The Texas Rangers are legendary, but just where does legend end 
and fact begin? Frederick Wilkins begins his new history of the
Rangers, the first major Ranger history in many decades, by using
the recently discovered and now much more accessible source 
materials to separate the facts from the fiction.

The Legend Begins is a masterful history of the Rangers from their
earliest antecedents in the 1820s, as a defense force against
Indian depredations, and continues with their fascinating history and 
accomplishments through the Texas Republic years up to statehood. 
The author discusses the changes in the philosophies and in the 
organization of the Rangers during these early years—changes made 
necessary as the times changed and as the needs of Texas changed. 
He describes, for example, the effects of new weapons such as the 
Colt repeaters on the tactics and abilities of the Ranger forces. This is 
not a revisionist history, but the author does use his source materials
to make judgments based on his studies of the facts. He outlines his 
reasons for doubting whether the legendary battles of John Coffee 
Hays and the Rangers at Enchanted Rock and at Bandera Pass 
actually occurred, but he stresses that the reality of the Rangers' 
accomplishments is not diminished by his pointing out the doubtful 
status of these two legendary battles. The position of the early 
Rangers is secure enough to withstand carping about a few fights that 
may not have taken place. An updated history of the first Rangers is 
long overdue, and this volume will be welcomed by the many 
individuals and scholars fascinated by the Texas Rangers.

_________________________________________________________

The late FREDERICK WILKINS was born in Dallas, Texas, majored in 
history at Southern Methodist University, and spent twenty-five years 
with the U.S. Army's information program. His primary interest was 
the Texas Rangers and he is the author of the highly acclaimed 
Defending the Borders: The Texas Rangers 1848–1861 and The Law 
Comes to Texas: The Texas Rangers 1870–1901 also by State House 
Press.


What people are saying about this book

"An important contribution to western studies."—Wisconsin Bookwatch


Other Books by Frederick Wilkins



DEFENDING THE BORDERS

1-880510-76-6 CLOTH

$27.95

1-880510-77-4 PAPER

$19.95
LAW COMES TO TEXAS

1-880510-61-8 PAPER

$21.95