GHOSTLY BUGLES
by
Max L. Knight
Historical Fiction / Texas History
Publisher: Wild Lark Books
Date of Publication: February 23, 2023
Number of Pages: 210 pages
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Do the souls of the dead reach out from beyond the grave? Do echoes of the past resound through the ages? Are such insights a privilege or a curse? An old man grapples with these questions and his own mortality as he re-examines one of the most famous battles in history - the Alamo.
The 1836 siege and battle as well as current efforts to restore Alamo Plaza to hallowed ground and create a world-class attraction unfold as the old man tries to make sense of his memories, dreams, and perceived outreach by the dead whose souls cry out to him for inclusion and recognition. Beyond the myth and the legend are their stories as well as his own.
Ghostly Bugles is a fictional re-creation of the Alamo story, rich in historical detail with a unique paranormal element. The narrative combines elements of the traditional storyline with contemporary efforts to "Re-imagine the Alamo". The dual timelines balance our understanding of this world- renowned event and provide new perspective and appreciation for the courage and sacrifice of everyone involved - Texian and Tejano defenders, and Mexican soldiers.
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Ghostly Bugles is a historical fiction novel with paranormal elements that create a parallel narrative between present-day San Antonio and the infamous battle of the Alamo. The story follows an older man who volunteers at the historical site and reflects on the past while also providing mini-episodic presentations of historic moments involving the site.
As a Texan who has read a lot about the Alamo and who has visited the Alamo a couple times, I really enjoyed this book. I like seeing a new perspective on the events, the people who were part of them, and the many divisions of the conflict. It should be noted that this book focuses on the Alamo, so some of the descriptions can be a bit grotesque (with realistic events) - though it is done appropriately. This is not a morbid or obscene text in any way. Just note that you should be prepared to hear about battlefield occurrences that naturally aren't pleasant.
I really enjoy the parallel narrative and the topical separation of historic events (ex: famous players in the battle, handling of the battlefield post-battle, seeking reinforcements). The divisions made for easy breaks when needed and allowed me to reflect on each portion accordingly without getting marred down in additional details. One thing that I definitely think this book needs, however, is a map of the Alamo grounds. While I've been and am familiar with the locales mentioned, I think it'd be useful for many readers who haven't had the opportunity to visit the site. Being able to spot where one character was stationed and where strategic points were would be helpful to see throughout the reading. I give Ghostly Bugles a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯ stars.
If you're reading this (or plan to) and haven't been to the Alamo - or it's been a while since you went - I recommend printing out a map of the site!
MAX L. KNIGHT was born in Panama and grew up in the Canal Zone and in San Antonio, Texas, where he and his wife reside. In addition to degrees from Texas A&M University and Campbell University, Max served twenty-four years in the United States Army (1973-1997), retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He became the first Alamo Docent in 2004, but the tragic events of 9/11 compelled him to reactivate his security clearance and, when the approval finally came through, he returned to work in support of U.S. Counterintelligence operations. A stage IV throat cancer diagnosis in 2014 abruptly ended that phase of his life, and he turned to writing to help him get through the chemo, radiation, and surgeries. Max is currently cancer free.
His other works include Silver Taps, Palo Duro, and Tarnished Brass.
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