The Rebels: Sons of Texas

Seven-time Spur Award winner Kelton has always been a masterful western storyteller of tales rich with historical detail, vivid characters and sharply defined plots. Here he concludes the Sons of Texas trilogy with the strongest entry, set in the mid 1830s. The Lewis family—brothers Andrew, Michael and James, and sister Annie—are foreigners in a strange land, raising their families and farming while Mexican and American cultures, politics, racism and tempers simmer over the possibilities of rebellion and independence from Mexico. During these years, the Lewises must deal with outlaws, the Mexican army, trouble-making American politicians, a slick smuggler and their continuing feud with the thieving and back-shooting Blackwood brothers. When war does come, the Lewis boys and one Blackwood go off to fight in bloody battles at Velasco, the Alamo and San Jacinto, and not all come home. Historical figures—Sam Houston, General Santa Anna, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett—have cameos and add depth and color to this superb saga of the Lone Star State. (Nov.)