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

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Simon and Schuster, Nov 3, 2009 - History - 592 pages
President James K. Polk, often overlooked yet ever-consequential, comes to life in this “compelling, perceptive portrait” (The Wall Street Journal) biography of the 11th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson protégé, and champion of “manifest destiny.”

In a one-term presidency, James K. Polk completed the story of America’s Manifest Destiny—extending its territory across the continent by threatening England with war and manufacturing a controversial and unpopular two-year war with Mexico. "A crucial architect of modern America, James K. Polk deserves to be elevated out of the mists of history" (Jon Meacham, author of American Lion).
 

Contents

Ritual of Democracy The Emergence
1
The Making of a Jackson Protégé
13
The Rise and Fall of
31
Searching for a Means
49
Dawn of a New Era
65
Americas First Political Dark Horse
81
Answering the Question Who
96
Preparing for the Mantle of Leadership
112
Transformation of the War Debate
278
Patriotism Duty Adventure
293
We Are Yet to Have a Long
307
Constitutional Usurpation
322
The Challenge of Presidential
335
Grappling with Mexicos
351
A Clash of Policy and Temperament
366
The Pivot of Personality
383

Americas Zest for Grand Ambitions
131
Diplomacy Intrigue and
145
The People Here
161
Divergent
176
Playing with Prospects of
190
Polk Takes Command
205
Diplomacy and Politics at
222
Every Consideration of Duty and Patriotism
238
And May There Be No Recreant
253
I Prefer to Supervise
268
Have We Conquered Peace?
402
From Trist to Polk to the Senate
418
California New Mexico and the Union
436
Solemnly Impressed with
452
Legacy The Price of Presidential
471
Notes
479
Bibliography
543
Acknowledgments
551
Copyright

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About the author (2009)

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.

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