This is a large royal folio volume, with twelve full-page colored lithographs, speaking of which the author and the artist say that “no country can claim that its battles have been illustrated in a richer, more faithful, or more costly style of lithography.” The author of this book was a native of Vermont, but moved to New Orleans in 1835, and became widely known as the editor of the _Picayune_. He was a man of adventurous disposition and decided ability, and wrote prior to the war several books which acquired great popularity. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he volunteered to serve on the staff of Gen. Taylor. He was with that officer throughout his campaigns, and afterwards accompanied Gen. Scott’s column on its march to the City of Mexico. He was consequently an eye-witness of the scenes which he describes. His descriptions are vivid and real, and place him high in the ranks of war correspondents. His book, though hardly deserving a place among histories, will always be a rich storehouse from which historians will gather materials for their more pretentious and more lasting works. He was a brilliant correspondent, and, strange to say, a truthful story-teller. Mr. Nebel’s illustrations are valuable as truthful pictures of the costumes of the contending armies, and of the scenes which they illustrate, but, like all battle pictures, they are highly imaginative. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR――ITS CAUSES, CONDUCT AND CONSEQUENCES: Comprising an Account of the various Military and Naval Operations, from its Commencement to the Treaty of Peace. Illustrated and explained by Maps, Plans of Battles, Views and Portraits. By Nathan C. Brooks, A. M., Member of the Maryland Historical Society, etc. Philadelphia. 1849. 8vo, 558 pages. This handsome volume is the best general history of the Mexican War, far better than any of them with the exception of Ripley’s, which is in some particulars, and especially as a military history, very much better than Brooks’s and all other histories of this war. Mr. Brooks, brought to the work qualifications and experience which fitted him particularly to write charmingly the story of a romantic war. He was in the prime of a life which had been passed among books; had been a teacher and journalist; had edited gracefully and learnedly a series of Greek and Latin classics; was a student, historian, and poet. His judgment was impartial and his taste refined and highly cultivated. He was a believer in the manifest destiny of his country, and sympathized earnestly with those who sought to benefit mankind by enlarging “the area of freedom.” His heart was with the armies which had marched towards the “Halls of the Montezumas,” and he studied the reports of their campaigns, not only eagerly, but faithfully and intelligently――by the light of a student’s knowledge and the inspiration of a highly poetic fancy.