New Mexico Historical Encyclopedia

The New Mexico Historical Encyclopedia puts New Mexico's history and locations all in one book and provides a brief description of over 700 events and places in the Land of Enchantment - each accompanied by a bibliography which is intended to provide the names of books and other references that offer more information. This Encyclopedia gives a historical look at New Mexico - what is written about New Mexico and what events and locations played a part in its history. The Encyclopedia is intended to show that New Mexico history is original, exciting and interesting. In publishing this volume, New Mexico Centennial Author Don Bullis continues a long and distinguished history of such works in New Mexico. Earlier notable examples of biographical dictionaries include volumes three and four of Ralph Emerson Twitchell's The Leading Facts of New Mexico History (1917) and the third volume of Frank D. Reeve's History of New Mexico (1961), which he subtitled Family and Personal History. Bullis, himself, has published a biographical dictionary of people in New Mexico's history. Readers of Bullis' New Mexico biographical dictionary will know what to expect with this one: a delightfully eclectic selection of participants in the parade of notables who have passed through the pages of history here in the Land of Enchantment. Men and women from all walks of life and from most every ethnic group present in the state through the centuries stroll by. Because the author is an acknowledged expert on lawmen in New Mexico, men who have worn a badge, lawyers, and judges are fully considered in this volume. So, too, are those who operated on the other side of the law and even some of their victims. Military men and politicians are also particularly well represented. But you are just as likely to find a man of the cloth, a musician, an athlete or and artist whose story will surprise. I have no doubt that this volume will be the starting place for many people seeking to make the acquaintance of New Mexico of yesteryear. The concise entries provide a surprising amount of information, and the author has included several sources for his entries that are perfect jumping-off spots for further research. I must confess that in reading this book I met a number of characters I had not encountered previously. I am almost certain everyone who reads it will learn something new about New Mexico history and enjoy immensely themselves in the bargain.-Rick Hendricks, New Mexico State Historian This comprehensive encyclopedia of New Mexico history will prove to be invaluable to historians, history writers, and readers of all sorts. More than just short facts and biographies, it offers great reading for anyone interested in New Mexico history. One can turn to any page and find a great story, and it will be a rare reader or historian who can claim to have already known all that this tome includes.-Mike Stevenson, President, Historical Society of New Mexico