Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution

Texas Classics

By: Stephen L. Hardin

Narrated by: A.T. Chandler

Hardly were the last shots fired at the Alamo before the Texas Revolution entered the realm of myth and controversy. French visitor Frederic Gaillardet called it a "Texian Iliad" in 1839, while American Theodore Sedgwick pronounced the war and its resulting legends "almost burlesque."

In this highly readable history, Stephen L. Hardin discovers more than a little truth in both of those views. Drawing on many original Texan and Mexican sources and on-site inspections of almost every battlefield, he offers the first complete military history of the Revolution. From the war's opening in the "Come and Take It" incident at Gonzales to the capture of General Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Hardin clearly describes the strategy and tactics of each side. His research yields new knowledge of the actions of famous Texan and Mexican leaders, as well as fascinating descriptions of battle and camp life from the ordinary soldier's point of view.

This award-winning book belongs on the bookshelf of everyone interested in Texas or military history.

The book is published by University of Texas Press.

©1994 University of Texas Press (P)2013 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“In Texian Iliad you smell the smoke of battle.” ( Texas Monthly)

“Hardin has succeeded admirably in writing a balanced military history of the revolution, making an important contribution to the extensive body of work on the struggle that eventually led to Texas' becoming part of the United States.” ( Austin American-Statesman)

“I look forward to consulting this book for the rest of my career!” (David J. Weber, Robert and Nancy Dedman Professor of History, Southern Methodist University)

Outstanding!

Being a student of Texas History, this is the must have audiobook. Mr. Hardin has painstakingly detailed all aspects of the fight for Texas Independence. The mispronunciations aside, this book is phenomenal. A true masterpiece of historical events written in such a manner, you would swear it is a novel. I love this book and have listened to it multiple times while following along in my physical copy. It seems I learn something new with each listen.

Great lesson

Learned a lot, only dislike is that narrator was a little monotone. He did however spice it up by using different voices when reading letters or notes of the time

This Book is Exactly what is says it is.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If they had any interest in the history of the Texas revolution from a military standpoint, yes. Absolutely.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Texian Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution?

That we really shouldn't have won.

Great book

A great book and a superb job with the narration. Those men were extremely courageous and rugged!

A joy to read

As a lover of historical events this book fulfilled the detail and facts that make great books memorable. Having met Stephen on a social level this book mirrors his love of history and the history of Texas.