What’s the Deal?: Jefferson, Napoleon and the Louisiana Purchase

Thomas Jefferson knew that if our infant country were to be truly independent, it must control the Mississippi River via Louisiana. The territory then belonged to Spain, but was coveted by the Emperor Napolean as France’s foothold in the New World. Here is a fascinating behind-the-scenes view of the power struggle that resulted in out country’s westward expansion. Dozens of prints. Maps. Bibliography. Time line. Index.