Trailing Clouds of Glory

Zachary Taylor's Mexican War Campaign and His Emerging Civil War Leaders

By: Felice Flanery Lewis

Narrated by: Kirk Winkler

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

This work is a narrative of Zachary Taylor’s Mexican War campaign, from the formation of his army in 1844 to his last battle at Buena Vista in 1847, with emphasis on the 163 men in his “Army of Occupation” who became Confederate or Union generals in the Civil War. It clarifies what being a Mexican War veteran meant in their cases, how they interacted with one another, how they performed their various duties, and how they reacted under fire. Referring to developments in Washington, DC, and other theaters of the war, this audiobook provides a comprehensive picture of the early years of the conflict based on army records and the letters and diaries of the participants.

Trailing Clouds of Glory is the first examination of the roles played in the Mexican War by the large number of men who served with Taylor and who would be prominent in the next war, both as volunteer and regular army officers, and it provides fresh information, even on such subjects as Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.

Particularly interesting for the student of the Civil War are largely unknown aspects of the Mexican War service of Daniel Harvey Hill, Braxton Bragg, and Thomas W. Sherman.

©2010 The University of Alabama Press (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An essential addition to any Mexican War library." (Civil War Book Review)

“Makes a significant contribution to the history of this often forgotten war.” (Timothy D. Johnson, author of Winfield Scott: The Quest for Military Glory and Gallant Little Army: The Mexico City Campaign)

“Readers...will delight in Lewis's volume.” (H-Net Reviews)

Informative but dry, often distracted

An excellent source for someone looking to understand the connections of many major Civil War players prior to the Civil War. However, the book often gets lost in the details of dates of events, and can't quite decide if it wants to talk about the war for Texas' annexation or the people who fought it.

What is it good for?

A recounting of the Mexican American way and how easily it lead to civil war.

War

I received a lot of knowledge about the Mexican war that I didn't know but it tended to be boring at times.it was hard to keep my concentration.the reading was straight with no excitement in it

Incredible detail

Filled with analytical analysis and riveting back stories of the men who would shape the Civil War.

intersting topic

One general went on to become president and many officers to fight on both sides in the Civil War.
The book was ok, but severally marred by a monotonis reader.
In fact any excitement that happened on the battle field elicited no change in tone.
Was happy to stop listening.

Very Enjoyable

I previously knew little about the Mexican War, apart from its political context and its results. This book is written with a particular narrow focus on the opening of the war, the selection of Taylor as the primary general in command, and the manner in which various officers, later key generals in the US Civil War, fit into the picture. It also provides a helpful sketch of Taylor himself, and so, within the confines of its focus, the book certainly succeeds. The narration is also very good.

If you want to understand the Mexican American War this book does not help

I have listed to 25 books on Audible in the past year. I have luckily picked good ones prior to this book. I would like my money back. This book might only be interesting to someone who would want a list of Civil War soldiers who were in the Mexican American war. There is very little insight until voluminous list of future Civil War soldiers. Does Audible give refunds? Can you give a zero star?