New Mexico Books

This is a beautifully written and well-researched story, and to that extent it is a good book. Chuck and Mary Kastner are friends, and frequent visitors to our Bed & Breakfast, so I won't say any more about the book than "Buy it" you won't be disappointed!

The story on the other hand belongs not only to the book, but to American History. The racers formed a cross-section of American society, with some fascinating foreigners thrown in for good measure. The trials and tribulations of all the runners amazed me and their sheer persistence could not help but become fodder for the story. But more than that the story is of ordinary people whose characters and personalities were forever changed by their phenomenal efforts. When the leaders of the race cross into New York State, there is a gesture by the leading racer which brought tears to my eyes. I leave it to you to buy the book and read the story, and admire these Bunioneers.

Whether you're interested in running, history, or African American studies, you'll find this book fascinating. Well written and surprisingly well researched and referenced, Bunion Derby presents the story of the first footrace across the United States. Among the different elements of the footrace Kastner brings to life, the most intriguing is the story of Ed Gardner, an African American competitor from Seattle.
As ultra distance running becomes increasing popular in contemporary times, Bunion Derby reminds us that such feats of endurance and will have been part of the American fiber since well before the term 'ultramarathon' was heard of.

I found this book to be intriguing and inspirational. It is a book that anyone who is interested in the history of distance running should read. It tells the story of the 1928 footrace across the United States and the stories of the brave men who competed in the race. I couldn't put this book down. It was extremely well researched, and the stories of competitors were inspiring. I strongly recommend this book.

Ostensibly a book about running - it is concerned with the cross country foot race from Los Angeles to New York in 1928 - it is so much more. It is a slice of American history, our pride and our shame. Runners and walkers from all over the globe were competing for a $25,000 prize - a vast sum in those days. Many who entered did so for the money and what it might do for their families. It didn't matter that so many of these men lacked the training, the support people, and the proper attire for such an endeavor. C.C. Pyle, the promoter of the race, and all the attendant side show foolishness that capped most days of competition, promised food and housing along the way. (The eleven-foot tall coffee pot fastened on a truck chassis, a famous curiosity of the day, followed the racers and served the runners and staff 90 gallons of coffee a day).

The reality was this: The food Pyle provided was inadequate to such an arduous venture. Lodging was minimal - tents or boxcars barely serving to keep runners out of the worst of the weather. When one of the front runners persisted in publicly complaining about Pyle's lack of sufficient attention to the men, he received a telegram stating that his wife had died. She had, in fact, died several years earlier; the idea was that he would rush home and forget about the race.

The Black runners fared as well, or as poorly, as the rest of the pack until they ran smack into the Jim Crow South. There they were harassed and threatened. Their treatment was referred to by the international runners as "the most disgraceful thing they ever knew anything about."

Kastner has illuminated what was great and what was wrong with America as it was in 1928. Despite the scorching heat of the Mojave, the sleet, the wind, and the altitude of the mountains, the filthy, sweat-soaked clothing and ill-fitting shoes, and threats and humiliation aimed at the Black athletes, 55 men completed the 3,400-mile trek. These men rose to a challenge and would not be daunted. Why did so many put themselves through such an ordeal? As one racer put it, "Every man who finishes such a race is a winner. He has shown strength of heart and purpose, which should uplift him with pride and uplift his children after him."

The 1920's are famous for grandiose stunts and promotions. One of the most arduous was the great bunion derby of 1928. Brainchild of promoter Charles C. Pyle, this was a foot race from California to New York, spotlighting the newly laid Route 66. This grueling race attracted trained athletes from across the United States and beyond. But most participants were amateurs, ill-suited to the trial before them. They came for the glory, or the thrill, or perhaps the $25,000 prize. Of the 199 starters an ama zing 55 men completed the race.

Kastner's account follows African American, Ed Gardner, through the torturous ordeal. This is history that reads like a novel - absorbing and well-paced. Kastner brings into sharp focus the motivation, the perseverance, the will, the grit that made Gardner a hero of his day.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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?

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.

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

...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.

I was really impressed with this cookbook because it is so much more than a cookbook. It has history, culture, food background, and much, much more. In face, it is only part cookbook. I have been fascinated with all that I learned about Santa Fe. I originally bought the book because of a research paper I was doing on Santa Fe, but then I fell in love with the book itself.

There are really some colorful pictures of the foods as well as the city itself.

As far as the recipes, they are easy to follow. It would be easy to cook with these recipes.

Having read and tried recipes from several NM/Santa Fe cookbooks, I feel this one is the one to get. This is the authentic stuff. Although a Californian, I'm a NM visitor and southwest food enthusiast. I grow chiles, mail order what I can't grow properly, make my own tortillas, take this stuff seriously.

The recipes for Carne Adovada, Green Chile Stew,Chicken Enchilada filling, Piquin Chile Salsa are totally great and, if you have the ingredients, very simple. The Carne Adovada recipe, while non-traditional, is off the dial. If you've visited Santa Fe and want to re-live the essence of this earthy, elemental cuisine, get this book.

Directions are simple and direct, pictures are beautiful, local ingredients info and historical background is great. First rate.

Food in Santa Fe is a major part of the style and ambiance of the city. New Mexican regional products, especially chilis and corn, and southwestern cooking styles, everything from barbeque to Tex-Mex to authentic regional Mexican and Indian cooking, are strong influences. But Santa Fe has everything from tiny cantinas with home style New Mexican cooking to 5 star restaurants where New Mexico is an influence, but suave professionalism, integration of tastes, and high presentation is the norm.

The Food of Santa Fe takes you there, telling you about the food, the style, and the best restaurants. We've been to Santa Fe many times and reading the book is like taking a brief (and teasing) visit. I have to head for the kitchen and check out the chili supply. It's also a good way to prepare for a trip -- briefing you on what to expect, what to look for, and where to find the very best examples.

There are many Santa Fe cookbooks -- those from Mark Miller and the Coyote Cafe being the best known -- but this is perhaps a better overview, and a very pretty book to read.

We expect to buy copies for our Santa Fe loving friends as Christmas gifts.

Man! This is a GOOD cookbook. I have many many good cookbooks and this one is just to die for. The recipes are gorgeous to look at and even better to eat. One word of caution, if you are not an experienced home chef and a fairly adventerous eater, tread cautiously. These are restaurant-level creative funky recipes with lots of unusual ingredients. If this is just your speed (as it is mine) then go for it!

Dave and Nancy are gods in the hot and spicy food business. As usual you can expect concise information along with mouth-watering recipes. As host of the television series "The Sonoran Grill" and author of 4 cookbooks, I know good food writing when I see it and this is as good as southwest cooking gets. Just click on "All Books" by either Dave or Nancy and you'll see why they are so qualified to write this important cookbook and why I must add a copy of it to my collection