Post by neferetus on Nov 16, 2005 12:13:00 GMT -5
The Holy Sabbath Morning A Novel of the Alamo
by: Bob W. Dunbar
INFINITY PUBLISHING www.bbotw.com
ISBN: 1-892896-79-6 ©1998
Price: $17.95
Book Size: 5.5 x 8.5, 338 pages
Category/Subject: Fiction/Historical
Abstract:
In the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, a ragged band of
Texas freedom fighters fought to the death rather than surrender to
an overwhelming army of Mexican soldiers. The story of that stand,
and of the thirteen-day siege that preceded it, represents one of the
most compelling events in American history. Now, the reader can
relive this epic story in Bob W. Dunbar’s stirring new novel, The
Holy Sabbath Morning. This vivid, thoroughly researched re-creation
will place the reader right in the middle of the action, right beside
the heroic men – both the storied and the unsung – of both
sides.
REVIEW
Before THE ALAMO movie (2004) there was THE HOLY
SABBATH MORNING, by Bob Dunbar. While THE ALAMO (2004) sought
to be the most historical movie ever on the subject, HOLY SABBATH strove---
and succeeded in part--- to be the essential Alamo novel.
As a collector of novels pertaining to the Texian Revolution what
struck me most about THE HOLY SABBATH MORNING is that it is
probably the first novel to deal with the Alamo, the whole Alamo
and nothing but the Alamo, so help me John Wayne. While other
novelists may set their tale in 1836 and then use the Alamo as a
backdrop to their ficticious story of ficticious characters, Dunbar
sticks straight to the actual known facts, utilizes only true flesh and
blood historical characters and then lets the Alamo story tell itself.
Why? Because it is a compelling story unto itself, that's why.
Dunbar's straight-forward telling of the tale is also refreshing. He
seems to know that the tale needs no embellishment, or
"fooferaw' added to it to make it interesting. His historical research
is evident in how he has each character act---and think. For Dunbar
looks into the minds of each and then shares that insight as though he
had gotten it from an actual interview with the character. I like
that.
Lovers of John Wayne's 1960 film THE ALAMO, may also find
some familiar "Waynamoisms" delicately intersprinkled into the
dialogue. ("Some Indian told some Vaquero", "Get down off your
high horse", etc.) But they work. While they may've caught me off
guard on my initial reading and caused me to grin inwardly, they are not
blatant.
On the down side, all of Dunbar's adherence to fidelity may keep
THE HOLY SABBATH MORNING from appealing to the masses of
novel readers who require a good love story thrown in, or a sappy
side story added. THE HOLY SABBATH MORNING is certainly no flight
of fantasy. It is the Alamo and its characters brought to life as
Never before. I highly recommend it.
