New Mexico: Celebrating the Land of Enchantment
Every corner of New Mexico is covered, as is nearly every racial and ethnic group of this diverse state. Included are photos of famous leaders, infamous criminals, and average men and women photographed while going about their daily lives.Many photographs are by renowned photographers, including Russell Lee and John Collier. Other photos are candid shots taken by everyday people, armed with cameras in increasing numbers by the early twentieth century. The author’s detailed captions describe the images and explain their importance in the history of New Mexico over the past 100 years.The book provides a rare glimpse into a proud past that New Mexicans will enjoy as they celebrate their centennial and look forward to the next 100 years.Richard Melzer is a professor of history at the University of New Mexico’s Valencia Campus, where he has taught New Mexico history since 1983. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books and nearly a hundred chapters and articles on twentieth-century New Mexico history. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and community leader who is most proud of his selection as the Teacher of the Year at the University of New Mexico in 1995. He is the past president of the Historical Society of New Mexico. Dr. Melzer and his wife, Rena, live in Belen, New Mexico.