MORE THAN A WESTERN
More than a western novel and written
in the entertaining, historical docudrama style of John Jakes
and James Michener, Three Forks: a Novel of Texas tells the exciting
story of events preceding the settlement of North Texas, and the founding
of Dallas in 1842. The novel takes the reader back in time
to walk among and meet the famous historical figures who helped build
Texas in the 1830s and 1840s.
Researched in many cases to the original
document level, the novel not only details the history of an area
once called "Three Forks," but also provides perspective on the
fascinating historic events that occurred throughout the Republic
of Texas, and led to its subsequent acceptance as a US state.
Three Forks, named for the confluence
of the three main forks of the Trinity River, was a huge block of land
in North Texas that today is larger than thirty-six individual US
states in population, and nine states in geographical area. It is
the home of the world's largest airport, and includes major US cities
such as Dallas, Fort Worth and their rapidly growing surrounding cities.
HISTORY OVERLOOKED
Despite the significance of this area,
its fascinating history, spanning 1836 to 1846, is frequently
overlooked. This period follows the fall of the Alamo and the Texans'
victory at San Jacinto, which leads to freedom from Mexico. As a result,
The Republic of Texas is formed - an entire country separate from the
United States. The period ends as Texas achieves US statehood,
and the US goes to war with Mexico.
Even more overlooked in this period are
the conflicts between the Texas Militia in Northeast Texas and many
Native American tribes. Brutal attacks by both sides result
in many deaths. Terror reigns throughout North Texas settlements
and Native American villages. The dispute is over Three Forks, with
its beautiful forests, rolling green hills and grassy plains.
BOTH AUTHOR AND ARTIST
Tom Marlin's experience and renown
as an artist presents itself in his writing. Through well-crafted
prose and dialogues from many cultures, he paints word landscapes and
panoramas similar to those found in the works of Zane Gray. Despite
the serious drama of military battles and human conflict, romance
and humor permeate a revealing story that will both entertain and
inform the reader. The novel also contains nine fully illustrated
maps, created by the author.
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