I am always on the look out for books that will learn me a thing or two and if possible inform my wandering to and fro. I also like to share these tomes with others when I can. In May, I suggested “Annals of the Former World” a seminal collection of writings about geology in
this thread.
This time I am recommending a fascinating history of the south west: “
Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West” by Hampton Sides. (Hampton Sides is also the author of an excellent book, "
Ghost Soldiers", about the rescue of POWs at the end of WWII held in the Philippines. Good reading, but you are unlike to take your Airsteam there).
There are plenty of good reviews of this book available so I will hit the points that struck me most. First of all, I lived in New Mexico for a couple of years in the 80’s. I visited many of the sites discussed in the book, but never had a sense of the thread of connectedness that this narrative provides. Although I consider myself an informed traveler and no stranger to the four corners, I know my next journey there will be richer for having read this book. Already next summers travel plans have been shaped because of the stories Hampton Sides tells, and at the top of the list is Canyon de Chelly. I will resist the urge to go on about this book, however, if you are a history buff, interested in the four corners region, or just enjoy a well told yarn every now and then, I think you will find this book rewarding.