Forget the Alamo

The Rise and Fall of an American Myth

By: Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, Jason Stanford

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller!

"Lively and absorbing...." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Engrossing." (Wall Street Journal)

"Entertaining and well-researched...." (Houston Chronicle)

Three noted Texan writers combine forces to tell the real story of the Alamo, dispelling the myths, exploring why they had their day for so long, and explaining why the ugly fight about its meaning is now coming to a head.

Every nation needs its creation myth, and since Texas was a nation before it was a state, it's no surprise that its myths bite deep. There's no piece of history more important to Texans than the Battle of the Alamo, when Davy Crockett and a band of rebels went down in a blaze of glory fighting for independence from Mexico, losing the battle but setting Texas up to win the war. However, that version of events, as Forget the Alamo definitively shows, owes more to fantasy than reality. Just as the site of the Alamo was left in ruins for decades, its story was forgotten and twisted over time, with the contributions of Tejanos - Texans of Mexican origin, who fought alongside the Anglo rebels - scrubbed from the record, and the origin of the conflict over Mexico's push to abolish slavery papered over. Forget the Alamo provocatively explains the true story of the battle against the backdrop of Texas's struggle for independence, then shows how the sausage of myth got made in the Jim Crow South of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As uncomfortable as it may be to hear for some, celebrating the Alamo has long had an echo of celebrating whiteness.

In the past 40-some years, waves of revisionists have come at this topic, and at times have made real progress toward a more nuanced and inclusive story that doesn't alienate anyone. But we are not living in one of those times; the fight over the Alamo's meaning has become more pitched than ever in the past few years, even violent, as Texas's future begins to look more and more different from its past. It's the perfect time for a wise and generous-spirited book that shines the bright light of the truth into a place that's gotten awfully dark.

©2021 Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, Jason Stanford (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford urge us to reconsider the Alamo, a symbol we’ve been taught to fiercely and uncritically remember...the book provides strong, provocative critiques of US imperialism and colonialism. The myth of the Alamo, as we know it, is a lie. It’s been a part of the lie students have learned in school, and animates the lies peddled by legislation like the 1836 Project and the critical race theory bill. But if you want to truly remember the past, you first have to forget it.” (Texas Observer)

“Lively and absorbing.... Much of the fun of the book derives from how deftly it strips that varnish off and demolishes the prevailing (White) racist shibboleths - in particular, what the authors call the Heroic Anglo Narrative of Texas history.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Lively, entertaining and well-researched.... The greatest surprise of Forget the Alamo is its clear-eyed explication of the ways politicians, educators, writers, filmmakers, and TV executives used the Alamo to serve whatever message they were promoting.” (Houston Chronicle)

Pulling for a 4th grade friendly version…

Given that 4th grade and 7th grade history here is stuck learning the Anglo-centric, faux hero version of events, I’m hopeful these authors will consider revising some of the more vulgar realities — cough, cough, Travis’ diary— and produce a 4th grade friendly version of this. My son and his friends at William B. Travis 🙄 TAG school here in Dallas would appreciate it. 🙏🏽

Should be mandatory reading

I already knew a lot of the history in the first half of this book. The details and the people I didn't know of were really fascinating though. I wasn't as conscious of a lot of the early 20th century history surrounding the Alamo and the efforts to prop up the myths. It makes sense though, I wasn't really taught much of this in school. I really wish this book or one like it had been available in high school. I think Texas history class would have been a lot more interesting as a result.

Incompetents, Racists and Grifters... sounds right

It came as no shock at all to learn the extent of the deception around the Alamo myth. It's always swirled around with a wink and nudge, common knowledge that it's all made up, like George Washington's cherry tree and glorious American fiction of Custer's Last Stand. But it was surprising to learn of the depth and breadth of incompetence, bigotry and hypocrisy at play. Even to the extent that there were competing Anglo and Tejano fictions to represent the Alamo narrative. And the hilarious grift of the Daughter's of the Republic of Texas. (How corrupt do you have to be to have notoriously shady Rick Perry to turn against you?) It's about time to recognize that Bowie, Crockett and Travis were many things, but heroes, they were most definitely not. Put the term Heroic Anglo Narrative right up there with the Lost Cause Myth and White Christian Supremacy as a stain that needs to be exposed and eradicated.

Enlightenment from intelligence

I don't usually download history books, although I should. I am a first generation Mexican/american so I felt that I needed to educate myself. I am glad I did. This book was thorough, unbiased, educational and entertaining. It was so well done and went the right way by not perpetuating a false depiction of white exceptionalism and superiority. It is always refreshing to find that there are people with integrity and a real sense of right and wrong who are willing to dig deep to dispel myths, no matter how long they had been held onto. Not knowing the ethnic background of the authors, but assuming they aren't hispanic, makes this book filled with correct revelations, to be even more compelling because they don't have anything to gain other than the satisfaction of truth-telling. Of course I would have believed the findings of hispanic authors, but I know there are those that would have questioned the authenticity of facts, thinking it would have been self-serving. Thank you for producing a great product that kept me interested and enlightened.

Just wow.

This book completely explains Texas. It’s a fast-moving page-turner of political and historical importance. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Solid. Eye Opening.

5th Gen. Texan here. This was an unflinching look at the roller coaster that has been Texas politics through the lens of its biggest pawn. The Alamo.

Robust, Fresh Take on The Alamo

I bought this after hearing Burroughs discuss it on NPR. His enthusiasm was fantastic. The book turned out to be more of that with loads of great history. It puts The Alamo squarely in its historical and contemporary space. Regardless of your political beliefs, it should be thought-provoking. I enjoyed it immensely. If I had one criticism it would be the narrator read it so straightforward. I would have preferred Burroughs with his engaging cadence and excitement. Great read though.

Alamo: Its Myth, History, and Significance

This is a timely book, as the previous standard for Texas and much of American history was to advance white males as primary drivers. "Forget the Alamo" first dissects the legendary (emphasis on "legend") battle, delving into the personal lives of its key players--William Barrett Travis, James Bowie, and David "Davy" Crockett. This book also looks carefully at the troubled relationship between Mexico and the "Texian" immigrants from the Southern United States who brought enslaved black human beings with them to work the cotton fields that blanketed East Texas. Mexico abolished slavery, but the Texians under Stephen F. Austin established a work-around so blacks were indentured for life. Eventually, this system collapsed and a war of independence ensued between the province North of the Rio Grande and the Mexican state. A lingering and shameful tradition developed in which the Mexicans were portrayed as subhuman brutes. Texan students of Mexican heritage were harassed by Anglo classmates on field trips to the Alamo, and Texas 7th graders were taught that the brave Anglo fighters at the battle were mercilessly slaughtered by bloodthirsty, cowardly Mexican soldiers. All this, the authors discover, was largely based on second-hand accounts from the few survivors.

The subsequent history of the Alamo as a collection of buildings and the "Legend of the Alamo" in literature, movies, and television is explored in detail. Fess Parker and John Wayne portrayed Davy Crockett, with Parker becoming a "phenom" in the mid-1950's, inspiring countless young boys like me to don coonskin caps, purchase toy flintlock rifles, and set up backyard Alamos.

English singer/songwriter Phil Collins' obsession with Alamo battle artifacts prompted him to collect dozens of items of dubious origin, items which Collins offered to the State of Texas in return for Texas building a "world class" museum in San Antonio to house his collection. Eventually, this deal fell through as State officials quibbled over how much should be spent on the museum, which agency has control over the site, and whether Collins' artifacts were indeed genuine.

"Forget the Alamo" is not a scholarly work, and its story is hobbled by the refusal of several key players such as Phil Collins and Texas Land Office Commissioner George Prescott Bush to contribute interviews or statements to the authors. In places, the informality of the writing seems inappropriate, considering the seriousness of the subject. Nevertheless, this is an important addition to the Alamo story which sets the record straight on what is fact, fiction, legend, and myth about the battle and its long-lasting aftermath.

Sorting out "truth"

Great overview of the history. Makes one thing of how our perception of reality might be askewed.

True story of the Alamo that needs repeating

I’m a Texan and this book should be the history book given to all young Texans.

It’s the truth and it makes me so sad to know what lies we all grew up with and are still hearing.

Please, Read and Educate your children.