Hist 1301.1m1
5/31/2016
Sam Houston and the American Southwest
In Sam Houston and the American Southwest, written by Randolph B. Campbell and edited by Mark C. Canes, the main focus is on Sam Houston’s many accomplishments and failures. The purpose Randolph Campbell has is to inform general and scholarly readers on who Sam Houston was as a warrior, politician, and leader. Sam Houston was a governor of two states, President of the Republic of Texas, and for thirteen years a United States senator. Sam Houston’s story is not only one of courage and strength, but also helps us understand the possibilities and limitations of leadership. Randolph B. Campbell was born and raised in Virginia. Campbell attended the University of Virginia …show more content…
He also was the president of Texas State historical Association and a member of the Southern Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians and the Society of Historians of the Early American Republic. This makes Campbell more than qualified to write about one of the most profound leaders. Campbell composes the life of Sam Houston and his significant roles in the development of the Southwest. The underline theme Randolph Campbell appears to persuade readers to accept is Sam Houston was an astonishing man and a good leader. The author documented Sam Houston’s life with many obstacles starting very young at fourteen years old all the way to his death bed at seventy years old. Sam Houston was a good man, but he was vulnerable to making mistakes and possessing errors just like any other person. Sam Houston began his life as a soldier at the age of twenty years old. After the United States Army, Sam Houston decided to study law with Judge James Trimble. A few years later, Sam Houston ran for United States House of Representatives with the support of friend Andrew …show more content…
Some reviewers have agreed, such as James Marten; in which he stated, “Campbell has succeeded in providing a thoughtful, very readable, and eminently useful survey of a fluid, exciting, and fascinating period of United States and Texas history through the lens of the life of the greatest Texan hero of them all”. (The Journal of Southern History 60.4, 1994, 796). Although, not all reviewers agree with Campbell’s book, some have argued that Campbell did not write more about Sam Houston’s private side. Walter L. Buenger stated, “Unfortunately, brevity precluded examine the private side of Sam Houston. We learn little of the ideas, ideology, and emotion that shaped the inner life of this complex man”. (Journal of the Early Republic, 14.1, 1994,