New Mexico Books

At last, the definitive guide to breeding birds in Arizona. Well written with beautiful photographs. A must have reference for the serious Arizona birder and avian ecologist.

Excellent book, love it so far. Lots of great info as well as nesting locations and life histories for all the nesting birds in Az. As a student of wildlife biology/ornithology this book has already come in handy a few times. The only thing I would change is maybe better pics, or diagrams to help in identification. Overall though, I would definately suggest this book to anyone interested in ornithology. BUY IT!

If you don't have it, GET IT! The new authority on Arizona's breeding birds has rode into town!

Arizona has been a dream destination for birders and ornithologists for a century and a quarter. Since the publication of the first Lane guide more than 30 years ago, traveling birders have benefited from the availability of a number of "birding Baedekers" for finding the state's many specialties. But what of birders who want to go beyond simply listing the Arizona rarities? With Phillips et al.'s excellent monograph on the distribution and status of Arizona's birds more than forty years old, and the most recent annotated checklist pushing 25, local birders and visitors alike have often found it difficult to place their sightings in context.
Now come Corman and Wise-Gervais, and their corps of well over 250 volunteer 'atlasers', with the first major reference work on the state's birds to appear for a long generation. Well designed and richly illustrated, the new Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas (or, to use the faintly discoish acronym, ABBA) fully deserves the place of honor it will occupy on birders' bookshelves, next to the magnum opus of Phillips, Marshall, and Monson.
Field work for the ABBA was begun in 1993 and completed at the turn of this century. Given the size of the state and the low number of observers available in all but the most densely populated areas, a system of "priority" blocks was developed for the surveys; the difficulties and the sampling methodologies developed to overcome them are clearly described in the book's introductory matter, as are the criteria and definitions used to document each species' breeding status.
While the book covers only those species known or suspected to have bred in Arizona, the splendid maps and well-illustrated habitat descriptions will be tremendously useful even to birders who visit the state only during non-breeding season (a nearly meaningless concept for species such as Lesser Goldfinch, which nests nearly year-round in the desert lowlands).
The results are published in a series of clearly structured species accounts, each occupying a full opening and each with a photograph of the species and a dramatically large, easily interpreted map showing the locations of breeding records. The species portraits are strictly speaking not necessary, but with only a few slight clunkers in the lot, they do add considerably to the visual appeal of these pages. For many species, convenient graphs showing habitat distribution and breeding phenology are also provided.
Although contributed by 19 different authors, the prose accounts show a uniformity of style that is greatly to the credit of the editors; only in the short anecdotal paragraphs beginning each account does the voice of the individual author intrude, sometimes charmingly, often less so. The 'meat' of the accounts is rigorously structured, with a detailed description of the species' habitat preferences followed by a clear summary of each bird's breeding biology in Arizona, including full and often carefully analyzed information on timing, nest construction, and behavior; this is simply great stuff, and it is high praise to say that over the last weeks I have found myself consulting ABBA in such matters as often as the online version of Birds of North America.
The accounts conclude with a discussion of the map data; many of the most interesting comments here are those directed at the apparent absence of certain species (the mysterious Lewis's Woodpecker, for example) in areas where they might be expected to breed. Careful readers will note many opportunities for research into new topics.
Among the appendices is a nearly 20-page bibliography, an extremely welcome addition to the resources available on Arizona ornithology.

This is a great resource. It is very accurate when it rates difficulty and terrain of a hike. We have found it to be right on target. It also points out some interesting sites you might see on the hike, such as large pieces of obsidian, interesting plants, etc.

I was recommended this book about 9 years ago...it is one of our most used reference books. The hikes described are quite accurate, with good driving directions. There are plenty of hikes listed throughout the state. I often give a copy of this book to families new to the area and they find it an invaluable resource, too. If you want to get out and about the Land of Enchantment and turn your kids on, too...this is the book for you!

This is a great book that really makes my camping trips. I have children and with this we are able to find the hikes that we can do with them so that everyone has a great time, a must for the New Mexico Hiker with kids.

My family loves this reference tool! We plan trips for our 5 children using this book as a guide. Even our baby can be included because the book rates the difficulty and distance of the various sites. We wouldn't hike without it!

Blind Switch is worth the read! A lively book with full blown interesting, and some despicable characters, this book kept me going. McEvoy makes the world of horse breeding and racing a seductive one and one I would like to visit again. He blends the good guys with the bad guys as the story weaves from Chicago to Kentucky and en route we watch the main character grow and ultimately flourish.
A fast and refreshing story!

Blind Switch is a great ride - lots of unusual and goofy characters - some are people you'd like to know, including Jack Doyle, the main character. He starts out in a "blind switch", essentially boxed in by life, though in part by his own doing. He evolves and revolves through the world of thoroughbred horse racing. You will too. Great suspense, life lessons, and peripheral romance. You'll hate the bad guys and enjoy the good guys, with lots of laughs. The Chicago references are fun for us Chicagoans. Ever wonder why horse racing is actually a clean sport? Because the FBI, the mob, and the industry itself need and want it to be. It's a great read! I didn't want it to end. I'm waiting for McEvoy's next move.

When Jack Doyle is downsized from his corporate Chicago job, a friend tells him he can make an easy $25,000 on a horse race. He accepts the job and the fix is totally successful but the FBI has an idea what he did even though they have no evidence to convict. The agents "convince" him to gather evidence that rich and powerful Harvey Rexroth is having his horses killed for the insurance money. One of Rexroth's employees, manager Aldous Bolger reports his suspicions to the FBI

Bolger agrees to help Jack get hired by Rexroth and Doyle but finds he likes and respects the man who loves the horses as if they were his own. The FBI believes the leader of the horse killing ring is former jockey Ronald Montvedt, a stone cold killer who will do anything for money. When Bolger catches him trying to kill a stallion, the ex-jockey maims Bolger. Doyle is now determined to take Montvedt and Rexroth down, no matter what methods he has to use.

Fans of books of the late Dick Francis will thoroughly enjoy BLIND SWITCH, a novel about horses and people who care for them. The protagonist undergoes a metamorphosis as he stays in contact with the beautiful animals and goes from being a shady character to a person who wants to see justice done. John McEvoy has a unique voice that will win him a place with many fans and BLIND SWITCH deserves to win an award for best new talent.

Harriet Klausner

I love books that deal with horses. I especially look forward to those which deal with horse racing. Add to that setting a hero with some serious defects in his character, an interesting scenario which puts him on the side of the angels, several villians whom you will love to hate, some people you will genuinely care about and a generous sprinkling of serious nut cases and you have a very readable, thoroughly enjoyable first novel by John McEvoy. I have read most of the writings of the late, great Dick Francis and in my judgment, references to his writings in comparison to this story is comparing apples to oranges. Both authors have an interesting way of telling their story, but there is little comparison to how they go about it. This is a story that will hold your interest, tickle your funny bone and satisfy your sense of justice. That's a trifecta worth betting on!!

This anthology rules the roost when it comes to good writing from the west. There's a freedom of expression and a willingness to push the envelop here that I have not found with other reviews on the university level. Kudos.

Bukowski's ghost is probably putting in overtime reading selections from Blue Mesa.

What I enjoyed about this particular issue was the willingness of the writers to explore the boundaries between countries and how that influences not only our relationships but the way we tend to look at the world. When a narrator writes about cities separating him from his friend, he is writing about more than geographical distance. Kudos to the editors of Blue Mesa!

BLUE MESA REVIEW #6 doesn't pull any punches. It begins with a great dramatic monologue dedicated to the memory of Cesar Chavez. This is a special issue because it is a tribute to Rudolfo Anaya, the man responsible for the existence of the magazine. He has helped assemble a marvelous collection of poetry and prose from writers more interested in The Other than the Self. These selfless writers challenge the status quo with emotional fireworks. I would say this issue is probably the finest collection of voices to come out of the west in quite a while.

I found this book to be a compelling page turner. The characters were complex and believable, the story one of redemption and rebirth. Much of what New Mexico is about. While there were some loose ends to the characters' lives, they were really peripheral. This is a book that fills you with hope about the greater community of man.

This is a must have book for anyone with any intrest in the Southwest, in the journey of the heart, in the journey of the soul, or in the occuurance of miricles! This book is about all of these, and so much more. Leslie makes both the people and the landscape come alive for the reader. It is a book that brings tears and laughter, and an incredible feeling of expansion to the heart and soul. Bravo!!

Frustrated Santa Fe artist, Whitney Slope, escapes the political games of the Santa Fe art world by heading into the mountain community of Mi Ojo ("My Eye"-a fictitious community representing the real communities that can be found around Santa Fe). He finds his soul in the authentic, rural community and his story is woven with that of his new landlord, Dominga Garcia de Jesus. Slope is brought to a refreshingly honest new way of life as he becomes involved in the stories of other people outside of the affluent community in Santa Fe.

The characters in this book are deep and well developed. The plot carries the reader through a world that is realistic to the area. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the Santa Fe art gallery community contrasted with the rural Hispanic communities in the mountains. The high quality of the writing and the storyline make this book a must read for anyone who is looking for an excellent work of Southwest fiction.

A book that touches the heart and soul and bring the New Mexico culture, people and land alive.

This story sets the reader inside the mind of 14-year-old Cecilia in a day and place most readers will find unfamiliar. The details of daily life in this rural community are told in a way that make one yearn for that simpler time. But the over-all story of a family big on love and closeness and a young girl determined to find her own way is universal. A very enjoyable book -- loved the proverbs!

"Cecilia's Year" is a great story for young girls. Cecilia is a really good role model--her goals are to graduate from high school and get a job to help her family. She loves to read. This book also exposes kids to what life was like on farms when America was a rural country. Full of traditional family values plus lots of Spanish for people who know both languages. Also has a little romance. Young girls ages 11-15 will love it. Great gift.

Cecilia's Year is a young adult novel about the dreams of a Latina girl living in rural New Mexico. She dreams of traveling far beyond her farm community, to experience high school and a job in the big city she knows through books, yet her mother feels her highest goal in life should be to run a home, cook, sew, and raise children. Written as a tribute to the author's mother, Cecilia's Year explores the tribulations of growing up and determining one's own destiny, in a heartfelt manner sure to resonate with anyone striving to find their place in the world.

Moving story set in a small New Mexican farming community during the 1930's in which 14-year-old Cecilia, who's a top student and avid reader, wants to go to high school, college, and work in a city; however, her old-fashioned mother feels that she should prepare herself to run a home. (M) I loved the way the Abrahams wove Cecilia's story into the months of the year, and the sprinkling of Spanish throughout added flavor. Cecilia's family may have been poor financially, but it was rich in love.

My forensic nurse colleagues have provided an outstanding resource for those of us who perform sexual assault exams and forensic evidence collection. The photographic documentation of cases and information in the Color Atlas have proved invaluable to me as a sexual assault nurse examiner. Our district attorney also purchased the book as a reference. I applaud the five authors of this text for a job well done. They have produced a professional work, accurately and well written,with outstanding photodocumentation of sexual assault cases.

This book is very complete, and has many pictures describing a variety of situations. Highly recommended.

You should also consider "Sexual Assault: The Medical-Legal Examination". This book has more information on the psychology of the assailant and the assailed, and on filling out legal forms during examination, but "Color Atlas" has more pictures.

This is a wonderful book for individuals who are examining patients who have been sexually assaulted. Shows normal anatomy and variations, including non-sexual injuries. As a Nurse Practitioner and a new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner I find this book to be an excellent reference. It had been recommended to me by the educational coordinator of the SANE course I took.

An excellent resource book for anyone working as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. I recommend this book to all nurses new to forensic nursing. A must have book!

Linda Sifuentes, RN CA-SANE
Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Austin, Texas
procardia1@aol.com

I was told this is a "classic" and I agree...This dude wrote down every term, item, description, observation, etc along his trips to Mexico, Santa Fe and St. Louis....Great primary source book to add to your Southwest History collection

Shortly after Mexican Independence interest in establishing trade with Sante Fe, Mexico's most northerly province, became ever more popular. Josiah Gregg was preceded by Mountain Men who explored the area, but he was the first with sufficient education to describe the people, land features and Indians with whom traders would have to deal. His work constitues a PREFACE to other books dealing with the Santa Fe Trail and its growing interest to the United States. Independence, MO, and Fort Smith and Van Buren, AR. - were the northern and southern starting points for Santa Fe respectively. The book is as much a tale of encounters as it is a repository of valuable information. A 'FIRST READ' for persons interested in Santa Fe and the Westward Movement. Another of a variety of fascinating histories of the Southwest.

In 1831, on a suggestion from his doctor to travel west to improve his health, Josiah Gregg joined a wagon train of Sante Fe traders. The result is a highly acclaimed first hand narrative of the Sante Fe trade and life on the prairies during the 1830's. Gregg's vivid writing style illustrates the many hardships and adventures of life along the Sante Fe Trail and into Mexico. We read about traveling through barren deserts, inconsistencies of the weather, the always present danger of marauding Indians and Mexicans, the questionable Mexican governmental policies, etc. Being an amateur naturalist (he had several species of plants named after him), Gregg describes geographical landforms, geology, and plant and animal life extremely well. He also gives clear, precise and realistic descriptions of the cultures and customs of both the Indians and native Mexicans from how they dressed, to how they constructed their homes; religious, spiritual and matrimonial beliefs; how food was secured and prepared; theories on future agricultural practices and uses, etc. Gregg was a keen and acute observer of his immediate surroundings which is evident in both his writing style and presentation of the subject. Professor Moorhead's editing is second to none.

The full title of this book suggests that it is much more than a dry account of business practices: The Commerce of the Prairies, or the Journal of a Santa Fe Trader, During Eight Expedition Across The Great Western Prairies, and A Residence of Nearly Nine Years in Northern Mexico. Illustrated with maps and engravings. By Josiah Gregg.

The period was 1831 - 1840. On paper Northern Mexico was an immense holding that loosely included what is today Texas and New Mexico and stretched southward more than 500 miles through the Chihuahuan Desert to the Mexican trading centers of Durango and Chihuahua. Fierce, nomadic Indians prevented the Spanish and Mexicans from settling this vast domain. A large, loosely defined central section of the continent was known simply as Indian territory. American trading caravans departing from Franklin, Missouri did not encounter any settlements, not even ranches, until within 100 miles of Santa Fe. The long route southward from Santa Fe to Durango and Chihuahua was nearly as hazardous.

Josiah Gregg's narratives make marvelous reading. His style is engaging and his descriptions are accurate. We readers share his love and fascination of this marvelously wild and dangerous territory. I have read very few modern travel narratives as intriguing and well-written as Gregg's writings.

Despite their constant threat, Gregg is sympathetic to the plains Indians and documents how the behavior of unscrupulous and foolish traders have exacerbated relations with the Indians. He cites unnecessary killings of buffalo by travelers who are overwhelmed by the shear size of the herds; he even admits to doing so himself on occasion.

He is a man of commerce and tells us much about trade with Mexico. Rampant corruption among the tax collectors, custom officials, and governmental officials is an unavoidable business cost. For remote Santa Fe, Durango, and Chihuahua, American trade is much desired, but Mexicans view the American traders with suspicion. The first American traders (the Pike expedition) were immediately imprisoned for nine years.

I highly recommend this remarkable, fascinating account of travel along the Santa Fe Trail in the 1830s. I cannot imagine a more intriguing, more engaging narrative than that created by Josiah Gregg.

This edition of The Commerce of the Prairies was first published in 1926. The editing by Milo Milton Quaife is excellent. The footnotes are interesting and add considerable value. Josiah Gregg's original publication was in two volumes and included extensive, detailed, and accurate observations on flora, fauna, and the native Indians and is often cited by historians. This shortened version by Lakeside Press (now published by University of Nebraska Press) is an ideal introduction to the Santa Fe Trail.

"Cottonwood Saints" is a wonderful book, full of vivid characters and descriptions. The narrative transcends geography and time - it is a universal story of mothers and sons, love and loss, and dreams deferred. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.
This is by far one of the best new fiction books on the market.

'Intimacy and familiarity' is the sense I experienced throughout my reading of COTTONWOOD SAINTS. Intimate and familiar because it seemed as though Guerin knew my Spanish-Mexican family experience in describing his in this novel; my family migrated from northern New Mexico to southern Colorado in the mid-1800s. The characters and episodes are so wonderfully described that the reader feels as though s/he is there -- interacting with the characters and experiencing the events.

I heard that Guerin described his novel as "90% fiction and 100% fact." The story reads just like that! The chapters read easily and beautifully into a wonderfully woven story. In 2004, I completed a doctoral dissertation on the phenomenology of "The Lived Experience of Nortenas de Nuevo Mejico: Finding Voice and Claiming Identity." Had Guerin's novel been published when I was doing my literature chapter, this marvelous novel would have been included in my bibliography because Guerin's mother is so descriptive of my research findings regarding the 'nortena de nuevo mejico.'

The author seems to have closed his eyes and remembered in fascinating detail how his mother recalled her childhood. He then projects this experience into describing her adulthood which the mother probably never directly revealed to the author but could not remain hidden since he had the early matrix. The childhood years are likely factual; the adulthood years are conjectural, including her reaction to her author- son's "defection" from the priesthood, the loss of two other sons and finally her fading into the fog of Alzheimer's disease. The story is lovingly told and laid at the mother's feet as a tribute with a note saying, "Mom, I understand and thank you." It is the author's first novel but I predict not his last.

"Cottonwood Saints" by Gene Guerin came about when the author asked his mother to write her memoirs about growing up in northern New Mexico during the early part of the 20th Century. He found her recollections so compelling, he turned them into a novel.
"Cottonwood Saints" begins with the birth of this mother, whom he calls Margarita Juana, then follows her growing up, marrying, having children of her own, and dying.
Sometimes books based on family history end up a personal narrative with meaning for the authors, but few others. Gene Guerin avoids this trap by focusing his story on universal issues. His mother copes with things everyone faces. She just happens to do it in a unique part of the Southwestern United States.
At the same time, Gene Guerin offers a vivid picture of life on one of the last American frontiers, describing in vivid detail the rutted roads over which Margarita Juana and her father drive to bring loads of lumber into town, trips to an Indian Pueblo to visit friends, and the arduous process of washing clothes and preserving food in a time beforfe electricity and refrigeration.
Labor is back breaking both in the barn and in the house. Tempers flare. Parents slap. Children learn to obey, and help do chores without argument.
When someone gets sick, people cope as best they can. On-the-job safety doesn't exist. The wise woman, or curandara, brings herbs and teas to the rescue. The doctor comes as a last resort, often when it's too late.
.Strong personalities, not all of them likeable, fill "Cottonwood Saints." Margaritia's mother, Tama, is about as nasty as they come. Margarita's husband, Miguel redefines bland and meek. Nash, Margarita's Indian nanny, is a woman anyone could love, as are Margaritia's doting aunts and uncles. The reader sympathizes with Margarita's feelings of abandonment when these kindly people die.
Bit by bit, Margaritia learns to cope with her life, and make what she can of it, just as everyone does. Her varying degress of success and failure make her an everyday hero, and keep the reader turning the pages of "Cottonwood Saints."
Author Guerin tells Margaritia's over-arching story in the first person, the voice of Michael, her son. But he also has the knack of stepping into the third person to relate portions of the novel that happened before Michael was born. The technique gives "Cottonwood Saints" a wonderful flow. The reader can smell the chili roasting, and see an old family hacienda crumbling.
By the end of the book, Guerin has summed up the triumphs, failures, glories, and horrors of a woman's life. It happens to be Margarita Juana's, but it could be anybody's. New Mexico's frontier families were tough. But so is human nature, or their descendants wouldn't be around to write qbout their ancestors.

"Cricket" In The Web", by Paula Moore is a tale of murder, corruption, and tragedy.
The story relates to high-profile murder case that occurred in 1949 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The victim, Ovida "Cricket" Coogler ultimately became as famous (or infamous); to New Mexico History as the "Frohm" murder case of Sierra Blanca, Texas (1938?), or more specifically, California's "Black Dahlia Murder" of 1947. Ms. Coogler ("Cricket") appeared to have much of the same "free-spirited" persona as that of Elizabeth Short (Black Dahlia).

Caught in a tragic web of political and criminal strands, she quickly became a "plaything" for the toxic world of illegal gambling, white-collar crime, and political corruption. Obviously, she placed her self in a precarious position that held too many secrets...dangerous secrets.

The author indicates that Dona Ana County (encompassing Las Cruces) in 1949 had an amazing record of violent death every month. However, she does not elaborate to the gender of other victims, and if, "Cricket" was "E-Pluribus Unum" (One of many). In my opinion, Las Cruces (per capita), still has a very high violent crime rate.

The 1949 murder made national news. The investigative net was cast upon the dark waters of a corrupted sea and upon it's return snared no less than 16 "persons of interest" including the Sheriff, Sheriff deputies, State Police Officials, and high ranking Politico's from Santa Fe. One of the most interesting subjects who eventually went to trial for the murder (but was acquitted), was the professional football player, Jerry Nuzum of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, any investigation run by "tarnished badges" and backed by Draconian politicians with illicit funding simply makes for poor results.

It appears that poor "Cricket" was somewhat of a "sacrificial-lamb" that subsequently gave favor for the unraveling of corrupt politics and vice crimes, but unfortunately, did little to vindicate her own horrible death.

Paula Moore has done a superb job of capsulizing the events and evidence in this extremely complex case. New Mexico folk are notorious for "not talking" as Ms. Moore so perceptively indicates in her book. I have lived in the El Paso, Las Cruces area all my life and even familiar with many of the places listed in her book. However, I must admit that I had never heard of this gargantuan case until I ordered the book!

Ms. Moore's descriptive writing will keep you turning pages one after another until...
you wonder what happened to the rest. A great job of investigative journalism on a cold (?) case!

Book provides well researched information that state and national politicians and law enforcement officials were likely involved in the murder of a young girl. Those not directly involved probably knew what happened and chose to keep the information secret. It is true that knowing the Las Cruces, New Mexico area probably enhances one's interest in this book. However, the author provides maps and timelines and separate information on those involved which will make the book understandable to those who are true crime fans and lack knowledge of the area. The information about corruption in New Mexico in the late 1940's and 1950's is horrifying but I guess only different in details from what we have discovered has gone on in our country in more recent times. Highly recommended.

A must-read for anyone from New Mexico.

Even if you're not from the area, if you liked reading about other unsolved murders such as California's Black Dahlia case, you'll enjoy this one too.

Note: After you read this book make sure to seek out the book "Murder Near the Crosses" by Peter Sandman for a possible (maybe probable) solution to the crime. Sandman wrote his book based on notes from his father--one of the law enforcement officers in the case who died under mysterious circumstances. Paula Moore's book is a great starter for the detail it provides, and Sandman's book provides the name of the killer.

A very interesting and a wonderful insight into history that has never been solved. Living in the same area truly brings history to life.
A great read with politics so involved.