claimed to. That was done by his brother Rezin. In his defence, Bowie was a brave man, a ferocious fighter, and a natural leader. The Mexican's called him "the braggart."

William Travis ran to Texas to escape huge debt. He abandoned his wife and two small children, and his wife eventually sued him for divorce. He was also an excellent leader.

David Crockett (as he preferred to be called) was a good man and was honest to a fault, though he was also in debt for much of his life. Crockett was a U.S. Congressman from Tennessee, a Jacksonian Democrat who broke with Jackson when that president got his Indian Removal Bill through Congress. Crockett felt it was unfair to Native Americans. He was up for reelection in 1835, and said if he lost, he would "go to hell or go to Texas." He chose the latter. Like Travis, he also left his wife and children behind.

Crockett was the most famous of the three. He had a reputation as fighter, a hunter, and a frontiersman, all of which were true, but he wanted to be known as a gentleman. He did not wear a coonskin cap.

Davis dispels the myths that surround these men and the battle for which they are best remembered, and there are many of them. This is the great value of his book.

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19 people found this helpful

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CAPT Bob
the full picture of these three men
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Somewhere around the age of 12, I became fascinated with the Alamo, and read all the stuff I could find back then. Typically they were histories written for adolescents touting the glorious sacrifice of these American heroes, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and Bart Travis. I even found a copy of “The Iron Mistress” (history based novel) which was a big read for a young kid.
The legends surrounding two of these men (Bowie and Crockett) were extraordinary as displayed by Fess Parker (as Davy Crockett) and Disney studios. Jim Bowie was larger than life in a not much watch TV series, but in the movies “Iron Mistress” and “Man’s Last Command” he became a big hero. Certainly Sterling Hayden was a more impressive Jim Bowie than Alan Ladd. Of course, John Wayne went broke making his epic “The Alamo” movie. How could I not be drawn in by this?
Certainly as an adult I had some understanding that these three me had short falls in their lives, as do all men. But this book is the full picture of these three men, with all their short comings. I very much enjoyed experiencing these three as human beings, not just legends.

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5 people found this helpful

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Mark Schindel
When the saying don’t meet your hero’s can be a good thing.
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2025
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It shows a a real account of their lives, and not romanticized version from Texas history class. The amount of annotation is incredible. There is a lot of research that went into this book.

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Dee
Excellent book, terrible proof-reader!
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
I might have rated this with four stars but the typographical errors, especially beginning with the second half of the book, made reading difficult. Shame on the publishing company for having the worst copy editor ever! In some places there were more than 4 errors on a page, which is totally unacceptable.

As for the research and the actual story, Mr. Davis did an exceptional job of researching his subjects. It is satisfying to finally put the myths to rest and learn what really happened on that fateful day in March, 1836.

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3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

ken smith
Good
Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2024
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Great book

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Claire
Bought for a present
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2023
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He loved it!

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P. Mead
Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2017
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good

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George Chenier Sr.
good book, well written but easy to put down.
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2019
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more of a bio

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D. E. Hemsley
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2014
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Fascinating and extremely readable.

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Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis Paperback – April 7, 1999

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Alamo Book.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Long Way to the Alamo

5.0 out of 5 stars the full picture of these three men

5.0 out of 5 stars When the saying don’t meet your hero’s can be a good thing.

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, terrible proof-reader!

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for a present

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, well written but easy to put down.

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

The Best Alamo Book.

The Long Way to the Alamo

the full picture of these three men

When the saying don’t meet your hero’s can be a good thing.

Excellent book, terrible proof-reader!

Good

Bought for a present

Four Stars

good book, well written but easy to put down.

Five Stars