The Mexican War (1846-48) was one of the most divisive and crucial wars in U.S. history. Supported by outright imperialists and by slave holders, who wanted to extend U.S. sovereignty by armed conflict (after it was clear they could not achieve what they wanted through negotiation), the war made a hero of Zachary Taylor, later to become President. The U.S. won and easy victory over a badly organized Mexico, which ceded two-fifths of its territory. Often cited as a prelude to the Civil War, the short, bitter, and decisive conflict opened up wounds that in some way have never healed - between the U.S. and its southern neighbors, and between Americans themselves, who had to ask tough questions about stated ideals and political practice. This concise history of a little-understood war is essential for anyone who would understand the Civil war and what came after. It was the first armed conflict in history to be covered daily in the press, and the wealth of documents it produced have been expertly mined and sifted by a scholar who doesn't mind telling a great story.

War unplanned and unsought --War exists -- Battles on the Rio Grande -- Paying for time! -- Delays, disturbances and disorders -- Enter : Santa Anna -- The Navy conquers California -- The Army of the West -- The siege and surrender of Monterey -- A new campaign and a new commander -- Armistice without peace -- Marches and countermarches -- California : revolt and reconquest -- The march of Doniphan's thousand -- Buena Vista -- D-Day, 1847 -- Cerro Gordo and the march to the plateau -- Pause at Puebla -- The valley of Mexico -- Double victory and an armistice -- A few more such victories -- The halls of the Montezumas -- Peace unauthorized but accepted -- A synoptic table of events of the Mexican War -- Index.