part of the folklore of Texas. It has been said that those who
fought at the Alamo did so by choice. But was it really "by
choice?" They had delayed so long in the hope of reinforce-
ments that their position had become one that permitted no
choice but to remain and hope.

Virgil Baugh has searched wide and deep to tell the life stories
of Bowie, Travis, and Crockett, and to evaluate the role that each
played at the Alamo. There was no premeditated or planned
meeting of the three at the Alamo. Bowie and Travis were sent to
San Antonio under orders from different sources, and Crockett
arrived on his own volition. They met by chance of fate, and each
stayed until it was too late to leave and met his rendezvous with
death. They elected to defend the place to their utmost ability
against overwhelming odds. Any rational man would have left
when leaving was possible to fight again, when there might have
been a better chance to defeat the invader. As it was, they could
now only delay his march into the heart of the settled area of
Texas. One might ask, did three frustrated men, who had en-
countered so many failures in life, become desperate men and
act irrationally, hoping to salvage something? Did Travis hold
out false hopes to the men? Most of those who died in the Alamo
were volunteer immigrant soldiers, brave and courageous, who
had come to Texas to fight.

In summation, the stand at the Alamo delayed the invader two
weeks; inflicted a heavy toll upon his forces, creating a serious
morale problem in the Mexican army; and gave the Texans a
rallying cry at San Jacinto to "Remember the Alamo."

Baugh writes with ease and readability. He is convincing,
writing with considerable assurance, having made a careful ex-
amination of available source materials. His research is thor-
ough and reliable. The scholar and general reader will find this
account of the heroic defense of the Alamo by a handful of
Texans rewarding and enjoyable.

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