The Mexican War by Otis A. Singletary
This book by Otis A. Singletary deals with different aspects of the Mexican war. It is a compelling description and concise history of the first successful offensive war in United States military history. The work examines two countries that were unprepared for war. The political intrigues and quarrels in appointing the military commanders, as well as the military operations of the war, are presented and analyzed in detail. The author also analyzes the role that the Mexican War played in bringing on the U.S. Civil War.
The Mexican-American War of the 1840s, precipitated by border disputes and the U.S. annexation of Texas, ended with the military occupation of Mexico City by General Winfield Scott. In the subsequent treaty, the United States gained territory that would become California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado.
Mr. Singletary has been remarkably successful, despite the brevity of his book, in describing with important details the Mexican War. The book can be break into two main parts. The first part gives background which explains different reasons that played a decisive role for the break out of the war, and it relates the different campaigns that allowed the invasion of northern Mexico and the city of Mexico. The second half of the book deals with the way politician and generals behave during the war, and the book ends touching the role played by diplomacy in this war.
The book has been organized in chronological order, which gives to the readers the opportunity to follow the events of the war without confusion. But it is not only a mere account of dates and events, because it explains briefly but concisely every decision making before the occurring of battle.
The book uses maps and pictures. Maps and pictures are really helpful in visualizing what is being described, and they allow having and idea of how it was during this war.
The book is simple and easy to read. The author has a good use of English
The Mexican-American War of the 1840s, precipitated by border disputes and the U.S. annexation of Texas, ended with the military occupation of Mexico City by General Winfield Scott. In the subsequent treaty, the United States gained territory that would become California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado.
Mr. Singletary has been remarkably successful, despite the brevity of his book, in describing with important details the Mexican War. The book can be break into two main parts. The first part gives background which explains different reasons that played a decisive role for the break out of the war, and it relates the different campaigns that allowed the invasion of northern Mexico and the city of Mexico. The second half of the book deals with the way politician and generals behave during the war, and the book ends touching the role played by diplomacy in this war.
The book has been organized in chronological order, which gives to the readers the opportunity to follow the events of the war without confusion. But it is not only a mere account of dates and events, because it explains briefly but concisely every decision making before the occurring of battle.
The book uses maps and pictures. Maps and pictures are really helpful in visualizing what is being described, and they allow having and idea of how it was during this war.
The book is simple and easy to read. The author has a good use of English
References: Otis A. Singletary. The Mexican War. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press: 1960. 1-168. Joseph E. Chance, the Mexican War Journal of Captain Franklin Chance (Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1991), 22.