Sign in with FacebookPhil Fox's Reviews > A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
by Robert W. Merry
by Robert W. Merry
It was a simple read (though at times tedious). The author probably spent more time talking about President Jackson's life than anything outside Polk's one-term. I wish I had a little more background to help frame my reference to those four years. Perhaps Jackson was that important to Polk's presidency.
The author highlights the flaws and triumphs of Polk's time in office but it came across a bit sterile and repetitive.
Spoiler alert.
This will be repeated 100x over in the book... "Polk has no backbone and shies away from confrontation BUT he has the stubbornness to stay the course."
The author highlights the flaws and triumphs of Polk's time in office but it came across a bit sterile and repetitive.
Spoiler alert.
This will be repeated 100x over in the book... "Polk has no backbone and shies away from confrontation BUT he has the stubbornness to stay the course."
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I agree with the reptitive thing too; how many times did he have a conflict with Secretary of State Buchanan and then, as always, shy away at the last minute from actually doing anything? Strangely though, this sort of thing makes the fact he got his Big Four goals accomplished all the more remarkable.