Sam Houston is a Texas icon. General Houston signed the Texas Declaration of Independence on his 43rd birthday, and six weeks later he led the Texas Army to a spectacular victory at San Jacinto. "Old Sam Jacinto" twice was elected president of the Republic of Texas; he served thirteen years as U.S. Senator from the State of Texas; and he won election as governor of the Lone Star State. Before he came to Texas, Houston twice lived with the Cherokee. As a young army officer he was severely wounded while leading charges at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and while still in his twenties Houston...