Customer Reviews

Mexican-American War, 1846-48 (Brassey's History of Uniforms)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book gives a good one-stop-shop for the uniforms and organisation of the US-Mexican War. It is an easy read, providing what I have found to be the most accurate text on this subject readily available. If the book has any fault it is that it concentrates heavily on the US rather than Mexican forces, but frankly this is because of the huge variety within the US forces due to the system of volunteer units designing and providing their own uniforms, and the simple fact that information on Mexican forces is very hard to find anywhere. Nevertheless, the coverage of the Mexican forces represents a comprehensive overview of what information there is available, and is accurate throughout, avoiding many of the mistakes so often regurgitated by authors on this subject.

Well illustrated, with period "photographs" mixed with modern photographs of re-enactors, and colour and line illustrations especially commissioned for this book. Certainly well worth buying if you have an interest in the period.

Brassey's series of books on uniforms and equipment are among the better sources. Covering the U.S. Regulars, Militia, Texas Rangers as well as the Mexican forces, this book is well worth having. True, it focuses on the U.S. troops, but this is because there is quite a bit of information, photographs, and exhisting clothing and equipment. The Mexican troops are a bit harder to research. Most historians have come to rely on Joseph Hefter, who pioneered the effort of documenting Mexico's military history. The color plates by Richard Hook are quite good and give good detail. The photos of reenactors also add to the quality of this book. The only negative comments ? The price is high, but if you want a valuable resource, it comes with a cost.
A section devoted to the weapons of both armies and their effectiveness would have been handy. If you are a student of this conflict, go for it.

This book gives a good one-stop-shop for the uniforms and organisation of the US-Mexican War. It is an easy read, providing what I have found to be the most accurate text on this subject readily available. If the book has any fault it is that it concentrates heavily on the US rather than Mexican forces, but frankly this is because of the huge variety within the US forces due to the system of volunteer units designing and providing their own uniforms, and the simple fact that information on Mexican forces is very hard to find anywhere. Nevertheless, the coverage of the Mexican forces represents a comprehensive overview of what information there is available, and is accurate throughout, avoiding many of the mistakes so often regurgitated by authors on this subject.

Well illustrated, with period "photographs" mixed with modern photographs of re-enactors, and colour and line illustrations especially commissioned for this book. Certainly well worth buying if you have an interest in the period.

Few books have been written on the war with Mexico. Hardly anything on what the soldiers were equipped with.

A must have for anyone interested in this period.

Well researched. Well written and very well illustrated.