The Trial Of Don Pedro Leon Lujan is an explication of data surrounding a controversial Indian slave trading case in 1851 in Utah. Sondra Jones presents a corrected picture of the issues of slave trading and Indian slave trade in the West, specifically the Four Corners area. The complexities underlying this historic trial are revealed in a vigorous review of documents and evidence relating to the trial. Findings are contradictory and contrary to cultural assumptions of the stereotypic corrupt Mexican slaver's guilt. Mormon tendencies to intrigue, slave trade involvement, and racial prejudice figure heavily in the sequence of events. To answer the question, Was this a fair trial and how would the history of Indian (and other) slavery have been different were it otherwise, read on. Much that is surprising in this history review will arise, causing a rethinking of some of the known racist tendencies of the dominant culture. This could not have been an easy book to write. This book will be of interest to Mormon history scholars as well as Native American and perhaps mesoamerican studies.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

Campbell does a great job offering concise information about Mexican Culture as it is related to the USA and Latin America. He offers insight for the Borderlands and the interior. This book is like the "Cliffs Notes" of Mexico. For a fast and easy-to-read book filled with information about issues such as: Battles, Holidays, Economy, History of the Country, Impact of NAFTA, Attitudes of Mexican People, etc.

This is a great reference tool that you will want on your bookshelf for a long time. It offers the nuts and bolts of the issues and you do not have to read all night to find the scoop on the situation. For further reading, the appendix and bibliography is great.

Una Linda Raza is an excellent teachers aid for those searching for ways to teach their children and grandchildren the traditions and culture of their New Mexican - Indian/Hispanic - roots. An excellent aid for the professional teacher, as well as the parent and grandparent; easy to read, and includes lessons plans, songs, dance, riddles, and art & crafts. Learn about the history, family & religious celebrations, the healers & home remedies as well as how to make a "piñata", "santo", "colcha", and "tin-works".

It changed the way that I looked at indians.

Coupled with great writing and actual documentation of facts, I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to learn and understand this well-written book, "Virgil Earp: Western Peace Officer."

August brings extensive expertise concerning the history of water and hydroelectric power development in the Southwestern United States. The story of water politics in the American southwest is instructive for the governments of both the United States and Canada.

Management of North America's water resource is poised to become the defining issue in Canadian-American relations in the twenty first century. Certainly, that issue will dominate trade negotiations and will precipitate fallout for the movement of other major commodities of Canadian goods into American markets.

In Arizona, water rights was topical as a political concern before the turn of the century to 1900. Central to the issue was Carl Hayden who was elected in 1911 and served in the U.S. Congress for the next 57 years; as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives until 1927 and then as a Senator from 1927 to 1969.

August reveals in this engagingly-written biography that Hayden knew from 1914 that his political future would be tied to water resource development; a thought documented as a young politician in letters to his parents. Hayden's personal papers disclose his legendary kindness in all relationships and perhaps part of the secret to his long political career.

In constructing the history, August draws out the competing interests of upper basin states with those downstream of the Colorado River, bringing in the early interest expressed by Los Angeles for electricity and water. What was involved was large scale manipulation of water in an extremely arid environment.

The protracted negotiations resulted in CAP -- the Central Arizona Project -- which put Colorado River water to thirsty agricultural areas and provided for the unimpeded development of Phoenix and Tucson by protecting them from water shortages. The bill was signed into law September 30, 1968 by President Johnson. The cost of implementation, US$1.3 billion, was the most expensive single Congressional authorization in history. Hayden considered the accomplishment the most significant contribution of his career.

The book is extensively researched and animated through interviews with Barry Goldwater and others prominent in the issue. The author has also drawn fom Johnson's presidential papers, court cases, and six decades of the Congressional Record. Some flavor of the thrust and parry of political debate has been drawn from accounts in dozens of newspapers and journals. That all of these sources have been assembled in one volume is a valuable gift to future scholars.

Evoking transportation images to bracket Hayden's working life, August reminds us that "He began his public career riding a horse and buggy to his office and ended it voting for funds that ultimately enabled him to watch people walk on the moon." No doubt, those astronauts were looking for water!

Contention over management of North American water resources has bracketed both the beginning and end of this century and will carry on well into the next. The World Bank warns us that the wars of the next century will be about water. August's prediction: "In the future, the use of water will underlie every public policy decision made in the American West."

The various coffee cakes and muffins we've tried have become family favorites, particularly recipes such as "Root Beer Muffins", "Maple Muffins with Maple Butter Glaze" (so rich!!!), "Peaches and Cream Muffins" and "Snickerdoodle Coffeecake". And the various custard dishes are wonderful, too.

"A Wall For San Sebastian" is a moving and entertaining novel set in early 19th Century Spanish Mexico. The principal character, Padre Leon, is a Spanish Franciscan missionary who, passed over for assignment to the missions of California, is assigned to the obscure village of San Sebastian. This veteran of the Spanish Army takes up residence in this dusty village held in the grip of terror by the feared Commanche warrior, Golden Lance.

Padre Leon undertakes the task, not only of rebuilding the Church of San Sebastian, but that of uplifting the entire community. Undertaking a myriad of projects, religious, engineering and agricultural, Padre Leon gradually wins the hearts of his parishioners. Recognizing that only with some security from the annual Commanche raids can San Sebastian lift itself out of its lethargy, Padre Leon undertakes his greatest task, that of building a wall for San Sebastian.

As the story progresses toward its climax, Padre Leon is torn between service to his people as a Son of Cortez or greater service to God and his people as a Son of St. Francis. Ultimately the son of Cortez restores his village's spirit and prosperity while it is through his response to his higher calling as a son of St. Francis that he secures peace for his people.

In this book we see Padre Leon as a a soldier turned priest, in the mold of St. Ignatius of Loyola, a builder of missions in the spirit of Junipero Serra, a defender of villages after the model of Padre Kino, and a bulwark against barbarians as was his patron, St. Leo the Great. The story combines history, the flavor of life in colonial New Spain and soul searching of people trying to do right in their lives. It is a book well worth reading.

My great and great-great grandfathers settled on the county lines of Young and Jack counties around 1876. We have walked the history of these lands and the arrowheads we find confirm the stories in this book. We have always been told of the history around us but it was never as clear as it is now after reading The Warren Wagontrain Raid. I gave this book to my father before he died; my sister and brother have since read and loved this book. They are waiting for it to be back in print so that they may have their own copy. I inhaled this book and did not want it to end.

A wonderful collection of early 20th century Native American interpretations of Western American History. Ottogary's fascinating career as a journalist is brought to life in this edition. This book is a must read for any one interested in the history of the American West.