New Mexico Books

As might be expected from an art book of a major exhibition put out by University of Texas Press, the presentation here is masterful. Large format, over 5 pounds, heavy paper, sea green cloth boards with gold print, extra paper added to dustjacket to resist rubbing, 327 pp, and a large number of impressive and beautiful illustrations, many appearing for the 1st time in print, reproduced with subtle color variations. Nonetheless, this is an art book that is not afraid of text.

Table of Contents

Forewords
Map of New Spain and Trade Routes
Spanish Painting and New Spanish Painting 1550-1700
At the Crossroads: Cultural Confluence and Daily Life in Mexico 1521-1821
Unique Expressions: Painting in New Spain
Originality and Invention in the Painting of New Spain
Catalog
Notes (over 30 pp)
References Cited (over 12 pp)
Index

Pajaro Verde: The Green Bird is an enchanting bilingual English/Spanish fairy tale about many-eyed sisters and an enigmatic prince named Pajaro Verde. Illustrated with beautifully rendered and realistic color artwork of fabulous scenes and events, Pajaro Verde is an unforgettable picture book story for young readers and would be a welcome addition to any school or community library collection.

Metz `s thoroughly researched and well written biography details the controversial life of one of the Old West's most interesting characters, Pat Garrett - the lawman who shot and killed Billy the Kid. The story takes Garrett from his Southern childhood, to his days as a buffalo hunter on the Texas frontier, thru his tenure as a federal lawman and Sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico. Metz addresses the mysterious death of Garrett . It was in that position that he became embroiled in the infamous Lincoln County War. The book also provides in-depth coverage of Henry McCarty - alias Billy the Kid. Thoroughly researched and entertainingly written, Metz's story of Pat Garrett will stand as the standard resource work on this noteworthy Old West character. James P. O'Connor - Nov. `9

Who would want to read novels, or watch fiction on television when you can read the real life story of a famous western icon like Pawnee Bill? What a person to look up to! Western hero, defender of Indians, bison, savy businessman, millionaire, bucksins, gaunlets, Stetson hats, bison herds, courted and married a young Smith college beauty, bought a 2000 acre ranch in Oklahoma, bought out the Buffalo Bill wild west show, saved his friend Buffalo Bill from his debts! Build Old Town near Pawnee, helped the Boy Scouts of America with his generous gifts, friend to European heads of state and artists from Taos to Belgium. Highest recommendations, as a story of a western icon who outlived his peers. A tale of both triumph and sadness!

This book is an extensive bibliography of books and articles about the Penitente religious sect, a group well-known throughout New Mexico and southern Colorado.
The origins of the Penitentes are believed to trace all the way back to certain medieval Italian Catholic sects of the thirteenth century, but the Penitentes' beliefs and rites have more recently evolved from practices brought to New Mexico from Catholic Spain and from Mexico in the late-eighteenth century--and by the early-1900s the sect had become an important part of life in rural Hispanic New Mexico. The lack of regular Catholic priests in many of New Mexico's more isolated towns, the need of these remote locales to have some sort of formal worship structure, and the desire of many rural Hispanics not to be assimilated into the culture and politics of a newly American New Mexico, greatly stimulated the growth of the Penitente Brotherhood. The Penitentes believed ardently in making amends for their sins through physical suffering--suffering which included whipping one's self with whips, throwing one's self onto beds of cactus, wearing and dragging heavy chains along the ground, wearing a crown of thorns, and even, if chosen for the honor, hanging upon a wooden cross.
Of course, if you're looking up this title here, you probably know all that. Ehh.
If you are interested in the Penitentes, and especially if you are WRITING about the Penitentes, you need this book.
I cannot think of a single valid justification for anyone researching this subject not to own this book. Marta Weigle has done a tremendous service to researchers by compiling this excellent bibliography. It's easy to use, clearly laid out, and nearly comprehensive. (I have found a few lesser-known articles that didn't make it in here, but not many.)
This book is terrific. Get it. It's an excellent companion to Weigle's "Brothers of Light, Brothers of Blood," and is an excellent resource all by itself.
Highly recommended.

Frank Waters is a master story-teller. People of the Valley is so rich on so many levels it is a true joy to read . . .and re-read.

About 10 years ago I bought this book for my father, the first son of my immigrant grandfather from Japan who arrived in Hawaii about 1915. My father did not appreciate the book because it reminded him so vividly of the difficult days of living on the plantations and working in the canefields almost under slavelike conditions. This book truly depicts, through words and photos, an accurate history of the Japanese immigrants who sought a better life in Hawaii. Anyone who reads this book will have a good feel of the immigrant life and cannot leave the book without an appreciation of what we have today.

First printed in the 50's, "The Family of Man" is just loaded with images that we see until today, a history of photography. Hundreds of photographers from several countries sent their best images to this exposition. The result is this particular book.

Williams has that all-too-rare ability to shed her own shoes and don the footwear of the Dine as she guides us on her journey through Navajoland. We learn about Navajo mythology and ritual. We see how the people respond to their environment, creating themselves in the process.

One of my favorite passages deals with a young woman's coming-of-age ceremony, Kinaalda. A young woman's ability to give life is celebrated through a ceremony that can last up to five days. Blessings are heaped upon her, her jewelry is washed along with her hair while the community sings "Songs of Dawn" and prepares a special cake. How different from American culture. We do not have a cultural celebration, acknowledging the life-giving potential of young women. Adolescent girls may get a clinical explanation of mesntruation during gym class at school. No party here! And more often than not, a girl feels this is something that must remain hidden from the community. If she's lucky, she has a best friend in whom she can confide. Navajo people celebrate the life-giving potential of a young woman. What an empowering message this must send to Navajo girls as they celebrate this ritual communally.

Pieces of White Shell is full of earth wisdom. Landscape--especially the mountains. They come alive through the story of their origins. Yucca. So many different uses for this desert plant. Soap, sandals, baskets, games, food. Stories of animals. Coyote--that border figure on the edge of the profane and sacred. Deer--Deer Gods giving instruction on how they should be hunted and used.

Pieces of White Shell is a book that I savor again and again. And it always satisfies.

This is an impressive documentation of the annual Holy week pilgrimage to the santuario in the village of Chimayo in the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains in northern New Mexico. The text provides illuminating insights into the history and tradition, both Indian nd Hispanic, of the shrine and the pilgrimage. The photographs, excellently reproduced, present a sensitive, inspired and inspirational, documentation of the people, the place and the journey. There are hikers nad bikers, children, old people, campfires, men bearing crosses, and on the back cover an image that points up the interface between modern life and ancient tradition. It shows a large, illuminated highway department sign that says: "PILGRAMS (sic) EXIT TO FRONTAGE." Quotations, some in Spanish, some in English, illustrate the variety of stories and motivations behind these journeys. This is a magnificent chronicle of an important piece of New Mexico tradition.