Durango Gold is the story of a former confederate officer inclined to philosophy but forced into the role of frontier detective by the territorial governor and presented with a complex, lethal challenge. Michael Haley is a superb storyteller with a knack for weaving an incredible tale of the old west replete with intrigue, murder, revenge, and romance. Durango Gold is a unique and engaging novel that is highly recommended for fans of the western frontier, and would be greatly appreciated by anyone who enjoys a good historical novel that gives meticulous attention to detail, character development, plot twists, and well crafted storytelling from first page to last.

Kudo's to Haley!

As an amateur New Mexico history buff, 4th generation native, and avid book reader, I believe that at long last someone has filled the void left by Louie L'Amour's death, and Tony Hillermans infrequent books.

New Mexico, one of the prettiest places in the world, offers a rich history, untold stories of the people who occupied this territory, that until now has been locked up in historical archives.

Mr. Haley pulls out the history, wraps a western fiction around it, and packages it in a fast moving, well developed story that has memorable characters that the keep the readers interest until the end, ultimately leaving the reader for a desire to read more.

Both of Mr. Haley's novels, Durango Gold and the Medicine Man cover large portions of the 5th largest state in the Country, from its high mountain deserts to the snow layered mountains, with intricate details only a native could know.

Something for everyone (action, romance, history, and just a plain good story), the next novel could only be more New Mexican if eaten over an order of huevos and tortillas at the Frontier.

I found DURANGO GOLD to be a real page turner. It was suspenseful, dramatic, tense and tight. The setting painted a colorful picture of northern New Mexico. The three-dimensional characters vibrated with sounds, smells, images and feelings. I could taste Eli's favorite beer, it's biting fullness, the hops and barley, and the fermentation that almost made me want to belch. I could feel his heart beat for a woman as his eyes roamed over the desolate range that he rides. DURANGO GOD makes Louis L'Amour come alive again. Only this time, it's Michael Haley, and Michael doesn't miss a beat.

Don Vasicek Writer/Filmmaker (THE WRITE FOCUS; WARRIORS OF VIRTUE; THE CROWN/BORN TO WIN; FACES; OH, THE PLACES YOU CAN GO; HOW TO WRITE, SELL AND GET YOUR SCREENPLAYS PRODUCED)

Williamson hits the nail squarely on the head with this terrific mountain drama. I climbed my first 14'er (14,000 ft. or higher mountian for the flatlanders) when I was seven in the San Juans. It's crystal clear that the author knows these mountains as only someone who has experienced them can, making Durango Light a must read for anyone whose ever shared the enchantment of Southwest Colorado's backcountry. Add a well-designed plot and carefully designed characters, and it's clear that America missed a high-country gold nugget with this one.

This is a refreshing novel about ordinary people who love the great outdoors, love the mountain areas, and have interaction with some who love their power even more. The book is filled with extrordinary descriptions of the San Juan Mountain area. A plus for the story is that it contains all the elements needed for a really good story-a hero, a heroine, and of course, a nasty, '90's villian! Good reading, great writing on the part of Ed Williamson

I really enjoyed this book. The story was unusual, and the way the technical detail was handled reminded me of 'The Hunt for Red October' or 'The Fifth Column'. The story races along at a good pace, with lots of intelligent dialogue and action that flows very well. Fast cars, human and intelligent heroes, and awe-inspiring mountains are contained within the glowing covers of this book. I think it's definitely an excellent read, well worth your time

I've just finished this book for the 3rd time. Each time I smile and dream about Colorado. I can smell the summer showers on the horizon. Now I know how to survive if I get caught again in one of those instant season changes from summer to winter. You know the type, that happen at about 10,000 feet, with a 50 degree temperature plummet in about 45 minutes, that leave you praying for a fleece and a quick decent.
Want to know about historical archaeological digs? Grizzly Bear Myths? Best place to find a burrito as big as your head? Pumas? Surely toxic ceramic-like mud? No???? You just want to know about trail riding? Well this is the book for that as well. Single and double tracks, wash boards, roads, the whole enchilada......mmmmm green chili. Who woulda thunk a trail guide would be so entertaining and yet so thorough? Buy this book now for any of the above reasons, or just buy it for the pure enjoyable read that it is.

This book has a personality lacking in most guidebooks. It is like having a local along on the ride with you. It is nice to see a mountain bike book by a Coloradan dedicated to Colorado mountain biking.

This is a wonderful story of a man who made a difference in many slaves' lives. The side by side English/Spanish text is beautifully written, and stays nondenominational, even though it is the story of the patron saint of slaves. The illustrations are also lovely, and both the text and pictures hold the attention of my antsy son. One of his favorite books, it is a deeply moving spiritual story that I recommend to all.

This is a terrific example of a spiritual book for kids. The poetic text rivals that of the secular classics, and the pictures are rich, textured, and deeply moving. Yet there's no overt message, no preaching, no denominational stand. It's just a wonderful book -- period.

Nobody captures the heart and spirit of the steam powered locomotive, or the American Southwest like that of Robert Royem. I wouldn't hesitate a comparison between his photography and the best works by Ansel Adams and David Muench, in a word these images are sublime. When you combine this gift for photography with a style of prose that is both graceful and has the abilty to turn a history lesson on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad into something as beautiful as a southwestern sunset and as rich as the precious ore it's cars delivered, it is little wonder Royem is being heralded as the best photojournalist in America today. If your interested in the captivating images and the historical significance that the San Juan Mountains have to offer, or just interested in photos documenting the painstaking craftsmanship that went into the making of this countries early iron horses, then this is the book for you. Hillerman, Abbey, Woodkrutch move over and make way for a new kindred spirit, Robert Royem, his photos speak of a couple centuries worth of words and his book is an American classic that any reader will have a hard time putting down.

I've been fly fishing all my life and have traveled the world doing it. These are the best guides I've come across. He also wrote the Idiot's Guide to Flyfishing, which I have given away to friends.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge: A Quick History is a superbly presented regional history of one of Colorado's colorful rail systems originally developed to service the 19th century gold, silver, lead, and copper mining districts in the San Juan mountain range. This rail roading history is set within a contextual framework of the region's overall development, economics, personalities, settlement, and population expansions from its beginnings in the 1871 as the Durango & Rio Grande down through its current incarnation to 1998. Duane Smith's informative and engaging text is peppered with historical photographs and route maps. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge is a welcome and much appreciated addition to the railroading history shelf and reference collection.

I liked all of the history and natural information. This book would be good for anyone, not just mountain bikers. A great place to vacation and better than Durango, though it's just over the hill from Durango. Mines, Indian ruins, mountains, aspen forests, what more could you want?

This book does a fine job of giving the mountain biker many ideas for rides around town. But its real value is in the high-country rides, which abound in the San Juan Mountains surrounding Durango. I've also used this book for hiking and trail-running. You need an odometer to know exactly where you are on the ride in relation to the book, but on most trails that's not a problem. If there is a criticism of this book, it is that there are not enough easy rides. The author lists a few in the back, but not with much detail. Many of these rides are not for the beginner.

If you liked the movie Traffic, you will love Operation Durango Connection, which draws a 360 degree picture of this modern day drug dilemma. The characters are extremely well drawn, showing both the good and bad sides of all. The drug kinpin , Angel Herrara, whom I could see played in a movie version by Antonio Banderas, is a charming rogue with a taste for young Hispanic women. One in particular, Jenny, gets him in a major bind.

The primary law enforcement agent, Joe Fruin, loses some of his professionalism, but remains a sympathetic character. Matt Gavin, the defense lawyer hired to help Angel is, likewise, a complex character, whose frustration with the corrupt judicial system is easily recognized. My only criticism to the book is that yummy Matt Gavin and his beautiful lady, Trisha, are not introduced earlier in the story. Their relationship is contemporary and compelling and takes place in tandem with the war on drugs.

One thing the movie Traffic did not show was the grinding poverty that makes growing drugs for profit very understandable. OPC depicts life in the hills around Durango with all its beauty and tradegy. The scenes are graphic and realistic, as are the courtroom dramas. This book is a good, fast-paced read, one that will have you craving a motion picture version.