I recommend the book "The Demon Haunted World" by Carl Sagan for those who wish to hear an alternative view/evidence about these assertions.

So there was a ship or what ever, why cant we see it some is bond to know what it is, if you read a lot of alian books.I just wont to see it.I dont care what it is I wont to see it.It might be a space ship it might not. I think if kids who read alian books should see it they might know what it is you know they can get beater info in there heads of what it might be you know.See kids have beater imaganations then adults do.So why keep it a secret people know abot it already, let use see what it is for our selfs...I might even know what it is but I dount it.Who know I might know what it is,its not hard you know..& what I wont to know is what does WAA mean?

If you are interested in this subject matter this is full of good information. Also recommend Robert Doherty's AREA 51 and its sequel AREA 51 THE REPLY. Doherty is former government special ops, so what he writes is interesting.

This is an OK all-around guidebook on New Mexico, its geography, and some of its history. Thank goodness, Moon wised up and included a full-color map of the state in the latest edition. However, the information for an area which I know quite well, Carlsbad, is poor--did the author actually check out his recommendations? For example: he recommends you stay (and eat) at White's City outside of town (a local laughingstock in some quarters); he makes no mention of the Stevens Motel, which is the most popular hotel and all-around restaurant (where even locals enjoy Sunday dinner); and no mention is made of some of the best day-trips. Inexplicably, the author felt compelled to quote some of the Santa Fe's nuclear-storage political views _twice_ in the course of the book. Contrast this with Don Pitcher's flawless Moon handbook for Wyoming.

As a bike tour leader in the Southwest, I used bought many Moon "handbooks" over the years, buying each new edition as it's published. Metzger's New Mexico Handbook is amongst the best, and if I were to carry only one guidebook with me, this would be it. The Handbook's main drawback is that it's accommodation and restaurant listings are not descriptive enough. To make most of my accommodation and restaurant choices, I go to the excellent Frommer's guides to New Mexico: New Mexico and Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque. With the Handbook and a Frommer's guide on hand, you'd have the best combination of guides there is. Plus, the Handbook has an excellent "booklist" at the back for further exploration.

As the author of this book, I feel compelled to respond to the reviewer from San Diego (May 29, 2002), who claimed that my Carlsbad research was poor, that I recommended White's City, which the locals call a "laughing stock," and that I failed to mention the Stevens Motel. One needn't look too closely at the book to see that I call White's City a "touristy and gimmicky souvenir stop" and do in fact recommend the Stevens Motel (though under accommodations, not under food). Both of these references are on page 194 of the current edition. Thank you.

In reading through this rather well researched volume, I noted that the author will often note, at the end of an entry, that the place whose English or Spanish name has just been discussed, also has a name in Navajo (occasionally another language), a name whose meaning is given -- but we are not told the actual word! For example, the author tells us that the name for Albuquerque, in Navajo, means "two bells in place"; but he does not tell us that actual name, Bee'aldííl Dah Sinil.

In the preface, the author offers an explanation for this oddity:

"Regarding Indian place names, with but few exceptions I've presented their meanings but not their sounds; even the best transliterations do no more than approximate the actual sounds of the Indian words, and transliterations encourage the gross corruptions from which Indian names have suffered over the years. Persons who want to hear the sound of the Indian names should consult a native speaker."

This is really just stupid. One could similarly argue for the exclusion of all French words from etymologies in English dictionaries -- after all, French "transliterations" do no more than approximate the actual sounds of the French words. And anyway, if you write it down, someone will just mispronounce it. So, better to just ask a French person?

And this is particlarly silly considering this is from University of New Mexico Press, the same press that publishes the Young & Morgan lexicons of Navajo -- which, incidentally, have thorough coverages of placenames, which is of interest to anyone who, unlike this author, considers Native names the subject of scholarship.

Hopefully reason will prevail, and in some future edition, the Native names will actually be listed instead of merely hinted at.

This book is an excellent resource for placenames of Spanish origin in New Mexico (which is most of them), and for that reason I definitely recommend this book. But still a good number of the placenames in New Mexico have their origin in local Native American languages -- and this book bungles its dealings with those names.

That is, in reading through this rather well researched volume, I noted that the author will often note, at the end of an entry, that the place whose English or Spanish name has just been discussed, also has a name in Navajo (occasionally another language), a name whose meaning is given -- but we are not told the actual word! For example, the author tells us that the name for Albuquerque, in Navajo, means "two bells in place"; but he does not tell us that actual name, Bee'aldííl Dah Sinil.

In the preface, the author offers an explanation for this oddity:

"Regarding Indian place names, with but few exceptions I've presented their meanings but not their sounds; even the best transliterations do no more than approximate the actual sounds of the Indian words, and transliterations encourage the gross corruptions from which Indian names have suffered over the years. Persons who want to hear the sound of the Indian names should consult a native speaker...One could similarly argue for the exclusion of all French words from etymologies in English dictionaries -- after all, French "transliterations" do no more than approximate the actual sounds of the French words. And anyway, if you write it down, someone will just mispronounce it. So, better to just ask a French person?

And this is particlarly silly considering this is from University of New Mexico Press, the same press that publishes the Young & Morgan lexicons of Navajo -- which, incidentally, have thorough coverages of placenames, which is of interest to anyone who, unlike this author, considers Native names the subject of scholarship.

Hopefully reason will prevail, and in some future edition, the Native names will actually be listed instead of merely hinted at.

I grew up in New Mexico, and since moving away, I have been very interested in learning more about my home state (probably because I miss it so much). This book is an excellent reference of place names, and taught me a lot about New Mexico. I highly recommend it!

I read this book and was extremely disappointed. This book is about Mr. Cass first, then Philmont. If you like reading about a mid life crisis, this is your novel.

I throughly enjoyed author Bill Cass' stories about his Philmont experiences. His tales are well crafted and help the reader relive the fun and adventure of the Philmont Scout Ranch.

I do not know why the next review features such spite for Mr. Cass (jealousy?). The reviewer has violated the 4th point of the Scout Law.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has been to, or is planning a return trip to Philmont. It is excellent reading.

Wally Meyer - Philmont Ranger (1978 & 1979)

I came across this title, purchased it from Amazon and relived my 1972 trip to Philmont. This is a must read for anyone who's ever been to Philmont.

Sonny Baca is a private detective investigating a cult murder of his cousin Gloria. The story weaves together a fabric using the old Native American, the Hispanic, and the Anglo traditions that are so juxtaposed in Albuquerque, and most of the Southwest. Anaya keeps us involved and entertained well by the cast of characters from the beginning to the dramatic climax. He shows us the good and the bad aspects of these traditions. In the end the reader is left with a greater appreciation for the natural beauty of the Southwest and a greater feeling for the traditions and beauty of both the fantasies and realities of these indigenous peoples. It helps to know a little Spanish to catch some of the brief phrases used, so a Spanish dictionary is helpful at times. However, the story never taxes the Anglo with Spanish since most of the words are either very common expressions or are explained in the text (except for the curses!). Hopefully, we can look forward to more about Sonny (and Rita) in the future.

The novel is admittedly uneven -- I suspect that hard-core mystery fans will become impatient with the see-it-coming-a-mile-away nature of some of the occurances -- but worth reading. Anaya's prose is frequently lovely and the characters resonate. In addition, it's a pleasure to read an author who presents the mystical/spiritual with respect. In my opinion, Anaya wasn't preachy, but he clearly agrees with Jung's assertion that the religious impulse in human beings is as ineradicable as the sex drive.

This was a book that I could hardly put down. Sonny Baca is one of a kind. Bring on more like this, Mr. Anaya!

I wanted more bear action in this novel. It seems the "extinct" bears got less play than the romance? between exes Jack and Cassandra. I know I wouldn't want to be in some deep, dark cave with my ex! All in all this book reminds one of a few recent books like "Extinct" and "The Trench" where thought to be extinct creatures come in contact with man with expected results. I'm not saying this is a bad novel, just that there are better examples of this genre out there.

I have to admit that I could not put this book down. A fast entertaining read. The story line moved and subplots were good. If you need a book for the plane or the beach, Get this one. I for one liked the ending and the far fetched plot. I like a book that I can read enjoy and feel satisfied with. If I want a book heavy with reality or more realistic could be, I read one. Sometimes I just want to read books because I want to be entertained by them. This was one.

The setting is an unexplored cave near Carlsbad Caverns and the scientists who study it ' and begin disappearing. Something is evidently down there, and amid issues of nuclear waste and research lies evidence of a new threat to mankind which must be stamped out. Cavern features fast action and a thrilling plot which will keep readers guessing to the end.

Santa Fe decorating style is an inviting decor which overlaps several regions with warmth and a comfort feeling. Although this book, SANTA FE STYLE, has an inviting cover and beautiful color photographs, it is filled with black and white photos of interiors as well...too many for the cost of this book. Overall has a "dated" look to it, oversized fonts and poor use of white space, and photos are often lost in the center bindings...all a major distraction to this book. Consider Mexican Country Style by Witnyski & Carr.

This book is a good introduction to the Santa Fe Style, and covers all aspects of it from historical to the present. There are lots of great colour photo's and lots of old B&W photo's also. I just bought the book for information on the famous Boulder House, but after reading it I came away with more of an appreciation of the architecture, interiors, and culture of Santa Fe.

The book was just what I was looking for, history of the Santa Fe style and great ideas for the adobe home I am planning on building in New Mexico. I have the plans, and needed the details, ideas for windows, corbels, portales, carving on the wood work, etc,etc. I came away with a whole notebook full of ideas! It is a beautiful book with over 450 gorgeous photos. Chock full of interior and exterior decorator ideas.

The reason why it is so important to pay attention to description is because Richter uses nearly every detail to help tell the story. The prose is evocative in the tradition of some of the best modernist writing at the time like Willa Cather. Despite the occasional misplaced modifier, Sea of Grass is definitely a book that deserves a close reading--if only for Richter's poetic prose that makes you want to read out loud.

Conrad Richter is a detailed narrator of the Early American Scene.The clear sense of a spacious natural setting that he has depcited in other novels like the vast New Mexican territory in The Lady, the elemental force of the natural forest in The Trees, and The Light in the Forest is present in The Sea of Grass. The cattle barons with their ranches "as big a Massachusetts with Connecticut thrown in" and the rolling spanse of emerald green prairie in the spring will render a visual sense of splendor.Historically, Richter encompasses the tense struggle between the rich cattle barons and the squatters in the mid 1800's. My favorite part of the book is the unexpected direction of the character Lutie. The delicate balance of prose and the strong conflicts that develop between the characters, the Colonel, Lutie, Brock, and Judge Chamberlain grab the readers' full attention. Mr. Richter with an uncanny skill for recapturing the past dramatizes the brutality and bravado of the Southwest in the mid 1800's in The Sea of Grass.

"The Sea of Grass" is a simple story masterfully told by Conrad Richter. No other writer can match Richter's ability to capture the spoken word of a region or particular time period, or equal his aptitude in turning a simple chain of events into powerful story telling. This novel chronicles the end of the New Mexico frontier as seen through the eyes of Hal, the nephew of one of the last great cattle ranchers. As civilization encroaches even onto that remote region, Colonel Jim Brewton symbolizes the last struggle and eventual submission of the land to the inevitable development of the forces of society. Richter also weaves Brewton's marriage to an unfaithful wife and his relationship to their children into this conflict. Although this plot appears derivative and indentical to that of a soap opera, Richter's prose style elevates it to the status of a great tragedy. Richter clearly mourns the passing of the great independents whose struggle to develop the land clearly and ironically led to their own obsolescence.

If this book were to be classified by its style, it would be "Early American Tantra." Given that current scientific research continues to tie ancient Asia and Central and South America together through the undeniably similar artifacts, archeology, calendar systems and languages, it seems entirely plausible that the Tantric philosophy and practices of Asia would appear in some related form in ancient America as well. Based on the Aztec/Mayan numerology system as first explained factually and then demonstrated in an unapologetically mystical manner by Mr. Montgomery, this philosophy is offered to the reader of this book in a powerful and experiential manner.

That this book, published six years ago, is not better known appears to be the result of two factors. First it is written in a dream-like style that weaves the author's personal narration in and out of spiritual teachings, social commentary, metaphysics, poetry and symbology - hence, the Tantric comparison. Taken altogether, it is a fascinating study of human consciousness, delivered in a dreamlike mandala that becomes visible and evident only after one studies the work and steps back to see it in its altogether - not a "sound bite" popular book. The second reason for this book's lack of emergence apparently is that Mr. Montgomery, seemingly as non-public a personality as his book is non-conforming to popular style, neither speaks nor teaches in a public forum - or so I was told when I contacted the publisher. While that seems too bad on the one hand, it also seems understandable on the other. The best Tantra teachers are not necessarily the most popular TV personalities. In any case, this is a wonderful, complex, challenging writing. Highly recommended for serious students of consciousness.

Off-beat, wild, excellent. Takes the mind on a trip. Like a personal history of consciousness opening up. It's about the whole world of spiritual development, said different than by anybody else.

This is an amazing book. First time I read it about four years ago, I kind of liked it but didn't understand most of it. I picked it up again last month, and it's become the most important book in my life. It's the best overview of the spiritual journey that I've run into in many years, using the Mayans' mathematics as a guideline to another realm of being. It also makes the point that all powerful world traditions, including those of the Native Americans, can lead to the truth. Be patient, read it slowly, and this book will speak to you.

When purchasing this book, I expected to read about rodeo and native american life with a little romance. I did learn a lot of the native american way of life and enjoyed reading about it. The romance story line was decent, but not incredible. The only mention of rodeo was towards the end. When the author misinformed the readers and wrote that the flankstrap used in the roughstock events is tied around the animals testicles. This is untrue. The fact is that the strap is used as a conditioning tool and does not harm the animal at all. In fact, some of the animals used in saddle bronc and bareback (which are horse events)are female not male. The author needed to get her facts straight or left rodeo out of the book completely.

I, too, have read Ms. Mapson's other books, and have enjoyed them. I did feel, however, that "Blue Rodeo" was just a tad bit overblown and the ending was...how shall I put it? Well, just let me say that when I read the last page I thought to myself, 'That's the end?' It just wasn't a very strong ending. I did appreciate the the information about the Navajo culture and I yearn to visit Arizona and New Mexico after reading Ms. Mapson's books, but I just didn't enjoy this one as much as her others. I do hope that she writes more though!

I found myself enthralled with the characters and what they were going through. Very realistic. Not too mushy. Problems people deal with in the real world, which is why I think it is easy to relate and become engrossed.