Life Touched With Wonder: A Message of Family

Book Description

On the morning of 6 March 1836 around 1,100 Mexican soldiers under Generalissimo Santa Anna stormed a small mission outside San Antonio, Texas, and slaughtered the garrison of around 200 Texans. It was not a large battle but its significance vastly outweighed its size for the name of the mission was the Alamo. Less than two months later Santa Anna's force was smashed at San Jacinto by a volunteer army whose battle cry was "Remember the Alamo". Stephen L Hardin details the climactic 1836 campaign which won Texas her independence.

Customer Reviews:

Concise, Great Graphics, Maybe a Little Too Definitive.......2006-01-21

THE ALAMO 1836 upholds the fine tradition of the Osprey series. The slim soft-cover contains the events before, during, and after the siege of the Alamo. Within is a nice assortment of photographs, maps, and 3-D graphics. After reading this book -- and the Osprey books are quick reading -- I felt as if I had read a much thicker volume on the subject. This is definitely a resource for someone interested in reading about the Lone Star State's war of independence in overview format.

Much like the other books in the Osprey series, there is not a lot of room for too much detail. Quotations are minimal. The limited number of pages rule out historical debates. As such, THE ALAMO 1836 races straight toward definitive conclusions on issues that will never fully be confirmed or denied.

The Osprey books are excellent stepping stones to other resources.

A Sober Overview of a Heroic Tale.......2001-10-18

The siege of the Alamo has become so imbued with a legendary aura that attempting to write a military history of the 1836 campaign in Texas is now a daunting task. Heroic visions of Crockett, Bowie and Travis fending off Mexican assault troops on the ramparts has tended to obscure the fact that the siege of the Alamo was neither the beginning or the end of the war for Texas independence. Noted Texas historian Stephen L. Harding has framed the 1836 campaign in its proper perspective, without embellishment or historical embellishment. The result is a lucid and well-written account that covers the entire campaign from February to May 1836, without over-focusing just on the Alamo.

In accordance with the standard Osprey Campaign series format, the book begins with a section on the origins of the campaign and the chronology. While this section lays out the roots of the conflict clearly, the relationship between the fledgling Texan republic and the United States is left ambiguous, particularly in regard to military support and volunteers. The section on opposing commanders focuses almost exclusively on the Mexican General Santa Anna and the Texian General Sam Houston, both of whom are portrayed as very flawed commanders. Unfortunately, details on other significant commanders such as Travis, Bowie, Crockett and Fannin are inserted in the campaign narrative, which is disruptive. It was interesting however to see that attention given to the oft-neglected Mexican General Urrea's skillful operations. The section on opposing armies is weak, compounded by the fact that there is not even an order of battle provided for the Mexican army. Nevertheless, what the narrative lacks in military detail is often compensated for by an effective literary style is used to enhance the author's points. For example, the author notes both the rank discrimination and logistic difficulties in the Mexican army by asserting, "[Mexican] generals drank French wine from cut crystal, soldados drank stagnant water out of mud holes."

The text is supported by five 2-D maps (Mexico & Texas in 1836, the Texas Campaign in 1836, the Battle of Coleto Creek, the San Jacinto Campaign and the Mexican Retreat) and three 3-D Birds-eye-view maps (two depicting the assaults on the Alamo and one on the Battle of San Jacinto). There are also three very good battle scenes: the death of Travis at the Alamo, Crockett falling back into the Alamo Church and the execution of Colonel Fannin. Numerous illustrations and modern photographs of the Alamo complement the narrative. In addition, the author has provided a detailed section on visiting the battlefield today and includes relevant Internet websites. Taken together, this book represents an excellent short history of the campaign and a useful battlefield guide for visitors.

The campaign narrative itself is quite good, with about ten pages devoted to the siege of the Alamo, nine to Fannin's pathetic efforts and the Goliad massacre, and nine to the San Jacinto Campaign. The author is a bit vague on casualties and military details, but he does detail the effects of the harsh winter weather and desolate terrain on the Mexican offensive. Indeed, weather and terrain probably played a bigger role in the Mexican defeat than Texian heroics. Concerning the fall of the Alamo, the author believes that Santa Anna launched a costly frontal assault for political rather than military reasons, but this downplays the fact that Santa Anna was de facto Mexican head of state and commander in chief. Santa Anna could not afford to waste too much time in sieges of minor rebel fortifications. Also, Santa Anna's "no quarter" policy to the Texian rebels was not out of step with other similar 19th Century sieges like the Paris Commune in 1870 or even Dublin in 1916. Imagine if Santa Anna had accepted surrender at the Alamo and allowed the rebels to go home on parole; could men such as Travis ever be trusted to live meekly under centralista rule? Not likely. If Santa Anna wanted to hold onto the rebels, he had to either kill them or drive them out, since there was no room for compromise. If anything is reaffirmed by the 1836 campaign, it is that war is tough on the defeated, whether Texians at the Alamo or Mexicans at San Jacinto.

In the end, the author concludes that the Texians won in spite of the incompetence of Sam Houston, who refused to send a relief force to the Alamo, then avoided battle thereafter and retreated toward the US border. Houston was more politician than soldier and his troops were openly contemptuous of his leadership abilities. At San Jacinto, Santa Anna's own leadership flaws compensated for Houston's incompetence and Texian ferocity inspired by the Alamo and Goliad massacres was enough to tip the balance in their favor.

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The Alamo 1836. Santa Anna's Texas Campaign

Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1841764558

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Santa Anna's campaign against Texas, 1835-1836: Featuring the field commands issued to Major General Vicente Filisola : [Sesquicentennial excerpt]
Richard G Santos
Manufacturer: Artes Gráficas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Texas | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000739D7Q

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The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and II (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)
Elizabeth Jenkins
Manufacturer: Audiofy/Naxos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards
ASIN: 160083809X

Product Description

This Audiofy audiobook chip packs Karen Archer and Nanette Newman's full 6 hour reading of "The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and II" on a tiny memory card. A single Audiofy audiobook chip, hardly larger than a stamp, holds a complete digital audiobook, and saves the last listening position automatically, unlike CDs. With an SD memory card slot or low-cost adapter - like those for digital cameras - this Audiofy audiobook chip can be played on Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktop computers or laptops (Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Me/98, or Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and above) or transferred to Apple iPod media players. Audiobook chips also move seamlessly to most Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld PDAs with SD expansion slots, as well as Treo and Windows Mobile "smartphones" (Palm OS 5.2 or Windows Mobile 2002 and above)... A revealing study of the Queen and her court - their daily lives, concerns, topics of conversation, meals, living condition, travels, successes and failures - that places them firmly within the historical context of 16th century Britain. REVIEWS: "...gives us the most intimate portrait... An outstanding and fascinating book." - Punch.

The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and the Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II (Naxos Audio)

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Wonderful biography of the first Elizabeth
One of the best books ever written
A Fitting Portrait of England's Greatest Queen
Great Elizabeth.
Delightful summary of a great life.

The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and the Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II (Naxos Audio)
Elizabeth Jenkins , and Pearson Phillips
Manufacturer: Naxos Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 9626342455
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Book Description

A revealing study of the Queen and her court--their daily lives, concerns, topics of conversation, meals, living condition, travels, successes and failures--that places them firmly within the historical context of 16th century Britain. "...gives us the most intimate portrait...An outstanding and fascinating book."--Punch.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful biography of the first Elizabeth.......2006-05-06

I have an old copy of the book, which I have reread a couple of times. This is the most readable biography of Elizabeth I that I have read.

One of the best books ever written.......2006-01-04

This book is incredibly well written. It also has the ring of truth. It is not just a biography of Elizabeth I, though it does that superbly, with great insight and scholarship, and always with documentation so that there is a tie-in to actual happenings. But this book also writes in depth about the key people around Queen Elizabeth, so that they too come alive, and sets them all firmly in a vivid and well-described background. This book is fascinating, literate, and a great read, especially for those of us who have an interest in this period in history and its characters.

A Fitting Portrait of England's Greatest Queen.......2004-01-02

A truly excellent book for someone who, like me, wants to find out not only about the events of Elizabeth's life but also what Elizabeth was like as a person. The writing style is clear and very enjoyable and makes Elizabeth seem alive again. As a schoolboy in England, I studied the Tudor Period, but this book goes way above and beyond what one is taught at school level. I learned so much more about Elizabeth's life and personality, that it has given me a whole new level of respect for someone who I had already held in high esteem. Highly recommended.

Great Elizabeth........2001-01-26

This excellent book paints an unforgettable portrait of Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" to her loving subjects. Her fascinating life and vibrant personality are caught with great truth and clarity. Elizabeth Regina-LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Delightful summary of a great life........1999-08-04

This book is not a 'life and times' volume. It is single-minded in its telling of Elizabeth's life. I found the book to be captivating. I keep it on my desk at work for those rare days when I don't go out to lunch. I know that I can always open the book to any page and find an interesting story ahead.

The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II (Unabridged)

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The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II (Unabridged)
Phillips, Elizabeth, Pearson Jenkins
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B00006JC7S

Average customer rating:

Great Book - Only a how-to if you are VERY experienced!

Very Practical book. useful for school projects

Leonardo's Machines: Da Vinci's Inventions Revealed
Domenico Laurenza
Manufacturer: David & Charles Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Da Vinci, Leonardo | ( D-F ) | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series)

Leonardo's Notebooks

The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (Oxford World's Classics)

Leonardo's Lost Robots

The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number

ASIN: 0715324446

Book Description

Building on the success of The Da Vinci Code--a bestseller in 48 countries--this book brings inventions from the artist's original coded notebooks alive. There's more interest than ever in Leonardo Da Vinci, and here readers will find a rare glimpse into the innovator's brilliant mind, with:

-Gorgeous color artwork that breathes life into Leonardo's inventions--from flying and war machines to musical instruments

-Annotated diagrams that show exactly how each contraption would have worked

-A look at how the inventions would be used in modern life

With incredible detail and mechanical accuracy, Leonardo's Machines unlocks the mystery of the artist's notebooks in a way that's both fascinating and educational!

Customer Reviews:

Great Book - Only a how-to if you are VERY experienced!.......2007-06-04

I bought this book because I have tickets to see the traveling exhibit, "The Da Vinci Experience", in a couple months. It is a gorgeous book. Each machine covered has copies of the Da Vinci original plans, plus the editor's illustrations breaking the machine into it's components, with the placements of said componenets. Each machine has explanations of how components and the full machine work (or are supposed to work). Also, each machine has a history of Leonardo's drawings, purpose, client or personal notebooks, etc. It's a great book and looks gorgeous. I wouldn't think it would be a how-to for a school project unless the kid/parent had a lot of mechanical experience beforehand. All drawings show "real" components that you'd need a full shop to put together. There are no measurements, per se, just comparative sizes shown in the drawings. In the case of Leonardo's original drawings, it looks like this was deliberate. For example, the book's Introduction tells of Leonardo's problems with Giorgio Tedesco, an assistant of a prominant Medici. He wanted Leonardo to build him wooden models of several inventions. Leonardo successfully argued that he could only give Tedesco the scaled drawings. Historians surmise that Leonardo suspected that Tedesco would take the models back to his country, and take them apart to make full-sized machines out of iron without Leonardo's help. Job security was no laughing matter in the 1500's! Love the book. Can't wait to see the working full-sized (except for the half-size helicopter)models made from the drawings in the exhibition.

Very Practical book. useful for school projects.......2006-09-05

excellent illustrations. this book is a must for anybody contemplating building any of Leonardo's machines. Particularly for school projects. Disappointed that the crossbow wasn't included. Otherwise probably one of the best books available on his machines.

Book of Flight: From the Flying Machine of Leonardo Da Vinci to the Conquest of Space

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Book of Flight: From the Flying Machine of Leonardo Da Vinci to the Conquest of Space
Riccardo Niccoli
Manufacturer: Friedman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1586637169

Book Description

"If man were meant to fly, he'd have wings." Luckily, the intrepid pioneers of aviation didn't let that little detail stop them. Dedicated to the history of human flight, this richly illustrated retrospective spans centuries of innovation from the drawings of DaVinci to the daring deeds of John Glenn. Strap yourself in for a thrilling, sometimes bumpy ride as the uncertain attempts of the medieval period give way to the excitement of the Wright Brothers' advances and eventually the sophistication of the Space Shuttle. Whether warplanes, transport and tourism crafts, acrobatic machines, seaplanes or helicopters capture your imagination, you'll find every type of aircraft described in vivid detail. Marvel as technology leads to the development of convertiplanes, 21st century superfighters, and the controversial Concorde. You'll even glimpse the future of air travel with prototypes of commercial airliners yet to be produced by Airbus and Boeing.

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Leonardo da Vinci's Machines

Manufacturer: Becocci Editore
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 8882000036

Product Description

185+ annotated illustrations from da Vinci's notebooks and photographs of models based on his designs, together with interpretative essays. An amazing look into his mechanical genius, relating it to his art and to his contemporaries.

Leonardo Da Vinci: Dreams, Schemes, and Flying Machines (Adventures in Art)

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(Adventures in Art) Leonardo Da Vinci: Dreams, Schemes, and Flying Machines
QUICK STUDY OF LEONARDO

Leonardo Da Vinci: Dreams, Schemes, and Flying Machines (Adventures in Art)
Heinz Kaehne
Manufacturer: Prestel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3791321668

Book Description

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is one of the most popular artists ever. Who, for example, has never heard of the "Mona Lisa"? But did you know he was also an inventor and engineer who made drawings of flying machines and helicopters - and this was centuries ago? Rich in ideas, delighted to experiment, and a keen observer, he was truly an all-around genius. In this book you can explore all these aspects and of course meet the real Mona Lisa as well!

Customer Reviews:

(Adventures in Art) Leonardo Da Vinci: Dreams, Schemes, and Flying Machines.......2006-03-25

You can call me StoryMaker and I can call this product great! This book tells you about some of Leonardo Da Vinci's ideas, pictures, and life. It tells you all about Leonardo's unfinished work. One of the best parts is, it explains Leonardo's pictures and unbuilt machine ideas. It explains the portrait of the Mona Lisa, including the Mona Lisa's real name. It also explains Leonardo's techniques and interests. However, the only pictures are Leonardo's work and models of some of his unfinished work made many years later. This isn't so bad, but hey, reviews are better when they mention bad parts. I also must say that if you're looking for a book all about Leonardo's life, this isn't the best choice. Overall, a nice book about Leonardo Da Vinci that, although it has its poor parts, is a great choice for learning about the renaissance period. Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"

QUICK STUDY OF LEONARDO.......2000-06-26

If you are looking for a quick study of Leonardo da Vinci, this book will detail some of the masters outstanding accomplishments achieved throughout the course of his life. Using a inquiry format, a variety of questions are posed and answered in brief about the inventions, paintings and techniques employed by da Vinci. This book highlights important works, and provides the reader of an overview of the incredible lifetime achievements (and quirks) of the artist. I really liked this book, and will use it as a quick reference.

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Leonardo: The machines
Carlo Pedretti
Manufacturer: Giunti
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Applied | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 8809014693

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Leonardo and the Death Machine
Robert J. Harris
Manufacturer: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Alejandrto Y La Maquina De Hablar/ Alexander, And the Talking Machine: Un Cuento Sobre Alexander Graham Bell (Pequenos Grandes Genios)

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Alejandrto Y La Maquina De Hablar/ Alexander, And the Talking Machine: Un Cuento Sobre Alexander Graham Bell (Pequenos Grandes Genios)
Carlos Pinto , and Leonardo Bolzicco
Manufacturer: Albatros
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Drawings of Textile Machines
da Vinci Leonardo
Manufacturer: Humanities Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Leonardo Da Vinci
International Business Machines Corporation
Manufacturer: NY: Dept. of Arts and Sciences, International Business Machines Corp.,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JY5FI4

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Leonardo da Vinci

Manufacturer: International Business Machines Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I8T7QW

Product Description

28-page staple-bound booklet about 15th-Century genius'scientific observations & designs & life chronology in his times, with illustrations, published by IBM to accompany its traveling exhibitions of models built according to da Vinci drawings.

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