New Mexico Books

For years now Robin Coffee has hung around the shadowy edges of our eerie little town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capitol of the old Cherokee Nation, now awash in retirees and injun slot machines and dominated by Walmart #10. Coffee lives with his black cat in a lttle 'giraffe' house over east of the old college inahouse hie grandparents built. I visited him recently to shoot some photos. Note the book cover. His house was barely furnished, severai old wood tables were covered, littered with his handwritten and typed MS. For year my friends and I have called on Robin to read his poems at ceremonies and auspicious events that mark local Cherokee life. Once when James Earl Jones came here he selected and read Coffee's poem 'Artists and Musians'
Coffee is a powerful and unassuming force of nature and like the great Chilian poet Pablo Neruda, his work displays that attribute clearly. I will make no other comparisons for now, his work stands as written.

This imaginative book is a lovely introduction to the variety of opportunities in the southwest. Well organized and cross-indexed, it presents an inviting description of not only where, but also when, to find spectacular natural events. The well-written Seasonal Guide is a pleasure to read and indispensable for planning an itinerary.

This book is thorough in documenting the practices of crypto Jews from the 1390 uprising till the 20th century. The primary sources are from the inquistion records and contemporary documents. Critical volume for those interested in Sephardic Crypto Jewish customs.

I highly recommend Shroyer's Secret Mesa. In a thought-provoking way, the author introduces the reader to the fascinating world of Los Alamos, research center AND town. Never dry, the book relates history and present day projects with a human interest focus. Frankly, I couldn't put the book down, and learned a myriad of new things by reading it. If you're looking for a unique read, pick up this one.

Remarkably Collectable Book... When one writes of things he loves; of the thing that moves his own spirit as he makes discoveries of those others long buried spirits... his words endure and spark the readers' own spirit and imagination... and so we say to you, Forrest Fenn, the Spirits are happy with you. In the prelude Fenn says "If you love the lore and the lure of ancient places and things, this volume is dedicated to you. May the stories herein keep you forever asking and searching".

520 color plates, with wonderful drawings, and site photos. A rare glimpse of not only the Pueblo people of the past, but a rare look a true American History.

San Lazaro Pueblo is located 17 miles Southeast of Santa Fe New Mexico in the Galisteo Basin. The Galisteo Basin is home to eight large pueblo ruins of which San Lazaro, a Tano pueblo, is the largest. Some archaeologists think there may be as many as 5,000 rooms in its twenty-seven room blocks that cover more than fifty-seven acres. It is a huge site measuring 1,438 feet north to south and 1,738 feet east to west, once a bustling city that may have been home to 1,800 or more people at one time.
Great Book Forrest!
Frank Peterson
Nature's Reflections

The writings of Diego de Vargas, commander of the re-conquest of New Mexico after 15 years of terror following the revolt of 1680 are now available in English. This book is a must for anyone interested in New Mexico history. This is history straight from the source through the eyes of the man who created the history.

this book gives a remarkable crosssection of the alternatives for fine art that photography holds. excellent examples from straight documentary photography to mixed media collages incorperating found photographs. the book is also put together in a remarkable manner with each well written essay first written in spanish and then in english. essays are informative as introductions to the artist being reviewed and to their ideas and the culture that helped form the. the introduction of the book sort of traced the history and progression of photography as an art in mexico and any one interested in photography or culture should find it fascinating.

I bought this book after reading quotes in another book on northern New Mexico. Very fun read, good insight into early settler life in the Taos area.

The Shaman and the Water Serpent is a picturebook that shows young readers how the ancient Puebloan Native Americans lived their daily lives. A three-page text introduction summarizes what archaeological and narrative history evidence reveals about Puebloan culture. The Shaman and the Water Serpent uses black-and-white illustrations to depict people trying to survive in time of drought and scarce food, while the verse tells of shamanic efforts to communicate their need for life-giving rain to the spirits. "The shamans go to the rocks and pray for rain. / They make images of the water serpent / with their chipping stones. / They sing songs and tell the spirits / what they hunger for, / how thirsty they are." The occasional text-free two-page illustrations are an especial highlight of this welcome introduction to one of the many diverse Native American cultures, especially recommended for the children's section of public and school libraries.

This next installment by Charles E. Friend is yet another one that will have you on the edge of your seat as Clay goes after the men who steals his cattle and harms his men. And when Charlotte joins up with them, you know there is going to be more action. This is a remarkable book. Clay and Charlotte are great characters and the gun play with all the capturing not to mention the potholes of trouble they have to go through to get the cattle back. You will be on the edge of your seat reading this book!! Twelve stars and two thumbs up to another great masterpiece by Mr. Friend. You won't be disappointed!