Robert Merry

Robert W. joyouss book is a refreshing turn back exception to the new conventional wisdom. Polk, in dashings view, sure was an ambitious expansionist, but in this he scarcely reflected the electorates passionate desire to push the country eer westward. Enlarging and then(prenominal) consolidating the United States as a transcontinental nation would, by the lights of Polk and his supporters, greatly enhance the wealth, power and legitimacy of what was still, in 1845, the lonesome democratic commonwealth in a world break by monarchs, despots and aristocrats. Mexico, far from being a passive, innocent victim of Americas lust for power and land, was ruled by a succession of corrupt, conservative, autocratic and truculent governments that administered a republic in name only, one that was distorted by centuries of command by the Spanish crown and the Roman Catholic Church. Polk was non blameless, Merry writes, especi solelyy in owning up to his larger territorial amb itions, but the critics of Polks war consistently ignore the usance of Mexico in these significant events. And, Merry argues persuasively, the antiwar charges that Polk was a tool of the buckle down index subroutine were simply false. Merrys historical rebuttals atomic number 18 not, however, his books chief distinguishing feature.

A area of commodious Designs is mainly a thorough, well-wrought political history of Polks presidency. The origins, expect and results of the war with Mexico necessarily dominate the narrative, but Merry covers all of the other major issues and events, and many of the minor ones as well. The chairwoman and editor of Congre! ssional Quarterly, Merry is well conscious of how intrigues and manipulations devour always held sway in Washington, and he reports the machinations of the Polk age with clearness and an insiders verve. Filled with intricate stories of personal conflict, mental gamesmanship and fortuitous consequences, his book, although bound to stir controversy, is one of the most astute and edifying historical accounts yet...If you want to get a all-inclusive essay, wander it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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