Sedona is one of those places on earth that when you visit, you are touched by its ever changing beauty forever. This lovely offering is filled with spectacular photographs and natural history, recreation and historical information. Having visited Sedona many times, this book truly captures the essence of this unique piece of landscape that attracts so many people for its beauty, its mystical power and its outdoor activities. Northland Publishing has produced a "coffee table type book" without the often lofty ivestment expense. If you have ever made a pilgrimage to Sedona or long to visit, this is the book that you must have in your home library. Truly, a beautiful book.

This book is a must-have for every visitor to the Red Rock Country, resident, or lover of the majesty of this area. For $$$$$ this book is definitely the best deal out there! The full page, color photos are spectacular and the writing is intriguing. This is a memento of Sedona that will take you back to the beauty of this magical place no matter how far away you are.

This book features superb photography of the historic Catholic missions built in the southwest states and California. The beautiful photographs, many of them full-page, are of exterior and interior views of the missions, as well as closeups of architectural and artistic details. A short written history accompanies each featured mission, and although there are some mentions of the historical personages and events connected with the missions, most of the histories refer to the physical aspects of the missions such as their construction, remodeling, etc. This is a great coffee-table or armchair traveler book, but one will need to look elsewhere for a serious study about mission history.

I purchased this book after a recent visit to the Santuario de Chimayo near Taos, New Mexico, which is one of the churches it features. The photos are absolutely gorgeous and provide an excellent feel for the incredible beauty of these wonderful, historical buildings. The book covers everything from each church's unique architecture to the fascinating folk art that can be found within.

Beautifully illustrated, this book is a delightful authentic Native American tale. Every child I bought this for has loved the drawings.

Geri is a genuine Native American storyteller (Navajo) and one of the few authentic indian authors of children's books today. This book reflects her creativity, while the vivid and beautiful illustrations excite the imagination! "Snail Girl" is based on a story from the Navajo creation myth which imparts respect and honor for a most precious substance, water. Highly recommended.

Few men parallel the exploratory achievements of Jedediah Smith in the western U.S. This journal, written by Smith, illustrates the many hardships and sacrifices one must overcome in order to accomplish those dreams of exploration. Extremes of desert heat, impenetrable mountain snow depths, thirst, hunger, fatigue, momentary disorientations, spatterings of Indian hostilities, indecisions of Mexican officials in Spanish California, etc. were all obstacles to conquer on the road to uncharted territories. He attempted peace treaties between the Utes and Shoshonies, spent time with the Mohave Indians along the Colorado River (one of the first written accounts of their culture), describes Spanish mission life in southern California, the trek northward encountering Indian animosity, the first crossing of the Sierra Nevadas by a U.S. citizen and finally, the Herculean journey across the Great Basin to the 1827 rendezvous at Bear Lake. We are very fortunate that this journal came to surface as it is of major historical significance. Mr. Brooks' editing is exceptional.

If you like unprocessed, uninterpreted real history, you can't do better than reading original journals of people who experienced it. This treasure of a journal, discovered in an attic just a few decades ago, tells the day-by-day adventures of Jedediah Strong Smith, one of the greatest American western explorers. His travels are second only to Lewis and Clark's in significance for the opening the West. This book is the journal of Smith's first trek to California from the Rockies and back. It is filled with both the excitement of discovery, and the perils of horse-and-foot travel among potential enemies in inhospitable lands. You will read first-hand accounts of near starvation and thirst, of Indian attacks, of mountain blizzards and waterless deserts, of near drownings in rivers, of weary travels over wastelands and mountains, and other accompaniments of exploration in a day without roads, maps, telephones, electricity and fast food.

What makes this account so valuable is Jedediah himself. Serious and unpretentious, devoutly Christian and a man of high integrity, Smith was not the stereotypical Mountain Man. In just eight years since joining William Ashley's band of trappers (1824), killed by Indians at age 32, he had traveled most of the Western United States, surviving herculean odds along the way. One unforgettable scene in this journal has Smith meditating to himself atop a peak in the Sierras, after having suffered severe hardships with his men against snow and Indians. He reminisces about the comforts and joys of his childhood home back East, but then in the spirit of true courage, faces the desperate reality of his situation and the fact his men are counting on his leadership. From there he faces several life-and-death struggles getting over the Sierra Nevada (first white man to make the crossing) and across the desolate Great Basin wastelands and back to the Rendezvous near Salt Lake. When he arrives, his friends, who thought him long dead, celebrate by firing a cannon they had carted over the Rockies from St. Louis. [Historical note: within days, Smith was off to California again, this time to suffer even more hardships all the way to Oregon, including two Indian massacres.]

This was one of Smith's most important journeys; known previously only by some letters and pieces of the journal, we now have the full account! I'm surprised this book doesn't get more attention; I found it captivating. The descriptions of Mission San Gabriel, early Pueblo Los Angeles and the Mexican-controlled early California culture are revealing. Having seen the mission today hemmed in by the city, I now have the eyes of Smith and his aide Harrison Rogers (who died the following year in the Umpqua Massacre in Oregon), to see how it must have appeared in 1827. George R. Brooks' helpful footnotes give background information and locations, so that you can follow the route on a map. I think it would make a terrific family vacation to retrace his journey. From your air-conditioned van, along I-40 in desolate eastern California, or along I-80 in Nevada, look out your window and imagine Smith and his weary men in a desperate search for water, as you cover in a half-hour what took them two days.

In an age where history is processed through Hollywood tall tale tellers, who don't hesitate to rewrite what happened according to their politically correct biases, we need to get the story straight from the source. (Hmmm, this journal would make a great film epic, though.) We also need to appreciate the courage and fortitude of our pioneers, who accomplished great things with much less. Get a map of the Western states, open this book, and discover America with Jedediah Strong Smith!

Marcia Keegan's Southwest Indian Cookbook wonderfully showcases Pueblo and Navajo recipes enhanced with beautiful photographic images and thematically appropriate quotes. From Potato and Tomato Cream Soup; Skillet Squash; and Taos Rabbit; to Pueblo Venison Stew; Indian Fry Bread; and Navajo Cake, the Southwest Indian Cookbook is a fitting culinary tribute to Native American cuisine and would grace any multicultural kitchen cookbook collection.

This my favorite cookbook covering Pueblo and Navaho foods. Not only are the recipies delicious and authentic, but the many photographs of the people and the landscape of the southwest, along with their words, has produced a small but beautiful book that displays the recipies within the context of the land and cultures.

This is an excellent workbook / pattern book for both the beginner and intermediate scroll sawyer, another Spielman success with the contribution of Dan Kihl. There are about 150 full size patterns in the 154 pages, and with the suggested variations on each project, the possibilites are endless.

As usual, the first 22 pages deals with instuctional guidance with photos. Some good instructions on wood selection, transferring patterns, definition cuts, and stack sawing. Then, for the more experienced, Spielman gives advice on combining various metals, plastics and leather with the traditional wood projects. It takes an ordinary project to an extra ordinary project with the "simple" inclusion of different medias.

Also for the more advanced, tips on segmentation and inlaying are provided, again, with photos. Perhaps the most interesting chapter, is on finishing tips, including acetic-acid bath of copper combined with shiny copper inlays. The eight pages of color photos offer great assistance with how different finishing techinques can look.

The are some very unusual patterns in this book and with the combination of the various techniques discussed and presented with photos, makes this book a must to have and you will refer back to it time and time again, just like I do, for some different ideas to apply to other projects.

This has very unusual patterns - some are appropriate for beginner and others for the more experienced. The patterns could possibly be used for sewing appliques, beadwork, or other mediums other than wood or metal.

Southwest Shuffle by Rich Kienzle is a fascinating survey of the pioneers of honky-tonk, Western swing and country jazz music considers the evolution of musical styles and talents alike, from swing fiddler Spade Cooley to country musician Willie Nelson. The focus on musician interactions, collaborations and influences across genres is particularly insightful and rich in this fine history.

great book.

Great book. I buy all books Rich writes. The only writer that does his research about guitar players. He always gives credit to other authors when he quotes their material.

Hi I bouhgt Southwestern Indian Jewelry and it arrived with no plastic wrap and the jacket was damaged. Please let me know how to go about exchanging it for another in perfect condition. I am a collector and condition is important. Thank You, Joe Garcia.

As a collector of Indian art, jewelery, pottery and rugs, I had the wonderful good fortune to know and consider the Hopi Master jeweler Charles Loloma my friend.

Finding a book on American Indian jewelery was almost impossible to come by until this great book by Dexter came out in 1992. The artists, their work in magnificent color will move anyone to want to own some of this jewelry.

From it's beginings late in the 19th century jewelery was the Indian method of carrying their wealth around in the form of necklaces, braclets etc, Indian jewery was mainly of two schools. Most prominent was the Navajo and the other Zuni.

Then in the mid 1960's came a Hopi indian Charles Loloma. He was the Picasso that was going to revolutionize American Indian jewelery and he did. This book is a testament to Charlie's followers who now produce jewlery that is both modern and magnificant. Buy the book then go out to an Indian Art shop anywhere in CA, AZ, NM or even NJ and you will not be able to resist owning someting.

This book is awesome and I think that adults and kids will love it. Like the the reviewer before me, this book would be enjoyed by English as a second language people - and, I'd add everyone!!

This story is FUNNY and well written.

This book is a must for any English as a Second Language teacher. My students have truly enjoyed reading and re-reading this tale. Mr. Hayes grabbed my students' interest with the a sprinkling of Spanish and Rebecca Leer catered to the culture with marvelous artwork....a must read

I really enjoyed this book! Several of my fiends have read it and everyone loved it. We all think it would make a great movie. Has Phillis Stevens written any more books?

Set in the Southwest (New Mexico), this light tale of discarded wives & how they team up to make a new start is funnier & cleverer than Olivia Goldsmith's big hit. A sleeper, if you will.Gussying up & gutsying up, these gals are fun to meet.