| I never got tired of researching this story, and I'm indebted to many people at the following research centers who made my work more enjoyable: the libraries of the University of Texas at Austin, especially the Center for American History, the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, and the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection; the San Antonio Public Library; the San Antonio Museum Association, particularly the Witte Museum, Bill Green, and Karen Branson; the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo; the M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library in Mason, Texas; and the New York Public Library. In addition, L. Robert Ables' excellent article "The Second Battle for the Alamo," published in the January 1967 issue of Southwestern Historical Quarterly, pointed me in the right direction numerous times. |
| Laura Austin, my former teacher and favorite critic, scribbled comments on the original manuscript that were funny, insightful, and enormously useful. I'm also grateful to many others who read my drafts at various stages and offered their suggestions: Steve Adams; Jay Brandon; Marc Castle; Chan Chandler; Jane Dentinger; David Dreyfus; James Ward Lee; Norman Weiss; Gene Zesch; and Lucinda Zesch. Myrna Wallace and Sara Puig Laas helped me with the Spanish. Special thanks to Will and Melissa Reardon, who kept me informed of recent controversies involving the Alamo. |
| Most of all, I thank my editor, Judy Alter, and my agent, Victoria Sanders, for their counsel and encouragement, and for all their efforts on my behalf; and TCU Press, for giving me this opportunity. |
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