First published 2009
President James Knox Polk sits in the White House in 1845, determined to fulfill his vision of American expansion. He faces a nation divided over slavery and territorial growth, with opponents who question his aggressive pursuit of Mexican lands. Polk orchestrates diplomatic pressure and military action to acquire California and the Southwest territories. The Mexican War erupts as Polk calculated, drawing fierce criticism from Whigs like Abraham Lincoln who challenge the president's justifications for conflict. As American forces march toward Mexico City, Polk must navigate political opposition at home while commanding a war that will reshape the continent. The president's relentless drive to secure vast new territories tests his presidency and the nation's conscience. Polk's single term becomes a crucible where American ambitions collide with moral questions about conquest and the expansion of slavery into new lands.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, political-thriller, american-history
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: California, Mexico, Mexico City, Southwest, White House
Period: 1845
575 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster