1 comments about Foods of the Maya: A Taste of the Yucatán.

1. Foods Of The Maya is a highly recommended sampler of Yucatan cuisine that will intrigue any who enjoy regional cookbooks. Foods Of The Maya focuses on local versions of Mayan cooking, from Garlic Pork with Rice and Black Beans to an orange juice/allspice seasoned Motul Chicken. No photos, but the recipes don't need them.

4 comments about Images of the Southwest: Southern Utah & Southwest Colorado (Volume 1).

1. This CD is hyped as a professional quality portfolio of the scenic southwest. While the photos are synchronized with the text of volume 1, which is helpful in visualizing the locations, The quality of the photos is not worth the $19.95. Since I was disappointed, I returned the CD and was reimbursed the sum of $6.95 for my troubles. If you are looking for quality photos, don't waste your time, and money!



2. One look at Martres's two books on photographing the Southwest convinced me to immediately buy his CDs as well. Many of the photos are stunning and Martres's fair use conditions are generous. The images are good companions to the book as you can copy the good setup angles that he has spent years finding. Also he avoids overly heavy use of filters so that what you see in the images represents what you may actually see in the field. There are a few times in which the criteria for including pictures seems to be the success of the shots rather than the significance of the places visited. (For example, Angel Arch in Canyonlands is not included.) Also, I found the links that some of the images had to his chosen jpg viewer (included) quirky. His may be more viewer than you want or need. Fortunately, it is possible to get around the included viewer and use your own jpg viewer. On the whole, the CD is very worthwhile.



3. I have been a photo addict to this region for ten years and have made six journeys to the region to get photos for my website. It is true that the pictures on this CD are over saturated and have high contrast, this is partly because the photographer likes sunrise and sunset pictures. Most of my digital pictures are taken in full sunlight and there is a remarkable difference between our shots. However, there are many shots that I have not seen and it has encouraged me to visit the more obscure sites on my next visit. Some of the sites I will never see because too much hiking is required. This CD compliments the book, the pictures in the book are in black and white. Many of the pictures are superb. The CD also contains the excellent ThumbsPlus software which I have been using for 8 years and is a must for any photographer to sort out and edit digital archives. All my website pages were also generated using this software. All in all this CD has many good shots and will give the 'Southwest'photo enthusiast new ideas about this area, especially off the tourist track. In my opinion the wave photos from the Paria region were worth the price of the CD, as I had never seen them before. If you have the book it is worth getting the CD, if you have been here as a tourist it will show you some of the shots you missed.



4. We are planning a long trip to Bryce and Zion National Parks in May and purchased Martres book earlier. His descriptions of the trails and where to be at what time of day are proving invaluable to use in planning our daily hikes! We are able to map out our entire trip. When the CD came in with color pictures of the very places we'll visit, we were so excited! It helps us envision how we will need to place our camera equipment to get just the right picture to bring home, print and put on our mantel.

1 comments about Indian Country: Sacred Ground, Native People.

1. In his new book, Indian Country, Sacred Ground, Native People, photographer and writer John Annerino has once again captured the spirit, history and beauty of the American West. Traveling through the sacred land of the Navajo, Hopis, Apache and Pagago people, Annerino bears witness to the majesty, mystery and the spiritual magnificence of this land. His photographs capture awesome vistas and mountain ranges as well as Native ceremonies. He "sees" the light of this land in a way that conveys the deep emotional and spiritual attachement he has to both it and it's people and his words express and explan the history and beliefs of the areas tribes with respect and reverence. This is trully one of his finest works to date. Indian Country is a testament to the sacred history of the West and a lesson that these lands and traditions must be preserved and honored.

No comments about Touring the pueblos: A travel guide which takes the visitor to all 20 living Pueblo Indian reservations in New Mexico and Arizona.

4 comments about Mysteries and Miracles of New Mexico: A Guide Book to the Genuinely Bizarre, in the Land of Enchantment.

1. Although some of these stories can never be verified, they are very interesting to read.

   I like that there are directions included at the end of each story for those that would like to see where these events happened. I also like that there is a bibliography at the end of each chapter so that the reader can further explore those stories that interest him/her. The pictures are few and far between and are black and white. However, the pictures that are included are relevent to the text.

   A vern interesting book.




2. As a New Mexico resident, explorer, and fan, this book had immediate appeal to me. It's regarded as a sort of regional cult classic, and after reading it I can see why.
   Every one of its chapters addresses a specific topic or story, and at the end of every chapter the book gives directions to whatever it was talking about, and also recommends other sources for further reading on the same subject.
   The book's topics range from bizarre cattle mutilations to UFOs to supernatural witchery to miracle churches. By the time you've read this entire book, not only will you have a good idea of the state's weirdness, but you'll have a good idea of the state's overall history. The writing is simple and plain, without frills or poetry, but it does what it's supposed to. If the book has faults it's that some of its chapters address topics that don't seem all that miraculous or mysterious, and there are occasionally features that the author won't give directions to but that I want to see. Overall though this is a great book--a fast, informative, interesting read. At times it's even scary.
   Also, there are some great topics the book doesn't address--such as skinwalkers, el chupacabra, and a few great treasure stories--but maybe those topics are addressed in this book's follow-up, "More Mysteries & Miracles of New Mexico," a book I now plan on buying.



3. This is a terrific little book on some of the more bizarre people, places, occurrences in New Mexico. Of course there is a chapter devoted to Roswell (actually there are 3 UFO related chapters including the chapter on cattle mutilations). Then there are the stories about stashed gold and money, Native American women warriors, mystery inscriptions on rocks, spirit world windows (worthy of Keel himself), New Mexican witches, and the mystery surrounding Billy the Kid. It's a smallish book (217 pages) and would be highly suited for an "in-flight" read the next time you fly the friendly skies. It definitely makes you want to visit all the places mentioned within the book.



4. I am born and raised here in Albuquerque New Mexico and I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot of history about my home. I am actually going to be scheduling some weekend road trips to visit some of the sites mentioned in this book.
   For anyone who likes reading about history or likes reading about strange happenings, this is definitely the book for you.

2 comments about Ghost Towns Alive: Trips to New Mexico's Past.

1. Visiting a ghost town can leave you wondering but never knowing what stories lurk behind the crumbled adobe walls, abandoned wagons, and other relics of lives once lived.
   
   Author Linda Harris does a suberb job of introducing the characters who helped form these old towns--the curmudgeons, the criminals, the benefactors, and the adventurers.
   
   Harris also offers the filter of her own heart, soul, and considerable knowledge as an area historian to breathe life into each narrative.
   
   Ghost Towns Alive isn't just a mere recitation of facts, statistics, and driving directions, although you'll find plenty of useful information to get you to your destination. Instead, this book is an absolute must to guide you through an intimate experience of New Mexico's past.



2. Not only is this book a good guide to many of New Mexico's ghost towns, but it is also incredibly readable. It is by far, among my very favorite books on the subject.
   Plus, it passes the one-question test I give to all New Mexico ghost town books: "Does it include Hagan?"
   Hagan, New Mexico--the greatest, most overlooked of all ghost towns anywhere. Many ghost town books just include all the obvious ones, like Shakespeare and Steins, but only the good ones know about Hagan. Not only does this book include Hagan, but it also has a fact or two about it that I've never come across in the rest of my reading.
   Buy this book, stock your car's CD player with Caribou and the "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" soundtrack, and set off driving.
   There's a lot out there waiting for you.

No comments about Along the Santa Fe Trail.

No comments about Mosaic of New Mexico's scenery, rocks, and history: A brief guide for visitors (Scenic trips to the geologic past).

No comments about A Journey into Georgia O'Keeffe's New Mexico (ArtPlace series).

No comments about American Auto Trail-New Mexico's U.S. Highway 70 (American Auto Trail).