While the Mexican war has all but faded from our national memory, it's significance to the United States was great, in being the first U.S. war fought on foreign soil, in nearly doubling our land area, and in producing many of the Civil War's greatest soldiers.

Bk. 1: Line in the sand. Corpus Christi ; Rio Grande ; Rough and ready ; Fields of fire ; Call to battle ; Fort Texas ; Clash ; Resaca de la Palma ; Brown Bess ; Volunteers ; Growing up -- Bk. 2: Taylor's war. Camargo ; Star-Spangled Banner ; Eager for action ; First Mississippi ; The Westerner ; The rifles ; Supply train ; Prelude ; Monterrey, Day one ; Monterrey, Day two ; The mortar -- Bk. 3: Politics and war. Change of command ; The perils of occupation ; Policy and power -- Bk. 4: Scott's war. Transfers ; The artillery officer ; One step closer ; California ; Taylor stands alone ; The hacienda ; Lobos Island ; Invasion ; National Road ; Twigg's dilemma ; Reconnaissance ; Pressing the advantage -- Bk. 5: The Aztec club. "Nothing can stop this army" ; Old Glory ; Conquest ; Fourth of July.