A Waterloo County Album: Glimpses of the Way We Were

Book Description

The early settlers of Waterloo County - Mennonites, Germans, and Scots - built enterprising communities in a land of rivers, rolling hills, and fields. Today the linked cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge are still surrounded by small towns with strong rural traditions. This photographic history of the region contains 130 black and white images from as early as 1880, recording the cultural landscape, the buildings, parks, markets, fairs, and parades. Some of the photographs will tease your fancy with whispers of the pioneers' spirit, while others capture the energy of events and dare us to interpret the past.

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Reads More Like a Chapter Than a Book

blehh.

Should have stayed on the editor's floor

Nice read

A Casual Read

The Eagle and the Raven
James A. Michener
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Michener, James | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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THE WATERMEN

Rascals in Paradise

Journey Journey

Miricle in Seville (Random House Large Print)

Mexico Mexico

ASIN: 0812513010

Book Description

This historical narrative recalls one of the most exciting periods of Texas history in its contrast of charismatic men, Santa Anna and Houston, each flawed in so many ways yet dominant figures in their two nations, Mexico and Texas.

Customer Reviews:

Reads More Like a Chapter Than a Book.......2006-12-20

Overall, this book was disappointing. But the lengthy introduction written by the author made the book worth reading. Michener is a great author, with dozens of historical novels under his belt. The introduction tells a bit of the process behind getting a novel to print. Not only that, but he shows how the novels started as ideas and eventually got to the printed page. For those who enjoy reading Michener, this is not only a great introduction to this particular novel, but it is also a great chance to understand more about the author and how he goes about his profession.

There are a number of illustrations scattered throughout the book. Illustrations are usually good, who doesn't like pictures? But the illustrations here in The Eagle and The Raven are surprisingly dull and.... bad. In regard to the book itself, the contrasts and comparisons between the lives and personalities of Sam Houston and Santa Anna were interesting, but probably not enough for an entire book. Originally, this book was only a chapter in Michener's other novel, Texas. This fact is made clear after reading the short novel. Any history loving Michener fan will enjoy this short book, but it doesn't measure up to some of Michener's other novels.

blehh........2006-10-04

ok, i had to read this book for school, and it was one of the worst books i have ever encountered. usually i am a big history buff, but this book was just annoying. i ended up falling asleep about halfway through because it was so boring, and i had to stay up all night to finish it. this book is definitely nowhere near anything i would consider worthwhile, and would not recommend it to anyone, unless they were using it to fall asleep faster. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Should have stayed on the editor's floor.......2006-07-27

This 1990 book is basically a portion of TEXAS which had been edited out. It is a short and not particularly well written comparison of Santa Ana and Sam Houston. These biographies are presented in chronological order which necessitates jumping from one man to the other in alternating chapters for most of the work. Although Michener has apparently done his usual through research and made some insightful observations the subject just isn't very interesting to any but a serious scholar, and a serious scholar would be frustrated by its superficiality. It would have been much better to trim this down to a long magazine article.

The first 30 pages of the book are a long rambling foreward by Michener detailing his life leading up to the publication of this work. Michener gives us far too much detail about his relationships with his publishers and editors at this time, drops quite a few names - some of interest but most not particularly - brags about his accomplishments, and goes into mindnumbing detail about his writing schedule. The last seventeen pages contain transcripts and facsimiles of letters, a chronology and a suggested reading list. This leaves about 183 pages of actual text but there are several pages of illustrations, (which look as though they taken from an abridged children's novel) that have a blank page separating each from the next printed page which take up 40 additional pages leaving the actual work a mere 143 pages of actual text, actually less since the printing has be done to stretch this out as much as possible - each chapter begins half way down the page for example. The whole thing is reminiscent of a student attempting to stretch out meager work to a required length.

Take a pass on this one, it is not the typical riveting Michener work of fiction fans have come to expect and as a work of serious scholarship would merit a C at best.

Nice read.......2005-11-09

Not your typical 1000 page historical drama, a very nice read bt choppy at times switching from character to character.

A Casual Read.......2003-08-01

I've never been a big Michener fan, but in this tome, he does an adequate job of comparing the lives and personalities of Santa Anna and Sam Houston. Riding on the hype of the Texas Sesquicentennial, Michener takes the reader on an informal tour of early Mexico and Texas. He touches on events in the U.S. as well as in Europe where they apply to the story. What I really enjoyed most were the excellent drawings by noted artist Charles Shaw. He is among the best!

The Mexican Side Of The Texan Revolution

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The Mexican Side Of The Texan Revolution
et. al. Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna
Manufacturer: Scholar's Bookshelf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Product Description

2006 Scholar's Bookshelf reprint edition. Gathers five central documents, all translated with notes by Carlos Castaeda, and written by Mexicans presenting their views of the Mexican War. Included are Santa Anna's Manifesto Relative to His Operations in the Texas Campaign and His Capture, Ramon Martinez Caro's account of the battle of San Jacinto, Vicente Filisola's account of his operations as General-in-Chief of the Army of Texas, Jos Urrea's diary of his command in Texas, and Jose Maria Tornel historical account of relations between Texas, the United States, and Mexico since the beginning of the new nation. Reprint of the 1971 edition. Softcover.

Life in Mexico Under Santa Anna, 1822-1855

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A Good Historical Overview

Life in Mexico Under Santa Anna, 1822-1855
Ruth R. Olivera , and Liliane Crete
Manufacturer: Univ of Oklahoma Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0806123206

Customer Reviews:

A Good Historical Overview.......2004-02-25

Most Anglos think of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna as the villian of the Alamo, but when viewed as a whole, the Alamo was just another incident in the life of this colorful and still controversial figure. Santa Anna's rise to power begins at the time of the filibusters and ends with his return from forced exile in the the late 1870's. In between, the "Napoleon of the South" made Mexican history. From political intrigue, wars, European conflicts and "perfidious foreignors" in Texas, Santa Anna left an indellable impression. Vain, arrogant, foolhardy, calculating, charming, determined and, at times, deceitful, you either loved him or hated him.

Santa Anna: A Curse Upon Mexico (Brassey's Military Profiles) (Military Profiles)

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"Most Serene Highness"
Short, Yet Superb Biography of a Controversial Figure

Santa Anna: A Curse Upon Mexico (Brassey's Military Profiles) (Military Profiles)
Robert L. Scheina
Manufacturer: Potomac Books Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1574884050

Book Description

Most Americans regarded Antonio López de Santa Anna as a villain for his brutal assault on the Alamo in 1836. What many don’t realize is that few individuals have caused their own nation greater pain. He lost one-third of Mexico’s territory in wars, sold almost another 30,000 square miles while pocketing most of the money, and repeatedly bankrupted the nation. His extravagance was legendary, as testified to by the burial of his amputated leg at the nation’s great expense. He served as his country’s president eleven different times in a span of thirty years and was constantly involved in devious political intrigue. Yet, in spite of his failings and notorious reputation today, Santa Anna was often viewed by his people as a hero and savior. Robert Scheina analyzes this complex man and provides a solid overview of Mexico’s political history against the fabric of social and cultural turmoil.

Customer Reviews:

"Most Serene Highness".......2003-01-05

When I got this book the Mexican-American woman who sold it to me had a disgusted look on her face,"Why do you want to read about him." Feeling that she had about as much affection for him as most have for Hitler I told her simply ,"because he was a bad guy", to which she nodded and approved. I took my book sheepishly but unappologeticly. As I began to read I became fascinated rather than disgusted with the man. Given the circumstances of early Mexico , fresh from a break with Spain, this poor country needed a unifying Caudillo and Santa Ana was the man to run the country, 11 times as a matter of fact! The author explains the poitical times quite apptly and summarily.This is a book that can be read in one sitting or over several short reading periods. Concise and informative it delivers a portrait of a man destined to rule, often by ruthless and self serving means who although not detailed apparently enjoyed cockfighting tremendously and loved to gamble. In spite of his eventual bad guy role in Mexican(and U.S.) history he was able to resurface over and over because of his cunning guile and military achievements. The author has done an outstanding job for the armchair historian, bringing the man to life vivdly with pages of details on his "achievements" without taking a stance. I could not be so kind. The portrait of the ruthless Caudillo is given in terms of his military achievements and their impact on history, specifically between Mexcio and the U.S. Most famous to Americans for the Alamo he is more well known and detested among Mexicans on both sides of the border as the sellout who conceded the vast territories that included California,Texas aand other pats of the southwest, including lands sold in the Gadsen Purchase. Eventually this man got what he deserved as he died poor after squanderng away the millions he stole from the Mexican people but the damage he did changed the destinies of two countries. Recommended for a quick read on an interesting but detestable character who is responsible for the growth of one nation and the schrinking of another. The footnotes abound like a college text, which is helpful if further reading is needed but the bibliography is the real gem and is quite exceptional and extensive. Recommended for history buffs.

Short, Yet Superb Biography of a Controversial Figure.......2002-06-23

This is a superb short military/political biography of a controversial figure. Santa Anna does not fall in my main area of historical work, but given the significant impact he had on US history I have always wanted to read more about him. This book fills the bill perfectly. I say this for three reasons.

1.) Writing historical biographies is a difficult business, especially when trying to keep it concise. I would rather write a 500-page bio than a 100-page bio, it is very hard to get at the significance of a controversial figure, who did so much, in so short a space. But Scheina has done it and done it well. Although the book is subtitled, "A Curse Upon Mexico," and I agree with this general assessment, Scheina presents a very fair biography. Santa Anna could be horribly cruel and extremely generous, heroic and cowardly on the field of battle, shrewd and foolish, savvy and blinded by his ego. Scheina puts it all together -- the good, and the bad, and he puts Santa Anna into military, political, social, and economic context of his times. He has no ax to grind. What a nice change of pace from some recent bios I have read!

2.) Scheina clearly explains the significance of Santa Anna for Mexican history, and thus for other fields, e.g., US history, military history, etc. He writes well, is quite articulate, and the book makes for a good quick read. But then again, it might actually be tough to write a dull book about such a fascinating character. (In 1834 Santa Anna had the distinction of having launched a coup against himself!)

3.) Don't be fooled by the compact size. Everything that needs to be covered is, and the thirteen pages of endnotes provide just what one needs for pursuing aspects of Santa Anna's career in further detail. (The book also has a useful biography, an index, and helpful illustrations on glossy paper.)

I have read pieces of Scheina's work before, but never one of his books. Now I see why he has such a solid reputation, and I look forward to reading the survey history of Latin American warfare he has been working on, which will be published in the latter half of 2002.

This is the second of the books in the Brassey's Military Profiles series that I have read (the other was Farragut by Robert Schneller). Both were excellent, and I will be looking forward to reading more from this series in the future. Given their size, I can also recommend them as very good for course adoptions.

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In the Shadow of The Alamo

In the Shadow of The Alamo

Alamo Aveneged!

Shows the "other side" of the Texas Revolution.

In the Shadow of the Alamo
Sherry Garland
Manufacturer: Gulliver Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0152017445

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Lorenzo Bonifacio never intended to be a soldier. But when the soldados raid his tiny Mexican village, Lorenzo finds himself forced to join General Santa Anna's army . . . all because of the pesky goatherd Catalina and the haughty Esteban Equivel, son of the wealthiest landowner in the region.
Taken under wing by the kind Sergeant Ildefonso, Lorenzo and Esteban endure boredom, exhaustion, and hunger as the army makes its way across Mexico to San Antonio de Bexar, where rebellious norte-americanos have barricaded themselves inside an old mission called El Alamo. Neither boy can imagine what lies at the end of the march--defeat, death, glory?--and neither can accept the price paid during the fight for Texas.

Customer Reviews:

In the Shadow of The Alamo.......2005-11-27

The book In the Shadow of The Alamo by Sherry Garland was quite interesting. The book gave people a different perspective, it told the story in the Mexican point of view. The story was told by a 15-year-old boy named Lorenzo Bonifacio. He was a normal boy that had no wishes to be in General Santa Anna's army, but nonetheless was drafted. He cursed at the rich Esteban Esquivel for putting him there. Esteban lied to the military drafter saying that Lorenzo was in fact 16 years old, just the right age to join the army. Bonifacio pleaded to the military officials saying that he was only 15 and wasn't ready to join. The officials said nothing and continued drafting. Lorenzo knew that nothing could be done so he decided not to make any trouble, and especially not to desert, because deserters would get whipped on the back or worse even killed. Lorenzo's aunt and little sisters insisted on coming with him to carry his bags and other belongings. All the recruits were to march a long way to a city where they would receive training for war. After many days of long and tiring marching, the group finally arrived at the city. Exhausted the group set up camp and soon were around fires cooking their food. Lorenzo brought with him a small wooden flute and started to play a tune. All the people that heard the tune turned their head and listened to his beautiful music. When General Santa Anna heard the music he ordered Lorenzo to be his personal musician. After the recruits were trained they were issued guns and soon left camp. Lorenzo's troop was to head for the Alamo and kill all the rebels, (the Americans). It was a long and hard journey trough the woods and soon it became winter. Many people died because of the severe cold including both of Lorenzo's sisters. The general forced his men to keep moving and before long they had arrived at the Alamo. Lorenzo's troops were forced to charge without any cover from artillery, which arrived later. Many men died at once but the Mexicans won because of their numbers. Lorenzo's "friend" Esteban had a mortal wound and died a couple days later. Even though they won the battle Lorenzo felt like they had lost it. In the many days to come Lorenzo found that the Americans had regrouped. The Americans attacked them and killed everyone and even captured General Santa Anna. This was just a brief summary of the story In the Shadow of The Alamo and you should read it to find out more!

In the Shadow of The Alamo.......2005-11-27

Alamo Aveneged!.......2002-01-05

This is a stirring story of a young Mexican peasant who is press-ganged into Santa Anna's army, as it prepares to march North into Texas to fight the Texan rebels at the Alamo and San Jacinto. While historical fiction, this is still a worthy book.
The author has paid close attention to historical details, and has correctly listed Mexican generals, regiments and battalions. While intended for young adults, older readers will find this an entertaining read as well. The story brings light upon the suffering and privations that the Mexican army endured in order to fight this campaign. Seen in this perspective, the legendary Texas heros of the Alamo seem mere mortals, and our sympathies go out instead to the poor, bedraggled, Mexican soldiers. While not one of the great armies of the day, the Mexican military suffered from chronic shortages, poor quality officers, and corruption. Not the least of its problems was in the form of Santa Anna himself, who lead irrationally, often marching his soldiers into the ground with little concern for their well-being. The Presidente's arrogance and vanity only compounded these problems.
At the Alamo 600 Mexican solders were sacreficed to his vanity. Had the great Napolean of the West waited a few more days for his siege guns to arrive, he could have reduced the Alamo Mission to ruins, and achieved his victory at far less cost. This book points out the dismay the Mexican soldiers felt from his arrogant and detached leadership. The humilating defeat at San Jacinto would end the forlorn Texas campaign and set the stage for the far greater conflict with the United States nearly a decade later, where Santa Anna would again lead his country to defeat.

Shows the "other side" of the Texas Revolution........2001-08-18

Nine years ago, Lorenzo's father was conscripted into the Mexican army, leaving behind Lorenzo, his little sister, and their pregnant mother. They never heard from him again. The year is now 1835, and life in their small village has not gotten any easier. Since his mother's death four years ago, Lorenzo has had to care for his two younger sisters. He believes the family is cursed and never expects to see his father again. While working in the fields, Lorenzo and some of the other village men are conscripted into the army to fight in the Texas campaign. Lorenzo, at fifteen, is too young to be conscripted, but the local landowner's son lies and says he meets the age requirement. Lorenzo is forced into a war he doesn't believe in, as his aunt and sisters join the other camp followers. Tragedy after tragedy follow on the long winter march to Texas. Their ultimate destination: the Alamo. The author has written a wonderful historical novel showing the "other side" in the Texas Revolution. The Mexican soldiers are portrayed as ordinary men who were forced to join the army and had no choice but to obey their superiors. I highly reccomend this book.

Santa Anna's campaign against Texas, 1835-1836;: Featuring the field commands issued to Major General Vicente Filisola,

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Santa Anna's campaign against Texas, 1835-1836;: Featuring the field commands issued to Major General Vicente Filisola,
Richard G Santos
Manufacturer: Texian Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (Hispanics of Achievement Series)

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Bibliography of Santa Anna

Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (Hispanics of Achievement Series)
Steven O'Brien , Rodolfo Cardona , and James D. Cockcroft
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Hispanic & Latino | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Mexico | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 079101245X

Customer Reviews:

Bibliography of Santa Anna.......2000-04-15

This book is just what you need to find useful imformation on Santa Anna. When I did my project I found the most useful information about Santa Anna in this book. He was born in Jalapa, Veracruz on February 21 and died on June 20, 1876.

Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (Latinos in American History)

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Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (Latinos in American History)
John Bankston
Manufacturer: Mitchell Lane Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Hispanic & Latino | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1584152095

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Caudillos in Spanish America, 1800-1850
John Lynch
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

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Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 019821135X

Book Description

The caudillo of Spanish America was both regional chieftain and, in the turbulent years of the early nineteenth century, national leader. His power base rested on ownership of land and control of armed bands. He was the rival of constitutional rulers and the precursor of modern dictators. His is a dominant figure in Latin American history. John Lynch explores the changing perception of the caudillo - bandit chief, guerrilla leader, republican hero - and examines his multi-faceted role as regional strongman, war leader, landowner, distributor of patronage, and the `necessary gendarme' who maintained social order. Professor Lynch traces the origins and development of the caudillo tradition, and sets it in its contemporary context. His scholarly analysis of this central theme in the history of Spanish America is underpinned by detailed case-studies of four major caudillos: Juan Manuel de Rosas (Argentina), Jose Antonio Paez (Venezuela), Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (Mexico), and Rafael Carrera (Guatemala). This is an important contribution to our understanding of political and social structures during the formative period of the nation-state in Spanish America.

The Central Republic in Mexico, 18351846: 'Hombres de Bien' in the Age of Santa Anna (Cambridge Latin American Studies)

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The Central Republic in Mexico, 18351846: 'Hombres de Bien' in the Age of Santa Anna (Cambridge Latin American Studies)
Michael P. Costeloe
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Renaissance | World | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Much of the so-called Age of Santa Anna in the history of independent Mexico remains a mystery and no decade is less well understood than the years from 1835 to 1846. In 1834, the ruling elite of middle class hombres de bien concluded that a highly centralized republican government was the only solution to the turmoil and factionalism that had characterized the new nation since its emancipation from Spain in 1821. The central republic was thus set up in 1835, but once again civil strife, economic stagnation, and military coups prevailed until 1846, when a disastrous war with the United States began in which Mexico was to lose half of its national territory. This study explains the course of events and analyzes why centralism failed, the issues and personalities involved, and the underlying pressures of economic and social change.

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