Douglas A. Murphy

I came away quite impressed by this monograph, as the author does a fine job of integrating diplomacy, politics, the character of the opposing armies, and the actual conduct of the campaign in a concise package. If nothing else, one is left with the sense that the Mexicans were often their own worst enemies in contesting the presence of Zachary Taylor's field force, as, at both the diplomatic and the military levels, the Americans were careful about allowing the Mexican government and military commanders the opportunity to make the first mistake.… (mehr)