A LAND SO REMOTE

Prior to the holidays, I received a great gift, a copy of the beautifully produced three-volume study A Land So Remote, authored by Larry Frank and Skip Miller, and published by Marianne and Michael O'Shaughnessy of Red Crane Books, Publishers, Santa Fe.
Creation of a successful publication of this magnitude can only be accomplished by many who work in concert, in this case scholar, editor, publisher and, of course, those who are willing to share their treasures with anyone wishing to turn the pages in this landmark study. Frank and Miller have devoted a large percentage of their lives carefully studying and painstakingly handling objects-some of religious importance, powerful images that were the subject of daily devotion, while other objects that served a useful function in the lives of hundreds of thousands attempting to make their lives easier. To the Hispanic, Native American, and the Anglo, these objects were an integral part of daily life-whether as an expression of their spirituality, their intense religious devotion-- or to enable them to perform certain physical tasks-- cutting wood or baking bread.
The authors, in concert with photographer Michael O'Shaughnessy, have treated each object sympathetically, whether it be a santo or bulto, or packsaddle or carreta wheels, with the same level of care, even reverence. The real joy is in seeing so many diverse objects fashioned out of wood and other materials in significant numbers. How often have we had the opportunity of examining page after page of images beautifully organized and described. The authors, of course, treat us to a display of work by lesser known santeros, as well as the most celebrated, notably José Rafael Aragon. Volume two devotes pages 288 to 377 to some of the most powerful religious images by Aragon and his followers that the reader will ever experience.
Since 1974, I have been a frequent visitor to New Mexico and have written a few books on the Anglo painters. After reading Miller's and Frank's essays, I said to myself, "I wish I had written these words. Both scholars write with conviction and authority. They also write in a style I have labeled "an easy read." They have organized their material so that it makes sense. You understand why the objects were created, who created them and importantly, how they were created. Happily, these objects, some still in the churches in Ranchos de Taos, Chimayo, Taos, and chapels throughout the Southwest, others in museums and private collections, have been "gathered" and presented to the reader and viewer in a beautiful and effective manner (I was tempted to use the phrase elegant but refrained).
All reviews of the publication praise A Land So Remote for its visual appeal, handsome photographs," fascinating account of the history and culture of Hispanic New Mexico," scholarship, a major contribution to Hispanic studies. One critic even suggested that, before being placed in a glass case [with other rare books], it might serve as a coffee table book. Never! If anything, it will be a banquet table book, and will be the scene of great feasts-visual and literary. But their words, like mine, fail to express the impact this handsome three-volume study will have on you-the participant. This study will, like the objects that it treats, transcends time. Secure your copy. I can assure you that it will never gather dust (although it will go out-of-print).

Dean A. Porter, Ph. D.
Director Emeritus, The Snite Museum of Art
Professor of Art History
University of Notre Dame

Published by the vaunted Red Crane Books of Santa Fe, New Mexico, this three volume set on religious art and wooden artifacts of New Mexico is a rare, rich visual and intellectual repast. It would be a treasured gift, one to which collectors and aficionados will return time and again.

Larry Frank is remembered for "The New Kingdom of the Saints" (1997), while Skip Miller is curator and director, Taos Historic Museums.

With 842 stunning color photographs and 848 pages A Land so Remote surely holds the most comprehensive and accessible information on this subject. Many of the photos included are of rare objects gleaned from nine museums and a number of private collections. Carefully selected for the part each plays in this artistic corpus, photos are accompanied by concise essays that enhance knowledge while still piquing an interest to know more.

Volumes I and II beautifully present the growth of religious art during a period of over 125 years. It was a time when in order to undergird their faith Spanish settlers turned to santos, visual representations of saints. Thus was born an art form unique to America which once was of great import in churches, communities and homes.. Santos were, if you will, incarnations of the hopes and dreams of these immigrants.

"Rightly understood," author Frank remarks, "santos are a kind of 'liberation theology' written in the language of wood, plaster, and paint, an understanding of Christianity that empowers the poor to free themselves from unjust socioeconomic and cultural structures in the larger world and within themselves.

Volume III centers on wooden objects, such as tools, furniture, toys, and domestic utensils. These objects testify to the influence of the Spanish on the traditions of the indigenous inhabitants of this region.

Photographer Michael O'Shaughnessy described his task as a "...wonderful, often awesome, experience of having such close contact with material that radiates the love and importance that their makers brought to their creation."

Such is the case with readers as they leaf through the pages of these landmark volumes.

- Gail Cooke

The field of modern Mexican history has been waiting for years for a book like this. Mexican culture is given its rightful place among the great cultures of the world in many pre-Columbia studies, but almost never treated fairly in the 20th century by political historians. This book would make a great text for a class in modern Mexican cultural history.

This is a bright, thoughtful and engaging book! Anyone interested in the culture of Mexico or the history of the Southwest will enjoy this historical perspective.

This book is not a book on technique or a "how to be more like me" book. It is a book that outlines spiritual principles that all of us need to know as we serve the church and God. This has been one of the books that I have constantly referred to over the years and will continue to go back to.

This book updates church management to a model that works now. Too many churches still operate under a model where the minister is the absolute authority figure. Underlying spiritual principles support creating a loving, nurturing Christian team ministry where each and every member can become involved. Every ministry within the church becomes part of a support system. Even those who are difficult can find love, help and support in this model. For example, those in recovery from old hurts or substance abuse, the grief stricken, or those on the fringes of mental health have the potential to distrupt worship or interfere with church activities. They may not ready to be part of the mainstream, but there is a place for them to grow into the mainstream with God's help. This is a wonderful book, full of passion and wisdom and it comes from a man who leads a church with over 4,000 in attendance each Sunday. In other words, it is based on a highly successful ministry. He opens his heart and mind to the reader, providing information and inspiration. It's a great read!

This book is great and plus you can learn about the stuff they use in space camp. Like The MMU but you will have to read the book to Know what MMU means. I rate this book two paws up.

Wishbone The Cute Little dog is going where no one has gone before!So are his friends---Joe Talbot,Samantha Kepler,and David Barnes.Its The chance of a life time for dogs and kids alike.This Adventure reminds wishbone of one of the greatest science fiction stories of all times,"The Legion of Space",by Jack Williamson.Where He Imagines himself as the space hero John Ulnar,Who has To battle aliens to save a beautiful woman who is the last hope for mankind

Thank You for this book. In one day i knew the way to make my one Animation. My Mother bought me this book /3D sudio for beginners/ in Moscow. I didn`t receive required 1.44" disk and i hope you could help me to achieve the Tutorials you have composed for studing. Thank You!

This is a wonderful straight forward book for beginners and intermediate PC users. I have used PCs for years and just wanted to make sure that I did not have any gaps in my knowledge and I found out alot of stuff that I didn`t even know!!! 1st it has a whole bunch of really cool websites that you didn`t know about. Perfectly clear directions. Stuff on digital camera, PC maintenence, Personal Finance Applications this is a wonderful book and I would be throwing it away because it describes how to connect and use stuff that I haven`t even bought yet. Chapters are short. One thing though it is for Windows XP!!!! Lots of Pictures and it is so clear. BEGINNERS START HERE!!!!

This book was spellbinding and yet, utterly heart wrenching for me. I found Michael D. Miller's efforts in regressing 102 people back to the time of Camelot a compelling force as though he had written for me to read. Having stumbled upon the title of this book while on the internet I felt compelled to purchase it. (As a side note, I want to confide to all readers of this review that I checked all my local bookstores and libraries and could only locate this book through Amazon.com) What makes this story seem so "realistic" and "full of truth" is that the authors background seems doubtful that he would make something like this up. But beyond all that is the fact, that I, having gone through my own past-life regression can attest that all of his regressions with these people "ring true" within my experience. Sure, my doubtful and skeptical side wondered out loud how he manages to gather 102 people who all seem to have a connection to Camelot but as I began to think these thoughts the very next chapter answered my questions. Maybe Merlin was collaberating with the author on the writting of this book but it was a magical experience to read and "re-live" these experiences from an era of when time was enchanted and the dream of a perfect existence was realized. A time when love was pure.

Many accuse theology of being meaningless bickering over what we cannot verify. Von Balthasar happily topples those prejudices with this book, which is not only a profound look at the human condition and Scripture, but is also a strong challenge to the reader. The Christian and Anxiety starts with a chapter on what anxiety means in Scripture. This first Chapter alone would merit a purchase, as von Balthasar pulls together many threads from the Wisdom literature of the OT (e.g., Proverbs, Wisdom, Sirach, etc.) to give us a Scriptural review of anxiety. I found this very fruitful, and has caused me to go back to a couple books of the Bible for a new look. Von Balthasar then goes on in the next two chapters to reflect on the theological and philosophical underpinning of anxiety. This becomes tough, involved reading, and I'll be musing over this part of the book for some time, but you do come away with a new understanding about anxiety, which seems to be a very representative emotion for the modern West. Some books are difficult because the writing is poor, or the thoughts are disconnected, and some books are difficult because the author enters into a deep subject and does justice to it. The Christian and Anxiety fits in with the latter, and I highly recommend it as a worthy investment.

I have used this book for two years during Advent to read aloud to my family as we finish dinner. My 12 year-old at first thought it was silly, but she is always captivated by the stories. I like the blend of fiction, nonfiction, sentimental, and compelling selections. We have learned about Christmas for some Civil War soldiers, read some old classics such as The Gift of the Magi, and discovered some new authors we like. I highly recommend the book as a way to combat the secular focus of Christmas, without being preachy.