Gregg CantrellStephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas (Volume 3) (Watson Caufield and Mary Maxwell Arnold Republic of Texas Series)

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical work. I had some pre-conceived ideas about Stephen F. Austin and Cantrell not only made this an entertaining read, it had the kind of detail and honesty about Austin's personality and contradictions that I really needed to clearly understand. While I am biased on this point, I think he's too hard on Samuel May Williams who almost every historian acknowledges was probably Austin's right hand, business mind and closest confidant. I sense a little bias there. Cantrell skillfully weaves a few truly wonderful tales about Sam Houston arriving on a little horse at the start of the revolution with his legs nearly touching the ground to a very insightful analysis of Austin's relationship with his cousin, Mary Austin Holley. I did find the biography by Rebecca Smith Lee to have a few details that could have been easily added to make Greg Cantrell's version even a bit more interesting. But as it the telling of history, where does one stop the story and go on. I can however tell you that he trounces that Sterling Robertson scoundrel in this book and in other works I have since followed, much to my satisfaction and admiration for his skillfull debate on the matters concerning the man. Bravo!

Wonderful look into a period of Texian history. Stephen wanted to be the father of a new country like George Washington was for the US. His motives and others mistakes made the birth of the Republic possible. By that time Sam Houston stumbled into the limelight a second time and eclipsed Stephen. Sam Houston did not deserve the attention but history often looks at the finish line not the effort expended.

Reads like a history book should with good footnotes and thorough breadth.

I am writing a book. Nonfiction.

In depth biography about SF Austin. Good read for any historian

This book tells the story of Stephen F. Austin, actually beginning the story with his father, through his childhood and early pre-Texas adult life. There are interesting details the reader may not find other places about the organization of Austin's Colony and this complex and ever changing relationship with the Mexican overlords. the details make reading it a bit tedious at times, but generally worth it. I kept this one for my personal Texas history library.

Amazing book!! Received it early and could not wait to open it! Has that new book smell! I haven't Finished reading it but I am already loving it! It is an extremely well written book and I can tell it was extremely well researched!

Well written and well documented.hard to fathom that one man through diligence and cunning could make the new state of Texas