A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent

Wars, treaties, and presidents make up the majority of American history, and this book has all three in spades. I base my review of five stars on the amount of work author Robert Merry put into the book. My interest level would rate four stars due to my limited background in this area of America's history. Polk listed four goals he wanted to accomplish during his self-proclaimed one term presidential administration, and all were accomplished. Texas, California, New Mexico, and the Oregon territory were all added to the United States with Polk at the helm in addition to the other goals listed in previous reviews. I thought the author painted a vivid picture of the key individuals that led our country during this period. Polk was not an in-your-face type of individual that some viewed as a weakness. His secretary of state, James Buchanan, was often at odds with Polk. General Winfield Scott, known as "Old Fuss and Feathers" for his love of admiring himself in front of mirrors while all decked out in his military uniform, performed admirably during the United States' war with Mexico. Henry Clay, denied several times in his bid for the presidential nomination, John C. Calhoun, Michigan's Lewis Cass, Mexico's Santa Anna, and several others are portrayed in a way to bring out their personalities. I also learned about the Wilmot Provisio which was to bar slavery from any land acquired from Mexico. Photographs always add to a book to enable the reader to see what the key individuals look like. This book shows likenesses of all the key individuals involved. It would be very beneficial for a reader of this book to have a background in this period of America's history. Even though my background is limited I was still able to enjoy the book, but it is 475 pages long and you must be patient in not getting bogged down. I have often said there is more to history than wars, treaties, and presidents, but if this is your forte then you certainly will enjoy this book. If you have a limited background as I do patience will be required.

Must read for history nerds. Extremely well written, moves like a novel and hard to put down. Outlines the key premises of Jacksonian democracy and the impact they had on our country. Explains the events and execution of the Mexican-American war, the annexation of Texas and Oregon and the expansionism that led to the California and New Mexico territories. Presents the key philosophical differences on trade (free vs. protectionist), banking, expansionism, America's role in the world and the sectional tensions surrounding slavery that would lead to the civil war. Fascinating also to see how partisan the politics of this period were. If anything, more cutthroat and divisive than today, with bickering, posturing and positioning for personal advantage in both congress and the cabinet. Demonstrates the incredible impact one person in the position of American president can have on the world.

Quick! How many books have you read on James Knox Polk (1795-1849) our eleventh President of the United States? Most honest readers would admit to perusing none and knowing little about this important president! Robert Merry's excellent biography of Polk and his tumultous times hopes to rectify the paucity of knowledge most citizens have of Polk and his age. James Knox Polk was born in North Carolina in 1795. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he became a lawyer coming under the influence of the formidable 7th President Andrew Jackson. Wheras Jackson, the hero of New Orleans and Democratic president for two terms was called "Old Hickory" Polk became known as "Little Hickory." He was a strong advocate of Jackson serving in the wild and wooly politics of frontier America. Polk emerged as the first dark horse to emerge from a Democratic Convention with their nomination for President of the United States. Polk defeated Henry Clay the Whig standarbearer in the 1844 election. He was supported by his wonderful wife Sarah Childress Polk whom he had married following the advice of Andrew Jackson. Sarah was vivacious and social whereas Polk was self-righteous, stern and a workaholic. The couple were childless. Polk told reporters that he would only serve one term as chief executive and kept that promise. He had four major goals as president all of which were achieved. Those goals were: 1. To lower the tariffs 2. To institute an independent and working banking system 3. To obtain California. 4. To win the Oregon Territory for the United States which was in dispute with Great Britain when Polk obtained office. Polk was a wartime president. The war dragged on from 1846-48 and was very unpopular with the Whigs and Americans who viewed it as a blatant power play to win lands from Mexico. Two Whig Generals Winfield Scott and the 12th US President Zachary Taylor won victory over Santa Anna. Mexico City was conquered. Over 13,000 American soldiers were killed in the fierce fighting. During Polk's administration the United States added overe 500,000 miles to its territory as the nation for the first time spread from Maine to California. The vast Oregon land was won and New Mexico, Arizona become undisputed US territory. The Manifest Destiny of the nation was a success. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the man who said the United States was a "country of vast designs". Polk made this poetic dream a political reality. He is ranked as high as 11th in many presidential polls. Polk was never physically strong and died soon after leaving office. His adversary Whig Zachary Taylor became president with Millard Fillmore serving as Vice-President. Polk wanted the major problem of slavery to go away but it refused to do so. During his term the Wilmont Proviso which would have prohibited slavery in the newly acquired lands was hotly debated in Congress. Senate giants such as Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun debated the issue in great senatorial speeche

A Country of Vast Design is at once detailed history and a fascinating biography of perhaps America's greatest "unknown" President. Polk is an examplar of the President who has a vision, a plan and the drive and intelligence to achieve results. This well-written and well-documented history explains Polk's relevance to his tumultuous times and to our nation's history. It's a terrific read. Lance Morgan Washignton, D.C.

"A Country of Vast Designs" is an excellent reminder of how a well researched and well written book can illuminate what was an otherwise dark and often forgotten piece of the American landscape. Merry's detailed and colorful story telling add depth, perspective and entertainment. For example, his account of the Democratic nomination of 1844 reminds us how crafty our nineteenth century politician were - orchestrating power plays in whispers and back rooms - and how luck played a major role in one's nomination. Particularly gripping is the brief description of the removal of Polk's bladder stone under the anesthetic of the day - bourbon, an episode which more than likely left him impotent. What most impresses me about this book is how faithful Merry is to Polk's character - for better or for worse. He manages to take a less-than-appealing historical figure and neither lionize nor villainize him. Instead we come to know a man who had a bigger impact on our nation's history than he is popularly given credit for. And whether or not the gains to our boarders were ill gotten does not change the fact that we are fundamentally a different place for all his work. The book is a fascinating read for those looking to understand the generation of presidents that was born after the founding fathers - that second group of leaders who had the difficult job of stewarding the US through its early adolescence, and making manifest the aspirations of the founding generation. We all should understand more about Polk. Merry's book is an appealing and sophisticated way in.