What a delicious surprise this book has turned out to be! I couldn't put it down!

The author, Edward Topol, is a Russian writer, now living in the United States. The book is set in Russia, in the late 1960s. It promised the combination of a mystery, with a glimpse into a society we know little about.

It far exceeded the promise. What seems to be "just a mystery" takes us into the complexities of world politics, USSR government, Nenet society (native peoples of Siberia), love, and revenge. The story is told from the viewpoint of a woman, a Russian
police investigator. (Extra kudos for a man, writing as a woman, and doing so convincingly)

Mr. Topol is a very good writer, and we are lucky to have him. I hope to find more of his writings, and will definitely consider him one of my favorite authors. The book itself will be joining my permanent collection, one of the very few to do so this year.

Although one would think that this well written and entertaining history of New Mexico might be interesting only to residents of the state - both native and transplanted - you might be surprised.

New Mexico was inhabited for centuries before the United States became a reality. It was one of the last states the join the union - the 47th.

Primitive man lived here, and grew into the Native American tribes. They had a long history, and well-established cities (pueblos), government, and religion before the Europeans arrived here. Like the east coast natives, they made the first Spaniards welcome. When their welcome was mistreated, they routed the Spanish and sent them back south of what is now El Paso!

The Spanish returned, and the two societies worked out a government and community where Native Americans and the Spanish were equally respected. They fought together to repel the attacks of the nomadic tribes working their way west from the Plains. When "Americans" - meaning citizens of the United States - first crossed the plains, they found a thriving society already here.

The Chisholm Trail and the Santa Fe Trail intersected - bringing Manifest Destiny into conflict with Neo-Aztecism. Conflict was inevitable.

Although the blending is not seamless, New Mexico cultures - Native American, Hispanic, and American - have mixed, and yet retained their own individuality. In short, they have learned to get along together to their mutual benefit, with out any one culture dominating and quashing the others. It is a lesson the not-so-United States could learn from.

It is an interesting contrast that the state with the longest history of human occupation, is also on the leading edge of science and space technology. Many artists, writers, and scientists call New Mexico home. One of the largest industries is tourism and over half the state is public land, preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Mr. Chavez does a masterful job of recreating history as a story of real people and their interactions. The little "sidebars" throughout the book, illuminating the stories of interesting characters could easily stand alone as a book of western short stories - all of them true. Stories of courage, and venality, heroes, and villains. And in the case of Billy the Kid - a villain who, to some, was a hero.

The book is a very readable history, and carries with it an important lesson. Overall, it brims with hope and the essential goodness of humanity.

First I must compliment Ms. McCrumb on a masterful job of research for one who is not a NASCAR fan. Had I not read the Author's Note I would never have guessed she is not "one of us".

Yes, I am an old school die-hard NASCAR fan - even though I was never much of a Dale Earnhardt fan (Sr. or Jr.). - my sentiments ran to the "gentlemen" of the sport, first, The King (Richard Petty), and then Harry Gant. When Richard drove his last race, I began watching rookies, knowing that Harry's retirement couldn't be far behind. I chose a bright young fellow who really knew how to move a racecar around - Jeff Gordon. We all know how that turned out. Mind you, they take many a swing at my boy in this book! But us Gordon fans are used to that. Actually, I think ol' Dale kinda liked "Wonderboy", as he called Jeff.

All the NASCAR gossip aside, this is a wonderful read that will go a long ways towards initiating even the most uninterested into the mystique of stock car racing. The stories of several very different people along on the Earnhardt memorial tour for different reasons, as well as anecdotes from the good old days of racing are woven into a single tapestry of life. Everyone finds their own miracle, even if they were not really sure they were looking for one. Anyone reading this book, NASCAR fan or no, will find something to touch their heart.

Ms. McCrumb, in the Authors Note, tells us she wrote the book from an interest in the canonization of "popular saints". It is a very interesting premise, well deserving of a book, and she does it very well. Speaking for myself, I think that the people the public chooses as their saints - Elvis, Princess Di, Dale Earnhardt - are as valid, if not more valid, than those few that the church may choose to canonize. I don't really think God cares if the church recognizes them or not - I'm sure He does. What is important is that they personify something in each of us and remind us that we can become something more than we think we are.

Of course, Dale was hardly cold in the ground before people were telling about Dale sightings and miracles. I would hardly think of Dale as a saint myself (he was entirely too much in the habit of bumping drivers I liked better into the wall), but I always respected him as a talented and aggressive driver. Like so many people, I was drawn to the life story of a man who was a jr. high school dropout and worked his way into being one of the forty richest men in America through guts, determination,