Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston

The Lives and Legacies of the Leaders Who Founded the Republic of Texas

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Scott Clem

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Texas has a unique history among the 50 states that comprise the US, and much of that is due to the nature of the men who brought about its independence. Of them, few are as famous or more important than Stephen F. Austin. Born in the very shadow of the Founding Fathers in Virginia, Austin seemed destined from birth to do something special. Certainly, his father, Moses, saw potential in the boy, training him up to take the lead in whatever situation he found himself in, and various life experiences transformed Stephen. Moses provided his son with plenty of the difficulties, including bankruptcy, business losses, and family squabbles, all by the time his son was 20 years old.

Ultimately, Moses bequeathed his son the chance to become an empresario, a 19th-century leader of American pioneers in Texas. Austin in turn shaped the future of Texas in a way no other leader ever had the opportunity to do, and by carefully choosing men like himself, politically, religiously, and ethically, he helped create an independent nation (and future state) known for its rugged individualism and self-determination. Unfortunately, he also created a place where slavery, America’s great shame, was allowed to flourish for more than 40 years, and a place where people of color would struggle for generations to receive equality under the laws, many of which he either wrote or inspired.

Austin’s most famous contemporary, Sam Houston, was also a colorful and controversial individual. He was born in the US while George Washington was in office, and in an era when the native people who were gradually being subjugated were considered savages, he called them friends and even lived among them. He fought for their rights in the halls of government, defending them even as he obtained favor in the eyes of one of their worst enemies.

Though he was born and raised elsewhere, Houston is considered one of Texas’ truest sons, and during his life he fought for its independence from Mexico and then for its submission to the US. He owned slaves himself but spent his entire political career fighting against the spread of “the American cancer” to the West. Then, when his beloved state seceded from the Union, he not only opposed secession but sacrificed his own position to protest it, only to turn around and support the Confederacy during the last years of his life.

What cannot be questioned is how profound an impact both men had on Texas, Mexico, and the US over the course of several decades. Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston: The Lives and Legacies of the Leaders Who Founded the Republic of Texas looks at how the two became some of the Southwest’s most important figures. You will learn about Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston like never before.

©2018 Charles River Editors (P)2018 Charles River Editors

Same Book as Another Title

This book about Sam Houston and Stephen F Austin is the same book as another one about Houston. The only difference is that Austin has been added. It’s basically a highlights version of the Texas Revolution. The cost is low (don’t waste a credit) and is worth it if you only want a quick read on this historic period.

I’m not sure about the narrator. At first I thought it was an AI reader like Siri or Alexa. Whatever it was wouldn’t work with a full book length novel or nonfiction work.

Narrator is nasal & monotone

It was tough telling the difference between each of the stories of Houston & Austin because the narrator is just so plain. There are many duplicate stories from the sister book that is only about Sam Houston. (The same narrator on that book as well.) Rarely ANY excitement in his voice even when discussing emotional moments & battle scenes, harsh wounds and big decisions being made in these people's lives. I feel that I could have read this book out loud MUCH BETTER. Looking back on the info I learned, I truly don't know which stories happened to which guy because of the back & forth. Very frustrated!

Most Horrible Narration Ever!

I will never buy a book narrated by him again.
1. When you choose a narrator make sure it is someone who can change tone.
2. make sure they know how to pronounce town, creek, and county names as well as surnames.
3. If it is a book about a vertain area of the country get someone from that area to narrate it.

The story itself is factual and gives description, but is brought down by the monotone almost computer like narration.