A Country of Vast Designs
James K. Polk and the Conquest of the American Continent
1st Edition
Published on 3. November 2009
592 pages
978-1-4391-6045-9 (ISBN)
Description
A highly acclaimed biography of a much neglected president, a gripping narrative that illuminates a crucial epoch in U.S. history.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Robert W. Merry
A Country of Vast Designs
James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
Book
11/2010
Simon & Schuster
€22.00
Shipment within 10-20 days
Robert W. Merry
A Country of Vast Designs
James K. Polk, the Mexican War, and the Conquest of the American Continent
Book
11/2009
Simon & Schuster
€47.80
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Robert W. Merry is the author of five previous books, including President McKinley: Architect of the American Century and A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent. He spent a decade covering Washington for The Wall Street Journal and served as an executive at Congressional Quarterly Inc. for twenty-two years, including twelve years as CEO. He also is the former editor of The National Interest and The American Conservative. He lives with his wife, Susan, in Langley, Washington, and Washington, DC.
Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Introduction: Ritual of Democracy: The Emergence of an Expansionist President
- 1. Young Hickory: The Making of a Jackson Protégé
- 2. Tennessee and Washington: The Rise and Fall of a Presidential Loyalist
- 3. The 1844 Election: Searching for a Means of Political Recovery
- 4. Texas: Dawn of a New Era
- 5. Baltimore: America's First Political Dark Horse
- 6. Polk vs. Clay: Answering the Question, "Who Is James K. Polk?"
- 7. The Victor: Preparing for the Mantle of Leadership
- 8. Taking Charge: America's Zest for Grand Ambitions
- 9. Annexation Complete: Diplomacy, Intrigue, and the Force of Politics
- 10. The United States and Oregon: "The People Here Are Worn Out by Delay"
- 11. The United States and Mexico: Divergent New World Cultures on a Path to War
- 12. Britain and Mexico: Playing with Prospects of a Dual War
- 13. The Twenty-ninth Congress: Polk Takes Command of the National Agenda
- 14. End of a Treaty: Diplomacy and Politics at War with Each Other
- 15. War: "Every Consideration of Duty and Patriotism"
- 16. Vagaries of War: "And May There Be No Recreant Soul to Fail or Falter Now"
- 17. Presidential Temperament: "I Prefer to Supervise the Whole Operations of the Government"
- 18. Wilmot's Proviso: Transformation of the War Debate
- 19. The War in the West: Patriotism, Duty, Adventure, and Glory
- 20. The New Face of War: "We Are Yet to Have a Long and Wearisome Struggle"
- 21. The Politics of Rancor: Constitutional Usurpation vs. Moral Treason
- 22. Dilatory Congress: The Challenge of Presidential Leadership
- 23. Veracruz and Beyond: Grappling with Mexico's Military Defiance
- 24. Scott and Trist: A Clash of Policy and Temperament
- 25. Mexico City: The Pivot of Personality
- 26. The Specter of Conquest: "Have We Conquered Peace? Have We Obtained a Treaty?"
- 27. Treaty: From Trist to Polk to the Senate
- 28. Peace: California, New Mexico, and the Union
- 29. Final Months: "Solemnly Impressed with the . Emptiness of Worldly Honors"
- Epilogue: Legacy: The Price of Presidential Accomplishment
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgments
- Index
- Insert
- Footnote
