This book interested me if only because it described an under appreciated facet of American history: Spanish occupation of the Southwest and her attempts to understand and defend the frontier.

Carson's "Across the Northern Frontier..." examines chronologically the period of first Spanish and then Mexican domination of the lands centered on Santa Fe, the principal outpost in the province. It is largely a tale told through the adventures of governors and explorers.

For three centuries the Spanish had an uneasy hold on the area. It was far away from present day Mexico, the hub of Spanish domination of the region. Spain wanted New Mexico first to satisfy its appetite to forever expand. Later, the region was seen as a buffer against the many tribes to the north and later still against encroaching French and English (later Americans). Life and occupation were hard. Numerous Indians lived in the region. Settled farmers in pueblos that predated Spanish settlements as well as roaming plains/desert and mountain tribes who dominated the outlands. The first were easier for the Spanish to dominate because of their fixed location. Sometimes allies, sometimes in rebellion, the pueblo Indians had an uneasy relationship among the colonists. They also provided the man power for agriculture, commercial enterprises and armed militia. The plains Indians, although in some periods in commercial or military alliance with the Spanish against other tribes, were generally an over the horizon threat that had to constantly be guarded against or actively punished in order to maintain a somewhat secure area around greater Santa Fe.

The book focuses on forays made by the Spanish over three centuries to "Colorado" (the name used to describe the area above Santa Fe and beyond -- much larger than the present day state). Some of these forays involved exploration, trail-blazing or trade. Most, however, involved a military interest -- either retaliating or punishing plains tribes who made war on the colony or showing strength in the hopes that plains tribes would fear the wrath of Spain more than the entreaties of French trappers and traders who mingled with native peoples to the north.

This is an interesting book - principally because I had only the most general understanding of this history. The book does have sort of an adventure/exploration quality to it as foray after foray into relatively unknown and completely natural areas of present day Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Oklahoma are examined. The book does stick to it's mission -- the focus is on these outward thrusts of the colony. Administration, Indian relations and everyday life are sketched over, usually as they relate to the security concerns of the area and it's ability to survive as one of the "furthermost outposts of Christiandom" as it was described by many of the Spanish.

Estou iniciando a construção da minha casa de campo e como não tenho o livro em mãos, gostaria de poder fazer algumas consultas.

This is a great book focusing on northern Guatemala, southern Yucatan and Belize. It has great pictures, and some excellent text on identifing characteristics, with a key in the back. I will be using it in the Carmen del Playa and Merida areas, and will let you know how I feel about it after the trip.

The area map is not the best, but that is a minor problem. You ought to have a map of your own anyway.

The ideal book for the comprehensive background to the development of boats - uses examples from outwith Europe. Gets quite technical in parts, but you can always skip those bits to concentrate on the parts that interest you. Highly recommended, although it is expensive.

The "Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia" is an excellent companion to hikers on the appalacian trial. The guide details, step by step, the trail and what to expect on it. It gives detail descriptions of where/where not to camp, water supplies, and distances between points. If you are setting out on the trail...take the guide with you. It'll be your best friend.

An interesting read which gives a concise history of the archaeology of Ulster from the early mesolithic to the plantation period. Loaded with useful references this is a must for anyone seriously interested in Ulster's early history. Also it has an easy to read lay out filled with plenty of relevant illustrations. My only complaint is that it needs a revision as new discoveries have been made since it first printing, never the less I found it very useful.

Phillip Katchers' book is so far the best on the army of Lee. It is good to see that there is no references on the "romantic" side of Lee, but rather an objective, concise outline of him as a general, and his army. I really liked the way in which Katcher explained the different ranks in each unit. For this has been not one of my strengths. However, there are some very odd spelling errors in it. But we are only human aren't we ? The only reason that i gave it 4 stars is because i am not widely read in this kind of text. If anyone reads this, can someone tell me how i can get the periodical "AMERICAS' CIVIL WAR"? thankyou.

I have recommended this book to several people and now it is available in paperback! It contains many nuggests of information a traditional oil painter will treasure. For example, the lapis lazuli-based pigment used by Van Eyck in his paintings contained tiny flecks of stone which added richness and sparkle to the paint. It was also irregularly ground and refracts light differently than the modern homogeneous synthetic "ultramarine blue" pigment available today. It was precious in Van Eyck's time, but today lapis lazuli ultramarine is more costly than gold per ounce. Albus devotes much of the book to historical pigments and shares recipes for making them.
My complaint with the book is that it is a strangely-shaped volume (it is extremely narrow and tall) and is uncomfortable to hold. Still, the early chapters on Van Eyck's paintings and the historical pigments will entice painters interested in effects not possible with modern pigments.

The book reads well and is well researched

Ms Savage does a very credible job of introducing the Aurora Borealis to the average person. The book begins with historical interest in the aurora and how different peoples view the lights and works its way up to the modern day physics of the lights. Interspersed throughout the book are wonderful photos of the lights and pithy quotes. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys the aurora and wants to know more about it. The one short coming of the book was the tendancy of Ms. Savage to be a little long winded at times. Shorter explanations and more pictures would have really made this book perfect. As it stands, however, the book is well worth the purchase price, if only to adorn your coffee table.