A war that started under questionable pretexts. A president who is convinced of his country’s might and right. A military and political stale...
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reviews
Dec 05, 2011
Vincent
rated it: 
Manifest destiny. God wants it that way.
God wants the Yankees to invade and conquer California and Texas, no matter what the cost in lives, humiliation, and degredation?
In my mind the heroic stand at the Alamo was courageous, but to what end? The defenders were looking for land - not patriotism.
So we turn to historian David A. Clarify - er, ah, Clary - to try to give both sides of the conflict a fair debate.
This work - and others like it - should More...
God wants the Yankees to invade and conquer California and Texas, no matter what the cost in lives, humiliation, and degredation?
In my mind the heroic stand at the Alamo was courageous, but to what end? The defenders were looking for land - not patriotism.
So we turn to historian David A. Clarify - er, ah, Clary - to try to give both sides of the conflict a fair debate.
This work - and others like it - should More...
Apr 11, 2010
Nate
rated it: 
So far so good... though very biased
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Dec 04, 2009
Lee
rated it:
This took a long time to read, but it was worth it. The author spent a considerable time with the "messy" elements of the war, which are usually missing. Stuff like the fighting among classes in Mexican states, fighting with the tribes in New Mexico were some of them. One of the greater themes was the ill-discipline of the (North) American volunteer troops, "behavior... matched that of the mercenary armies of the late Middle Ages more than what was expected of a modern army in
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Apr 19, 2010
Jaybird
rated it: 
I'm surprised there aren't more reviews/fans of this wonderful history. Clary's got a concise (yet humanistic) prose, and satisfyingly scientific balance, and a depth of understanding of the subject that's both immediately obvious and inspiring. I read a lot of history and this one's quite a bit above par.
Aug 24, 2010
Amanda
rated it: 
I think I would have liked this better if I had sat down and read it through. The chronology got a bit muddled for me at times and I forgot which American General was who and where. I didn't have that problem with the Mexican generals, because while Clary listed them, he didn't refer to them much.
Whether this was a source limitation, or a deliberate choice, I don't know, but I feel that this would have been truer to the title if he had more information on the Mexican side. The pith More...
Whether this was a source limitation, or a deliberate choice, I don't know, but I feel that this would have been truer to the title if he had more information on the Mexican side. The pith More...
Sep 20, 2010
Tom
rated it:
This book is a very exhaustive history of the disputes over Texas and the Mexican-American War. The war was easily preventable by either nation. The leadership on both sides was often atrocious. The war is fascinating as the infighting on both sides showed the political divisions of each nation which would throw both nations into chaos and civil war later on in the 19th Century. It also shows the start of American interference in Latin America, and the resulting distrust of los norteamericanos.
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Oct 15, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
A time of war notable for the incompetence, greed, brutality and ego on both sides.
I recommend this book mostly for students of military history. As for me, I found myself lost in the frequent discussion of troop movements, supply lines and defense build ups. I was more interested in Clary's drawing of the personalities of the principals--mostly a sad and regrettable crew.
I recommend this book mostly for students of military history. As for me, I found myself lost in the frequent discussion of troop movements, supply lines and defense build ups. I was more interested in Clary's drawing of the personalities of the principals--mostly a sad and regrettable crew.
Oct 15, 2011
Rick
rated it:
Great for detailed and balanced information and analysis, but it reads more like a text book that involving history ... (and now I know why we celebrate Cinco de Maio ...) Jumped right into W H Brands LONE STAR NATION, which is a smoother read ...
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