Southwest Books

Charles Cutter, professor at Purdue University and all-around nice guy, has written a superb overview of an often overlooked aspect of Spanish frontier history. Son of legendary Borderlands historian Donald Cutter, Charles proves himself a premier historian of the period in his own right.

Charles Cutter, professor at Purdue University and all-around nice guy, has written a superb overview of an often overlooked aspect of Spanish frontier history. Son of legendary Borderlands historian Donald Cutter, Charles proves himself a premier historian of the period in his own right.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/06)

Malcolm Beck is an expert in organic gardening and shares his expertise in a concise, informative book "Lessons in Nature." He covers composting, fertilizing, mulching, insecticides, as well as tree and lawn care, gardening, beneficial insects and everything else you need to know to create an organic atmosphere in your yard or farm.

I have personally composted yard and kitchen waste for many years and found Beck's writing on composting confirming that I am doing the right thing. Beck indicates that kitchen wastes (vegetables and fruits) have ample nitrogen to create compost. I was always under the impression that heat within the compost pile itself is necessary, however, Beck advises that heat is not necessary. His comment is "I have never seen a forest floor heat up." He further explains, "Nature demands that all organic materials be recycled. The carbon cycle must be completed. Composting is Nature's way of recycling."

The other area of interest in Beck's book was mulching. There are many opinions of what type of mulch should be used, however, Beck suggests that compost is the best type of mulch, with corn cobs being second best. He also keeps reiterating to mimic a forest floor.

Beck's "Lessons in Nature" is a must for anyone wanting to start organic gardening. It is full of to the point information that is written in a lay person's terms. The information is easy to understand and simple of implement into your own garden, whether it be a small backyard garden, a large farm, or a balcony potted garden.

Lifelong organic farmer Malcolm Beck presents Lessons in Nature: 50 Years of Organic Advice from the Southwest's Foremost Composter, Gardener, Farmer, now in a new and expanded edition. Lessons in Nature walks the reader through the numerous details, tips, tricks, and techniques to pursuing successful organic gardening. Chapters address everything from organic insecticides to tree and lawn care, fertilization, organic weed control, how to rejuvenate a worn-out farm, and much more. A valuable "how-to" guide for hobbyist gardeners and serious organic farmers alike, illustrated with black-and-white photographs, Lessons in Nature enthusiastically recommended for its firsthand wisdom.

Manuel Antonio Chaves, New Mexican pioneer, Indian fighter, soldier, and rancher, made quite a reputation for himself during his lifetime (1818-1889). Born at Cebolleta, northwest of Albuquerque, Chaves first gained prominence as a foe of his corrupt uncle, the Governor of New Mexico, Manuel Armijo. He participated in the Mexican War and distinguished himself at the Battle of Taos Pueblo. In 1855 he was a captain of New Mexican volunteers in the Ute-Jicarilla War and rode against the Apaches on the Gila River in 1857. In the Civil War, he guided troops at Glorieta Pass, helping assure a Union victory. After the war he settled down to a rancher's life near San Mateo where he died in 1889.

Even though Chaves participated in a number of important events in the development of the Southwest, he was not a major figure in terms of the historical record. Not much has been written about him, and Simmons had quite a task before him to present an adequate picture of the man. He's done an admirable job, however, and the book is an interesting and informative account of El Leoncito.

Marc Simmons has done a wonderful job documenting the Southwest through many of his writings. In "The Little Lion of the Soutwest" he brings to life Manuel Antonio (Duran y) Chaves. Manuel lived through a drastically changing political environment of what he considered his homeland since when the Duran y Chaveses first found their way into what is now the American Southwest in the early 1600s. Simmons documents Manuel's childhood, military service, and livelihood through his son, Amado's collection, and other historical documentation. Mr. Simmons puts a face on some of the personalities that helped shape (what is now) New Mexico during the 1800s.

These are the tales of which my family grew up on. This story reminiscents to how well our great+ grandfathers lived compared to what resulted when many hispanic families were pushed off their lands. As a child, I remember hearing tales about the dealings with the Native Americans, having huge herds of cattle and sheep, and that there were a few in the family who fought in the old wars. During that time, I chalked these up as family "fish tales". In reading "The Little Lion", some of these myths come to life. Mr. Simmons helps in piecing together a history of what one great man of the Chavez family went through. For this I am grateful to read about because my fifth great grandfather was one of Manuel Antonio's uncles. Mr. Simmons writing's on Manuel Antonio Chavez makes many proud of the honor of being part of this "Distinctive American Clan".

This book is one I will always cherish, knowing someone took the time in giving a voice to a few lives of the Southwest. This is the stuff that should be taught in American History.

This book has given me much needed insight to gardening. From planning to preparation and maintaining in arid enviornments of the Western United States. Very colorful photographs with decriptions which are easy to follow. A good quality book.

This is the most comprehensive book I've found yet about flower gardening in the desert. Color pictures accompany each entry. Both the botanical and the common names of flowers are listed as well as other pertinent information. I am constantly referring to it. This and Sunset's WESTERN GARDEN BOOK are my bibles for gardening in the desert.

The text and the photos are nice separately; together they make a masterpiece. This is much more than a coffee table book. It is preserving a way of life. A way of life that, sadly, most of America is far removed from.

Great book to have on the coffee table. Fabulous photos and interesting stories about real life kids and cowboys. I also like to sit and read it with my Grandchildren.

My brother-in-law handed me this book one day and said it was worth reading. I had no idea who Colin Fletcher was or what the book was about. I learned a lot about Colin Fletcher, the guru of walking, but even more about a remarkable man who's life would have passed unnoticed had Mr. Fletcher not stumbled on a very remote cave south of Las Vegas Nevada in the late 1960s. This man had come to live in the cave for part of a year and Mr. Fletcher decided to find out who and why a person would choose to live there. Through tough detective work the author develops some leads about when the habitation of the cave occurred and what sort of person lived there. The man in question turns out to be a very colorful prospector and through amazing luck and perseverance Fletcher uncovers his life story. He finds this man to be much like himself. Mr. Fletcher portrays him as both saint and sinner at times, but always makes him human. Quite a good read.

In my opinion, this is one of the more fascinating of Colin Fletcher's very enjoyable writings. While pursuing an on-going project of walking the length of the Colorado River, Fletcher discovered a lonely cave in Nevada with evidence that a remarkable individual had called it home sometime in the early part of the century. Fletcher wondered who this could have been, and what had led him to this very out-of-the-way location (as Colin Fletcher himself had been led there). Years of research and discovery, aided by a not inconsequential amount of dumb luck, led Fletcher to the most probable identity of the cave dweller, and he also learned much about American history along the way. This book is a real-life mystery; it is a biography of "Chuckawalla Bill" Simmons and of Colin Fletcher himself; and like all of Colin Fletcher's books, it is also a work of philosopy. Not surprisingly, the "Man From the Cave" proves to be a man very much like Colin Fletcher himself.

Masked Gods is a truly amazing book, providing deep insights into the wisdom of the Native Americans of the American Southwest. Reading what these native people knew decades ago puts our present superficialities to shame. As a university professor, Masked Gods shows me just how limited our "well documented" and "practical" data of the early 21st century really is. Frank Waters, where are you how that we really need you?

I had the privilege of meeting and talking with Frank Waters 1-on-1 in 1992, when he autographed my first edition of Masked Gods. He was as remarkable as his contributions to the collective knowledge of Native American peoples. Masked Gods is unmatched as a chronicle of the spiritual worlds of the major cultures of the vast Colorado Plateau area Waters roamed for much of his life. Beautifully written, it was discounted by many academics for its romantic point of view, but it has lasted far longer than most standard texts on anthropology. Waters spent his life experiencing and writing about mysticism and NA cultures; in my opinion this personal commitment elevates much of his work above others in the field. He was nominated for the Nobel prize several times, but never won. Some judges' commentary included the knock that he was "too regional", a palpably political statement (how regional was Gordimer's winning work on South Africa?).
To really appreciate Masked Gods, you should also read The Book of the Hopi and The Man Who Killed the Deer. This trio of books is indispensable to understanding Native american history and culture.

I am always skeptical about books written on Mexico by foreigners. However, Michael Hogan who has lived in the country for more than a decade is a careful, although often critical and sometimes humorous, observer. He also has an obvious love and affinity for the Mexican character and writes about it accurately and well. The book contains observations on the effect of globalization on the Mexican economy, a night at a Mexican concert with the Tigres del Norte, a revolution in Chiapas, a university riot,a meeting with Fidel Castro when he comes to Guadalajara, as well as more tranquil moments riding in the forests or hiking the mountains.
The book is far better than any tour guides I have read, especially of the Guadalajara area, both with its descriptions of the people and the flora and fauna. It is an expatriate equivalent to the Labyrinth of Solitude by Octavio Paz, who by the way, is an inspiring presence in several of the essays.
For someone visiting Mexico for the first time, this is a valuable handbook. For someone who has chosen Mexican as their adopted country it provides clear evidence that it was a correct choice. For all Mexicans living outside the country, and for those who have visited and not yet returned, it clearly evokes the love and the longing that so many have for this land south of the border. Hogan writes lovingly of the person and the poetry of Richard Shelton here as well. For those, like myself, who are enarmored by the Tucson poet, it is a refreshing visit to an old friend who also has strong conenctions to Mexico. All in all, a wonderful read. Hogan has an accesible style with occasional flashes of brilliance and a quiet but poignant wit.

This is Dr. Michael Hogan's latest book, a collection of essays written over the past decade while the author has lived and taught in Guadalajara, Mexico. This is quite possibly his best book, displaying a wide range of topics and an incredible maturity and intelligence that only comes when one's perspectives have been expanded. In one essay, "Letter to a Troubled Student," he deals with the Zapatista uprising of Chiapas, Mexico, telling his student that it is not scary that a group of Indians are taking on the Mexican government, but that, in any war, the truth is always the first victim. To him, and to a lot of us, that is truly scary. Through this essay, marked for its open-mindedness and its intelligence, Hogan is able to explain how his fears transcend the egocentric level, acheiving a greater understanding and universality.
This is the modus operandi for the rest of the book, which is a collection of essays written in Mexico over a period of the past ten years. They relate the expatriate experience, but they differ from other expatriate books because these essays are observations told through the eyes of a person who is committed to the lifelong quest of knowledge, a person who is committed to learning about his surroundings. All the essays are examples of a deep thought process, and one gets the realization that the author is just as much the teacher as he is the student.
One of the best examples of this, and also one of the defining elements of the book itself is the obvious influence that Mexican Poet Octavio Paz had and still has on Hogan's life. Paz's presence is everywhere in the book; the musicality of his poetry helping Hogan the young boy overcome his stuttering problem, the incisive nature of his essays helping Hogan the teacher in teaching the Odyssey to his ninth graders, the profound depth of his social critiques helping Hogan the human being understand humanity and the Mexican better.
This book is a deep, insightful study into the psychology of the expatriate. In my opinion it is a peer to that other great book about the human condition, "The Labyrinth of Solitude." It is also the only expatriate book that is fully able to document the reasons why a person chooses to leave his home country. It interacts with the reader on many levels, displaying intelligence, while appealing to the poets, the teachers, the scholars, the human beings in all of us. It also displays a deep love for a country that is not the native land for the author, nor for many expatriates. And it is this love that makes the book, and the essays within so compelling. I am reminded at this point, while searching for the place to end my review, of some lyrics from the song "Atlanta" by the Stone Temple Pilots.

"Visions of Mexico seduce me,
It goes to my head so carefully."

"The desert provides shelter for predators. The cactus wren builds its nest amid boughs of thorns to protect its young from pack rats and king snakes. The poisonous centipede wraps its soft tentacles around an unfortunate insect and fondles its victim in lethal foreplay. Even the ubiquitous roadrunner, famous of stage and screen, earns its supper by plundering the burrows of sand squirrels and by using its sharp beak to slash the throats of baby cottontails." Thus begins a novel of murder and intrigue that engages the tensions between differing cultural backgrounds and between those who would conserve the desert and those who would destroy it. Of Cherokee ancestry, Cramer's character, Linda Bluenight, quit her job as a forensic anthropologist in Kansas City and moved with her son, Matty, to teach Tohono O'odham ("Papago") children on the reservation west of Tucson, Arizona. Cramer introduces many interesting characters who represent different and sometimes conflicting cultural perspectives. In the tradition of Tony Hillerman, she intersperses snippets of knowledge about local Native American cultures in a manner that neither detracts from the plot nor impedes enjoyment of her novel. She also weaves some of the region's pressing environmental issues into the plot. I highly recommend Mission to Sonora to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery. I also recommend it as a supplement to anthropology classroom readings for its insights into important cross-cultural issues in the Southwest.

Rebecca Cramer, Johnson County College anthropologist, has penned her first novel, a mystery set in the modern world of the Native Americans on a reservation west of Tucson. Often called the Papagos,their name for themselves is the Tohono O'odham, and Cramer has researched them very thoroughly, even learning a bit of their language. An Anglo family dynasty has developed , centered around purchasing large tracts of land just outside the Tohono O'odham land and converting it into expensive homes, walling off access to the rugged terrain, archaeological sites,and magnificent views to all but the wealthy. Benton Brody, in the top echelon of that family, is murdered in the very reion he exploited. His body is found very quickly, much more quickly than the murderer intended. Teenager Matt Bluenight loves that country, and it is his observation of the circling buzzards which leads to the discovery. Linda, Matt's single-parent mom, teaches at the reservation school,but she left a forensic position to do so. She is called in for initial help, and of course is involved as Matt's mother as well. Linda, like the author who creates her, is of Cherokee ancestry. Ramon Morena,a Tohono O'odham youth of good repute, is charged with the murder when a tip leads the police to find Benton's credit cards in his room. Linda doesn't believe Ramon could have done it, and her feelings intensify when Ramon is found dead in his cell. The police are willing to call it a suicide, just what the killer planned.

This is a fantastic book for all gardeners, new and experienced. If you use "To-Do" lists, this book will keep you on track. The book is separated by month and by type of gardening including chapters on: lawns, trees, perennial flowers, annual flowers, shrubs, bulbs, houseplants, roses, ground covers, and vegetables.

My only complaint is that if you do many types of gardening, you have to look in many chapters to find the information. For example, I have a vegetable garden, enjoy flowers and want to keep my lawn looking nice. So, I have to look into three different chapters each month to find the information.

The good news is that the information is in there. If I had one book to buy, I'd first buy, Neil Sperry's Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, 2nd Edition book. I would then save my money and buy this one. It is worth the money.

Great book for beginners like me. Looking forward to starting my Texas garden! I only wish there were more illustrations.