The Mexican War, 1846-1848

Rating:
Summary: Well-paced but not fantastic
Review: A good read covering by-and-large, a forgotten era in American History. While this book shows the footprint of being written by an academic (endnotes aplenty), it still remains readible for the rest of us. Definitely a thoroughly researched and documented read, however, the copius and methodical endnotes do eventually detract from the flow. It's almost as if Bauer was working down a checklist of topics in every chapter. The mid-chapter transitions from section to section don't always flow and the bouncing around on topics sometimes seems a bit random. Although the writing isn't dry or dull it doesn't consistenly shine or carry one through from idea to idea. Certainly not the final book on the subject, it is fairly objective and fairly comprehensive in balance and scope. Bauer delves into the political squabbles in Washington while occasionally highlighting the instability inherent in Mexico's capacity to govern itself at the time. Although emphasizing a bias towards presenting the American perspective, Bauer clearly makes a strong effort to portray the Mexican army perspective as well (not something always done in many military history books, or at least not done with an attempt to provide a balanced perspective). Ultimately Bauer's book prooves readible, not spellbinding, but not dull. It tries to provide at least a decent effort to cover every significant aspect of the war. However, at times, it would seem as if more could have been written. However, like a good historian, Bauer sticks to the facts and the material revealed by his sources maintaining a strong self-discipline avoiding speculation or dramatization. He also highlights (what would seem to be) all the documented efforts of later famous civil war generals and heroes in their early careers.

Bauer does a decent job of covering in a comprehensive manner, a largely forgotten era of American history. One would be hard pressed, prior to reading this book, to recall any signifcant events about this war (unless one is a historian, of course). A true tragedy in light of the current American occupation of Iraq. Many lessons that were learned in the war with Mexico seem readily applicable to our modern plight - bandits raiding unguarded or lightly guarded supplies for example. Balancing the occupation of a foreign power with the fact that the nation was by-and-large barely controlled by the previous regime before being deposed. Then the ultimate question, what to do if one actually succeeds in conquering a foreign nation - how do you deal with a population that is, for the most part, ambivalent about who is in power. And those that do care and want a stake take the fight underground.

Rating:
Summary: A Really good book. Highly reccommended.
Review: Bauer has done a great job here. It might be a little spare on the personalities, but for those who know nothing about this war, and there are multitudes, this is a good start.

The only thing I disagree with is Bauer's notion that the United States had nothing to fear from foriegn expansion into the near empty land which was claimed by Mexico. Republican Government had few friends in 1846 and we should put ourselves in the shoes of Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston, and James K. Polk when we think of this era. They believed, and probably correctly, that the worst threat to the survival of the U.S. was to continue to try and exist with such a huge open territory on our borders. All that would be needed would be a foreign power with a thirst for empire on our borders and we might cease to exist. Men who thought this way were not imperialists, they were filled with fear for the survival of their decendants. Mexico was not governing much less defending the territories necessary for American survival and something needed to be done about it and fast. I don't recall any of the great Americans of this era ever using the term "manifest destiny." (Bauer doesn't say that either. Revisionists use this newspaper term.) More like manifest survival. This opinion shouldn't of mine shouldn't keep readers from enjoying this book, though. Wonderful job Dr. Bauer!

Rating:
Summary: A Really good book. Highly reccommended.
Review: Bauer has done a great job here. It might be a little spare on the personalities, but for those who know nothing about this war, and there are multitudes, this is a good start.

The only thing I disagree with is Bauer's notion that the United States had nothing to fear from foriegn expansion into the near empty land which was claimed by Mexico. Republican Government had few friends in 1846 and we should put ourselves in the shoes of Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston, and James K. Polk when we think of this era. They believed, and probably correctly, that the worst threat to the survival of the U.S. was to continue to try and exist with such a huge open territory on our borders. All that would be needed would be a foreign power with a thirst for empire on our borders and we might cease to exist. Men who thought this way were not imperialists, they were filled with fear for the survival of their decendants. Mexico was not governing much less defending the territories necessary for American survival and something needed to be done about it and fast. I don't recall any of the great Americans of this era ever using the term "manifest destiny." (Bauer doesn't say that either. Revisionists use this newspaper term.) More like manifest survival. This opinion shouldn't of mine shouldn't keep readers from enjoying this book, though. Wonderful job Dr. Bauer!

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for A Foote in the Door....
Review: Bauer is no Shelby Foote and this book no elegant synthesis of art and history. It remains a serviceable addition to the history buff's library, however, with its detailed accounts of the politics and battles of this little known conflict. Through Bauer we can appreciate men such as the unsung Commodore David Conner, the brash Commodore Robert Stockton, the easy-going, slovenly Zachary Taylor, the brilliant Winfield Scott. Civil War buffs will want this volume to appreciate how this conflict shaped the tactics and personalities of the next great confrontation in American history.

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for A Foote in the Door....
Review: Bauer is no Shelby Foote and this book no elegant synthesis of art and history. It remains a serviceable addition to the history buff's library, however, with its detailed accounts of the politics and battles of this little known conflict. Through Bauer we can appreciate men such as the unsung Commodore David Conner, the brash Commodore Robert Stockton, the easy-going, slovenly Zachary Taylor, the brilliant Winfield Scott. Civil War buffs will want this volume to appreciate how this conflict shaped the tactics and personalities of the next great confrontation in American history.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent history
Review: This is the best of the Mexican War books I have read. The only critical comment I would have is that the actors sometimes get confused as Bauer tries to put their experience in this war in a context with the War Between the States. His careful scholarship, though, shows how closely PBS came with its mini-series and where they failed. Few books, I think, give such insight into the role of fashion in historical research, which, by itself, is valuable to us amateurs. It is the last book on this subject of which I am aware which has not taken political correctness into account and so his critical attitude towards the Mexican government and that country's ruling classes might provide food for thought for some.