J. R. "Jack" Edmondson, in addition to being a charter performing member of Texas Heroes, is a noted historian and author. His recent book, The Alamo Story, was described by Ross McSwain, Columnist for the San Angelo Standard-Times, as follows:Home -- List of characters -- List of performers -- Where we have been -- Where we are going -- What do they say about us? -- Christmas Past and Future -- Schools -- Senior citizen activities -- Civic groups -- Companies -- Conventions -- Parties -- Motivational speakers -- Historic organizations -- Who to contact"For generations, the story of the Alamo has intrigued readers of all ages. But these early stories have left many questions unanswered. Now writer J. R. Edmondson has researched his way through the myths and mysteries and misconceptions of the Alamo to produce a masterful story of those fateful and final hours. Of all the books written about the Alamo, Edmondson's is by far the best of the bunch."A retired history teacher, J. R. Edmondson still strives to bring his passion for Texas history to life. His new book, The Alamo Story--from Early History to Current Conflicts, has been praised by reviewers as the "best" and "most readable" of all historical accounts devoted to the Texas shrine. Edmondson was a featured author at the 2000 Texas Book Festival and a member of C-Span's "Ultimate Alamo Panel," where his book was described as the "new standard on the Alamo."
Edmondson recently completed a biography on James Bowie, aimed at the middle school level, to be released in 2002 by Rosen Publishing of New York. He also authored a booklet, Mr. Bowie With a Knife; and Texas and Texians, a sesquicentennial calendar. More than one hundred of his magazine articles--most on historical topics--have been published in various magazines.
As a living historian, Edmondson has portrayed such prominent historical figures as Bowie, General Sam Houston, and Colonel William Barret Travis. He has performed in hundreds of classrooms and historical seminars across Texas. Edmondson's historical presentations also have been featured at:
- Texas Librarians Association convention at the Alamo
- Star of the Republic Museum at Washington-on-the-Brazos
- James Bowie Symposium at Old Washington State Park, Arkansas
- Second annual Bowie Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia
- James Bowie's 200th birthday celebration at his birthplace near Franklin, Kentucky
- Arkansas Territorial Restoration in Little Rock
- Jim Bowie Festival in Vidalia, Louisiana
Edmondson also portrayed Bowie in two documentaries for the History Channel, an Alamo documentary for the Discovery Channel, and an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.
A native Texan, Edmondson graduated from Fort Worth Country Day School and received his B. S. from the University of Texas at Austin and his M. S. from Texas Christian University. He occasionally teaches a continuing education course at T. C. U. entitled Remembering the Alamo--the History and Popular Culture of the Texas Revolution. Edmondson is a member of the Western Writers of America as well as numerous historical societies and living history organizations. He resides in Burleson, Texas.