A Glorious Defeat

The war that was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 was a major event in the history of both countries: it cost Mexico half of its national territory, opened western North America to U.S. expansion, and brought to the surface a host of tensions that led to devastating civil wars in both countries. Among generations of Latin Americans, it helped to cement the image of the United States as an arrogant, aggressive, and imperialist nation, poisoning relations between a young America and its southern neighbors. In contrast to many current books, which treat the war as a fundamentally American experience, Timothy J. Henderson offers a fresh perspective by looking closely at the Mexican side of the equation. He examines the tremendous inequalities of Mexican society and provides a greater understanding of the intense factionalism and political paralysis leading up to and through the war. Also touching on a range of topics from culture and ethnicity to religion and geography, this comprehensive yet concise narrative humanizes the conflict and serves as the perfect introduction for new readers of Mexican history. Timothy J. Henderson is a professor of history at Auburn University, Montgomery and is the author of several book on Mexican history. The war that was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 was a major event in the history of both countries: it cost Mexico half of its national territory, opened western North America to U.S. expansion, and brought to the surface a host of tensions that led to devastating civil wars in both countries. Among generations of Latin Americans, it helped to cement the image of the United States as an arrogant, aggressive, and imperialist nation, poisoning relations between a young America and its southern neighbors. In contrast with many current books that treat the war as a fundamentally American experience, Timothy J. Henderson offers a fresh perspective on the Mexican side of the equation. Examining the manner in which Mexico gained independence, Henderson brings to light a greater understanding of that country's intense factionalism and political paralysis leading up to and through the war. Also touching on a range of topics from culture, ethnicity, religion, and geography, this comprehensive yet concise narrative humanizes the conflict and serves as the perfect introduction for new readers of Mexican history. "Lively, objective and highly accurate . . . Mr. Henderson's volume is remarkable for its clarity and concision . . . Few U.S. historians have attempted to examine the conflict that became the War of 1847, as the Mexicans know it, from the Mexican standpoint. In this slender, concise study, Timothy J. Henderson seeks to rectify that . . . For an understanding of present-day problems with U.S.-Mexican relations, this volume is a good place to start."--"The Dallas Morning News" "This book provides a primarily narrative history of the conflict between Mexico and the United States . . . Henderson's summary of early Mexican history develops a theme of disunity he then traces throughout the history of the war. Such structure is admirable. Also, he effectively intertwines domestic politics on both sides of the border with international relations to provide a smooth transition for readers who previously approached the topic using a more limited framework."--Irving Levinson, University of Texas, Pan American, American Historical Review "The bulk of this book is given over the events leading up to the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, providing keen insights into the varied causes of the war and how differences between how Mexico and the United States gained their independence impacted and escalated the war fervor . . . "A Glorious Defeat "is written primarily from the Mexican point of view, and in doing so, Henderson answers a question that often goes unanswered in most history books on the war written from the American viewpoint. 'Why did Mexico go to war against the United States?' . . . "A Glorious Defeat" includes copious endnotes along with an up-to-date and enlightening list of Suggestions for Further Reading. This list and the endnotes provide ample fodder for anyone interested in pursuing this intriguing subject in greater detail. In addition, "A Glorious Defeat" should be required reading in every college level Mexican or American history class that covers the period from around 1820-1861. This book is eminently readable and it will fascinate both academic readers as well as general readers with an interest in 19th century Mexican or American history, military history, or specifically, in the history of Texas, including the settlement of Texas by Anglo-Americans and the Texas Revolution along with the Battle of the Alamo, and surrounding events."--Herbert White, "History in Review
""This book provides a primarily narrative history of the conflict between Mexico and the United States . . . Henderson's summary of early Mexican history develops a theme of disunity he then traces throughout the history of the war. Such structure is admirable. Also, he effectively intertwines domestic politics on both sides of the border with international relations to provide a smooth transition for readers who previously approached the topic using a more limited framework."--Irving Levinson, University of Texas, Pan American, "American Historical Review
""A fine survey of the Mexican-American war of 1846-1848--as told from the Mexican perspective, which sets "A Glorious Defeat" apart from U.S.-centered coverages, which would depict Mexico as the victim of the of the war. Henderson here emphasizes Mexico's reasons for going to war with the U.S., offering chapters which approach the results from the Mexican perspective and considering why the U.S. did not annex Mexico. An intriguing discussion highly recommended for any collection strong in American or Mexican early history."--"Midwest Book Review" "Lively, objectiv