New Mexico Books

History, a great story and an authentic historical craft! Not only that, but just the right size for girl-sized hands. A+++++++ Cannot be beat!

"Again, Josefina!" is one of the "American Girls Short Stories" series of books for younger readers. Written by Valerie Tripp and illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles, this volume tells a tale about Josefina, who lives with her family on a New Mexico rancho in 1824. Josefina decides to learn to play the piano, but discovers that playing a musical instrument is harder than she expected.

An enjoyable story is nicely complemented by the warm, nicely detailed illustrations. The story is accompanied by a number of enjoyable supplemental features. There is a "Meet the Author" page. Also, "A Peek into the Past" takes a historical look at life in New Mexico in Josefina's time; this supplement is illustrated with reproductions of art and artifacts. "An American Girls Pastime" gives instructions on how to dance la Vaquerita, a traditional dance of New Mexico. Finally, there is a glossary of Spanish words used throughout the book: "cuentos," "rancho," etc. The whole book is about 50 pages long, making it perfect for readers who may not be ready to tackle a full-length novel. Overall, a well-done entry in the series.

"Again, Josefina" is the second book published in the series of Josefina short stories. The setting of the story takes place shortly after the book "Josefina Learns a Lesson". Josefina is fascinated with Tia Dolores's piano and the wonderful music that Tia Dolores can make with it. Tia Dolores is willing to teach Josefina how to play, but Papa wonders if Josefina will be able to manage it with her chores and school lessons. Josefina persuades him to let her learn how to play the piano, but is quickly a disenchanted learner when she realizes that she must start from the beginning and practice more then she has time to do. When Josefina feels that she is not making progress, she asks Papa if she can quit. Instead of allowing her to quit, Josefina is challenged to find a way to practice. She is a clever child, and she finds a way to practice even when she is not sitting at the piano. Then, she finds her joy in playing the piano and acceptance for herself as a learner when her toddler nephew happily "dances" to her imperfect piano playing. This short story is an excellent tale of the frustration of learning something new, and the value of doing something for pleasure instead of perfection.

This is another one of the American Girls Short Stories series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. Josefina always loved watching her aunt Dolores playing the piano, and when she agrees to teach her how to play Josefina is overjoyed. However, very quickly, her piano lessons turn into drudgery, and Josefina begins to get discouraged. But, through the joy she brings to one listener, Josefina learns about trying again.

The final chapter of this book is a look at life on a New Mexican rancho, plus a quick lesson on a Mexican dance, la vaquerita. As with the other books in this wonderful series, Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations are excellently done, complimenting the story throughout.

This is another wonderful addition to the Josefina library. My daughter and I both enjoyed the story for itself, and I like the lesson it taught. My daughter and I both highly recommend this book!

I loved this book. It's part of the American Girls Collection. I've read a few other books in this collection, but That was years ago. I was happy to have enjoyed this book a much as the others. This is an easy read, even for younger readers. Perfect gift for young girls. I especially enjoyed the end of the book which has activities that the reader can do in order to feel like they are a part of the story too. Check out this book!

This book, though not my favorite of the series, is a good conclusion to Josefina's and her family's story. The six books in this series deal (among other topics) with the family's grief after the death of their mother. In this book, the family has 'closure.' While they still miss and love their mother, they are all ready to move on to happier times. This book will be best understood if some or all of the books in the series are read first.

The books are organized into life phases and seasons, and this book is a good read about a girl growing up in the southwest.

This is another one in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, the Christmas season ends with a successful party. However, just as the new year begins with a high note, Josefina feels the world pulled out from under her when her aunt Dolores announces that she is leaving the rancho and returning to Santa Fe. They are happier with Tia Dolores living with them, and they know that their father is. And so, the sisters begin their scheming...

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at the changes New Mexico experienced as it changed over the years. I must also mention that Jean-Paul Tibbles' lovely illustrations are an excellent addition to the story.

This final book in the Josefina story is every bit as wonderful as the first one, and definitely maintains the American Girls' tradition of excellence. The story is exciting and entertaining, and I especially liked how the author wove Josefina's faith into it, making it appear the natural part of her life that it would have been. My daughter and I loved this book, and we both recommend it to you and your daughter.

About a girl named Josefina who lives in 1824. She is Mexican and lives on a ranch with her dad and sisters and aunt. Her mom died two years ago. Her aunt who she calls Tia Dolores is going to leave and Josefina wants her to stay. Will her daring plan work?

Josefina Montoya and her three older sisters are shocked when Tia Dolores, their aunt who came to help out the family after their mother died, is leaving the Montoya rancho to go live with her parents in Santa Fe. Josefina and her sisters know Tia Dolores belongs with them - but all their plans seem to make things worse, until Josefina finds the courage to speak up to her father, bringing changes for the whole family.

I loved this book. It is a terrific introduction to the Spanish Conquest. I now live in the West, but was raised in the East. It's true - the winners get to write history. I never knew much about Coronado or the Spanish in shaping our country, but Coronado was here in what is now the US long before Jamestown or Plymouth Rock. Preston moves back in forth between the history of the Southwest and his experience retracing Coronado's trail in the present. He was both incredibly foolish to make the trip and incredibly lucky to have survived it. It is a fascinating book.

I picked up the hardcover version of Cities of Gold on a whim, only to discover it is a true treasure. This book opens the door onto a piece of history you only thought you learned in junior high school, painting it with a rich description of the desert Southwest and its past and present inhabitants and explorers. Doug Preston's ill-conceived and incredibly fortunate adventure provides the backdrop for a rich tapestry, weaving together the history of the environment, peoples, and attitudes of the region. It's an absolutely fascinating portrait of what it must have been like to explore one of the most forbidding landscapes in North America. Although Coronado never found the gold he was searching for, his journey, and Doug Preston's retracing and retelling of it, are now our bonanza.

This is a book that keeps your attention.. a present-day journey of the unexpected...just as Coronado's excursion was only 5 centuries ago. I learned more about Arizona's early early history (even before it was Arizona) and more recent history than I ever knew. I believe students here in Arizona should be required to read it! Not necessarily as the bible of truth, but it would go a loooong way towards putting their own homeland in perspective.

I give my dog-eared copy to friends and acquaintances from "back East"...they read it before they visit, and immediately have a context for their visit and what they see here.

I sometimes watch the sunset over the Sierra Madres from a quiet peak near the border that is part of the Coronado National Monument. It's impossible to see any signs of civilization there in the southern panorama...easier to imagine Coronado's entry ...with the help of this book.

That dreaded day will soon be here -- when I' done with this book! I have loved it from page 1 to now, almost 400 pages later. Things I will keep from riding along with Mr. Preston: the incredible amount of research done around the multitude of places, people and events. The masterful retelling of all of the above. The intricate inter-weaving of past and present, and how 'the twain always meet'. Would have been appreciated: some of Walter's photographs as illustrations. Reading this book makes me yearn for the next Douglas Preston, and many more with the same combination of author/place/subject. Thanks, Douglas!

Fantastic use of history and modern day adventure. History written as it happens. Similar to Michener in the range of history covered, but done in a way that brings it more to life. Highly recommended.

I used this guide for a recent visit to Santa Fe, the most interesting and artsy/craftsy city of 60,000 people in the U.S. The photography and the maps in the guide are outstanding. Hotels and restaurants are described in helpful and interesting detail. The guide covers not only Santa Fe but also a good sized chunk of surrounding territory, including Taos, smaller and even more literary and artistic than Santa Fe; the atomic city of Los Alamos; scenic, old Hispanic mountain towns; and even Chaco Canyon, the prehistoric ruin hidden in the desert now inhabited by the Navajo.

Nearby Albuquerque, however, is not covered in the book -- an omission that probably should be remedied as Albuquerque has attractions of its own -- excellent museums and a walk through the bosques of the Rio Grande, for example. Nor did I find directions to the grave of author D.H. Lawrence near Taos so I made my way there unguided. Another criticism is that the author's brief essays about Chaco Canyon and Taos' most famous resident, Kit Carson, were eccentric and perhaps not to the point.

The Indian/Hispanic/Anglo culture of New Mexico is probably the most unique and colorful regional culture of the United States and is celebrated in enough art galleries and literature to last a lifetime. My favorite places to visit: a tie between the Bradbury Museum of Science in Los Alamos, which has a mock-up of the first atomic bomb, and remote Chaco Canyon. All in all, this is an attractive and reliable guide to the attractions of Santa Fe and its region.

Smallchief

I am going to visit Santa Fe for a few days and to do a job interview there. I wanted a book that would give me all the information I needed about Santa Fe and the surroundings so that I could come up with a list of places I wanted to visit, restaurants I wanted to eat at, and so on. I definitely recommend this book for those who want to be able to have a clear picture of where they want to go once they reach Santa Fe!

I love Santa Fe and have been there numerous times. I'm always looking for new aspects of the city to see. I like this guide book because it is not mearly a list of places to stay and eat. I agree with the places recommended as some of the highlights of the city. I look forward to my next trip to enjoy some of the new things I've read to do in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.

We just got back from Santa Fe. This book was wonderful! It has history, what to see (museums, ruins, architecture), where to eat (an interesting list -- we didn't particularly use it because we had personal referrals). It had great tips -- like buy the 5-museum pass for slightly more than a one-museum, one-day pass. I was very pleased I'd read it BEFORE I went and it was very useful while we were there.

We found this book to be very, very informative on where to go in Santa Fe as well as fun side trips complete with a "how to find the onion lady" on the road from Taos. Fabulous photography. Great historical and cultural detail as well. Highly recommend the Compass American Guides.

I have had this book sitting around for awhile, and finally tried it. I'm a vegetarian, and this book is more meat oriented. I tried a couple of the recipes, inlcuding the tamales. Those were the best tamales I have ever eaten. Even better than Richard's in Albuquerque. The Coyote Cafe is hands down my favorite restaurant, and this book is definitely representative of the food from there. I highly recommend it.

My father and I have been making the carnitas tamales with the Manchamantel Sauce for years for Christmas, and I have yet to have served them to someone who did not say that they were the best tamales they had ever eaten... The rest of the recipes in this book are also delicious... I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves southwestern cuisine!

Truly a spectacular cookbook, Mark Miller has recipes that will delight the senses and make you a hero at any dinner party. The ingredient combinations play off of each other and offer unique twists on traditional southwestern cooking. As one very familar with the southwest and it's cuisine, this book ranks as enticing and innovative. The recipes are foolproof and easy to follow, but you will need to adhere to the fresh ingredients rule-- no canned black beans, or frozen corn for these recipes, stick with fresh and you can not fail. Unlike some other cookbooks that feature regional cuisine, Coyote Cafe includes complete recipes that you do not need to tinker with and that are tested. So go ahead cook with Miller and howl at the moon!

I had to finally find out about the recipes from this well known author and his book, restaurant and more. Solid and innovative recipes, well written it won't take you long to find some new recipes. I have just begun to look through and try some. Try some mexican southwestern food that is different and not a lot of mus and fuss.This book is a winner.

This is a wonderful collection of great southwestern recipes that work. The author Mark Miller has introduced Cajun and Creole elements into many of his recipes making them unique without sacrificing the southwestern charachter of the dishes presented. Each and every dish is definately worthy of calling itself southwestern.

Definately comprehensive this book covers with a plethora of recipes in 10 chapters anything you may be looking for to fill your southwestern Table. The chapters covered are: cocktails, salsas, sauces and soups, appetizers and salads, Tamales, seafood and fish, game and fowl, meat, desserts and breads and what the author refers to as his bag of tricks which is an assortment of staple dishes that you will find in just about any tex-mex restaurant.

Particularly useful to me I found the Tamales chapter which apart from some basic principles on preparing tamales, includes 16 different recipes.

On the negative side, I found the book very difficult to use as the print of the recipes is extremely small. As I am over 40 and my eyesight is not what it was 20 years ago, I have had to scan and enlarge the recipes that I have used in order to use them. Other than that this is a good buy and a good addition to your cookbook library!

Ours is a mixedblood family of Choctaw/Chickasaw and African American blood so we've gone out of our way to raise our children with books about both cultures and found a gem in Crossing Bok Chitto. My daughter so loved the book that she read it all over the house after we read it together. My twelve year old picked it up out of curiosity and enjoyed it as well. My daughter now wants to go to Philadelphia, Mississippi to see Bok Chitto herself!

This story is ideal for teachers to use when covering The Underground Railroad with their students. The illustrations throw the reader back to a time when Native Americans and African Americans worked together to achieve freedom and independence. Students will enjoy the simple plot; and teachers will appreciate this rich piece of literature that can help them discuss a rather difficult topic--that of slavery and escape to freedom.

An excellent tale of friendship and compassion between enslaved Africans and oppressed Native Americans. It is sure to spark interest and research on how they worked together to help one another during the time of American slavery.

I am a little biased, since I have met the author and heard him recite this story in a storytelling gathering, but the story is awesome. It is moving, relevant and I would like everyone I know to hear this story of sacrifice, friendship and courage. The peaceful and courageous ways of native Americans is shown well in the story of a brave child and her family who think nothing to risk their own lives for an African American family whose mother is slated to be sold into slavery. It gives me chills every time I hear it or read it. An all time favorite of mine and is for all ages.

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale Of Friendship And Freedom, by Tim Tingle and featuring illustrations by Jeanne Rorex Bridges is the inspiring tale of Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl. Following Martha Tom through her pursuit of blackberries in the deep forest, Crossing Bok Chitto will captivate young readers with vivid and colorful pictures as the young Native American girl stumbles upon a forbidden slave church and befriends one of its members. A welcome addition to school and community library picturebook collections, Crossing Bok Chitto is very highly recommended for all young readers as a celebration of diversity, acceptance, and unity in a remarkable production of expert authorship and invaluable illustrations.

I bought several books before this one and I basically wasted my money! Finally I am able to identify the odes that I have photographed in the field. This is a must have for anyone interested in dragonflies and damselflies!

This is not a book that you can skim; rather, it is one intended for the serious student of Odonata in Texas. Written by an acknowledged expert in the field, it covers everything you might want to know about the dragonflies found in Texas.

Be warned, though, that you cannot approach this book lightly. The author uses scientific terms liberally: you will have to spend time acquiring the vocabulary.

For the serious Texas "Odo-nut" this is an absolutely essential part of your library.

I have several guides for birds, butterflies, snakes, reptiles and amphibians. I just started learn about dragonflies this year and this is one of the best guides I have seen. In fact, it was highly recommended by an individual who has a Masters Degree in dragonfly study. I recommend it for individuals just starting out with dragonflies as the photos are great but it also provides enough information (range maps) to let you narrow down and identify the more difficult species.

This field guide is the one to own. It covers not only all the dragonflies of Texas and the Southcentral US, but all the damselflies as well. The photographs are superb and this make for easy identification of species in the field. However, because of these pluses, the result is a rather sizable guide that is just a bit too heavy to really qualify as a handy field guide. If you can deal with its size and weight, it more than makes up for this handicap in thes helpful information it provides. The only drawback and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, is because it is a tad less user friendly for the novice or non-professional (i.e. The species identification keys are a bit confusing). Nevertheless, it is destined to become the standard to measure all other guides.

As an admirer of dragonflies and damselflies I was quite delighted to find this book by John C. Abbott. It is a mix of the very technical and (at least in part because of the 64 plates of magnificent color photos) the very useful for the non-specialist. The range maps are invaluable as a way of adding clues for the identification of similar species. The line drawings of anatomical parts are important in separating closely related species and the glossary of terms, the check list, and the large bibliography round out a very useful or even indispensable volume for the dragonfly watcher. In short, this book is a serious guide to an area with the highest odonate diversity in the United States. "Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United States" simply is a must for anyone interested in the odonate fauna of the five states involved. Its production, along with at least three earlier regional and national books on the subject, is a testimonial to the growing popularity of these beautiful and fascinating insects.

I was married to Carobeths grandson. I disagree with the other 2 reviews. Carobeth was a proud, highly intelligent woman who's special ability to learn language was just what Harrington was looking for. He set her up to record the languages and moved on to the next village. The two of them compiled the only known documentation of many California Indian languages and mythology. True, he was obsessed, but aren't all researchers?

J.P. Harrington's drive to collect the words of dying American Indian languages pushed him towards obsession and frustration. Not content with his ability as a human to collect this information, he married one of his energetic students, Carobeth Laird. While the novel provides insight into linguistic field work, it also demonstrates the side effects of immersing oneself in work to such an extent that the every day in lost. Laird's account is not about Harrington alone, but also about her struggle as a woman within the burgeoning field of anthropology

Carobeth Laird was the wife of the legendary John P. Harrington, one of a group of "new" anthropologists rushing to record the fast disappearing culture of the aborigine Californians. Native studies was not considered respectable work by establishment academia.

Field anthropology, with its hard physical work, was dominated by tough men. None were tougher and more determined than Harrington.

Everything in turn-of-the-century California was changing at a breathtaking pace. What was happening to the Indians, the bulldozers were doing the same to this rural State.

Into this maelstrom walked in Laird, a pampered middle class girl with her Sunday hat. How she coped, eventually abandoning Harrington for one of his Indian informers, is the story of this book. Sensitive sketches, tender recounts of the loves of her life -- Laird writes very well.

...or maybe a bit of both. This is a simply fabulous book that talks about John Peabody Harrington's noble fight to record the dying languages of the dying Southwest Indian cultures -- and his utter lack of understanding when it comes to the needs of humans, particularly his wife. It's got love, sex, drama, linguistics -- what more can you ask for in a book? I've read it over and over, yet I will read it again, I'm sure.

I picked up this book not really knowing what it was about, but as soon as I began reading, I was hooked. This true story was written when the author was in her 70s. She depicts the life of a student of anthropolgy early in the 20th century, and the indiginous people on the west coast whose history she and her famous husband were trying to preserve. More fascinating, however, is the love story which creeps into the narrative almost without the reader realizing it. It is an intimate story of two people who, according to the culture at the time, should never have been together, but who found a simple and profound joy in being together. The author's strength of character shines through this book.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy frontier sagas that are not sugar coated. I enjoyed this book as much as Willa Cather's novels. Another great read is The Mirror.

This book was so fascinating that I didn't want to finish reading it because I loved the characters so much. The author really takes you back into the lives of all of the intriguing people in her story. A wonderful escape for anyone who loves historical novels. I'll be ready for more books from this wonderful writer.

The reader feels the struggles and hardships of this pioneer woman as she strives to cross into Indian Territority with her family. One also shares in the successes in her life. This story is based on a true account of the life of one woman in the family and names have been changed to prevent offending family members.

This author is gifted in expression of thoughts and feelings, as well as describing situations.

I knew Margarite from when I was a child because some of the characters are my Family. I grew up meeting a lot of these people and getting to know my history Margarite was a great writer and the story is almost true to life from the stories that I heard. Margarite was a great person and friend to the family up until My grandparents passed away. Please read it will give the insight of what life was like for these people so rich in the land and the ranchers that worked in Arizona and the women who stood by their men working and working side by side on the saddle raising children like my great grandmother.

We all love Marguerite in this part of Arizona. She always has a hug and a big smile for everyone. She lived a rough life on the Arizona frontier but it polished her into a living pearl. Her book tells it like it was. Filaree is FACTION, not fiction. It's required reading in this country.

Nice read about a very interesting woman and her exceptional collection of Native American art. I look forward to viewing the collection next time I am in Taos.

Painstakingly compiled and with an expert, knowledgeable commentary by Shelby J. Tisdale, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest: The Millicent Rogers Museum Collection offers an impressively informative history and survey of the southwestern Native American jewelry that is represented in the collection of the Millicent Rogers Museum as the result of art patron and passionate collector Millicent Rogers who assembled a spectacular collection of Navajo and Zuni silver and turquoise, Hopi silverwork, and Pueblo stone and shell jewelry during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Of special interest is the chapter devoted to "The Origins of Indian Jewelry in the Southwest". Profusely illustrated and a very strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies reference collections, Fine Indian Jewelry Of The Southwest is enhanced for scholars and non-specialist general readers alike with the inclusion of a glossary, references, and an index.

I HAVE ORDERED SEVERAL BOOKS FROM AMAZON AND THEY ARE EXPEDIENT AND HAVE A GOOD BOOKS AT A GREAT PRICE. AVAILABILITY GREAT. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO BUSINESS WITH AMAZON AND THEIR SERVICE. THANK YOU, BECKY DYER

If you like Indian Jewelry but can't get to the museum in Taos this is a great first book on the subject. If you do go to the Millicent Rodgers Museum, this is the book to help you savor that grand experience for many years to come. And it's a great reference work if you are contemplating investing in Zuni or Navajo jewelry.

Wilford's Trading Post
Gallup, New Mexico

This is a glorious book of Southwest Indian Jewelry with interesting info on Millicent Rogers, who herself was a work of art.

A must-have for collectors of Southwest Indian Jewelry.