This is a very interesting book for a serie of reasons. First, and foremost, the quality of the authors. Pastor was Carter's assistent for Latin America and is a respected scholar. Castañeda has always been an acute political scientist and (by irony, maybe) is currently Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Relations. This adds a deepness and seriousness much needed in the debate. Written in 1988/89, the book is now somewhat dated in some points. We have to remember that this was written before the end of the Cold War and before NAFTA - two defining moments in US-Mexican relations.

The authors divided the book in eight chapters, each chapter with two texts: Castañeda's and Pastor's. Each chapter deals with a different theme in the relation: perceptions of each other, each other foreign policies, questions of economic integration, and cultural diversity. The ninth chapter, the conclusion, is a colaborative chapter with the possibilities for cooperation.

Very well written by both and with very interesting questions and positions regarding US-Mexican relations, it is a must read even today. Due to the NAFTA debate, US-Mexican relations were given a very normative treatment by the Academic texts in the 90's, sometimes overlooking indispensable aspects of this complex interchange. A great way to learn more about realities so different yet so compelling.

Little Gold Star offers a wonderful blend of story and illustrations from San Souci and Martinez. Little Gold Star is a Spanish American fairy tale similar to Cinderella. However, the role of fairy godmother is filled by Blessed Mary, showing the traditional Catholic influence in this culture. San Souci is always wonderful with words, but Martinez gives the story a serene beauty with his illustrations. The book has a peaceful feeling with its subdued tones. The reader knows the story will end happily and enjoys the journey to the end all the same. I highly recommend this book.

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.

In the November 2000 issue of The Bloomsbury Review, in the "Gifts for Booklovers" section Lori D. Kranz wrote:

Her medium is clay, her inspiration the Galisteo Basin where she lives and works. Native New Mexican Priscilla Hoback makes what she calls "clay murals" or fired clay paintings. Hoback started out as a self -taught potter in Santa Fe, where she was born, and for many years created and sold functional pieces for the kitchen in her studio/shop on Canyon Road and at local craft fairs. In 1977, with her children gone to college, she yearned for a change, for a more peaceful life in the country, and so she bought a small, run-down ranch near Galisteo village, which she turned into a studio, a house, a garden, and a home for her horses, dogs, ducks, and chickens. In her meanderings through the basin valley, she became fascinated with its geology, wildlife, ancient petroglyphs, and abandoned mines-particularly clay mines. Her work grew in both size and inventiveness as she began to incorporate these influences, gathering raw materials from the land, experimenting with her own recipes, and firing them in a large kiln of her own making.

For her murals, Hoback uses the wet clay as her canvas, drawing images on it with her fingers, a pen, or a trowel. Then she brushes on pigments and creates texture by scraping away or building up layers of clay. Her imagery is of animals :horses, buffalo, deer, antelope, birds, and her favorite, bears. Before it has dried, she cuts the clay slab into smaller pieces and punches holes in them, which allows them to be screw-mounted on plywood for later hanging. Then comes what she considers the best part: the firing. Hoback sees kilns as "combinations of dragon, slave, and ancient god." The result of her efforts is a unique blend of ceramic art, painting, and installation art.

Living Clay is Hoback's story : her life, her process, her creations, her beautiful desert surroundings, all illustrated in full color. From an accomplisher potter she has become a singuar artist. "Hands ask, clay responds." she says. Her book is a testament to the beauty of what hands are capable of.

I have read this book some years ago and found it to be most informative, however I have been unable to find a copy to purchase untill now. Seems I have been looking in the wrong places.

This book is beautiful. I lived in Chiapas Mexico for a time and this book captures the beauty and reality of the region to life better than any other book I have seen. The text is written by an anthropolgist that has lived in the region for years and really knows the Mayan people. The text is very informative about the parts of ancient Mayan culture that have survived into the present day and is peppered with the writer's own experiences with the Maya making it far from dry reading. It will make you want to visit this amazing region of the world inhabited by the Living Maya.

I loved this book! I am researching a novel, and this book helped me understand this area so much better--and I live near it. It is well-written and informative and reads like a bestseller! A must for anyone living in the Texas valley or anyone wanting to know more about that area.

Good book,(*****) Save me hundred of dollars in tour guides, hotels and places that even a regular tourist never knew that existed.Is a shame that they don't print a new edition, I'm triying to buy another as spare, for my futures trips to that wonderful area, lot of history and culture. you can trust Tom Brosnahan with your eyes closed, belived, you never be lost if you carry this book. Jose J. Valle. Cosmopolis,Washington,U.S.A

An excellent compilation by Lonely Planet, entirely useful and a great package for anyone dreaming of or going to Mexico. I know from personal experience that the Spanish in Mexico is very different from other areas of the world, so I recommend learning the Mexican version instead of the more commonly taught Castillian. Pues, andale guey! You're well on your way with Lonely Planet.