Bantam Books

Eagles and empire; the United States, Mexico, and the struggle for a continent.

Clary, a historian who has worked for the US Forest Service and consulted for the Departments of Defense, Interior, and Agriculture, provides a history of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) that draws on primary sources from both sides and addresses the political and social tensions that caused the conflict. He provides historical background on the two countries since 1783, and details the roles of President James Polk and dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna; explorers John Charles Frémont and Kit Carson; and soldiers like future president Zachary Taylor, who fought in events such as Alamo and in raids, guerilla attacks, and battles. The aftermath is also discussed briefly, as are Mexico-US relations up to 2008. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Occult America; the secret history of how mysticism shaped our nation.

Horowitz is the editor in chief of Tarcher/Penguin and a voice for occult and esoteric ideas based in New York City. He describes how mystical and occult ideas and practices have been present in North America since nearly the beginning of European settlement, and have often and constantly been crucial in the development of the US into what it is today. He recounts the history in a series of stories, generally chronological, that include the ouija and the selling of spiritualism the mail-order prophet, the rise of magic in Afro-America, the return of the Secret Teachings, politics and the occult during the New Deal, secrets for sale, and Aquarius rising at the dawn of the New Age. (Annotation ©2009 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)