The story of the United States in the time of James Polk is the story of the Mexican War. This book (16,500 words in 16-font) does not believe that the USA was the over the top bad guy in the origins of that war; even though Uncle Sam became the big bully in the end stages. These teams were evenly matched. The American Armed Forces performed well - and instead of getting due credit, the nation gets called out for imperialism. Mexico declared war on America first, so don't blame America first. -- Where the USA was wrong, was in the desire for Mexican territory IN THE NAME OF SLAVERY. It had as much of a claim to the area between the rivers as Mexico had. But the United States coveted the region for the wrong reasons. That's where the blame should go. But as far as portraying the United States as the big bully, the Europeans were placing real-money bets on who wins this war, and the Mexicans were the favorites. When the United States won, the results became inevitable and Mexico never had a chance. - This is a general history of Polk's era and his war. It is not just about the Mexican War, but I thought I might as well tell you my potentially contentious opinion at the outset. I try to side with my country a bit in this war, and I admit that I do so deliberately. I feel that most American historians, when it comes to this war, act as if they are lawyers representing the prosecution's case against the United States. Fine. That's your right. I also have a right to try to represent my country's case in the court of history.