Book description
Michel Gobat traces the untold story of the rise and fall of the first U.S. overseas empire to William Walker, a believer in the nation's manifest destiny to spread its blessings not only westward but abroad as well.
In the 1850s Walker and a small group of U.S. expansionists migratedâŠ
Why read it?
1 author picked Empire by Invitation as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Though heâs hardly a household name, William Walker, the most significant of the American filibusters, has been the subject of a surprising number of biographies. What is special about Michel Gobatâs book is his in-depth look at the actual government Walker set up to rule Nicaragua in the mid-1850s, the people he enlisted to run it, and his governmentâs ambitions and programs. Gobat suggests, importantly, that prior historians have underestimated Walkerâs popular support in Nicaragua and overstated his ties to White southernersâ plans to expand U.S. slavery.Â
From Robert's list on The best books on U.S. filibustering.
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