The Republic of Mexico was shakily emerging from its most recent civil war which finally established the primacy of its new Liberal Constitution. Burdened by crushing debt, much of which was the fault of the previous Conservative Government which borrowed from Europe to prosecute the war, President Benito Juarez refused to repay.It was 1862 and United States was fully engaged in its own civil war. Ruthlessly, Napoleon III of France saw his opportunity to force repayment of the debts to France as well as to strike a blow against Western Democracy. The perfect moment came when the defeated Mexican Conservatives offered the Imperial Throne of Mexico to Austrian Prince Maximilian. Promising his complete support, and promoting the lie that the Habsburg Prince would be welcomed with open arms, Napoleon plotted to seize Mexico and reestablish a European Power in The New World, violating the United States' long standing Monroe Doctrine.The French Army invaded Mexico and brought in Allied forces from Austria, Belgium, and even Egypt! The next five years saw sieges and battles of all scales in a war reminiscent of the Great Napoleon's in Spain, and presaged French and US involvement in Southeast Asia a century later.Not a general history of that war, "Viva Juarez!" is a two volume reference book on all military aspects of the conflict, especially intended for historical miniatures war gamers, but which speaks to the serious student of military history, as well. "Volume 1-The Armies," (62 pages) provides the most complete collection of uniform information for all combatants ever assembled in one source. Second Empire French, Austrian, Belgian, Egyptian, and even late American Civil War uniforms are all part of the historical mix. Lavishly illustrated plates by contemporary artists and modern ones, including Knötel, Hefter, and Boissellier are provided. Completing the collection, former Disney artist, Nick Stern, has provided more examples in his own style. Besides details of dress, Readers will find full organizational data for all combatant armies is included, with illustrated sections on weaponry and their details."Volume 2-The Battles" (208 pages) provides all available information for refighting thirty-one of the most important actions of that bitter war. All engagements appear in chronological order, with descriptions of the action, thorough Orders of Battle, and at least one period battlefield map printed in color, full page size for maximum accessibility. Previous works on the subject have been based on the limited English language sources. But more than two years research with previously unused sources in contemporary French, German, and Spanish books, periodicals, and museum map collections, have resulted in a unique contribution to the historical literature. "Viva Juarez!" is now the "go to" source for one of the pivotal military campaigns in Mexican history and that of the Americas.