Literary Analysis Essay on Lust for Glory

Introduction

Lust for Glory epically accounts Texan history and the sacrifices that defined and moulded the state before it became part of the union. It is a brief, reader-friendly, skilfully documented and masterfully written portrayal of the age of heroic deeds in Texan History. (Hardin S, 2018) The author, Stephen L. Hardin, a history professor (Dromgoole G, 2019) has been a historical consultant on several motion pictures focused on Texan history. Hardin provides a detailed explanation of the sequential stages of Texas becoming the 28th state in the union. The author employs short, episode like chapters to explain the twenty-five year period from 1821 to 1846. It is considered one of the most eventful periods in Texan history with major events happening including the Anglo American settlement, the Mexican independence, the Goliad Massacre, the "Come-and-Take-It" fight, the victory at San Jacinto, Battle of the Alamo and a whole decade of the Texas republic becoming a state of its own within the union gradually. (Hardin S, 2018)

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Hardin tries to show how Texas lost its freedom and in the process struggles after a painful and long fighting period. Everyone in the state played a vital role in encouraging people and supporting the soldiers while the feud raged on. Everyone spoke with one voice when it came to the Texans. This shows how the Texans stood together in unity and their level of patriotism, which was aimed at promoting peace within their region. According to the opening statement, the book investigates the most extraordinary and captivating of all periods of Texan and American history. The book provides an account of early Texas covering the years of colonization, revolution, republic, and the precious legacy that they left all Texans. (Hardin S, 2018) Accompanying the narrative are various pictures and maps which improved the understanding of the content discussed within.

Characters depicted in the journal are also brought alive proactively by Hardin. The Texan accounts were not only told through the battles that were fought but also about those who fought them. Exceptional Texans including Stephen F. Austin, William Travis, Sam Houston, and Margaret Houston just to name a few are sprung to life successfully by the author. Their deeds are well and precisely documented and narrated. This brought an air of truth and realness to the narrations since the characters were portrayed as human beings with lives and emotions.

The book has forty-four pages of references. These references include both journal articles and books which are closely associated with the topic of discussion. Since the book is associated with several ideas, the author uses these references to acknowledge all people who are the source of these ideas. The author has used an extensive bibliography which is captivating and also readers of the book have been encouraged by the author to avail themselves with its contents.

Lust for Glory is a fantastic series of historical transitions of Texas and can be used as a reference by various researchers of the Texas frontier as well as those studying American history generally. The book raises the bar very high for those currently studying the Texan frontier and it will be very difficult to surpass it.

Reference

Hardin, S. L. (2018). Lust for glory: An epic story of early Texas and the sacrifice that defined a nation.

Dromgoole, G. (2019). Texas reads: Early Texas history told in concise, readable chapters