New Mexico Books

"Hurtado tackles two of the thorniest of historical subjects--frontiers and sexuality. That he does so with good research, style, and wit makes this an enthralling, sophisticated study." (Anne Butler, JOURNAL OF AMERICAN HISTORY)
INTIMATE FRONTIERS "is a truly masterful piece of history that reveals the significance of gender and sexuality in the American West and further proves the importance of the West to the study of American history in general. The book will prove valuable in U.S. survey, women's history, and American West classes as well as popular among more casual readers of history." (Margaret Jacobs, AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW)
"In INTIMATE FRONTIERS Hurtado has pushed discussions of gender and culture in the Borderlands toward a new level of sophistication." (Dedra S. McDonald, NEW MEXICO HISTORICAL REVIEW)
"INTIMATE FRONTIERS, intended for stuidents and the general reader, does a masterful job of explaining in clear, jargon-free language, the theoretical keystones of contemporary gender scholarship. Hurtado's selection of vivid vignettes regarding the Donner Party, Olive Oatman's captivity, and Amelia Kuschinsky's abortion will engage readers." (Sherry L. Smith, WESTERN HISTORICAL QUARTERLY)

I have always been a Jack London fan. However, every one of his stories has long since been read and reread by me and millions of others out there. Now, we have something new to hold onto, even if it is for just a short time. Thank you Gary and Tom for giving me Jack London once again. Perhaps one of you could sign the book for me sometime. What a pleasure. Thank you for intriguing mind-blowing stories. Jack grabs you once again and throws you, (not takes you,) into the very heart of the story.

The Jailing of Cecilia Capture is a well-written novel that addresses the themes of home, purpose, family, struggles, and foremost identity. Hale writes the story without distracting the reader with anything that isn't needed. Of primary interest to native american readers, such as myself, this work looks at a character, who like so many of us, is trying to balance the past with the present, being native with trying to make a living in American society. The way Cecilia Capture stumbles through her identity and difficulties, and somehow manages a precarious balance that works is a valuable lesson in "seeking life". I highly recommend this book to native readers, and to non-Indians who wish to get a glimpse of some of the challenges we natives are faced with. It is also a book with a great independent woman character, who is portrayed in a realistic and appreciable way.

Jim Wagner is the ultimate folk artist. This coffee table book is packed with useable information on folk art and its origins. His whimsical artwork will make one smile and laugh out loud. Has anyone ever seen Santa's sleigh being pulled by fish! . The way he sees the world is beyond most people's imagination. This is a book that can be picked up again and again and each time see a different aspect of his artwork.

Written by a neighbor of Joel Greene who has written professionally about art and artists since 1986, Joel Greene: New Mexico Modernist is a full-color gallery of vibrant oil paintings by Joel Greene, which reduce scenes down to their simplest shapes with a striking flair reminicent of the efforts of Pablo Picasso, yet which offer their own individualist spin on landscapes and still lifes. Comments and essays on the artist's life and creative process fill out the captivating images in this treasury of modern art especially recommended for personal browsing and collections. A truly adventurous compendium offering a gateway into a parallel world of profound images that bring out the dormant truth underneath complex layers of everyday detail.

Every year since 1980 California's University of the Pacific has hosted the John Muir Institutes, reaching top scholars of his work: John Muir: Family, Friends And Adventures gathers essays from those who participated in the 2001 institute, surveying his associates and professional relationships, his friendships, and his major influences. Chapters provide plenty of quotes from letters and source materials in the process of providing a scholarly overview of Muir's life.

The book has excellent photos of most of the work of the mexican academical painter Jose Maria Velasco, who made mainly landscapes of the Valley of Mexico, Oaxaca, and some other places. His history, his life and his works are described with great knoweldge by his descendant Ma. Elena Altamirano. The book is a must for everybody who likes to know the painting in Mexico at the end of XIX and the begining of XX century.

Josefina is part of The American Girls Collection. This paper doll set makes a wonderful addition to the books. In addition to the doll and her 10 outfits and pet goat Sombrita, there is also a storybook to assemble. There is a sheet of instructions for using the stand and making the book and accessory envelope. There is also a card to send away for an American Girls Catalog. The cardboard envelope she comes in can be used to store everything. Josefina, Sombrita and their stands come on heavy card stock. Her outfits, accessories, and book pages come on glossy paper. They are beautifully colored. Josefina lived in 1824 New Mexico when it was still part of Mexico. The odd book pages tell a story about Josefina; the even pages give historical information about New Mexico and the life there. The backs of the outfits and accessories give their names. The large items give details about how they were made, when worn, where the material came from and how to cut them out and use the accessories. In addition to the clothing there are jars and pots, food and decorations, books, toys and even a piano. The outfits range from work clothes to party clothes for summer and winter. You get a real feel for what life was like back then. This is a wonderful paper doll. While it's great for readers of The American Girls books, it's also appropriate for anyone interested in Hispanic culture.

Reviewer, Dr. Janet M. Carey from Littleton, CO
Within this extremely interesting and timely book Sexton translates Tzutuhil Mayan Ignacio Bizarro Ujpan's diary entries of eleven years from 1987 to 1998. Sexton's Introduction expertly presents a backdrop of the historical, political and cultural contexts the Guatemalan Indian people find themselves in today as they attempt to survive the modern political climate in their ancient land. Sexton skillfully blends Bizarro's eyewitness accounts of the horror resulting from being Indian in Guatemala. Bizarro tells the story of his people as they cope with being caught between opposing forces of state military troops and the guerrilla bands that have wrapped Guatemala in decades of civil violence.
Via Bizarro's graphic personal narrative, Sexton excitingly and sometimes somewhat sadly, brings to the reader the ongoing, heartbreaking realities experienced by Bizarro, his family and friends. Throughout this book it is evident, despite unbelievable hardship, that the Guatemalan Mayan Indian people continue to love their country and sense of place. Bizarro's statement of, "that is why I say that in Guatemala there is no peace," is followed with his words, "Guatemala is such a beautiful country, so good that God has placed its green countryside in the center of America, where the little birds sing their songs in praise of God All-Powerful. But it's a pity that my beautiful country is going everyday from bad to worse. Every day they [current political regimes] are bathing it with the blood of their [Mayan] children who loved so much this beautiful land of the quetzal."
Sexton's ability to pursue the anthropological method of life-history fieldwork with Bizarro, which now spans more than three decades, is not commonplace. Bizarro and Sexton have collaborated for a period of over thirty years. This fascinating, firsthand account of the modern Tzutuhil Mayan lifeway as told by Bizarro and translated by Sexton, is only made possible through their long, continuous relationship. Bizarro's is a most touching story. Sexton, in his choice of photographs, illustrations and admirable organization of the book, brings together the beauty and the strength of the Tzutuhil Mayan culture around Lake Atitlan as Bizarro tells how his people live with modern-day political dramas as they unfold in the highlands of Guatemala.

As a genealogist, I found this book to be a treasure...as a history buff, I found this book to be very informative and interesting...leaned a great deal. I am mystified that Juan Baustista de Anza is never given more credit than he deserved in the history books...I highly recommend this book, it is well written and very insightful into not only the man, but the times and locations as well.