A Ballad of Love and Glory by Reyna Grand

The Mexican-American War you have never read about through the eyes of an Irish American who is disillusioned fighting for the Americans and switches sides to fight for the Mexican army as well as a young Mexican woman who stands to lose everything. It is a love story between two unlikely foes who share the Catholic faith, a strong sense of what is right and wrong and the deep love they have for their homeland and each other. War is tragic and brutal and for every victor there are many who lose everything. This story clearly shows the manipulation of power on both sides of the border and the Mexican people were the ones who lost it all. Solid historical fiction that resonates with today's immigration issues as well as enlightening the reader to a period of our history and the very real Irish battalion who fought for Mexico that we don't hear much about. 4 stars