<P>This book should not be looked upon as political or social, although an understanding of these aspects would, give a clearer insight into why and how Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay became embroiled in the largest war ever fought in South America. </P><P>It is a work covering the military side of the events that took place between 1810–70, with a hint of the political undercurrents that motivated the various wars fought in the region during the same period. Hopefully it will encourage readers to become interested in Latin and Central American military history – largely neglected in both Britain and the United States.</P>