Mountain West Books

As anyone who reads her history columns in the Albuquerque Tribune knows, Mo Palmer knows Albuquerque's history. Now, here, at last, is a book she's written on the subject, a book that probably no one else anywhere was as qualified to write.
In addition to being an area history columnist, Mo Palmer has been a photo archivist for the Museum of Albuquerque, and here, in "Albuquerque: Then and Now" she draws from all of her knowledge to create a truly valuable portrait of Albuquerque, then and now.
Every one of this book's even-numbered page features an amazing old historic photo of a notable Albuquerque landmark, and every odd-numbered page features that same landmark (or whatever took its place) today. And all of the photos are captioned with interesting and concisely written information.
Any Albuquerque area resident willing to pick up this book and take the time to flip through it will be sure to find the experience transformative and enlightening. It will amaze you just how much of Albquerque's architectural history has remained behind, and sadden you just how much some things have changed.
Buy it, read it, keep it for yourself as reference and a reminder, or give it as a gift to friends in the Albuquerque area, or to friends who you want to have visit you here.

I love reading Albuquerque history from many different sources, and I love "then" and "now" photos, and I also love reading the books that Mo Palmer recommended to my son when she was his history teacher. Well this perfect storm of affections converged this past month when my son gave me Mo Palmer's "Albuquerque Then and Now" for Christmas. This is not just another collection of stories from Albuquerque's past. Many stories tend to get repeated from one book to the next - the story of the Alvarado hotel, the early tuberculosis clinics, the early schools and UNM's early days, the Sear's fire, and so on. When you read Miss Palmer's book it would appear that it did not occur to her that she needs to cover that territory for you. It is very fresh, most of the "then" photographs were new to me, and the commentary was very enlightening to me. Much of the discussion focuses on the early communities and what they were like. I hope she will publish again soon.

I bought this book for my husband's birthday. He loves Will James' books and sketches. If you are a cowboy or just a cowboy at heart, you will love these books.

This wonderful collection of autobiographical essays and short fiction (not always easy to tell apart) will please any real-cowboy fan, and certainly any Will James fan. In his easy-going cowboy-talk vernacular, James tells it like it is (or in many cases, was), patiently explaining the ins and outs of cowboy life while giving the good parts a bit of a romantic glow and all the rest his dry, even-tempered humor.

Writing in the 1930s, fifty years after the cattle drives and open range, James argues that there's still plenty of wide open spaces for old-time cowboying, and while he is aware of the encroachments of 20th century mechanization, he makes a strong case for the old ways, the central role of horses in the cowboy's identity, and the enduring qualities of the cowboy code. The contents of the book are evenly balanced among those three themes.

Like he is writing for city-born novices, he patiently explains the many uses of the cowboy's gear: hat, chaps, boots, rope, slicker, and so on. I'm familiar with these subjects, but still I had never read before such a detailed accounting of the makeup and contents of the cowboy's bedroll (gatherings). I've also never read such a careful description of how to eat a meal sitting cross-legged on the ground.

There are many stories of horses of all kinds, especially the broncs that were hardest to break. At least a couple of them lay up the author with broken bones. There's a chapter devoted to cattle ("The Critter") and another about trekking with a small herd through a fierce winter blizzard ("On the Drift"). Another chapter gives a month-by-month description of the cowboy's year. James devotes another chapter to the rodeo, at a time before rodeo cowboys were organized into a professional organization that would protect their interests.

Writing fiction, James could go for the heartstrings, as in the sentimental story of brother horses, "Tom and Jerry," and the melodramatic account of a young outlaw who mends his ways, "Scattered Tracks." And the entire book is illustrated with James' wonderful illustrations of cowboys, horses, and cattle. Each is dated and range from the early 1920s to the 1930s. Thanks to the Will James Society of Billings, Montana, for keeping the books of this find cowboy writer and illustrator in print.

Having been raised near the Continental Divide and spending summer vacations on Red Rock Pass and the CD, the photos in this book bring a flood of memories. Leland stood where I rode horses and hiked as a child and where summer vacations are spent as an adult. Having stood on the same hillside Leland took the magnificient sunset photograph of Montana's Centennial Valley for the book's cover page, I have truely seen in life the magnificient colors and majestic scenery presented by Leland Howard's photography. The written text by Lynna Howard is as well done with thorough detail of all the areas they hiked and all her special humor especially telling about hiking and camping in a "Grizzly Bear Recovery Area" and the humorous tales sprinkled through several pages about two Llamas Popeye and Pogo. Hiking on to the Lemhi Range and viewing Borah Peak the highest peak in Idaho in the Lost River Range was a view more than fifty miles. Lemhi Pass brings lots of Lewis and Clark history and the Sacajawea Memorial Camp. Through Chief Joseph Pass there are tales of snow in July, a vanashing CD trail, and Lynna's tough job of modeling at Little Lake. By early October there is snowfall and ice on Twin Lakes. Lynna gives a short history lesson about Big Hole National Battlefield and the Nez Perce Chief Joseph, how he fought to save his people from the U.S. Army, after he, Chief Joseph had so helped guide Lewis and Clark. The glacier carved peaks are truely rugged, nearly inaccessable areas in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area. The reader learns about "Trodes" and proposed routes for the CDT, and the discomforts and dangers of Hypothermia. And then there are the dangers of Lynna hiking off by herself and finding lots of bear scat and a wolf mistaken for Leland's pet dog Tempest. Rogers Pass to Marias Pass brings humor of grizzly stories, camping in Bear Creek Corridor, and the depth of description of scenery and surroundings near Bighorn Lake. The Bob Marshall Wilderness is an area of grizzlies, deep sucking bogs, Ruffed Grouse, deer, mountain goats, coyotes, and extreme geological formations with thorough explainations by Lynna of what has happened the last 175 million years. The hikers are assisted by mule trains, cowboys, and there is a lost soul found. On to the Canadian Border--what can I say--simply God's Country, glaciers, water falls, more grizzlies. By late September it can be snowy and bitter cold in Glacier with the park service trail crews removing seasonial bridges from waterways. Always most welcome along the CDT was the support crew and "Mom's Mobile Wilderness Cafe". "Along Montana and Idaho Continental Divide Trail" is a magnificient publication of Photographic Art for the dedicated hikers like Leland and Lynna as well as arm chair hikers who simply want to dream.

This wonderful book by Lynna and Leland Howard is a far cry from the usual coffee table photography book. The humorous, personable writing style of the author had me laughing all the way through the trail hiking story, which is woven amongst the incredible photographs. As magestic and awe-inspiring as the Divide Trail is, Lynna and Leland bring it within reach and touch upon the realism of the hike. The mountainside conifers under snow and the miles of wildflowers that stretch along the ranges will make you sigh with wonder, while the stories of Pogo the llama, and the list of clever bear tips will split your seams. You will savor every photograph and read every word. Highly recommended!

Get this book before you go to the Grand Canyon and you'll make the most of your visit--whether you stay for a few hours, or over a week. With over 44 full color photographs (2 of them panoramic canyon views measuring 17" x 7"), four easy-to-read maps, accompanied by concisely well-written text (just over 50 pages), this beautiful book gives you a scenic viewpoint-to-viewpoint guided tour of the best sights, rim trails, and hikes the Grand Canyon has to offer--plus as a bonus, its soft cover and unique shape (9-1/4" x 7-3/4") make it perfect for rolling up and sticking in a fanny pack. And at just under $5.00, it's the best bargain you'll find in Grand Canyon Village (but don't wait until you get there to buy it--there are very few copies remaining on the shelves!)

What I especially appreciated about the book was the logical arrangement of the Table of Contents by viewpoint, beginning from the south as you drive into the main entrance (Grand Canyon Village) and then west to east. Even more valuable is the information preceding each viewpoint description telling the distance to the next viewpoint (in miles and kilometers)--handy statistics that help you decide whether to hoof it to the next viewpoint or wait for the next shuttle bus, as much of the South Rim is closed to passenger car traffic.

In addition to the accurate information and beautiful presentation, this book also includes interesting history of the Grand Canyon with colorful descriptions of the pioneers who first explored, mapped, and took political action to preserve this natural wonder. Told with quotes, anecdotal stories, journal entries and black and white photos (from the late 1800's and early 1900's), the author weaves a tale as deep as the Colorado River itself winding through the Grand Canyon walls far below. Here you'll learn the history behind the buildings still standing on the edge of the rim, and the train that still visits daily, as well as be introduced to the geological history and modern day plant life and animal life that call the Grand Canyon their home.

This is must-have when visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon as it gives you all the background you need to enjoy the rim from Desert View to Hermits Rest.

Often, when people visit a place like the Grand Canyon, the very size and awe-inspiring views can be very overwhelming at first. To help find your way to the small wonders as well as the big, this book will give you the lowdown on all of the overlooks, roads, hotels, and historical buildings along the South Rim. It also gives you the historical background on the roads, overlooks, and trails.

When you get to the South Rim, the first thing to do is pickup this book as starting point.

I hear they are also working on a version for the North Rim.

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A Guide to my Book Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

This book has tons of color and B&W pictures and some of the best pictures of the southwest ruins you are ever going to find. It also has numerous site maps illustrating the ruins and their vicinity. The pictures are not just your everyday tourbook photos. They are spectacular. The author mixes numerous aerial shots that show you overviews of the sites and mixes in a generous amount of detail shots to help you see what the sites look like when you are there. There are also sketches and conceptual drawings which tell about the history. Just because there are a lot of photos, do not think the text is lacking. The book has all you would ever need to know about the sites including history, archeological finds etc. It accomplishes this amazingly enough without boring the reader. The most important thing about this book is that it is comprehensive. An example is its description of Mesa Verde park which is 44 pages of text and pictures. The section includes a detailed description of the stops you can make off ruins road as well as maps and pictures of sites you can't even access. Overall, this is the book you want to have when you plan your trip and the one you want on your coffee table to show your friends and family where you have been. A must have for anyone fascinated by the Anasazi culture.

I have found this to be an excellent resource for finding sites of interest and a faithfull companion for exploring the site once I have arrived. The information provides a nice addition to any anasazi library

We carry this atlas whenever we set out on one of our explorations. Whether we are heading out to camp or simply driving to L.A., this book satisfies the urge to know the name of the landforms you pass. In addition to identifying every mountain and wash, this book will show you where the mines and water sources are located, the historical sites, the unimproverd roads, the observatories.....it's fascinating. The tables at the front and back of the book are also useful for finding a camp site, a fishing spot, or the best place around to watch birds. Our copy has lost its cover and the center spread is coffee-stained, but I would almost rather leave my sunglasses home than leave the driveway without it.

I was glad to see the Arizona edition of this outstanding series! I have used these books in other parts of the country. I keep my Arizona Atlas & Gazetteer in my truck and use it all of the time to find alternate routes. It has always been helpful and accurate.

Be advised, however, that the Phoenix metropolitan area is growing faster than any map can keep up. If you are in Phoenix, you will need an up-to-date city map -- check the dates carefully.

I bought this book for my parents. They've lived in Arizona for three years but tell me that they have been passing by all these really cool landmarks without knowing they were even there. Now they are finding out interesting facts about their own area and areas in the vicinity that they are planning on visiting (now that the book has given them even more purpose to venture there). I highly recommend it for the seasoned and the new.

Am I the only one to notice that "Arizona Curiosities" really has the state of Arkansas on its cover? Are they joking? I mean, the states both begin in "A," but that's absolutely where the similarities end. Maybe this is a prime example of grade schools which allow students who have not learned the academic basics to move to the next level and the next, on through the system. And that's why some students can somehow get a high school or even a college diploma while still believing that Brazil is located in Europe.

When planning a trip to Arizona, I got a book that seemed informative yet personable. This journey guide kept me informed with basic info I was curious about regarding the area, and didn't put me to sleep with a dense history that would have bogged me down as a short term visitor.
I especially enjoyed the photos of all the petroglyphs, and the info on the local Native Americans, since I wasn't from the area and appreciated the "heads up" on ancient and present-day conditions, I consider these points to be aware of in order to get the most out of any regional trip. Also, the authors have an offbeat sense of humor that kept me company on the trip.

I want you to known before going any further that my Brother Vern illustrated this book, and that Jon and Julie are my friends.
This book is the real deal. The authors trekked the Arizona landscape to bring back and present an honest and fair account, written with genuine enthusiasm and love for the land and our history.
Arizona is a place of breathtaking beauty. There are so many incredible horizons, impressive peaks and valleys, and wondrous ruins once inhabited by people much like ourselves, yet unique in all the world.
Jon is a rock guy, a fossil guy and a climber. Arizona could have been created just for him, so he could experience it and discover a need to encourage others to see and experience a place unlike any other.
Vern has been a fossil guy since he was very small, and his illustrations transport you to other times and other places very well.
The glyphs are beautiful and amazing, and Jon Julie and Vern want you to see them. Ancient People told their stories in stone, and while time has weathered their work, something unique remains.
One great thing about travel is that it can take you out of yourself and sharpen the senses.
I have been to some of the sites covered and felt a connection to ancient times and the men women and children who walked there. This book made me want to make a new journey, with their Arizona guide. Buy this book, and dream, and then go see for yourself.
The authors are working on similar books for other areas of the southwest. I think you should know that.

Linda Kranz's newest journal certainly won't disappoint! Broken into a section for day trips and a section for weekend excursions, Linda's helpful thought-starters and Klaus's beautiful photography combine to give writers a framework to create a journal that is uniquely their own and will be treasured for generations to come.

Perfect for residents and visitors this will get you journaling about journeys within the Grand Canyon State that will be a lasting chronicle of special memories. For those outside Arizona, don't think that this journal is not for you! With the inspiration of the beautiful photography this journal will inspire you to seek out special adventures where ever you live or travel. The thought-starters are general enough to ensure that they will get you writing now matter where your travels take you.

Author, Linda Kranz, truly is the mother of the personal journal. She has enticed young people to uncap their pens and write about their worlds and she has led parents to record their history's for their children and their children's children; all with beautiful photographs and her signature "thought-starters." Linda is one of those souls who truly loves the personal, written word and she has now authored a travel journal on her beloved Arizona. A true "good-will" ambassador for this beautiful State, she has translated that love into a wonderful travel journal for the visitor or resident.

Separated into two categories: day trips and weekend trips, the writer has places to record dates, locations, people we met, mementos and incidentals such as weather. Rich photography, by husband - Klaus, is interlaced throughout making this latest journal offering a joint (ad)venture. The hard bound cover makes it easy to write in (even if you are standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon) and allows the journal to take a bit of a beating as you will not want to travel without it. The perfect gift for a new resident or visitor to Arizona as well as long time residents who share the same love of this spectacular State.

Years ago, when preparing for my three-year 50-state road trip I'd purchased a load of travel guides to help plan what to see in each state, and was fairly satisfied until I stumbled upon my first ART OF STATE book in Iowa. This unique book made all other travel books pale by comparison. Although small and slim the books throughout this series are packed with meaningful information. Beautifully designed and written, they are thoroughly engaging and a joy to read--like finding an ancestor's scrapbook or diary in the attic and reading a fascinating family heritage while viewing images of a buried past. Each author in the ART OF STATE series must be a native or a deliberate transplant, for each state story is lovingly told with a deep appreciation of the state--and not just its good features, but the blemishes, too, described evenhandedly and complemented by photographs of architecture, landscapes paintings, crafts and memorabilia. Each book presents the state's history, climate, landscape, traditions, symbols, recipes, must-see destinations as well as a statewide calendar of events. I've since purchased all the books in the series (20 of the 50 states as of 2008). If your budget won't allow you to buy all 20, at least buy two: one of your home state and one of your adopted state. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover.

I apologize for raving so much about THE ART OF STATE series, but it was such a find for me, like discovering a diamond in a sea of glass. I can't help but gush.

Each book's frontispiece has a wallpaper design: a background color, unique to the state, dotted with a state motif. I've begun playing a game with each new book I purchase in this series trying to guess what the wallpaper motif will be before opening the boo. Sometimes I correctly guess the motif, but rarely the background color. For New Mexico, it's bright red chili peppers dotting a Yucatan yellow background. Sweet.

Now, about the New Mexico edition ... On the dark side, New Mexico served as the hideout for two killers: Billy the Kid and the atom bomb. But that's the only shadow on this sun drenched land. Read about the various Pueblo, Mexican, Spanish and American influences in this state of fabulous landscapes, luscious cuisine, turquoise jewelry, and clay art, architecture and crafts. The vast desert vast terrain and limitless sky not only attracted artists, but aliens, too, in the town of Roswell, where aliens landed and a museum marks the spot. The fabulous land of mountains, deserts, mesas and pine forests attracted writers and artists to Taos and Santa Fe which became celebrated artist colonies, by accident. In the 19th century two traveling artists broke a wagon wheel en route to California and stayed in the glorious state, founding artist societies in each town. Famed New York artist Georgia O'Keeffe spent the second half of her 90 years painting the doom of the New Mexican desert bones, abandoning her typical bold blooms. Writer D.H. Lawrence said: "I think New Mexico is the greatest experience from the outside world that I ever had. It certainly changed me forever. Curious as it may sound New Mexico liberated me from the present era of civilization..." No wonder the state nickname is "Land of Enchantment."

I loved the book. I have lived in N.M. for 27 years and find this book the best short history thru Art I have ever seen. It has everything you would want down to the UFO's.