Like Killer Angels, this is a personal look at the conduct of the War with Mexico, particularly focused on the young leaders that would be critical in the US Civil War. An excellent overview of the war without being too detailed. Like Shaara's other books, this is a personal view of warfare, with emphasis on the warfare. ( )

There are very few books out there that teach about the Mexican War in such an interesting and entertaining way as Jeff Shaara. This account sets the stage for the American Civil War by introducing the reader to many of the notable generals of the Civil War who got their start as privates and lieutenants in the Mexican War. ( )

A great expose of the poor planning and conflicted politics of the era. Shaara doesn't put the Mexicans in a bad light any more than he does the American leadership that committed to this war. Great research on his part considering the difficulty of finding information of a forgotten war such as this. ( )

This is my first Jeff Shaara read, and he writes in a similar style to father Michael's Killer Angels. The main characters in the book are those we know-Winfield Scott, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, Santa Anna-historical figures. Shaara tries to get in their heads a bit and show us what's inside.

The story is that of Scott's invasion of Mexico, from the landings at Vera Cruz, to the conquered peace after the capture of Mexico City in 1848. It takes us through the capture of that city, the ascent of the mountains and the battle at Cerro Gordo, through the assaults at Contreras (Padierna) and Churubusco, and the entry of Mexico City through Chaputepec and the gates of the city.

Shaara paints a deft picture of the smallness of the American army, a picture of Scott as brilliant strategist--choosing maneuver over assault, choosing potential isolation over defending the a long and vulnerable supply line. We see Lee's role in assisting Scott's plan, the jealousies of the subordinate commanders, and moreover (Shaara's intent I'm sure) we get that nascent view of the young Civil War generals' development.

What does it all mean? It's a good read. I quibble with a couple of technical details-cannon vastly outranged Mexican muskets, frequently inaccurately fired from the hip because of their coarse powder and resulting nasty kick. Stylistically, this is formulaic--it's not about the nuts and bolts of war, that fought by the soldiers in blue. We can only presume to know so much about the thinking processes of the commanders-the real story, particularly in the Mexican War is about the professionalism of the regulars-line officers, foot soldiers and noncoms who were the instruments of the big risks Scott took to win the war as bloodlessly as possible.

Nevertheless, I had difficulty putting the book down. Shaara tells a great story. Extra half star for covering a little known conflict like the Mexican War ( )

This novel of the Mexican War focuses on Winfield Scott and Robert E. Lee. Shaara also highlights Jackson, Longstreet, Grant, Johnston, and others. It's captivating. I especially enjoyed the insight into Lee's earlier years as a soldier and the dynamics of strategy between the earliest West Point officers and Santa Anna's old-style European approach. ( )