Customer Reviews

The U.S.-Mexican War

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This is a GREAT book, probably one of the few truly balanced views about the controversial war between the US and Mexico. It puts away many misconceptions and even myths on both sides, always increasing the reader's interest. The illustrations are simply AMAZING (many of them in color, a gift to the view after a day's work). We can even find some photographs of the troops in Mexican land, undoubtedly one of the very first examples of war photography.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing what truly happened and anyone wanting to make a serious approach to the events of 1946-47.

Many in the United States have no idea how their country's borders came to be. Not only that, many remain unaware of the US invasion of Mexico in the years 1846-1848. As forgotten as the War of 1812 or the Spanish-American War, the US-Mexican war forever changed both countries' borders, relations, and standings in the world. This coffee table sized book, sadly out of print, served as a companion volume to a 1998 Public Television series on this war. As such, it is written in very plain language for the general public. Voluminous maps, drawings, sidebars, and even early photos (daguerreotypes) permeate its some 240 pages. A better introduction to this now shamefully obscure war is hard to imagine. Best of all, the book strives to see the conflict from both sides. Whereas Mexico saw the war as a result of American ambition and land lust, the US at the time saw it as a fulfillment of its "Manifest Destiny" and its political and racial superiority. Memories of the war still resonate in Mexico today, as Mexico lost half of its territory in the resulting Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

The map on page 3 shows the war's dramatic consequences. The pre-war Mexican borders stretched to Colorado and west to the northern California coast. All of that was once Mexican land inhabited by thousands of Mexican citizens. 1848 changed that.

The book traces the war's roots back to Texas and Mexico's enticing 1824 immigration policies. These lured "Anglo Empresarios" (land speculators) to the Mexican territory of Texas. As their numbers increased, so did their dissatisfaction with Mexican rule. They rebelled and tried to secede. The US press hailed them as "freedom fighters." Mexico smelled a rat. Eventually this tension led to the famous 1836 Alamo and Goliad conflicts where Sam Houston's rebels were routed and massacred by Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces. Houston's troops retaliated with their own massacre at San Jacinto. Texas gained its independence, but the United States began to eye the new Republic for annexation. Mexico warned the US that Texas statehood meant a declaration of war. Not until the 1845 election of President James Polk did the threat of real war materialize. Polk campaigned on Texas statehood and after assuming office sent General Zachary Taylor to that disputed territory with a full regiment of troops. When this army reached the Rio Grande past the Neuces River, Mexico considered itself invaded. The horrific battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma followed. Using these hostilities and past US-Mexico hostilities (the execution of Mier Prisoners, money squabbles, and Mexican occupation of San Antonio), Polk called for a declaration of war with Mexico in 1846. Washington Politics ensued - Whigs were against, Democrats were for - but the prowar factions prevailed. The American public, with some notable exceptions (Frederick Douglass, Thoreau), passionately backed the declaration. Eager volunteers spewed from the cities and towns. Power struggles and revolutions in Mexico distracted their government from the impending war.

Part Three, "War for the West," chronicles the battle for northern Mexico, notably California. The conflict there involved relatively little bloodshed, but American forces ultimately prevailed over Mexico's somewhat fragile provincial governments.

The conquest of Northern Mexico continued with the deadly battles at Monterrey and Buena Vista (the latter of which saw Santa Anna's troops "disappear" from the battlefield). Both brought Taylor fame in the US. Nonetheless, Polk grew frustrated with what he saw as the lagging war (antiwar Whigs had won a majority in the House). Plus, he had baggage with General Taylor. In an almost unprecedented move, he replaced Taylor with General Winfield Scott. This new general would lead the US army to Mexico City to secure a faster end to the war. He followed the footsteps of Hernan Cortés from Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec, and into the capital city itself. Mexico City was occupied by US troops in September of 1847. The Mexican government, again exiling its Napolean, Santa Anna, surrendered. Polk sent Nicholas Trist to negotiate the peace, but became angry with Trist's tactics and tried to recall him. Trist disobeyed and oversaw the drafting of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. An angry Polk had to accept Trist's treaty since it met his terms exactly. Under this treaty Mexico ceded its northern provinces, was paid $15 million (as a reparation for the vast sums of land surrendered), and allowed Mexican citizens within these provinces to relocate to Mexico or remain in the US as either American or Mexican citizens. North America was changed forever.

The war carried drastic consequences for both countries. The book's epilogue outlines these. Polk did not serve a second term as president, and was followed by his famous rival, Zachary Taylor. The debate over slavery for the acquired territories lingered until the Civil War. Nonetheless, the US was now a Continental power. Mexico was torn asunder politically, but things settled down with the re-appointment of José Joaquín de Herrera who led liberal reforms that led to Mexico's first elected president, Benito Juárez. A major revolution would come in 1910. The book ends with discussions of border residents captured between the two postwar cultures. Chicanos still clearly remember the war while identifying with both Mexico and the US.

The US-Mexican war has unfortunately fallen from popular memory. This is surprising given its deep and indelible impact. This book will give anyone a clear idea of just how deep those impacts were and how deep they remain.

There is much more to the story than this and there IS in fact a bias on the part of the writer.Not to mention the literal slaughter of white settlers,which was the case in many many instances,I believe is very sorry.The corrections are too numerous to list here and this is really more of a response than this book deserves....

This book was tough to read. The other (esteemed) reviewers talked about how this was the "REAL" way it all happened. I wonder how they know? Carol Christensen made it clear that even though there are tons of American records, there are hardly any Mexican records recording this even except for some letters home from Mexican soldiers...The book starts out berating the United States for being white devil money land grabbers, and totally romanticizes Santa Ana and his murderous soldiers...Um Hello? The Alamo? Um hmmm lemme see...The Goliad Massacre??? I was deeply offended...My fathers weren't like this. She tells of accounts (from letters and stuff) of (and she uses these words) White soldiers, killing the women children, civilians, and oh yeah...the soldiers too. In war....atrocities are always committed by BOTH sides...Remember...The United States would never have gotten into this war if it weren't for both MEXICANS and YANKEES being beaten down for asking to have Texas recognized as a separate MEXICAN state. She talks about how the Mexicans still remember the war, and Im kind of laughing...They must be some really old Mexicans to remember this war. This book does have some value, and I don't totally discredit the contradictory apologist author, but this book is not told from "Both sides equally" as suggested...It is told like all the other liberal accounts of self loathers...Basically it says "Your American...You should be ashamed of yourself...For anything and everything you or your forefathers ever did. Im sorry...I want to be read the news...Not told how to feel about it...I want to make up my own mind. If you want to be told about the Mexican American war in a chronological documented fashion? I don't recommend this book. If you want to feel guilty? If you want to feel bad about yourself, your father, your grandfather, your great grandfather, and your great great grandfather? Then by all means...READ THIS BOOK! This is MY opinion of this book. I feel good about myself. Heck, I even feel good about my great great grandfather...I remember him. Until I see him again..Im seriously considering donating this book to Nancy Pelosi.