This is a survey of the major historic network of two-way trade routes of New Mexico and other parts of the American Southwest used by Indians, prospectors, soldiers, buffalo hunters, immigrants, and cattle and sheep drovers. A chronology of the history of these trails and maps of the most important trails are included--Provided by publisher.

The U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-1848 remains controversial even today. The California campaigns of this conflict introduce the reader to the Californios (the colorful inhabitants of Alta, or Upper, California); to the American and other adventurers who arrived after them; and to the local Indians, who were always there. The real prize of the war was California. For the Mexican government to go to war against its more powerful northern neighbor was an act of folly. The Californios themselves had only ambiguous loyalties to the central government and only the most minimal military capabilities....