Author J. Paul Scurlock, now deceased, devoted his retirement years exploring the Florida Keys, observing and photographing every specimen of tree and shrub. Pulished in 1987, It was researched and written before massive development in the Keys and pestiferous imports destroyed many of the native habitats. This book is still considered the bible of Florida Keys shrub and tree identification. With more two or three photos of most plants, it makes identification immeasurably easier: there's a photo of the entire tree, a close-up of the leaves, and the fruit, flower, or most remarkable aspect of the tree close up.

The plants are arranged in alphabetical order by botanical names. Information includes common names and scientific synonyms, detailed physical description, diurnal and seasonal changes, fascinating tidbits, and clues to tricky identifications.

The book emphasizes scientifc information, but is enjoyably readable for anyone interested in home gardening, ecology, or nature. The Miami Herald called it "The first field guide of its kind ...a a book that botanists can respect and nature lovers can understand." I absolutely agree.

I've had the book for several years, and find myself pulling it off the shelf frequently when I encounter a new plant while taking a walk, or want to see if a plant I want in my garden will survive the harsh shoreline conditions of my Florida Keys home.

Roland H. Wauer is Indiana Jones of the naturalists

Thomas J. Steele's New Mexican Spanish Religious Oratory 1800-1900 is a well-researched collection of orations and sermons delivered to the devout parishioners of various parishes and congregations in colonial and territorial New Mexico. He begans his work with a rich sermon delivered on Good Friday by Mexican-born Manuel Antonio Garcia del Valle, a Franciscan priest then assigned to Nambe Pueblo. While Steele disects the form and structure of the sermon, he inherently reveals something of the academic or intellectual strength also found in Nuevo Mexico in the early 1800's. Essentially, while the Church and general populace of Nuevo Mexico are frequently described as lacking in organization, learnedness, and culture in that era, Steele produces evidence of all of these elements.

Steele then provides three orations of the infamous Padre Antonio Jose Martinez. Here, the reader is exposed to . . . something of the substance of the man. In reviewing his sermons, one begins to know more personally a young Padre Martinez --who was cordial to non-Catholic Clergymen, who early-on embraced the leadership of his eventual nemesis (Bishop Lamy), and who cherished the notion of America's liberty for all men.

Other sermons and teaching by Joseph P. Machebeuf, Lamy himself, and other Presbyterian and Methodist figureheads are then provided. Again, the sermons are but the first view at what Steele undoubtably intends, --to give meaning and context to our view of an earlier era in New Mexico, to personalize the participants, --both orators and parishioners, for the reader.

In summary, the content of Steele's work is a fine and authentic example of Christianity as it was delivered to Nuevo Mexicanos in the 1800-1900's. Just as important, he critiques his orators every step of the way, permitting us not only to see their writing and hear their sermons, --but to come to know the values of the man, the orator, and his intentions for his listeners.

This book is a "must" for any serious student of New Mexico history.

Don and Barbara Laine have done an outstanding job in this book. I live in New Mexico and we just bought a camper, so I went to the library to get some book on where to go camping. I borrowed a couple of guides for the Southwest, but this book is the only one that anybody ever needs. Every State Park is listed in detail, even little maps for each Park are included. Furthermore they tell you exactly what to expect from each park and what there is to do. This comes in handy when travelling with kids. Equipped with this book we already went to 2 State Parks and found exactly what the Laines had described. This book is a must have for anybody that wants to explore Arizona and New Mexico.

I've travelled New Mexico extensively and love each new scene. Upon opening this book I was flooded with the sense of being back in the places that brought me so much joy the first time around. The pictures are fabulous and convey so much of the true atmosphere found only in the high mountain desert. I will make a present of this book more than once.

Spanning the years 1840 to 1890, New Mexico In The Nineteenth Century by Andrew K. Gregg is an impressive and informative "picture history" of New Mexico's history and features more than 500 original woodcuts and steel engravings by 19th Century artists and explorers. Replete with scenes of Indian pueblos, Spanish villages, and frontier army posts, the engaging text draws from diverse sources as the journals of early travelers, long out of print books, official reports. Each illustrations is enhanced with an accompanying text and is identified as to its source. New Mexico In The Nineteenth Century is a unique and highly recommended contribution to American Frontier History in general New Mexico historical studies in particular.

Adults and children (recommend age 10 and up) can enjoy this project together, as we did on a winter afternoon. The result is a 4-room Spanish style New Mexico adobe home with many pieces of authentic furniture and details. It also includes substantial historical information about the house and it's contents. Great for people who enjoy paper crafts. Would also make a wonderful project and learning experience for a group of students in the upper grades (4-8), with adult assistance.

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.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in contemporary writing from Mexico. The incredible number of short stories, essays, and poems interspersed with paintings and photographs really provide an overview of what is going on today in Mexico artistically. Some of the writing you'll love, some of the writing will disturb you, but all of it is intriguing. I used this compelation as a starting point to find out which writers I'd like to read more of. This book provides clear evidence of what a rich culture Mexico has. With works by over 50 artists and writers represented, you'll definitely find an artist who moves you.

The Night is Young is a poignant, personal account of ethnographic observations concerning homosexual interactions in Guadalajara done by a Mexican-born researcher. The narrative is accessible and interesting at all times, carrying the reader's interest from one chapter to the next. The author makes copious references to available literature on the subject, supporting his own observations with those of other authors. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in the Latin American construction of the world.