I've heard this is the latest descendant of Civ (after Age of Renaissance). Any one want to comment on it or give it a review?

I've played it quite a few times.

I like it better than Age of Renassance (a game I never really liked) because it is generally more balanced. I always hated some of the cards in AoR. There are some bad "hose the player" cards in MD but nothing approaching War! like AoR.

I won't do a complete review but here are some facts:

It has a really odd theme (industrialists fighting through US history?).

It uses a combat resolution system just like risk that favors the attackers.

Knowing what the cards do and when they could come up is important.

It has a number of interlocking mechanisms likeing bidding and area control.

Games always seem to be close.

I would give the game a 6/10. I'll play it once every few months... but not much more. The upside is you often have to make hard choices and you have to plan for the future early. Its hard to be completely put out of the running. The downside is that there can be a bash the leader problem and the game feels sort of scripted.