This one looks pretty well reviewed.
Although one of my favorite stories of him is this one: On the role of government
Posted on 01/13/2013 8:07:28 AM PST by Dartman
I've had an interest in this man since I was a young kid in the '50's watching the Disney series about him. What I'm looking for is an in depth, but enjoyable to read account of his life. I figured I would get a better selection to chose from, from you folks here, rather than on-line book reviews. Money is no object, I've got some Christmas present Chapters gift cards burning a hole in my pocket. :)
chose = choose.
Oops.
You might start with his autobiography. In factual terms, it’s not always trustworthy but it presents his story in the way he wanted it presented, so you get some insights into his character. It was also one of the first examples of the “campaign autobiography”. He wrote it to make some money but also to use it to get back into politics. The book was actually co-written by Crockett and one of his friends, a Kentucky congressman whose name I don’t remember.
This one looks pretty well reviewed.
Although one of my favorite stories of him is this one: On the role of government
I just looked on Amazon, and you can get a Kindle version of the 1834 edition of the autobiography for 99 cents:
Look at the Los Angeles Library page. They’ve got about 4 pages of suggestions.
I have:
“LIFE AND ADVENTURES
COLONEL DAVID CROCKETT,
OF WEST TENNESSEE.”
CINCINNATI:
PUBLISHED 1833.
as a free pdf.
FRegards
I was born in 1948, so the Disney Davy Crockett saga came at just the right time for me. I can remember being completely confused, as a child, by the lyric that I misheard (and I’m sure I was not alone) as “killed in a bar, when he was only three.”
The questions that this generated in my mind: How did he fight those indians, go to congress, go to the Alamo if he died at age three? Was he resurrected? Reincarnated? Was that a different Davy Crockett? And, not for nothing, what the hell was he doing in a bar when he was only three?
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7113805M/The_romance_and_tragedy_of_pioneer_life.
Chapter XXX details his life. Overall great book in general.
That craze caught Disney by surprise, and they missed out on the millions they could have made selling "accessories". They changed that approach REAL quick and retail has never been the same.
I read where one surplus dealer had a ton of pup tents he couldn't give away. He stenciled "Davy Crocket" on them and sold out in days. Typical American ingenuity.
In some cases the tail wags the dog as many cartoons today are merely advertisements for the toy.
I just read a good book on the defenders of the Alamo that went into some depth about Mr. Crockett, but it was not devoted entirely to him. I don't recall the title, though.
Highly recommend.
The old books look like they're more fun:
Nobody remembers Tubbs ...
I concur with the Derr biography being excellent.
A word of caution, though. If you have a high opinion of Andrew Jackson, this book might disabuse you of that notion.
Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I am going to go with the book by Michael Wallis, not so much for the book review, but the review of the author. It sounds like he has written some excellent books and comes highly recommended.
I can remember a time about 12 years ago while travelling through Tennessee I saw a highway sign which read, David Crockett State Park. I thought to myself, “Who the heck was David Crockett”? Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning. “Oh my gosh !!! Davy Crockett” !!!!
I haven’t been the same, since :)
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