An aristocrat who never lost the common touch, a fighting general who often criticized war and a political amateur who became the twelfth President of the United States.

Descended from one of Virginia's first families, Taylor spent his childhood in the untamed Kentucky wilderness. As a young officer in the War of 1812, his scorn for the trappings of military rank and his unwillingness to ask anything of his men he would not do himself won him the affection of his frontier troops and victories that brightened the darkest days of the American cause.

In the years that followed, his reputation as a soldier and leader grew. Although tortured with doubts about his country's Indian policy, his allegiance to duty never wavered as he defeated gallant Indian tribes in bitter campaigns. When war threatened with Mexico, President Polk, though jealous of "Old Rough and Ready's" popularity, was forced to give him command of the U.S. forces marching to the Rio Grande, where he bested the Mexican armies on their own soil, despite sabotage from Washington.

Taylor's brilliance and courage in battle led to his nomination to the Presidency. His victory was the triumphant peak of a career cut short by his death in office.

From the book