Promised Lands: A Novel of the Texas Reb

by Elizabeth Crook

Book Overview

Crook's accomplished second novel, a sweeping saga of the Texas Revolution, tells the story of two families - one Tejano Mexican, one Anglo - whose fates become intertwined in the midst of the bloody conflict. Crook retraces the movement of General Santa Anna's Mexican Army in 1836 as it sweeps north to quash the Texas Rebellion, led by Sam Houston. Among Houston's ragtag militia are Dr. Hugh Kenner and his two sons. As the rebel forces make a desperate...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385418582
• ISBN13: 9780385418584
• Release Date: February 1994
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 511 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Good reading

This is a very readable selection concerning early Texas history and in particular, the "runnaway scrape." The author makes you feel like part of the family before it is over.

Intense and compelling

Elizabeth Crook's novel, Promised Lands captivated me. Her research so accurate and her characterization so poignant that I feel like I lived the times with these people. And though Fannin's indecision, the subsequent cause of his downfall, stings the Texan,history is never made up of simple infallible characters. My imagination was so piqued, I revisited Goliad after reading the book. Reading Ms. Crook's novel illuminates the past and it is beautifully written. And outstanding work and yes,a must for every student of Texas history.

An absorbing, powerful epic novel

I'm not a Texas history buff but this story is fascinating. It captured my interest right at the beginning and picked up steam all the way to the end. It has everything you want in historical fiction: romance, humor, violence, tragedy, and characters you care about. It has funny scenes and extremely amusing dialogue mixed in with the tragedy. It's also beautifully written. There are two or three plot lines in the beginning but I was happy to go from one to another as they all interested me, and as they came together fairly quickly. If you're looking for a great epic, this is a perfect selection. It's not light reading, but enriching and satisfying. Highly recommended.

All Students of Texas History should read this book

Very readable book about the Texas War of Independence with Mexico. Although a fictional book, it accurately shows the real issues in the Texas War. The "heros" of the Texas Revolution such as Fannin and Bowie were shown to be men who made serious mistakes in the war. Some of the issues surrounding the "war" such as slavery were documented. While I have read several books on Texas History, this book brings out new information and facts through the fictional setting. The horror of Goliad was accurately protrayed in this book. This is truly a book that is hard to put down once it has been started. There are touches of Jean Auel in the author's writing style. It is obviously a well researched book that even documents in detail the early use of "natural" medicines