The Raven by Marquis James

If a novelist had created the character Sam Houston, the story would have been considered outlandish, picaresque, too fantastical to be realistic. But this fully-documented biography of a Texas legend is proof that larger-than-life heroes sometimes appear in real life.

Before Houston even stepped foot in Texas, he had carved a name for himself in Tennessee. He lived with the Cherokee, and was adopted as a citizen of that nation, which gave him the name "The Raven." He founded a school. He acquitted himself with honor in the War of 1812, surviving wounds which were considered fatal. He became a protege' of Andrew Jackson. He became an attorney. He represented Tennessee in the U. S. House of Representatives. He was elected governor of Tennessee, with the backing of Andrew Jackson. And then he married. And everything changed.

After only eleven weeks of marriage, Houston's new bride, Eliza, returned to her family. For the rest of their lives, neither Houston nor Eliza would explain their separation. Houston resigned his governorship and retreated to his Indian family, living with the Cherokee for three more years before going to Texas.

It is in the unfolding of Houston's life in Texas that author Marquis James really hits his stride in revealing the cunning and intellect of Houston, as he orchestrated battles and later led his new Republic into eventual annexation by the United States. Twice President of the Republic of Texas, once elected to the U.S. Senate to represent his new state after annexation, and once elected as Governor, Houston shaped the destiny of Texas as no other ever did.

Houston's final act as a political figure demonstrates his continued adherence to his own code of honor: He resigned as Governor rather than take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography portrays Sam Houston in a most favorable light; other biographers have not been as kind. The writing constantly seems to straddle the ground between a history for historians (which tend to be dull, even though describing exciting events), and a history for non-historians (which tend to include flights of fancy). Nevertheless, it is essential reading for all true Texans.