Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on
bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
New Mexico, A History
by Joseph P. Sanchez
This cooperative effort between three native New Mexicans is the first complete history of New Mexico. It charts the state’s development from 16th-century Spanish colony to frontier province, from its 1912 American statehood to a hub of (often classified) scientific research. A vital source for anyone seeking to understand the complex history of the West.
Moon Handbook New Mexico
by -
This comprehensive guide is packed not only with travel necessities (hotels, restaurants, sights), but also with a good overview of history, culture and destinations throughout New Mexico.
Grandmothers of the Light: A Medicine Woman's Sourcebook
by Paula Gunn Allen
Originating from the creation myths of Native American cultures across the continent, these 21 goddess stories are written with obvious affection and an emphasis on the power of nature and the feminine.
The Southwest Table, Traditional Cuisine from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona
by Dave DeWitt
Expert on chili peppers and spicy foods, Dave DeWitt (aka "the Pope of Peppers") blends Southwestern culinary history with 130 authentic recipes and cooking techniques in this tantalizing collection of fiery, flavorful dishes from Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Recreational Map of New Mexico
by GTR Mapping
A very good fold-out map of New Mexico.
Garden in the Dunes
by Leslie Marmon Silko
Our narrator, a precocious girl named Indigo from a nearly extinct Native American tribe, is adopted by a well-intentioned rich naturalist and his depressed wife. A thematically rich novel that illuminates the ways the two cultures interact with nature.
The Spell of New Mexico
by Tony Hillerman (Editor)
A selection of 12 thoughtful essays on the New Mexico state of mind by great writers, including C.G. Jung, Mary Austin, D.H. Lawrence and Lawrence Clark Powell. Hillerman succeeds in communicating the lure of the desert Southwest in this wonderful, literate introduction to the state.
New Mexico Wildlife, An Introduction to Familiar Species
by James Kavanagh
A handy fold-up card featuring color illustrations of common plants, animals and reptiles of New Mexico.
Edge of Taos Desert, An Escape to Reality
by Mabel Dodge Luhan
First published in 1937, this story reveals the spiritual awakening the New York socialite experienced through Taos, the Pueblo Indians and Indian Tony Luhan, whom she later married.
Infusions of Healing: A Treasury of Mexican-American Herbal Remedies
by Joie Davidow
A history of herbal remedies and medicines developed by the Aztecs and other Native American tribes, many still used in Mexican-American households today. Includes hundreds of herbal treatments.
Wild Plants of the Pueblo Province, Exploring Ancient and Enduring Uses
by William Dunmire, Gail Tierney
An accessible guide to the diverse plant communities of the Pueblo people.
National Geographic Field Guide to Birds, Arizona & New Mexico
by Jonatha Alderfer (Editor)
A pocket guide to the birds of Arizona and New Mexico, featuring a two-page spread for each species with a clear color photograph, a range map and excellent descriptions of field marks, behavior, habitat and viewing sites.
Dark Beauty, Photographs of New Mexico
by Jack Parsons
Some of the best work of Jack Parsons, a longtime and accomplished Southwest photographer, is compiled in this full-color coffee table book. Parsons presents the rugged landscapes and the people of New Mexico, exploring religious iconography, far-flung ranches, small towns and wide open spaces.
Ancient Peoples of the American Southwest
by Stephen Plog, Amy Elizabeth Grey (Illustrator)
This illustrated introduction provides an in-depth look at the ancient cultures that first inhabited the pueblos and cliff dwellings of the American Southwest. Organized chronologically, it features hundreds of maps, mostly black-and-white photographs and site diagrams.
OM Yoga, A Guide to Daily Practice
by Cyndi Lee
Clear and concise, Cindi Lee's superb guide uses easy-to-follow illustrations to show poses.
Enchantment and Exploitation, The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range
by William Eno DeBuys
A study of the cultures in the mountains of northern New Mexico.
Portrait of an Artist, A Biography of Georgia O'Keeffe
by Laura Lisle
Lisle shows how O'Keeffe was both changed and inspired by her Southwestern surroundings in this insightful biography of Georgia O'Keeffe.
