The Spell of New Mexico

The writers included in hi book have given the reader a varied view of what makes New Mexico. As a native New Mexican, I think the writings give the reader a look at what makes this state special One that goes back a long time. One with a wide range of nature's gifts. As a child, staying by the upper Pecos River at night brought peaceful in a lovely setting. A hike to Mt Baldy offered a look at Nature's beauty, back in the 1940's was still free of today's trash makers. A peaceful area, free of modern noise and trash actions.An artist, Fremont Ellais (sp?) created beautiful oil paintings that capture the state's beauty. He also taught my Mother, who in turn taught me to "see", not look. In New Mexico there is lots of looking. Some is captured in this book.Sam Sutherlandps, Santa Fe is still my favorite place. I have fond memories of living on de Vargas St.

Not for nothing is New Mexico called the Land of Enchantment. The mountains, deserts, sunsets, and other features of the landscape have drawn visitors and settlers for generations. This collection of twelve essays discusses not just some aspects of the land, its people, and its history, but the effect that New Mexico had on the essayists.My favorite in this collection was the Winfield Townley Scott essay that took the reader through the seasons month by month for a year, describing what fall, winter, spring, and summer were like in Santa Fe. Fall is my favorite season there--I had one of my best vacations ever in 2003 when I visited the northern parts of the state in October.If I couldn't live in Texas, I would be happiest living in New Mexico. This book would convey to those who have never visited the Southwest why many across the decades have found the Land of Enchantment so alluring.

Hillerman's introduction and collection of these short essays has finally managed to capture exactly what many New Mexicans feel about the Rio Grande corridor and their state. I'd not heard of the book but it was a suggestion when I was shopping for "Seldom Disappointed" (Hillerman bio) and now I'll get several copies to share with friends who share in the love of New Mexico's magical magnetism. Gotta love internet shopping for those unexpected connections!

Eleven of the finest essays ever written about New Mexico. Short and focused on the magical uniqueness of this place, it’s a book I read when I can’t travel there often enough. Not a photo book nor a Hillerman mystery story, it is a celebration of what sets this region apart from the rest of the USA.

Although many of these essays are very old, native and adopted New Mexicans (like myself) will find that these authors share many of one's own feelings and emotions about the state. My favorite is the essay in which the author wrote that his family cheered each time they crossed the border into New Mexico in their car after being gone for a while. This is EXACTLY what my family and I have done since we began our "love affair" with the Land of Enchantment almost 50 years ago!

The book was in very good shape, originally published quite some time ago by University of New Mexico Press, it is a compilation of several essays on New Mexico. It is charming and quite readable. I want to move to that place and time right now. Unfortunately, New Mexico has grown quite a bit since then and I still intend to retire there.

Tony Hillerman is a wonderful author, who truly understands the Land of Enchantment. I haven't been home to New Mexico for over 10 years, yet when I read his work I am transported back and feel I've never left. I've always believed that later in life, when I'm ready to lay my bones down, I will return home to her. But in the meantime Hillerman takes me there, so no matter how far away I roam, I am never too far from home. Thanks Mr. Hillerman, I am grateful.

Very interesting series of essays on New Mexico. I plan to travel there this summer and this little book gives an Easterner like me a nice overview of what to expect. This is a unique place and I think i now will have a better appreciation of the unique qualities of this part of the world. Highly recommend