New Mexico Books

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (10/06)

"New Mexico" is a compilation of three novels of historical couples living in Roswell, New Mexico, hometown of author Janet Lee Barton. The heart-tugging Old West romance stories take place in the New Mexico Territory in the years 1897-1899.

"A Promise Made" (2003) begins with Emma, owner of the local café, suddenly the guardian of a baby girl named Mandy, after Emma makes a promise to Annie, the child's mother, while on her deathbed. Emma promises to Annie that she will care for and keep Mandy safe. But when the greedy councilman, Douglas Harper, is intent to find Emma an unfit caregiver because she is a business owner and single, Emma struggles to do all she can to keep her promise to her friend. Can obtaining a husband by mail-order be the answer to keep the evil councilman from removing Mandy from Emma's arms and into a foster home?

"A Place Called Home" (2005) finds Beth hopelessly attached to the two children of her husband-to-be, Cassie and Lucas, when an accident leaves the children without a father. Beth loves the children as her own until Uncle Jeb comes to town to make a home for his niece and nephew. How will Beth survive if she is separated from the children and they go live with their uncle? Everyone knows Uncle Jeb's reputation as a wanderer, so what kind of home will that provide for the children?

"Making Amends" (2005) is about daughter Darcie, her mother's boardinghouse, and their new boarder, John Harper. John has arrived in town to settle his unpopular uncle's estate, the evil and dishonest councilman, Douglas Harper, whom we first met in "A Promise Made." Overcoming the image the entire town has for the Harper name proves to be a major obstacle for John, and he vows to right the wrong his evil uncle has inflicted. Darcie has much conflict to overcome with John living in their home, for Douglas Harper caused so much pain to her own family, especially her father, and forgiveness is difficult.

Janet Lee Barton has written and compiled a winning combination of short stories for those who enjoy Christian Romance. A worthwhile message is offered in each of the stories to readers of all ages. The three stories in "New Mexico" are interconnected, for they all take place in the same location and we encounter the same characters in each of the stories, and this adds to the readers' enjoyment. I recommend "New Mexico" without reservation.

This book, a collaboration between D.S. Correll and Oakes Ames and his famous botanical illustrator wife, Blanche Ames (with additional drawings by Gordon Dillon), is an invaluable resource to anyone wanting to understand the diversity of North American orchids and their botany. Taxonomic names have changed, in some cases, but that does not take away from the beautiful illustrations nor the valuable information contained herein. Definitely a must-have for anyone serious about orchid conservation!

Ruben Gallo is a genius. Never before has art been better used to explicate the weird, wooly, cilantro-ey world of Mexican culture. This is the rare thing -- an art-culture page turner. This book is the perfect dinner guest -- smart, witty, and with perfect phrasing. I endorse it!

Valuable asset for adherents to late David Brower's promise to restore Glen Canyon as wild river. Read Scott Slovic's 21 page afterword...& understand that Glen canyon Dam may soon be by-passed,standing, as a concrete artfiact to man's defamation of nature. (See Cadillac Desert, late author-Reisner)

May Castleberry's informed and informative text comprising New World's Old World is wonderfully enhanced for readers with exceptional black and white photos of ancient American cultures before the Spanish conquest. These archaeological sites have survived to be photographed in the 19th century and beyond: individual photos capture the pre-Columbian Native American monuments, their landscapes, and provide clues to ancient cultural customs. A fine visionary approach to archaeology and early Native American peoples.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in contemporary writing from Mexico. The incredible number of short stories, essays, and poems interspersed with paintings and photographs really provide an overview of what is going on today in Mexico artistically. Some of the writing you'll love, some of the writing will disturb you, but all of it is intriguing. I used this compelation as a starting point to find out which writers I'd like to read more of. This book provides clear evidence of what a rich culture Mexico has. With works by over 50 artists and writers represented, you'll definitely find an artist who moves you.

While I admire the "straight" photography of Adams, Weston, and the Farm Security Administration photographs of the 1930's. Now that I am older, I am drawn to the romantic, soft and somewhat dreamy photographs associated with "pictorialism." I found some examples in an old book by Paul L. Anderson. Anderson also mentions a "Struss Pictorial Lens." I would find examples of "pictorialism" at museum shows. Later I found a book entitled "Pictorialism in California" with wonderful photograhps. However, this book about Karl Struss is wonderful. Particularly his still photography prior to 1918. Struss' work with night and architectural scenes are wonderful! A revelation. He didn't "do" figures well. But any photographer interested in the history of photograhy will find a visual feast. The book is well produced and high quality images. This book explores an interesting person, who for various reasons, remains almost unknown today.

this book of poetry is amazing! It's so sad to think that the revolution these poets died for was destroyed by US imperialism. These poems remind us of the real lifes and hopes of ordinary Nicaraguans before and during the Sandanista liberation.

You don't notice it at first, but the plane on the cover of this book is on ski's, except that the tail ski has been knocked off and the tail of the plane is dragging on the snow. VX6, the Antartctic air squadron had an accident eight times that of the rest of Naval aviation in the rest of the world.

This was the time of the Cold War, it was also the time of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) in which the Vanguard rocket was going to launch the world's first satellite.

This book talks about the authors experiences during (mostly) the 1960-62 time frame. It was different then. Now if you want to see the south pole just go on the net (www.cmdl.noaa.gov/obop/spo/livecamera.html) or do a search on "south pole camera." Quite a number of the authors friends and associates died in Antarctica. It was then, and still is a rather dangerous place.

This is quite a tale of the search for scientific knowledge.

Fresh and original, hard core science thriller. Not for the faint of heart!

Wow, I was totally immersed and enthralled in this story. Author does an excellent job of explaining complex scientific theories like string theory and relativity and intertwines a spiritual symbolism that is very reminiscent of the late Carl Sagan. Some of the dialogue is very scientific, but is written in present tense, and this really put me into the beat of the story. Characters are vivid and have depth, something most techno-thrillers lack. The relationship between Daniel and his chief scientist, Tanya, is very entertaining and realistic.

The story line is heavily based on research and speculation, and moves very fast at times, but again this adds to the present tense realism that drew me into the story. I look forward to Book 2 in the series, and after the ending in this one, I can't wait to see the next one.