Fort Sam: The Story of Fort Sam Houston, Texas

This lavishly-illustrated book profiles one of America's most historic military posts, Fort Sam Houston, established in San Antonio, Texas in 1876. At the beginning of the 20th century, Fort Sam was the largest Army post in the nation. The text and the more than 175 illustrations outline the growth of Fort Sam from an assortment of installations in San Antonio, including the Alamo, predating the Civil War into today's sprawling 3,000-acre complex. Its 800-plus historic structures, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exceed the number of historically-significant buildings even at West Point. The Apache chief Geronimo and his band were held in Fort Sam's Quadrangle not many years after its construction.

The post was the scene of the first military aircraft flights in Texas and supplied the pursuit of Pancho Villa along the Mexican border. Several divisions formed and trained at Fort Sam during both world wars. Since World War II it has become the Army's center for medical training. It is also the headquarters for the Fifth U.S. Army and for U.S. Army South.

Photos of ordinary soldiers as well as of notables like generals Pershing, Eisenhower and Kreuger who were once stationed here help document the belief that Fort Sam Houston holds within its walls the spirit of the United States Army. Fort Sam: The Story of Fort Sam Houston, Texas at last brings this remarkable story together.