The Training Ground

Grant, Lee, Sherman, and Davis in the Mexican War 1846-1848

By: Martin Dugard

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Nearly all of the Civil War's greatest soldiers - Grant, Lee, Sherman, Davis, and Jackson - were forged in the heat of the Mexican War. This is their story.

The Mexican War has faded from our national memory, but it was a struggle of enormous significance. It was the first U.S. war waged on foreign soil, and it nearly doubled the size of our nation. At this fascinating juncture of American history, a group of young men came together to fight as friends - only, years later, to fight again as enemies.

Full of dramatic battles, daring rescues, secret missions, soaring triumphs, and tragic losses, The Training Ground is history at its finest.

©2008 Martin Dugard (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fills in some blanks, but not enough

I would have liked a bit more regarding how the characters used their knowledge of each other during the Mexican War against each other in the Civil War. Otherwise, nice insight into how they learned their trades.

Grant Was A 92Y, What?

First I'll go over the reader. I usually intend to audios at 1.25 or higher depending on the density of the content. The book isn't saturated with dates and over details military maneuvers. so listening at 1.50 was doable. Everything was pronounced clearly and I had enough time to mentally place the dates of events and visualize people and senses.

Now for the content itself, I believe another reader said it best take the books account with a grain of salt. No saying the author is lying about stuff. However, his interpretation of the events and rolls played by these leaders (on both) comes with a level of bias.

Nonetheless, even with the author's fan boy moments over Davis, I still think it's a book worth reading. If you're in the military (even none- commissioned side of the house) I believe these background stories shed some light how every general has to start somewhere. And any war can be sold to the public with a good narrative they can believe in.

In addition there are definitely tons of insightful and trivial pieces of information that would make for a intense game night for the hard-core pre-civil and civil war history buffs. Like who knew now that Grant was basically a 92Y,

Flawed, but engaging nevertheless.

The title pretty much sums up the authors main thesis - that the Mexican War was unique in both molding the characters of many notable figures of the Civil War, as well as strengthening the bonds they'd already formed through their tenure at West Point.

His coverage of the war itself sometimes takes a back seat to the "characterizations" of Grant, Lee, Jefferson Davis and George Meade, but is still compelling - especially from a political perspective. However, there were some gaffes in offhanded comments about the War of 1812 and the Civil War. For example, characterizing Pickett's Charge as a "one of the great *cavalry* charges of the Civil War" left one scratching their head - especially given that George Pickett was one of figures highlighted (albeit only briefly).

Still, the book is worth the effort, if only to shed some light on an often-ignored chapter of American history.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book

This is THE best book I've ingested on the U.S./Mexican War period. It was SO engaging every step of the way. Everything was described with wonder and I loved hearing about Lee, Grant, Jackson, Davis, Lincoln et al years before they were involved in The Civil War. It also illustrates what genius Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott were.
Everything was perfect-- EXCEPT two small things I noticed right at the very end.
1-- The author said Zachary Taylor died in office during a celebration dedicating the newly completed Washington Monument. The 1850 celebration was a fundraiser. The Monument was never completed until 1885 and officially opened in 1888.
2-- The author also claimed James K. Polk died on June 15 1849 at the age of 53 just five months after leaving office. He did die in June-- but that was THREE months after leaving office. Back then, presidential terms ended in March-- NOT January.

Another great Mexican War Book

Thne author did a great job of following the life of Lee. Grant Davis and Longstreet. The book also covers the politics of Polk and the leadership of Taylor and Scott. Anyone how is interested in the Civil War will love this book