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

President James K. Polk, often overlooked yet ever-consequential, comes to life in this "compelling, perceptive" (The Wall Street Journal) biography of the 11th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson's protégé, and champion of "manifest destiny."

When James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, the United States was locked in a bitter diplomatic struggle with Britain over which country would inherit the rich lands of the Oregon Territory. Texas, not yet part of the Union, was beset by hostile pressures from a more powerful Mexico. The great lands west of Texas--including what would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico--belonged to Mexico. Four years later, when Polk relinquished power, the country had grown by half. Oregon belonged to the United States, as did Texas and all the lands to the west stretching to the Pacific. In bringing this about, Polk expended huge quantities of political capital through bold and often divisive decision making.

This is the dramatic narrative of that grand national ambition that went by the name of Manifest Destiny--the idea that it was America's fate to emerge as the greatest power of the Americas, with consolidated territory that stretched from sea to sea and with a capacity to project influence forcefully toward both Europe and Asia. This national dream and ambition turned out to be bigger than any man or any party or ideological outlook that took its place in the national debates of the time.

Told through the towering figures of that time--such as the outgoing president John Tyler and Polk's great mentor, Andrew Jackson--A Country of Vast Designs captures the enormity of this national dream and provides profound insight into this era in America's history.

Author: Robert W. Merry
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 11/02/2010
Pages: 592
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.39lbs
Size: 9.18h x 6.28w x 1.46d
ISBN: 9780743297448


Review Citation(s):
New York Times Book Review 01/02/2011 pg. 20

About the Author
Merry, Robert W.: - 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.