New Mexico the Distant Land: An Illustrated History

Northridge, California: Windsor Publications, 1985. First Edition Stated . Hard Back. Fine/Very Good. 9 1/4" x 12 1/4. 183 Pages Indexed. White boards with gold spine lettering and pointed corners. Four inked lines of gift inscription on first title page. No other marks or stamps. Interior text and photo pages are flawless. Illustrated with photographs on almost all pages accompanied with text. Several photographs in color. New Mexico's enchanting beauty has lured people to this distant land throughout history. More than four centuries ago Spanish conquistadores came trudging across the desert from Mexico to found the farthest outpost of the Spanish empire. They discovered village-dwelling Indians of ancient heritage whose culture would endure and influence the rule of three successive governments: those of Spain, Mexico, and the United States. New Mexico: The Distant Land chronicles the state's cultural, political, and commercial development, while never losing sight of its ancient beginnings. The village dwellers' high-desert homeland is omnipresent in New Mexico's history, and the land itself plays a key role in author Dan Murphy's impressionistic look at the motivations and actions of the people who shaped that history. Murphy captures the desperation of the struggling outpost's first settlers and the vision of the merchants who made their way to riches on the Santa Fe Trail. He recreates the tumultuous frontier, where Indian, Spanish, and Anglo cultures mixed and clashed, finally growing together as a territory formed and the railroad arrived, ushering in the modern age. And after New Mexico's transition from adobe to steel and glass construction, Murphy perceives the relationship between Los Alamos-the secret laboratory where the atomic bomb was developed-and its location among the geologic ruins of an ancient volcano. History books-like history itself-often seem to repeat themselves. However, unlike most histo- rians, Murphy sees himself as a storyteller of fact and writes a lively, absorbing text. Picture researcher John O. Baxter has illuminated that text with more than 200 vintage photographs- many never before published-and sixteen pages of rich color plates. In addition, a special chapter researched and written by Baxter profiles the histories of businesses and organizations that have contributed their support to this publication and to the state at large. New Mexico: The Distant Land is more than an engaging history; it is also an affectionate tribute to a state of extraordinary beauty that holds much promise for all its people. Contents in Eioght Chapters: The Virgin Lnad, The First POeopole, Spani;sh Explorers, Colonization and Conquest, Spanish Colony Mexican Territory, New Mexico and The United States, On of the Fifty, Color Plates, Partners in Progress, and Patrons. Large book that will incur additional chargers for Priority Shipping to most locations.