I have read many books about pioneering women who set up homes from scratch and quilted for practical and soul-fulfilling reasons. Usually though, those women are long gone and we are left with rather dry details of their lives. The joy of this book is that the women whose words are recorded in it are living, breathing members of that pioneer group, and, even though their experiences were in the 20th rather than the 19th century,the issues and incidents are the same and they tell a vibrant story.
The book records conversations amongst Texas quilting groups, to which the authors were invited and the ladies seem eager to tell stories of their early days in dug outs and cabins, their families scaping a life from the soil and their role in that. None of them ever sound hard done by or as if they wish their lives had been different. And they are all keen to express the creative and fulfilling role that quilting has had in their lives.
If you are not a quilter, you will still enjoy the strength, friendship and nobility that run through these conversations - they are a link with a passed era, which I felt honoured to share as I read.

This book is facinating with it's history of American pioneer women. It contains real quotes from real people about the lives that they lived. If you have seen or been in the play you will be delighted to see that some of the show's monologues are word-for-word from this book! I't's a moving book and a moving play.

This book is a wonderful tribute to women...quilters or not. The book is filled with interviews, pictures, and descriptions that bring the joy and sorrow of daily living to life. If the simple things in life are indeed the sweetest.... then these women and their quilts tell the sweetest story ever...they tell our story... they are our history.

I have enjoyed this cookbook so much, that it has become my current favorite hostess gift! The recipes are wonderful, and I appreciate the variety of the suggested menus. Most of all, this book educates the reader with "Chefs Corner" tips and a lengthy explanation of southwestern cooking terms and proceedures. Learning how to properly roast vegetables has given a healthy boost to my repetoire, as well as introductions to other southwestern staples.The pictures are also very appealing~ this is just a delightful cookbook that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in colorful, healthy food.

I have used several of the menus, and have received rave reviews from all my guests. Everything I have made was FLAVORFUL,TASTY AND INTERESTING. Many of the recipes easily lend themselves to advance preparation - I prefer to spend time with my guests, and not cooking in the kitchen. There are recipes for all levels of expertise, and my 12-year old daughter has made several of the dishes. The recipes interpret historic Santa Fe cuisine in an innovative contemporary style. I am so happy to have added Summer in Santa Fe to my cookbook collection....

This absolutely gorgeous book immediately brought back memories of an idyllic summer stay I once enjoyed in Santa Fe. While the recipes themselves are quite nice, it is the photography, history of the city, and evocative intros to each section of the book that make this cookbook really stand out. The layout and design of the pages beautifully conjure the city too, with southwestern woodcut borders decorating each page. From the ripe, prettily plated blueberries on the cover, to the darling little boy in the giant sombrero in the fiesta section, this book is truly a feast for the eyes!

Ghost in the Rainbow is a compulsive read. I couldn't put it down. Because of my own battles with alcoholism and substance abuse, the path the heroine takes touched me deeply and even helped me to confront some of my own demons. That I should be so spiritually and psychologically helped by a book of crime fiction illiustrates how deeply real is Ms. Woodruff's understanding of life. After the vapid musings of many of the current bestsellers, Ghost in the Rainbow explores the extremes of human emotion with courage, humor and the rare sensibility of a Native American worldview. Without a doubt, one of the best novels of the year.

What a fabulous read! Woodruff deftly intertwines her thrilling search for a serial killer with the internal journey of Native American writer Myra Whitehawk as her life disintegrates around her. The book never loses momentum and provides us with moments of genuine feeling and insight. I highly recommend it!

This is a thrilling story of one woman's determination to learn the truth behind the murder of a young child. Her search for truth plunges her not only into the world of a psychotic killer but into her own inner world where she must confront personal relationships, alcoholism and her desperate search for spiritual peace. This is also a story of the bond between a woman and her dog that transcends both time and bounderies of this physical world. Myra Whitehawk is one of the most compelling characters in my reading experience, and Ghost In The Rainbow is a book you won't want to miss. I'm glad I didn't!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have just finished reading it. Looks like the transition to the next installment is excellent. If you haven't read this book yet, be sure to put it on your reading list very soon. The characters are very well developed and the story is very exciting.

I didn't think I'd read a book to match Ralph Compton's, but this one grabbed me quick. Another outstanding author. A page-turner of a western, and a terrific character in Frank Morgan. This is writing at its best.

Mr. Johnstone has topped his Mountain Man and Blood Bond series. Frank Morgan is a fresh new character and not a "Smoke Jensen" or "Preacher" knockoff. Once again, we see Mr. Johnstone's ability to make history come alive. Can't wait for the next installment coming in August 2000. Mr. Johnstone, please write faster! Thank you for a wonderful read!

There is no doubt in my mind or on my tongue that this cook book has absolutely the best recipes for SW Territorial Cuisine. When you dine in Santa Fe or Taos, this is the food you eat in private homes or at the best restaurants. The meals are totally authentic. Dent takes you through time and tradition providing descriptions of ingredients and preparation methods that are sure to get your juices flowing! There isn't a better reference. I've given over a dozen of these books to people who have commented on my enchiladas and green chile. Go for it without hesitation!

This is a splendid book that is both entertaining and informative. The advice on how to choose fresh, ripe produce is very helpful as many of the ingredients mentioned may be foreign to readers.

I have used this cookbook for over 5 years and I still find new things to try. Today I showed this book to my in-laws and they were so excited to see long forgotten recipies from their childhood. I will now buy another copy to give my father-in-law otherwise he will have me make all his favorites everytime he visits.

Excellent read! Combines a fascinating event (riot, murder, union vs. management, communism, immigration) with a fresh and very readable style. The characters, some real and some fictitious, are brought to life very well (the best being Bobcat)and the turmoil of the times comes across quite strongly. Is justice served in the end? That will be up to the individual reader to decide, and that decision will wait until the novel is finished. If you are into the culture and history of the southwest, you won't want to miss this one.

A must read for anyone interested in the social and cultural evolution of the southwest in the 1930's. A fresh writing style from this first time author. Five star kudos and a big thumbs up.

Having lived in Gallup for 20 years, and working with Gary through the State Bar of Arizona where he is a frequent speaker and writer, this book held a dual interest for me. What a page turner! The courtroom scenes are especially well told. He captures the historical incident with amazing detail and clarity, and feeling that only someone close to the legal profession and Gallup, New Mexico could obtain.

This is a must have book for beginner or established Fetish collectors. It is a great, quick resource. I did not get as much out of the second volume, but this one is a must have.

This book, together with its successor volume, is the ultimate reference guide for the beginning or experienced collector. The author, who is probably the pre-eminent authority on the subject, provides clear, valuable information encompassing various segments of this remarkable art and contemporary artists. If you own or are considering purchasing these intriguing carvings, this little book (and the accompanying Volume II) should be your bible.

This little book (together with Volume II) is the most valuable reference guide on the market today for either the beginning or experienced collector. The author, probably the leading authority on the subject, provides clear, useful information, encompassing various segments of the art and artists, necessary for the understanding and purchase of these remarkable objects. The two books are a joy to read and own.

My three kids want to have me read the story every night. They are also learning to read in Spanish. I recommend it highly.

Having been raised in northern New Mexico, I could associate with the entire story and culture. We need more children's books like this.

My kids loved it. Teaches valuable lessons and a good way for my kids to learn spanish.

Joan Leslie Woodruff is one of the most refreshing, original voices in current American fiction. Her books rank well in the company of such writers as Barbara Kingsolver and Amy Tan. "Neighbors" is a quirky story, humorous yet spiritually deep. The Native American sensibilities are authentic, derived from the writer's ancestry and her experiences in New Mexico. The heroine, Dana Whitehawk, moves from Los Angeles to New Mexico, where she discovers that some of her 'neighbors' are not ordinary folks. The beauty of Woodruff's tale is in the language. She explores the boundary between magic and reality, leaving readers to make up their own minds about some of the book's questions. Both comparatively short and generally upbeat, "Neighbors" is a good read for someone with a tight schedule who would like a "feel good" book. If you like this one, try "The Shiloh Renewal" -- it's topically different, but told with similar skill.

A hilarious and heartfelt detour through New Mexico's hinterlands. Its portrayal of the protagonist's pueblo neighbors leaves more stereotyped "colorful native characters" whimpering in the dust.

Joan Leslie Woodruff writes with a voice that warms the heart and makes the reader smile. I couldn't put this book down. The characters are quirky and entertaining and the story held me in its grip from page one.

This is the book to have to begin tracing your Spanish heritage in New Mexico. Fray Angélico was a blessing sent to New Mexico genealogists. His years of dedicated research have aided those with roots in early New Mexico find their lineages. And a big thank you also goes to José Antonio Esquibel for going "Beyond Origins" and updating Fray Angélico's research.

Primos, find your roots and remember your ancestors with pride!

This book stands out in genealogical research for the commom person who is just beginning to do research. Although, I found that there were some errors after doing more detailed research, it certainly gave me enough information to lead me to documents that corrected them for me. I highly recommend this book to all New Mexicans who have lines to the early colonists of New Mexico. I am happy to say that it contained much information about my ancestry. I recommended this to all my NM cousins who
were doing their own research into New Mexico settlers and I certainly thank Fr. Chavez for doing most of my research for me.

I am an amateur genealogist who belongs to a couple of genealogy groups in New Mexico. I have found Fray Chavez's book, "Origins of New Mexico Families" to be an extremely useful book.

Although present-day genealogists have found a few errors in Chavez's work, for the most part he did very sound research. All the New Mexican genealogists that I know refer to this book consistently. The book is well referenced, so the researcher can check the facts himself. The serious New Mexican genealogist should have a copy of this book in his collection.