FIRE SEASON Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout
Philip Connors
In his reflective prose, Philip Connors captures the solitude, beauty, and perils of the Gila National Forest from his vantage point of a wilderness lookout in southwestern New Mexico. The author’s insightful observations of his natural surroundings, coupled with his thoughtful introspection, create a vivid expression of life as a fire lookout. This memoir not only serves as an inspiring account of wildfire surveillance but also delves into the profound connection between man and the untamed wilderness. The tale leaves readers with a lasting sense of awe and admiration.
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THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR
by John Nichols
The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols is a poignant and humorous novel set in the small, fictional, dirt-poor town of Milagro, New Mexico. The story centers on Joe Mondragon, a feisty farmer who illegally taps into a water source to irrigate his bean field, sparking a conflict between the impoverished locals and powerful real estate developers. Joe’s act of defiance ignites a grassroots rebellion, highlighting themes of community, social justice, and cultural preservation. Through richly drawn characters and a vivid depiction of rural life, Nichols explores the struggle between tradition and progress, making the novel a timeless commentary on human resilience and solidarity. This masterfully written novel has become a vibrant thread in the tapestry of New Mexican culture.
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ROCKHOUNDING NEW MEXICO
by Martin Freed and Ruta Vaskys
In this informative book, rockhounding enthusiasts can learn a great deal about the rocks and minerals scattered around the Southern Rockies—not just in New Mexico, but southern Colorado as well [because nature has no borders].
Astonishingly, more than a third of New Mexico is public land that holds untold quantities of mineralogical treasure. Rockhounding New Mexico can help anyone learn where to find unusual mineral outcroppings, ancient fossils, colorful jasper, and agate, as well as obsidian and petrified wood. The array and quality of such materials waiting to be found in New Mexico are mind-blowing. As always, please abide by the guidelines offered by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.
Dig down. // amzn.to/3ScZYW1
