So Far From God Book Review
Eisenhower, John S. D. So Far From God: The U. S. War with Mexico 1846 1848. New York: Random House, 1989, xxvi, 436. Mr. John Eisenhower is a retired Army General from Westchester, Pennsylvania. He is also the son of retired General and later President, Dwight D. Eisehower. He is an author as well as a military historian. Mr. Eisenhower's other works include, The Bitter Woods, published in 1987 and critically acclaimed by Life magazine author, S. L. A. Marshall as being "written with power by a true military historian." Reviews of his work from The New Yorker and New York Times Book Review describe his accounts as "Exceptionally interesting" and "Written with enthusiasm that is hard to resist." Using his military background, Mr. Eisenhower was able to bring an unbiased opinion to the U. S. war with Mexico by
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pointing out strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the conflict. The author's purpose is to provide a more accurate account of the war with Mexico from 1846 1848. Mr. Eisenhower also attempts to give the reader a better understanding of the conflict between these two countries, which has been overshadowed by the Civil War, thirteen years later. John Eisenhower's portrayal of the officers and politicians in this conflict is detailed and it highlights the early careers of many of our Civil War legends. The technology of warfare at this time is well depicted. The advances in American artillery such as the use of the grape shot over canister rounds, the superior distance and accuracy, and methods of deployment made up for the fact that during every inland battle the U. S. was outnumbered. The level of discipline that Taylor and Scott's men possessed stands as a testament to these two leaders' resourcefulness. By including something as simple as sanitation in their training, they were able to conserve the additional strength for battle, which would have normally been lost through disease. This concept was considerably less effective with the volunteers. A clear and concise understanding of why as well as how many of the events took place on the battlefield and behind the lines was provided through maps and background information. A detailed description of the events that lead up to the annexation of Texas in 1845 through the troops departing Veracruz on July 15th 1848 allowed the reader to comprehend the entire story of this conflict. The author provides background into the events leading up to the war, particularly the collapse, imprisonment, and exile of Santa Anna.
Events and key personnel on the American side are also outlined in detail. President Tyler is described as "seizing the initiative" to shift public opinion against Mexico by assigning a troublemaker, Wilson Shannon, as the minister to that country in 1844. Eisenhower provides a detailed description on the implementation of weaponry and tactics during all stages of warfare. He often refers to the performance of the main characters in other conflicts such as the war of 1812 and forward to the civil war. The cause of this war is summed up early in the text followed by the tactics and detailed execution of much of the operations. The turning points of the battles and their consequences were described in terms of techniques and capabilities as well as philosophies of the leaders. Bloody Friday was a good example of this as Winfield Scott used Captain Robert E. Lee and Major William Turnbull jointly as intelligence gatherers for the defense of El PeÔÙn, when previously he had pitted them against each
other. The main point that the author wants the reader to understand is that there are many aspects in this conflict and that both the U. S. and Mexico shared the responsibility for this fight. Gaining land for the rapidly expanding United States and keeping territory for Latin America was a "Just Cause" for both sides. The author places responsibility for the conflict on both Mexico who wanted the war and on the U. S. who treated Mexico unfairly. Eisenhower is able to grasp the true feeling of the times and events through the use of first hand accounts relayed through relatives of the participants. Mr. Eisenhower's main purpose seems to be to bring about a better understanding of the Mexican-American war. The tactical maps and artists renditions of the battles give insight to conditions in those times. The author moves what he considers a "forgotten" war to the forefront of history. Compared to our text, the details of graphic battle scenes and the attitudes of the strategists are laid out in a much more sequential manner. Mexico was standing in the way of the United States' Manifest Destiny and the need for westward expansion. Although outnumbered, the Army of Winfield Scott placed itself in all the places that mattered and with the proper political support could remain there indefinitely. The outcome should never have been a forgone conclusion. From the troops' battle with disease and the vastness of the territory, it is an amazing feat that they reached their objective at all. The effect of the war on the two countries' relationship is better represented within this book than our text. Portrayal of this resulting relationship was the author's main preoccupation.
pointing out strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the conflict. The author's purpose is to provide a more accurate account of the war with Mexico from 1846 1848. Mr. Eisenhower also attempts to give the reader a better understanding of the conflict between these two countries, which has been overshadowed by the Civil War, thirteen years later. John Eisenhower's portrayal of the officers and politicians in this conflict is detailed and it highlights the early careers of many of our Civil War legends. The technology of warfare at this time is well depicted. The advances in American artillery such as the use of the grape shot over canister rounds, the superior distance and accuracy, and methods of deployment made up for the fact that during every inland battle the U. S. was outnumbered. The level of discipline that Taylor and Scott's men possessed stands as a testament to these two leaders' resourcefulness. By including something as simple as sanitation in their training, they were able to conserve the additional strength for battle, which would have normally been lost through disease. This concept was considerably less effective with the volunteers. A clear and concise understanding of why as well as how many of the events took place on the battlefield and behind the lines was provided through maps and background information. A detailed description of the events that lead up to the annexation of Texas in 1845 through the troops departing Veracruz on July 15th 1848 allowed the reader to comprehend the entire story of this conflict. The author provides background into the events leading up to the war, particularly the collapse, imprisonment, and exile of Santa Anna.
Events and key personnel on the American side are also outlined in detail. President Tyler is described as "seizing the initiative" to shift public opinion against Mexico by assigning a troublemaker, Wilson Shannon, as the minister to that country in 1844. Eisenhower provides a detailed description on the implementation of weaponry and tactics during all stages of warfare. He often refers to the performance of the main characters in other conflicts such as the war of 1812 and forward to the civil war. The cause of this war is summed up early in the text followed by the tactics and detailed execution of much of the operations. The turning points of the battles and their consequences were described in terms of techniques and capabilities as well as philosophies of the leaders. Bloody Friday was a good example of this as Winfield Scott used Captain Robert E. Lee and Major William Turnbull jointly as intelligence gatherers for the defense of El PeÔÙn, when previously he had pitted them against each
other. The main point that the author wants the reader to understand is that there are many aspects in this conflict and that both the U. S. and Mexico shared the responsibility for this fight. Gaining land for the rapidly expanding United States and keeping territory for Latin America was a "Just Cause" for both sides. The author places responsibility for the conflict on both Mexico who wanted the war and on the U. S. who treated Mexico unfairly. Eisenhower is able to grasp the true feeling of the times and events through the use of first hand accounts relayed through relatives of the participants. Mr. Eisenhower's main purpose seems to be to bring about a better understanding of the Mexican-American war. The tactical maps and artists renditions of the battles give insight to conditions in those times. The author moves what he considers a "forgotten" war to the forefront of history. Compared to our text, the details of graphic battle scenes and the attitudes of the strategists are laid out in a much more sequential manner. Mexico was standing in the way of the United States' Manifest Destiny and the need for westward expansion. Although outnumbered, the Army of Winfield Scott placed itself in all the places that mattered and with the proper political support could remain there indefinitely. The outcome should never have been a forgone conclusion. From the troops' battle with disease and the vastness of the territory, it is an amazing feat that they reached their objective at all. The effect of the war on the two countries' relationship is better represented within this book than our text. Portrayal of this resulting relationship was the author's main preoccupation.