Captain J. A. Brooks: Texas Ranger

Spellman, Paul N.

ISBN 10: 1574412272 / ISBN 13: 9781574412277

Published by University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas, 2007

About this Item

Signed by the author, Paul Spellman, on the half title page; not personalized to anyone. Volume has light black cloth covers with gold lettering on the spine. Dust jacket is protected in an archival quality cover. Clean, fresh, tight and bright. 272 pages. Paul Spellman portrays Brooks's strong points and his flaws, and thus we have a well-rounded picture of him as a human being. Strong use of both primary and secondary sources in the biography. A very nice copy.

Seller Inventory # 002555

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Captain J. A. Brooks: Texas Ranger
• Publisher: University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1574412272
• ISBN 13: 9781574412277
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition, 1st Printing
• Condition: New
• Dust Jacket Condition: New
• Signed: Signed By the Author

About this title

Synopsis

James Abijah Brooks (1855-1944) was one of the four Great Captains in Texas Ranger history, others including Bill McDonald, John Hughes, and John Rogers. Over the years historians have referred to the captain as "John" Brooks, because he tended to sign with his initials, but also because W. W. Sterling's classic Trails and Trials of a Texas Ranger mistakenly named him as Captain John Brooks.

Born and raised in Civil War-torn Kentucky, a reckless adventurer on the American and Texas frontier, and a quick-draw Texas Ranger captain who later turned in his six-shooter to serve as a county judge, Brooks's life reflects the raucous era of the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century American West. As a Texas Ranger, Brooks participated in the high profile events of his day, from the fence-cutting wars to the El Paso prizefight, from the Conner Fight--where he lost three fingers from his left hand--to the Temple rail strike, all with a resolute demeanor and a fast gun. A shoot-out in Indian Territory nearly cost him his life and then jeopardized his career, and a lifelong bout with old Kentucky bourbon did the same.

With three other distinguished Ranger captains, Brooks witnessed and helped promote the transformation of the elite Frontier Battalion into the Ranger Force. As a state legislator, he brokered the creation of a South Texas county that bears his name today, and where he served for twenty-eight years as county judge. He was the quintessential enforcer of frontier justice, scars and all.

About the Author

Paul N. Spellman teaches Texas and American history at Wharton Junior College. He is a native Texan and descendant of the Old Three Hundred family of Zadock and Minerva Cottle Woods. Spellman has authored five books, including Captain John H. Rogers, Texas Ranger, Race to Velasco, and Spindletop Boom Days. He lives in Richmond, Texas.