So Far from God: The U.S. War With Mexico, 1846-1848
by John S. D. Eisenhower
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Book Summary Information
Author: John S. D. EisenhowerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-09-01
ISBN: 0806132795
Number of pages: 436
Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd)
Book Reviews of So Far from God: The U.S. War With Mexico, 1846-1848
Book Review: History of an unknown war
Summary: 5 Stars
There have been many war crimes committed by the United States throughout its history, but the war with Mexico in the mid 1840's has been one that is almost completely unknown. It is not mentioned in debates on the ethics of pre-emptive war, nor discussed much at all in the history books (but thankfully this is changing). This book gives the reader a view of the U.S.-Mexico war from the standpoint of a military historian, and does so in a manner that is free from the jingoism that is present in much of contemporary historical analysis of U.S. foreign policy. If one is not an expert in the history of the time, as is the case for this reviewer, one cannot attest to the accuracy of the author's account. However, the author gives references for those readers who need more in-depth coverage. The historical analysis of the U.S.-Mexico war, as is the case for all such analysis of U.S. foreign policy, has become the most important issue of the time. This importance has as its root the need for accurate information, and the dire need for authors who are honest and objective in their analysis. This does not mean that historians must be free from bias, for this is both impossible and in fact deleterious for any kind of analysis. But it does mean that authors must not suppress facts that conflict with their worldviews.
Whatever its historical accuracy, this book is captivating reading, due mostly to the author's writing style and his ability to make the important battles come alive in the reader's imagination. Warfare was more "in your face" at this time, in spite of the use of artillery that at the present time makes conflict more anonymous and therefore the pricking of conscience more rare. And as the author notes, information traveled a lot more slowly from the battlefield to the White House at the time. One can conclude that this gave commanders much more leeway in making battlefield decisions and more freedom in indulging themselves in their own strategic idiosyncrasies.
There are many fascinating facts in this book that may surprise readers new to this time in history. One of these concerns the tension between the United States and Great Britain over the Oregon territory. Another is that the death rate in this war was the greatest of any war in U.S. history. Still another was the actual occupation of Mexico City, and this being done with a surprisingly small number of troops. The jingoism and false patriotism of the time though was similar to what we are now experiencing with the war with Iraq. The Hobsonian "passion of the spectator, the inciter, the backer, but not of the fighter" was in play then as much as it is now, unfortunately.
Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, and other commanders who participated in the war are fixtures in history books, to be remembered forever, but the names of the soldiers who served under them are not. The occupation of Mexico City is still celebrated with the Aztec Club, the origin of which is discussed in the book, and whose members still proudly celebrate the heritage and history of the carnage against the citizens of Mexico City. Ulysses S. Grant can be remembered as one of the few leaders of notoriety who opposed the war, and as brought out in the book, he referred to it as "the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation" as "instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies." The historical parallels with today are striking, giving one more reason, beyond pure curiosity, for making this book, and others like it that discuss the U.S.-Mexico war, as being one that should be studied in detail. The author is correct when he says in the introduction that this time should not be "relegated to the attic of memory."
Summary of So Far from God: The U.S. War With Mexico, 1846-1848
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. In this highly readable account, John S. D. Eisenhower provides a comprehensive survey of this frequently overlooked war.19th Century Books
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