A great historian of Texas, Paul D. Lack, tackles the ephemeral "Republic of the Rio Grande," a breakaway republic in northern Mexico/southern Texas around 1838-1840. Turns out it was far more ephemeral than the folks in Laredo, its ostensible capital, would have you believe. Basically it was part of a pro-federalist, pro-1824 Constitution movement that lasted from 1835 through the 1840s. The Republic of Texas was part of this movement. The Republic of Yucatan was part of this movement. Rebellions in several Mexican states against the Siete Leyes, the government set up by dictator Santa Anna and his allies, was part of this movement. Here Lack gives, in great detail, the pro-federalist rebellions of the northern states of Mexico, that rebelled and even declared themselves a separate nation, perhaps with the name Republic of Rio Grande. It details the uneasy relationship between Mexican federalist rebels and the upstart (and precarious) Republic of Texas, including the role of Texian soldiers of fortune. All-in-all, if you appreciate the history of the Republic of Texas, if you're a Texas nerd, if you study nineteenth-century Mexico, this book is essential and you will find it interesting. If you only dip your toe into Texas history, or aren't interested in Texas history, you might find it tedious. Well-researched, well-written, well-endnoted. Bare maps, no images, a cast of characters, an index. No images/pictures. Some could have been dug up. Some editing/proofing errors (e.g., p. 131: "...being plummeted with rocks..." should be "pummeled"). (Also, why Mejia instead of Mexia?) But, all-in-all, a good book. ( )