The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas, and that applies just as much as to the state’s -- and nation’s -- historical stories, among which the Battle of The Alamo stands above nearly all Lone Star lore. The tale that’s been told is that Davy Crockett and his companions bravely fought (yet lost) that infamous battle in the war for Texan independence from Mexico, and the site and its roster of frontiersman martyrs are treated with near reverence in the hearts and minds of the state’s residents, and in most American history books. But as the authors of this book reveal, these sacred cows may have more bull in them. In a reversal of the adage about the winners getting to write the history, research into the events of the battle and the figures reveal that even in the early days after the battle, a new (and inaccurate) narrative was being written that created myths that to this day still persist. Was Crockett’s leadership a crock? Was the battle about territory or slavery? Who benefitted from the revisionist take that took hold?  And what does Phil Collins have to do with the Alamo? This book was an eye-opener, and serves up fascinating history and asks interesting questions about how we can revisit – and correct – misleading mythologies from our past.   

And in case you were wondering: No, the Alamo definitively doesn’t have a basement. 

A unique mix of American history (with a number of unsavory, shameful moments), insights into Indigenous culture past and present, and an entertaining look at the world of comedy and Native Americans who work within it. They say comedy and tragedy are two sides of same coin, and this book certainly embodies that - a tough look at our nation's darker moments, but also a lively and funny exploration of skilled, creative comedians and their craft. Recommend in audio - many of the jokes shared throughout the book benefit from hearing them aloud.