James A. Michners: TEXAS :: essays research papers

In this magnificent historical novel, James A. Michner skillfully combines fact and illustration to pre direct one of our closely expansive and alter states. Spanning n too soon four and a half centuries, Michner begins with the first Spaniards to explore separate of present day Texas, Cabeza de Vaca and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and continues on to the emergence of Texas as one of our most powerful states.Michners use of historical fact is extremely absolute in his portrayal of events in Texas history. Particularly when he writes of the fight for emancipation from Mexico. Michner only strays to fiction in an attempt to illustrate to the reader what the lives of early Texans must have been like. His characters interact with actual historical figures and create really believable scenarios of the events depicted in his novel. One Scenario in particular is the conflict of San Jacinto. This is a historical event which ended in a deciding(prenominal) victory for the Texas grou nd forces and Independence for Texas. Michners depiction of this battle is rattling accurate except for two important points. In his novel, Stephen F. Austin is sent to destroy a ferry owned by a condition lover, Mattie Quimper. This was to prevent the Mexican Army, under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, from crossing the river and have more time to the Texans to prepare for the inevitable battle. This incident is fictional, but it is similar-to some other factual event. At San Jacinto, General Sam Houston sent one of his men to destroy a bridge crossing the San Jacinto River. This was to prevent reinforcements from joining Santa Annas forces, which were already on the Island. The second point which was fictional ,but was based on an actual event, was the enchant of General Santa Anna. In Michners novel, a bobble Yancy Quimper, comes across a half naked Santa Anna, who was trying to evade capture by hiding in the trees.Quimper, being a coward, nearly shoots himself in the process. This alerts another fictional character, Otto MacNab. MacNab takes Santa Anna into custody and presents him to General Houston. In actuality, a Texas Army Sergeant captured Santo Anna the day following the battle.Michner includes these fictional characters as part of a sub-plot designed to keep the reader interested in what is a rigorously military campaign. He remains true to historical facts and only adds fiction to color his amazing storytelling abilities.