So Far from God: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848

by John S.D. Eisenhower

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394560515
• ISBN13: 9780394560519
• Release Date: April 1989
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 436 Pages
• Weight: 2.04 lbs.

Customer Reviews

one of the best books on the subject

This book proves to be well written, well researched and quite readable even to a casual reader. The author present his material with certain level of clarity and insights that make this book a sure fire winner. Luckily, the author does not malingered over the political correctness of the war as we see it today. The Mexican War cost Mexico any chance she had in becoming a dominate power in North America. That role went to the United States for better or for worst. As an American, I would say, for the better!!The author also wrote with amazing sense of objectively regarding many of the major characters of the war, from Winfield Scott to Santa Anna.If there was one book to read on the subject, I would recommended this one.

A real eye opener.

This well-written account of the Mexican-American conflict is a fascinating story of the war with Mexico. It covers the political as well as military aspects from the Mexican advance into Texas to the eventual purchase of California and New Mexico.This book did much to dispel the myths and impressions I remember from grade school history. Texans and Californians will find this work extremely interesting.

The Best Introductory History of the Mexican-American War

This is simply the best short history of the Mexican-American War that I have read [and I have read several]. It is so well written. I did not expect to like this book as much as I did, and, since reading it, have passed it around to my state and National Guard pals. Each one of them has come back to me glowing about how good this book is. If you only have time for one history of this war this is th book. Eisenhower's writing is elegant. He paints wonderful pictures of the military leaders who showed their skills, or didn't, and who eventually became key figures in the American Civil War. Winfield Scott comes to life and one LT Robert E Lee. I began my study of the Napolean of the West, Santa Anna because of this book. It is a keeper on my bookshelf.

Excellent account of the war with Mexico

As with all the other books by Mr Eisenhower that I have read, this one is very well done. His telling of this conflict, with the dozens of characters on both sides, the vicious bloody battles, the harrowing marches across a brutal landscape round out the story of this little known war. The text has several superb maps that allow the reader to follow the combatants. His information on the St Patrick's Battalion (Irishmen who deserted the US Army before and during the war) is detailed and interesting. Santa Ana is shown as an egotistical commander who had little regard for the welfare of his men, Taylor and Scott are portrayed as men with faults and certain military skills. Overall, an interesting read, it won't disapoint those with a thirst for this conflict.

This is a very good book

The war with Mexico has been given little attention by historians possibly because the victory has become tainted with the passage of time. In the succeeding century, the war assumed the mantle of a calculated move by an emerging power to steal land from a weaker and defenseless neighbor. In reality, the issues involved in this war were far more complex yet historians disconcerted by the easy victory have declined to fully examine the background leading to the conflict.In the 1840s, Mexico was nation of contrasts; remnants of Spanish imperialism juxtaposed against the backwardness of a native population. The Mexican officers' corps was a highly educated and strong force in Mexican politics. They were supremely confident of the outcome in any conflict with the United States. Unfortunately, they commanded untrained albeit brave troops. This attitude of elitism by the Mexican Army officers ultimately proved disastrous in the war with the United States.The Mexican government resisted all blandishments for a peaceful solution as they considered the United States a second-rate power with little enthusiasm for war. Their mistrust of American motives began with the Texas question and was heightened because of the recent intervention by American officials in the internal affairs of California. Mexicans entered the war with confidence and with the feeling that right was on their side.The war resulted in thousands of deaths from shot and shell, disease, and neglect. Mexico sank into the turmoil and distrust bequeathed to a defeated nation. They were racked by recriminations and political divisions that have impaired a just relationship with the United States to this day. The United States became a two ocean power; the dominant country on the continent of the Americas, and an agressive nation that began to enforce its sovreignty against Great Britain, France, Russian, and any other interloper in the western hemisphere.The author's analysis refutes any question of a peaceful settlement. Mexico was too proud and the United States wanted too much. The issues were fairly clear cut and concerned the continued expansion of the United States through sparsely populated areas ostensibly under Mexican control. There had been prior discussions with Mexico over land acquisitions. Money was offered along with mild threats - both coupled with promises not to interfere further into Mexican affairs. Mexican pride proved unyielding. With their defeat, Mexico paid the ultimate price assessed by a victor nation against a loser; loss of territory and the breakup of a national identity. The war provided a rich cast of characters that dominated the American political scene for decades. The conflict proved a training ground for the Civil War and many future army generals from the Union and Confederate sides bloodied themselves against the Mexicans. The war with Mexico obliquely led to the Civil War and provided a bevy of "he