About the Book
Faces of Béxar showcases the finest work of Jesús F. de la Teja, aforemost authority on Spanish colonial Mexico and Texas throughthe Republic. These essays trace the arc of the author’s career overa quarter of a century. A new bibliographic essay on early SanAntonio and Texas history rounds out the collection, showingwhere Tejano history has been, is now, and where it might go inthe future.
For de la Teja, the Tejano experience in San Antonio is a casestudy of a community in transition, one moved by forceswithin and without. From its beginnings as an imperial outpostto becoming the center of another, newer empire—itself intransition—the social, political, and military history of SanAntonio was central to Texas history, to say nothing of the largercontexts of Mexican and American history. This book exploresthis and more, including San Antonio's origins as a militarysettlement, the community's economic ties to Saltillo, its rolein the fight for Mexican independence, and the motivationsof Tejanos for joining Anglo Texans in the struggle forindependence.
Taken together, Faces of Béxar stands to be a milestone in thegrowing literature on Tejano history.
About the Author :
Jesús F. de la Teja is the Jerome H. and Catherine E. Supple Professor of Southwestern Studies, regents’ professor of history, and the director of the Center for the Study of the Southwest at Texas State University, USA. He is the author of numerous books on Texas history and a former State Historian of Texas.
Review :
"This superb collection of scholarly works by Jesus Francisco (Frank) de la Teja brings together nearly thirty years of his extensive research and writing in the field of Texas History. Centered on San Antonio and focusing on its Hispanic society, Dr. de la Teja provides readers with a wealth of in-depth information and knowledge about the Tejano culture, society and history. It is a must-read for anyone interested in broadening their knowledge of the Hispanic roots of San Antonio, and Texas, history. "-- Carolina Castillo Crimm, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Sam Houston State University --Carolina Castillo Crimm, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Sam Houston State University (12/4/2015 12:00:00 AM)
"This volume contains a selection of well-researched and cogently-written essays which shed important new light on our historical understanding of Spanish colonial San Antonio. Professor de la Teja brings to this book his deep and profound understanding of the northern Spanish Borderlands. His keen analysis of the daily life, natural environment, economy, political events, popular recreations and the city's reaction to the Mexican independence movement constitutes nothing short of a full-scale historical reinterpretation of Spanish San Antonio as a fully-functioning town on the northern frontier of New Spain. This book is a singular contribution to the historical literature which will stand across the decades as an essential scholarly study for anyone interested in Spanish colonial Texas."--Light Townsend Cummins, Bryan professor of History, Austin College--Light Townsend Cummins, Bryan professor of History, Austin College (11/9/2015 12:00:00 AM)
"Faces of Béxar: Early San Antonio and Texas will assuredly become the basic text for Spanish and Mexican Texas. It incorporates Spanish imperial objectives, early Mexican national aspirations and the turmoil of nation-building, Native American prerogatives, and the economic opportunities introduced by the new arrivals from the United States into the daily lives of Bexareños. Quite a task! And excellently done, bringing together previously published articles and chapters and significant new research by the author. All-important topics - politics, race and ethnicity, class, gender, religion, economics -- are thoroughly covered in this very engaging narrative of the Mexicans, Canary islanders and mission Indians who forged the founding Tejano community."--Gilberto M. Hinojosa, professor emeritus, department of History, University of the Incarnate Word--Gilberto M. Hinojosa, professor emeritus, department of History, University of the Incarnate Word (11/23/2015 12:00:00 AM)
"In Faces of Béxar: Early San Antonio and Texas we find approaches that display use of the most recent historiographic directions, coverage of Tejano social, political, economic, and military life, descriptions of Béxareños in roles as varied as government officials, merchants, presidial soldiers, clergymen, and of course plain folks, discussions of pobladores as agents in history and not as historical figures languishing in indolence and passivity, as well as examinations of issues such as race, class, and entrepreneurship. Certainly, Faces of Béxar is an impressive collection from one of the foremost scholars of early San Antonio and its inhabitants."--Arnoldo De León, Ph.D., distinguished professor of History emeritus, Angelo State University--Arnoldo De León (10/7/2015 12:00:00 AM)
"Read this book. Full stop. If you know a lot about the history of San Antonio, Faces of Béxar will school you in the intricacies of a community that you thought you knew inside-out. If you are new to the Alamo City, this superb collection of Frank de la Teja's work will make it clear why San Antonio remains one of the most complicated but fascinating cities in Texas. Either way, you're in for a treat."--Char Miller, author of Deep in the Heart of San Antionio: Land & Life in South Texas--Char Miller (9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM)
