Title: Poor defense of thesis
Product review: This book's thesis, that the Texas annexation controversy was a key element that brought the Civil War, is not defended well by the author. Mr. Silbey is highly respected, but this book was a rush job. There are several editorial mistakes that also make the book annoying. I expected a detailed discussion about the annexation debate. Instead, the book focuses on such things as the growing schism in the Democratic Party in the 1840s. A poor effort by a good writer and researcher. There are much better books on antebellum disputes in general and Texas in particular. Skip this one.
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