The Texas Rangers have their roots in small volunteer companies hastily organized to pursue Indian raiders. From such beginnings came more permanent troops stationed on the Texas frontier. And finally, a Ranger force became attached to the governor’s office.
Stephen L. Moore has documented the rise of the Texas Rangers in his just-published volume of history, Texas Rising. His story is set in the context of the Texas Revolution. It includes the contributions of Anglo Texans, Tejanos (Hispanic Texans) and Indians such as the Lipan Apaches who feared the Comanches as much as the settlers did. Indian raiders were relentless in their efforts to dislodge settlers. East Texas was a battleground during the early years and during the Republic of Texas. Moore describes the evolution of the Texas Rangers in the context of Indian battles and the Texas Revolution.
Moore is a well-grounded historian. He’s the author of a four-volume series, Savage Frontier: Rangers, Riflemen and Indian Wars in Texas. And he gives us detailed accounts of each of the Ranger companies in those early years. Also, he’s published a thorough account of the Battle of San Jacinto – a volume entitled Eighteen Minutes. It’s all carefully researched history.
Not so the History Channel’s version of "Texas Rising." That program is not factual. It takes real Texas characters such as Sam Houston, Deaf Smith, Emily West and puts them into absurd situations. It's all fiction. Sorry.
Is Stephen Moore embarrassed? His new book Texas Rising has the History Channel logo on its cover. And it’s advertised as the “official nonfiction companion to History’s dramatic series.” But I would bet that Stephen Moore cringed while that production was aired. I did.
What aggravates me is the fact that it was the History Channel that aired it. History it is not. Will my eastern friends watch that show and think, “That’s the way it was?” I hope not.
I’ll never look at the “History Channel” the same way. I’ll always wonder – what they're showing me - is it really history?
Dac Crossley
June 4, 2015
“Expressing anger is a form of public littering.” – Willard Gaylin.
I dont watch that much TV any more. Well, I like the old movies.
Dac
Posted by: Dac Crossley Jr. | June 04, 2015 at 09:25 PM
Olé to you for "calling out" Texas Rising. Nothing redeeming to say about that failed effort.
bobc
Posted by: Robert Coulson | June 04, 2015 at 04:44 PM