New Mexico Books

O'Brien's book on US capitalism in Latin America is only about 180 pages, but, refreshingly, he doesn't waste a word. Essentially he traces how US corporations have functioned in Latin America, how they have sought to transform Latin Americans into consumers of American goods and Fordist style workers in an effort to create new markets. He argues that US companies have been more influential in the development of Latin America than the US government, and he makes a strong case.

This book is essential for Latin Americanists in general and those interested in the relationship between US foreign policy and corporate interests abroad.

The author has an impressive academic record both before and after he earned his doctorate. He has produced a most thorough ans useful interpretation of cultural relationd on the South western frontier.*

There are many more than the shown categories and subjects listed below in rhis entry yet they only refer to the United States, They could be doubled again with Mexico as the central noun. And we can add furner headings: Spanish Borderlands, Frontiers in generall. And you can probably think of several more. This omission of Mexico simply indicates ethno-centric nautr of the cataloging, ignoring the mult-national sweep of the subject and the wie-ranging rlevence to many disciplines.

Berein the author starts out with the vominous works of the famous Alexander von Humboldt, who led an expediton to gather all the information and data he could on what id now known as the American Sourwesr. The only ptoject of equal scope and importance covering this area is the multivolume series sponsored by the US government in the 1850s is known to we geographer, geologists, and studints of flora and fauna known as the "Pacific Railroad Reports" and that required the efforts of several huge mult-personnel expeditions over a much longer period.
The author states that he omits the lower Rio Grnde del Norte Valley and the upper Valley in the present El Paso-Juarez urnban comples. Bit puzzling to me for control of those two areas was the core of political and economic concern. El Paso controlled the major route to the vast territory of Nuevo Mexico, all of which was ceded as a result of the Mexican War.

Howevwer, this book is nor a history of the borderlands, which has been asubject of scholarly concern since toe 1920s, but rather concerns the larger questions of national indentity.

Two great civilizations clashed and the apparent little dog won. In 1800 the erstwhile mighty Spanish empire stretched from Calironia to Patagoina, and around the world, though less dominant than it was before the rise of the British Royal Navy and the depletion consequent to the constant wars in the Netherlans of the seventeenth century. But the Spanish Empire in the New World was about to topple due to internal political forces, and Spain would retain for almost a century control over Cuba, along the way selling Florida to the US.
In economic and population terms both the US and Spain, which soon broke off to become the subsequent Mexican nation were evely matched. The Alglos appraching from the east who were familiat with living in closely wooded lands, opposed to the Mexicans, whose ancestral home was semi-ard, yet that made little difference for the Spanish had been in the borderlnads for two centuries and knew how to live in an arid climate. On the other hand, the Anglos' migration into the mid West had stalled at the prairies of Illinous, whose lack of forests indicted to them that the area was infertile

The Mexican (Tejano) vwesus Anglo expansionists first met in the Arkansas, Lousiana area where there was no apparent difference in the vegatation and climate, yet the Tejanos formed a cluster in the San Antionio area and were not numererous enoght to opposed the Anglos physically so a plitical solution was initiated with the land grants given to Stephen F. Austin, who, carefully screening his colonists, was also thought capable of social contro of them.

In the upper Rio Grande basin eas loacted a corridor of Mexican settlement including the settled Pueblo Indians, while to the west and east roamed the powerful Navajo, Apache and Comanche nations, always nibbling on the fringes of Nuevo Mexico. Since Santa FE and Taos were the most northern urnan areas of Nuevo Mexico, they were thousand miles from Mexioc City, if not physically certainly in conssciousness. Thus the Snata Fe Trail stretching from Missouri across the plains was a much more efficient source of manufactured goods. When the US Army marched into New Mexico they were welcomed. While, Texas, ocourse, had been a sovereigh nation for ten years.

This work ends soon after the treaty og Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded upperCanifornia, Arizona, and New Mexico, moving the actual and defacto boundaries from the Rockies of Southern Colorado and the eastern edge of the Staked Plains, to the north bank of the Tio Grande, and westwaes along the Gila to the Colorado.

This book will bevery useful in following the development of the cultural history of the borderlands.

His thesis is that the Anglos won the contest with the Mexicans becaus of their vibrant and innovative culture contasted with a poverty-stricken heritage of domination by an elite born in Spain and the resulting economic stagnation. Even those of pure Spanish blood born in Mexico had no political power, and the mestizos and Indians were even worse off.

* Note my use of the term "American Southwest". This is just as much of an indication of the dominance of the US in the area as is the world-wide use of Eurocntric terms such ad Middle and Far Easr, and the placing of the Prime Meridan for world mapping and navigation. Even the French, who for many years used the Paris meridian as the point of origin, by the end of the nineteenth century were publishing maps base on Grrenwich, with that of Paris relegated to tivk marks on the border of the map proper.

If you are into southwestern folk art, specifically from New Mexico, than this book belongs in your library. Do not be put off by the title being in Spanish as the text is in English, with the exception of a bilingual section. The works of master santero,(one makes saints, usually in wood) Charlie Carillo are featured throughout the book that is is in full color. The text is quite interesting as the subject of santero is explored in both a historical and contemporary context. The text does include Spanish but is limited to the foreward. The tradition of the santero is thus examined and brought into the current state. There is also a discussion of related subjects like the Penitentes, which is a Roman Catholic Brotherhood dating back to the 1700's in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Included in the printed word is a concise glossary that provides defintions to the terms used that includes materials used etc. to create the santos and retablos(flat wood panel paintings). Of particular interest is the section that introduces the reader to the santos. This includes short "bios" on the santos and their particular role in the life and religious drama. This is extremely important to understand, in order to see the signifince of these figures for which the artist has toiled for hours to create and "bring to life." The feast day of celebration is given as well for all of the saints "bios." There is also an extensive bibliography, information on New Mexican Hispanic Culture and personal awards and achievements given to Charlie Carillo for his works(some 3,500 pieces as of the books printing) as well as a list of exhibits that have featured his works. Carillo also shares some interesting stories related to the pieces featured which includes the inspiration to the creatve process. Although the written word is extremely interesting the color photographs of the three dimensional santos and flat retablos are fantastic. Sometimes there are two or three different related pieces on a page but this does detract from the fine details given each piece. An artist, like any other person in their respective field of interest should be an evolving person that gets better with age. Some his earlier works, which are featured from the late 70's are rudimentary compared to his exquisitely detailed labors of love made more recently. The various phases of his evolving artistry is outlined and displayed. These are some of the most inspirational works you will ever see from an exceptionally talented folk artist. Great stuff to browse through whenever, this is a book for anyone interested in folk art or who may be a woodcarver themself. Highly recommended for the collector of books related to the arts of New Mexcio.

This book captures the essence of what it means to be an Hispanic from New Mexico, and the thrills and terrors of any family in moving to a new town, a new school making new friends and growing up It brings to life the sights and sounds of San Jose, and the people who live there. As I read the book, I revisited the park, the church, the streets, the people and the wonderful Berryessa Flea Market, which was still the same in 1985 as it was when Ben first visited it in the 1960's, and probably is still the same today. I highly recommend this book older teens and adults, but recommend parents read it to their younger children due to the chapter "Pinching Pennies", which is a chapter I do not recommend for children.

Buy this book for the artwork alone! Chihuly's beautiful blown glass and paintings are featured on 95% of these thick pages. These are gorgeous, full-color pictures of his art in a book dedicated to the future of the Taos Pueblo. Simply stunning. Hardcover book is wrapped in a transparent dust jacket.

With beautiful photographs that even young children will relate too, this book works on so many levels -- how pots are made, how one modern American Indian family lives and works together, and a little bit of the history of the pueblo potters.

The pictures and the text provide a thorough view into a unique way of living based on the traditions of many generations in the desert southwest.

Children love to seeing pictures of children working with clay. It shows so many of the steps -- actually going out and digging for the clay to firing the pots. My daughter still asks me if we can go dig for some clay so she can make some pots.

Use it as a travel guide for children especially if you are going to New Mexico and will be visiting pueblos and are interested in the adobe structures and pots.

It pairs well with Grandmother's Adobe Dollhouse.

I found myself getting absorbed into this book about Chile peppers. Now I know so much more about them. This book came with a textbook set, Into English, for ESOL students. I highly recommend it when learning about different cultures and important foods. Personally, I love Chile Peppers!

I am new to Santa Fe and bought this book to learn about some of the beautiful traditions here. It exceeded my expectations with lovely photographs and detailed explanations of many traditions you would expect from this wonderful city. I especially enjoyed the recipes! If you live in Santa Fe or dream of living here like I have for many years, this is a must have!

The book heavily relies on letters from men who fought in the war and goes much past the history of the military action. It goes into what happens behind the scenes such as the daily life of the soilders, their view of Mexico and its people and how they viewed each other. STRONGLY recommended for any history buff of the Mexcian American War and Civil War. The attitudes and beliefs are those of America going into the Civil War.

Climbing the Rainbow is a great story, and is a really fast read. The story takes place in Utah, which is where Dora Cookson has recently moved to from Mexico City. I really enjoyed this story, because I could relate to it so well. When I was fourteen years old my family moved to Idaho from Colorado, because my grandmother died. My family was the only family my grandfather had left, so we moved here to be with him. It was very hard for me to be a teenager, and move to a new town. Many people were very rude and not open to making friends with me. Dora had the same problem. Cora Beth noticed Dora's pain, and introduced herself. Katherine, who I am still best friends with today, did the same for me as Cora Beth did for Dora. Through this whole book I felt for Dora, because I have been in her shoes. It is hard to make new friends, especially during the teenage years. If you have ever been a new kid, or opened up to a new kid, this book would be great for you to read. You will be able to relate!