I loved this book. It is eloquently written from Edgar Allen Poe's perspective and is thoroughly engrossing. The idea of pairing frontiersman Davy Crockett and Poe is genius as the two actually work well together. Highly credible dialog and a historically atypical setting in old Baltimore make for a delightful read. If this is the author's first foray into fiction (I know he specializes in true crime pieces) I only hope he continues. I recommend this book highly to anyone who enjoys history and mystery stories. Poe's refined vocabulary may send some for their Webster's, but it is worth the effort.

In a bizarre and playful rearrangement of history, Nevermore sees the meeting of rugged frontiersman Dave Crockett and celebrated author of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore of the early nineteenth century.
In the rich and quaint setting of the period, the brawny hero and the literary genius come to the assistance of the local police to solve a series of murders based around the mystery of 'Nevermore.'
The novel is rich in atmosphere and a delight to read for both fans of crime-writing and English literature. For not only is the story fraught with adventure, but the prose rich in its mastery of the English language. In fact, and at times, it seems as though Schechter is afflicted with logopathy. That though takes nothing away from the book which is a pleasure to read.

As people who have read my reviews undoubtedly know, I only write one if I find the work fabulous beyond belief, or want to chuck every copy in existence into a trashcan, then set the lot on fire. This would be an instance of the fabulous kind ( tho by far, not the best book Ive ever read). I must say (to the point at last! ) that the author's depiction of poe appeared very realistic and characteristic of what is known of his life and psyche. The rather gory depictions of the murders are quite along the line of poe's dark writings, and I found them not disgusting, but interesting, as the author seeks to tell where Poe might have gotten inspiration for many of his short stories and poems (obviously the raven being the main work referenced). Although the story is a little far-fetched, I was entertained throughout with Poe and Crocketts antics as they ban together to solve the murders plaguing Baltimore. Although I wouldnt recommend this book to everyone, (those who have read his stories/poems would undoubtedly find it more interesting than those who have not), if you are looking for a quick mystery with unique characters (poe and crockett as "investigators"), I rather think you would enjoy this book. It is a refreshing divergence from the typical (often dully predictable) mysteries in circulation right now. Look for references to "The raven" "The Tell-Tale Heart" "The Cask of Amontillado" "the Masque of the Red Death" "The Premature Burial", and more.

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When I saw this book on the shelf, I was really hoping to read an objective analysis of this topic. I had read several earlier books by other authors about the battle for the Alamo, and was aware of the de la Pena account, and thought this book would be the true scholarly discourse on the topic I wanted. What a disappointment! It quickly became clear while reading that scholarship was absent. Scholars don't write works like this in first person, or flip-flopping between 1st and 3rd. Even more however, the author states upfront a personal scepticism about the de la Pena account before ever discussing it, and makes it clear this book is motivated by criticism he received on an earlier book on the same topic. When he finally gets to the de la Pena account, his arguments appear more to be opinion, and does he want scientific testing of the document, no, that wouldn't prove anything to him! How about present the facts and let the reader decide? Throughout the book, at every opportunity he poos all over the de la Pena account without ever giving the reader the information/analysis to decide for themselves. The sad thing about this is that I still haven't seen an objective scholarly treatment of this topic and I need to keep on looking.

The argument goes on and on..

But it is bewildering how some authors will find any means possible to support their hero worship sentiments. The question I ask is why are Mexican eyewitness accounts scrutinized and summarily dismissed if they counter legend? And why are some Mexican accounts acceptable when they support legend? Why does the author accept questionable Anglo accounts (Dickinson) yet fail to question her credibility in light of some confused observations (her sighting of Travis body on the chapel roof)?

The author,I guess, believes students of the Alamo will believe what they want to believe...and accept the verification of that belief that best fits their views. In my opinion, those who want to maintain the The Legend Must Live! view of the siege and fall of the Alamo have an ally with this author.

I try and read everything that comes out of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. This author is beginning to make "a living" off the argument that the de la Pena diary is a fake, but in the end he can offer absolutely no evidence is the contrary from what we already know before the work is read! Did Crockett die in battle? Groneman says no one knows. But was Crockett taken prisoner and then executed? Groneman does not know, but believes that the de la Pena diary on which much of, but not all, that tale is founded, is a fake. So by the time the reader gets to the end of the work, there is nothing conclusive. So, the question that begs to be asked is: what's the point? Crockett was at the Alamo. Crockett fought. Crockett died. What difference does it make HOW he died? The entire exercise is analogous to the question of whether or not Napoleon was murdered on Saint Helena? Who cares? It does not change what Napoleon did in life any more than how Crockett met his end changes what he stood for by choosing to fight and die at the Alamo. My suggestion to Mr Groneman is for him to please move on.

This is an excellent grand narrative for those who insist on holding on to the triumphalist Anglo-Celtic Texas myth. The author presents information that attempts to prove his point--in other words this is a conclusion-driven work. For those who still maintain an open mind and are interested in excellent scholarly inquiry I would refer them to the following three studies. James Crisp's "The Little Book That Wasn't There: The Myth and Mystery of the de la Peña Diary." In Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 98, (Oct 1994). More recent scholarly works ascertaining the authenticity of the de la Peña diary and disputing Groneman's methods and intent include David B. Gracy's "Just as I have Written It: A Study of the Authenticity of the Manuscript of José Enrique de la Peña's Account of the Texas Campaign." In SHQ, Vol. 55, No. 2(Oct. 2002) and Jack Jackson and James E. Ivey's "Mystery Artist of the Alamo: José Juan Sanchez." In SHQ, Vol. 55, No. 2 (Oct. 2002). Read these articles at your local library before spending money on Groneman's grand narrative.

The book (which I read in a library) is very weak in original ideas, research, and scholarship. The author presents nothing believable about his case (that the de la Pena Diary is a fake) that can be taken seriously by anyone. Just recently the de la Pena Diary was auctioned off for nearly quarter million dollars! Not bad for a work that Mr. Groneman wants to call a fake in his 'curio' of a work.

Bill Groneman has done yeoman's duty once again. He has risen to the challenge of the "revisionists" and emerged with a victory more complete than Houston's at San Jacinto. Remember the Alamo and take the sage advise " when the legend is larger than life, go with the legend".

The "fake" DeLa Pena Diary is exposed for just that. Interesting how it only came to light after Walter Lord's and Lon Tinkle's research in Northern Mexico back in the mid 1950's. Hopefully Texican's will never feel the need to rewrite their history to match that of a liberal revisionist who strives to tear down all that is good and great in heros.

Any student of Texana should read this authors works before falling sway to the sensationalism of the revisionsists who have not done their homework.

Another 5-star effort from Mr. Groneman.

This book, written in the height of the Crockett hysteria in the 1950's, attempts to present an objective view of the real David Crockett. Most of the book deals with Crockett the senator, not Crockett the backwoodsman or Crockett of the Alamo. In this, at least, the book is valuable, because it portrays a David Crockett far different from the Davy Crockett of Walt Disney or John Wayne.

The book is valuable in this respect, but it is poorly written. The author skips from one subject to another, making obscure references to events which are never explained and about which the reader is apparently supposed to be familiar. The argument is not well organized, and bounces around so much it is very difficult to follow, and the narrative is just as fragmentary. Inappropriate euphemisms and ill-fitting metaphors further clot this work and inhibit the flow of the narrative. Shackford, who was a professor of English and should have been a more capable writer, makes this account of Crockett's life very, very difficult to read.

Something NOT being disproven[sic] doesn't make it true. Example: You can't prove there isn't a tooth fairy.