Desert environment leaves its stark impress upon plants, animals, and men. And Ross Calvin tells the beautifully strange story of New Mexico-its ancient culture, the coming of the Spanish friars, the Spanish occupation, pueblo life, the Apaches and their long warfare with the whites, cattle and sheep raising and cowboys and outlaws, and the old trails, and the coming of the railroads-treating all these in the light of the physical features and physical conditions of the country. Calvin knew New Mexico intimately, and the writes of his observations and experiences in his rides and tramps...

Many people love the American Southwest without truly understanding it. Ross Randall Calvin did and we are the richer for it. Calvin began his search as a pilgrim health-seeker, believing he had left the "known world" behind when he fled the East for New Mexico. There he soon found to our benefit that he could use his observational skills and intellect to fashion a picture that helped him and us comprehend those unique factors that make New Mexico what it is-its history, people, culture, climate, and so much more. Those lessons learned he shared with us. His books and essays can open our eyes...

Many people love the American Southwest without truly understanding it. Ross Randall Calvin did and we are the richer for it. Calvin began his search as a pilgrim health-seeker, believing he had left the "known world" behind when he fled the East for New Mexico. There he soon found to our benefit that he could use his observational skills and intellect to fashion a picture that helped him and us comprehend those unique factors that make New Mexico what it is-its history, people, culture, climate, and so much more. Those lessons learned he shared with us. His books and essays can open our eyes...