The Texas Republic tells of the people that settled early Texas. It tells the story of the Texans who struggled with an unfair Mexican tax burden. Just as the Americans fought England, the Texans fought Mexico.

Strippers, zombies, fugitives and jewel thieves. These were just some of the characters who inhabited the weird, wild films of director Stephen C. Apostolof in the 1960s and 1970s. But Apostolof's own life was every bit as improbable as the plots of his lurid movies. Escaping the clutches of the communists in his native Bulgaria, he came to America in 1952 and decided on a whim to reinvent himself as a Hollywood filmmaker, right down to the cigars, sunglasses and Cadillacs. He produced a string of memorable sexploitation classics, including the infamous Orgy of the Dead. Along the way, he married three times, fathered five children and forged a personal and professional relationship with the notorious Ed Wood, Jr. Drawing on rare archival material and interviews with those who knew him best, this first biography of Apostolof chronicles the life and career of a cult film legend.

The Texas Republic tells the story of the settlement of early Texas from the Indian and Black settlers' point of view. Early Texas was a refuge for runaway slaves and northern Indian tribes forced south from the Great Lakes and eastern states. The eastern Cherokee, Arapaho, Ez-E-Nye, Delaware, Kick-a-Poo, and Alabama-Coushatta went there.The Cherokee found a friend in Sam Houston. As a young man he had run away from home to live with them as a member of their tribe. As a soldier, and a lawyer, he fought for the Cherokee to have land rights. When Mexico forced Texas to pay higher taxes, many could not pay and support their families. Just as the United States rebelled over paying higher taxes to England, Texas fought Mexico over an unfair tax burden. The Cherokee acted as scouts for the Texas army. The Texans fought the Mexican army's raids on their cattle and horses. Mexico's attack on Gonzales, Goliad, and the Alamo, force the Texans to take drastic measures. Sam Houston puts together an army of volunteers while the Mexican army chases the leaders of the Texas government from Galveston to east Texas, and back to the safety of waiting ships at Galveston. Sam Houston fights a decisive battle at San Jacinto capturing Santa Anna. From this battle comes the Treaty of Velasco and Texas' Independence. Santa Anna was returned back to Mexico a defeated dictator. Sam Houston becomes the first elected president of Texas. Mirabeau Lamar becomes the first vice president. Lamar's control of the Texas senate keeps Sam Houston from ratifying a treaty with the east Texas Cherokee: Chief Bowles and Chief Mush. Lamar's popularity as vice president, and his role as a cavalry leader at San Jacinto, leadshim to become the next president of Texas. Lamar as president takes the opposite view of Sam Houston toward new settlements, and the rights of the Red River tribes. Lamar makes war on the east Texas Cherokee, and the Comanche at the Council House in San Antonio. Now, a terrible Indian war wages in Texas for the next two years. These prevent new settlements in Texas, allowing Mexico to renew their attacks on San Antonio. Sam Houston as the new president of Texas tries to broker a peace treaty between the Red River tribes at Grapevine Springs. This Great Council of the Red River Tribes was one of the greatest treaties made between tribes that had different languages and customs. Some tribes had little or no contact with others, so this was quite a feat to accomplish! A new battle begins within the Texas government for the true capitol of Texas. The cities of Austin and Houston fought for control of government documents. This threatened the treaty being ratified so Sam Houston has the treaty made at Bird's Fort two months later. This story tells of the Great Council and the Red Bird treaty that allowed the settlers from France, Germany, England, and some freed Blacks from the Federal States, to settle in Texas. This blend of cultures, and people make the story of Texas unique. This story is told from the eyewitness point of view. Andrew is the storyteller. He is a freed slave that comes to Texas to get a land grant when smugglers take his home in Louisiana. He comes to Texas to meet with Sam Houston a lawyer and a general in the Texas' army. Andrew learns many important lessons from life and from the Bible. Andrew tells of his life in his journal entries and drawings. Take a trip throughTexas and see the people and events that made Texas, and Texans, larger than life. Enjoy the journey!
Joe L. Blevins. The Texas Republic.