Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Military Sites in Texas, Then and Now (Volume 25) (Tarleton State University Southwestern Studies in the Humanities) - Softcover

Alexander, Thomas E.; Utley, Dan K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1603446990 ISBN 13: 9781603446990

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press, 2012

Synopsis

Each of the wars fought by Texans spawned the creation of scores of military sites across the state, from the lonely frontier outpost at Adobe Walls to the once-bustling World War II shipyards of Orange. Today, although vestiges of the sites still exist, many are barely discernible, their once-proud martial trappings now faded by time, neglect, the elements and, most of all, public apathy. ?In Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Texas Military Sites, Then and Now, Thomas E. Alexander and Dan K. Utley revisit twenty-nine sites—many of them largely forgotten—associated with what was arguably the most tumultuous hundred-year period in a five-century span of Texas history.?

Whether in the war with Mexico, the American Civil War, in clashes between Indians and the frontier army, or in two worldwide conflicts fought on foreign shores, Texas and Texans have often answered the call to arms. Beginning in 1845 and continuing through 1945, the Lone Star State and its people were fully involved in seven major conflicts. ?In this thoroughly researched and absorbing guide, Alexander and Utley recount the full story of the sites from their days of fame to the present. Comparing historic sketches, paintings, and period photographs of the original installations with recent photographs, they illustrate how time has dealt with these important places. Providing maps to aid readers in locating each site, the authors close with a resounding call for preservation and interpretation for future generations. ?The descriptions and images restore, at least in the mind’s eye, a touch of vitality and color to these forgotten and disappearing sites. Thanks to Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Texas Military Sites, Then and Now, both the traveler and the armchair tourist can recover a sense of these places and events that did so much to shape the military history of Texas.

About this title

About the Author:

THOMAS E. ALEXANDER, who served as an officer in the Strategic Air Command, is the author of four books on Texas military history. His work on Peyote Army Airfield was given the Rupert Richardson Award as the best book on West Texas History in 2006. A retired executive vice president with Neiman Marcus, he is currently serving his second six-year term on the Texas Historical Commission. Alexander lives in Kerrville, Texas. DAN K. UTLEY, chief historian of the Center for Public History at Texas State University and a Fellow of the Texas State Historical Association, is a retired chief historian for the Texas Historical Commission, a past chairman of the National Register State Board of Review for Texas, and the past president of the Texas Oral History Association and the East Texas Historical Association.

Review:

"Tom Alexander and Dan Utley, two outstanding historians with a great wealth of information and knowledge on military history between them, have gotten together to make '1+1' into much more than '2.' Make it a full '10' for their thorough review of what remains from our militant history to teach present and future Texans."--Archie P. McDonald, Southern historian

(Archie P. McDonald 2012-04-13)

"In Faded Glory authors Tom Alexander and Dan K. Utley have shared a seat in their car for a first-hand tour of military history across the Lone Star State. Starting with the U.S.-Mexican War and coming up through World War II, they have recounted the stories of both familiar and little-known scenes of military activities and then have given us easy-to-follow instructions on how we can visit and experience the sites for ourselves. This is the perfect book for the armchair historian or the eager heritage tourist." --T. Lindsay Baker, W.K. Gordon Endowed Chair in Texas Industrial History, Tarleton State University

(T. Lindsay Baker 2012-03-28)

"In this beautifully illustrated and well-crafted book, the military history of Texas comes alive and takes on new meaning. One can almost hear the thunder of cavalry horses and the clatter of dragoon sabers and Rancho de Carricitos on the Rio Grande, the deadly crack of Billy Dixon's rifle at Adobe Walls, or the fatiguing sighs of the ill-fated Sibley Brigade arriving at a windswept Fort Bliss. There is also the deafening pound of Lt. Dick Dowling's artillery at Sabine Pass, the debilitating and scorching heat in the desert at Camp Ruidoso in 1916, the hum of propellers as airplanes take flight at Marfa Army Airfield, or the whistle of a troop train in the night as Italian prisoners from North Africa arrive at Camp Hereford in the Panhandle. It is all here and it is all very exciting and very grand."--Jerry D. Thompson, Regents Professor of Humanities, Texas A&M International University

(Jerry D. Thompson 2012-04-13)

"It is obviously a labor of love . . . this book moves from being merely fun and informative to being truly an important effort to marshal support for historic preservation. This is a lively text, well-written by two fellows who are obviously good story-tellers."--Richard B. McCaslin, professor and chair of the history department, University of North Texas

(Richard B. McCaslin 2012-04-13)

"Faded Glory takes the general audience on an interesting and informative journey into the nooks and crannies of Texas history. The theme presents a representative sampling of 34 Texas military sites . . . that offer a window into key periods of Texas history from statehood and the Mexican War to the end of World War II."--Thomas T. Smith, retired US Army colonel and author of The Old Army in Texas: A Research Guide to the US Army in Nineteenth-Century Texas and The US Army and the Texas Frontier Economy, 1845-1900

(Thomas T. Smith 2012-04-16)

"...a beautifully illustrated book with a lively text..."--Jerry Turner, Mexia (Jerry Turner Mexia 2013-01-25)

"This guide to the sites recounts the story of each of them, from its days of fame to the present."--Marie Beth Jones, Facts (Marie Beth Jones Facts 2013-01-18)

"...a fascinating 'gateway book' for anyone interested in the history, origin or fate of 29 old forts, airfields and other military installations in Texas that have been largely ignored...it is packed with history, photographs, maps, illustrations and facts galore. Yet, it is also easy to read for the average person."--Irene Van Winkle, West Kerr Current (Irene Van Winkle West Kerr Current 2013-02-04)

"Alexander and Utley not only help bring them back to public attention but also argue eloquently for historical preservation of these places that once played significant roles in the life of the state."--Glen Dromgoole, The Eagle (Glen Dromgoole The Eagle 2013-02-13)

"Travel, architectural engineering, historical restoration, personal ancestry, military history, and Texana are all blended together in a unique book...not very often do I advocate splurging on the actual book over the less-expensive Kindle version, but this is a rare exception. The photos aligned with the photo-history make this a mighty fine conversation-starter for any Texan coffee crate...For you home-schooling parents...Faded Glory is an awesome supplement to the educational process."--Not Too Late Show (Not Too Late Show 2013-05-28)

About this edition

• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1603446990
• ISBN 13: 9781603446990
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240