David J. Weber was founding director of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies at Southern Methodist University. His research focused on the history of the Southwestern U.S. and its transition from Spanish and Mexican control to becoming part of the United States.
Richard H. Kern, aka Dick Kern, was an expeditionary artist with John C. Fremont, and others, during the 1840s and onward. Kern's work and value is also described in "Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides. This book provide over 170 sketches, plates, and maps, and a narrative, which helped me have a little better understanding of the time and place.