New Mexico Books

Connecting Lines: New Poetry from Mexico is an anthology of contemporary poetry by a variety of Mexican authors. Each poem is presented in its original Spanish and in English translation, and cover a broad variety of themes in this compilation ideal for classroom study or private reading. Authors represented include Elsa Cross, Francisco Hernandez, Jose Luis Rivas, Alberto Blanco, and many more. Approximately four to six of each author's brief poems are showcased in this eclectic anthology that reflects the energetic spirit of Mexican poetry. "Dispersion": I rip off this Persian robe / and lots petals fly / around the room. // Nevertheless, the fallen colors, / my naked body, / shivering, / reminds me of dispersion. // The stars / pierce with anise the dark sky. / I see myself melt away in God's abyss / and not in your arms.

I have read this book and it is a diary of a woman who discovers herself while also becoming the first woman to complete this trek. She is an amazing spirit and everyone who meets her falls completely in love with that spirit. She is an inspiration to all who ever doubt themselves, to let go of the bad thoughts and go with the good in you and you shall succeed. Long story short ----- Worth the read.

Leo Mendes is a peddler who decides to come to the sleepy New Mexican village of Don Pedro and open a store. Patient, kind, trusting, and fair, he's slowly accepted by the community, especially by Padre Orlando, the local priest, and Don Augustin Vierra, the area's richest land owner. He falls in love with Vierra's impetuous and vibrant daughter, Magdalena, 24 years his junior. Mendes is not Catholic, and against everyone's wishes, they marry outside the Church. Everything is great until the young and ambitious Robert Coppinger shows up and steals the heart of Magdalena. The introspective and retiring Mendes is at a crossroads: should he fight for Magdalena or let her go? Struck by a quote from a Talmud his father had given him ("He who destroys one person has dealt a blow at the universe and he who makes life livable for one person has sustained the whole world"), and to Magdalena's disbelief and disappointment, he lets her go.

Fergusson relates his story with a strength of writing often found only in the best myths or folktales. Although the characters are not merely types (they are too infused with passions and emotions for that), they do take on universal forms that define their personalities. Fergusson's writing sweeps the reader along, and I found it difficult to put the book down until I finished reading the whole thing. One might feel cheated at the end by Mendes's decision, but it suits his personality and isn't totally far-fetched. It's Fergusson's tender rendering of it, and the whole book, that makes reading the story such a pleasure.

Very explanitory. Highly recomended for Mexican cooking.

Johnson has obviously used solid research in his narrative. In fact he recommends several other sources, a couple of which are out of print. The book is clearly not revisionist. Rather it seems to provide a balanced perspective on both the Spanish and Aztec beliefs, personalities and cultures. The attention to detail is exceptional, while providing a narrative which flows well and is very interesting.

I especially loved this book because two of the cowboys featured are my cousin, Randy Biebelle and his son, Brandon.

Ms. Kopp finds something to love about all her subjects, from the "loveable beast" of a black bear to the "hairy, scary and misunderstood" taratula. With her wit and way with words she brings New Mexico's wild inhabitants to life. When and if we do encounter any of them, we'll be ready with increased understanding and appreciation. I'm looking forward to reading this book to my grandsons.

Richard Throssel was a Cree Indian, adopted by the Crow. He was also a trained commercial photographer who worked with some of the best in the profession at the time. This book serves as a brief biography and a compilation of his photos of Plains Indians-mostly Crow and Cheyenne.

Those interested in the study of Plains Indian culture will enjoy Peggy Albright's well-written text and the way she incorporates the photos into her brief biography of Throssel. While those interested in the art of photography can simply skip to the section containing the photos and read the comments by people she interviewed while working on the book. Some, for example, are descendents who helped identify and give background on people in the photographs.

This is not your typical collection of portraits of dour "chiefs." Included here are portraits of many different people- some better known than others-including women and children. There are also photographs of ceremonies that were actually being performed illegally at the time, as well as posed compositions lke "The Three Scouts," riding amongst the markers at The Little Bighorn Battlefield.

My only regret is that I purchased this book in paperback. I certainly hope it will withstand all the many times I, and others will leaf through it.

"Cuentos de Cuanto Hay" is a great collection of over sixty folktales collected by the young J. Manuel Espinosa in the early 1930s in the Spanish-speaking regions of northern New Mexico. Originally published in Spanish as "Spanish Folktales from New Mexico" (American Folklore Society, 1937), the tales are here translated for the first time by the well-known New Mexico storyteller Joe Hayes. The book is the first substantial collection of Spanish-language stories from New Mexico available in English. Arranged in a parallel-text format, the Spanish version and the translation are made readily accessible to the student learning Spanish (although it has no vocabulary list), yet the stories have not been "dumbed-down" for language-learning purposes and can be enjoyed by anyone. Espinosa has written a short historical introduction and Hayes includes some brief linguistic notes.

I did find one potential flaw with the book, though. Espinosa's original Spanish versions published in 1937 have been modernized by Hayes. By updating archaisms and standardizing the grammar and some vocabulary, the translator has sought to make the stories more widely accessible to English speakers learning Spanish. This is fine, but you should be aware of the changes. Personally, since I have an interest in Spanish linguistics and have been studying some of the New Mexico dialect, I found the changes a loss. But the original versions are available elsewhere and only you can decide which one you prefer. Even with the linguistic changes, the book deserves five stars and more.

The recipes in this great book are of true old mexican cooking that is hard to find today, and it is a great read as well. I give it Five Star's in my cookbook collection.