San Antonio, April 1911: Terrell Mott, a 91 year-old who fought at the Alamo, rides along in the Battle of Flowers parade that his granddaughter organized. While riding in the back of a Buick, he notes how the city has changed. Then, he spots a dark man in a jaguar suit who seems to be taking a particular interest in him. Has death come for him?
La Bahia Road, Spring 1835: Edmund McGown rides toward the coast from San Antonio. A botanist in the employ of the Mexican government, his payments have stopped. He attributes this to the frequently changing governments and worries that he will not be able to renew his contract. On his way, he becomes deathly ill and encounters Comanche. While crossing the lowlands of Texas, Edmund is always watching for new plant species to catalog: this is the great work for which he will be remembered.
Refugio, 1835: Mary Mott runs an inn with her son, Terrell, and Fresada, a Karankawa Indian. During a trip to the coast to gather oysters, she is very nearly killed by raiding Karankawa Indians. In the brief fight, she shot the chief but had her face bashed in by one of the warriors. Only the intervention of Fresada saved her life. She is only partly recovered when Jim Bowie visits. There is also an aloof man named McGown on his way to Mexico. McGown had missed his original ship to Veracruz and thus stayed at the inn for an extended period. Most conversations concern the riled state between Texas and Mexico. Will there be war? McGown is doubtful.
Zacatecas, May 1835: Telesforo Villasenor is an ambitious lieutenant of the Zapadores with a talent for mapmaking. During the Battle of Zacatecas, he is wounded in the arm but nevertheless finds his way to Santa Anna to give him a box of chocolates he pillaged. Santa Anna is touched by this gesture and soon has Telesforo on his staff as a mapmaker.
San Luis Potosi, 1835: Blas Montoya, first sergeant in the Mexican Army, meets with some new recruits. He likes what he sees. Afterwards, he is called upon by Captain Loera. Loera notes that Blas does not have a woman and arranges for him to take charge of Isabella, the woman of a deceased soldier. Blas reluctantly agrees. Isabella proves to be a Mayan from Yucatan who speaks virtually no Spanish. She is viewed as a witch by many, but she has a talent for healing. When word of rebellion comes, Blas leads his company north to Texas on a brutal winter march.
Terrell, Edmund, Mary, Blas, and Telesforo converge at the Alamo and offer a view of the siege and final battle from various perspectives. All the principals - Crockett, Bowie, Travis, Santa Anna, Houston - are met by one or more of the characters. Even after the battle, survivors provide a view of the slaughter at Goliad and the Texas victory at San Jacinto.
The book paints the setting brilliantly, giving one a strong feel for the time and place. The characters are fully realized, feeling every bit as real as Davy Crockett or Santa Anna. Better still, the historic events are faithfully related. Some places where it appeared he was taking liberties proved to be little known incidents that are not typically shown in movies. Outstanding book and highly recommended.
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