Book Reviews
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Tales of sagebrush and murder: A review of Assumption
In Percival Everett's mystery trilogy, New Mexico Deputy Ogden Walker chases murderers and wrestles with his own complex identity.
by Hillary Rosner, Sep 18, 2011 -
Fall books for the sweetly socked-in
High Country News lists some of the new and intriguing books of the coming fall season.
by Sarah Gilman, Sep 18, 2011 -
No bones about it: two books on the disappearing Everett Ruess
Two new books tackle the mystery of Everett Ruess, who vanished somewhere in the Four Corners region in 1934.
by Traci J. Macnamara, Sep 18, 2011 -
Living close to the bone in modern Alaska: A review of Bear Down, Bear North
The short stories in Melinda Moustakis' book plunge the reader into the challenging world of contemporary Alaskans.
by Alexa Mergen, Sep 18, 2011 -
The aftermath of violence: A review of The Color of Night
The narrator of Madison Smartt Bell's disturbing 13th novel is a former member of a murderous, Manson-like cult.
by Annie Dawid, Sep 04, 2011 -
Reality fiction: a review of What You See in the Dark
Manuel Muñoz creates a dark mystery inspired by the filming of Alfred Hitchcock's legendary thriller Psycho.
by Chérie Newman, Sep 04, 2011 -
A life in the wild
Carter Niemeyer's memoir Wolfer is the entertaining story of a government trapper who loves wildlife - especially serious predators like wolves.
by Hal Herring, Aug 21, 2011 -
Portraits of the frontier West: A review of Western Heritage
Editor Paul Andrew Hutton gathers some award-winning articles on Western history and culture.
by Erica Wetter, Aug 07, 2011 -
A Western mystery with an environmental twist: a review of Buried by the Roan
In Mark Stevens' second novel, Allison Coil, a tequila-drinking hunting guide, investigates a mysterious death in a remote landscape much sought after by oil and gas developers.
by Erica Olsen, Aug 07, 2011 -
Building a bridge to love: A review of Randy Lopez Goes Home
Rudolfo Anaya's new novel brings a Chicano man back to his remote New Mexican village.
by Chérie Newman, Jul 24, 2011 -
An L.A. story, in incidents and rhythms: A review of The Book of Want
Daniel Olivas' novel uses magical realism to describe the lives of a Mexican-American family in Los Angeles.
by Kathleen Yale, Jul 24, 2011 -
It's not just a job, it's an adventure: A review of Permanent Vacation
The 20 essays in this collection take us into the wacky and wonderful lives of some of the many people who work in the country's national parks.
by Gretchen Legler, Jun 26, 2011 -
A land of subtle beauty: A review of Llano Estacado
The photos and essays gathered in this collection of photographs and essays celebrate the austere beauty of a vast dry landscape.
by Kurt Caswell, Jun 26, 2011 -
Chronicling a lost river: A review of Dry River
Ken Lamberton explores a Southwestern desert landscape in Dry River: Stores of Life, Death, and Redemption on the Santa Cruz.
by Erica Olsen, Jun 12, 2011 -
That quiet haunted place: A review of American Masculine
The short stories in Shann Ray's book take us deep into the lives of Western men.
by Kurt Caswell, Jun 10, 2011 -
The endless atlas: A review of Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas
Rebecca Solnit assembles historical, legendary, and artistic tidbits and tales along with glorious maps in her new book.
by Jeremy Miller, May 29, 2011 -
Are you an Indian?
In his memoir, Navajos Wear Nikes: A Reservation Life, Jim Kristofic remembers the challenges and joys of a tough childhood spent on the Navajo Nation.
by Annie Dawid, May 15, 2011 -
The painful beauty of love
Melanie Rae Thon's short stories, gathered in her collection In This Light, paint a desolate and tender picture of the West.
by Kathleen Yale, May 15, 2011 -
An epic tale of the Northwest: A review of West of Here
In his novel, Jonathan Evison tackles the far-flung history of a fictional Northwestern community.
by Karen Rigby, May 01, 2011 -
Good-enough mothers: A review of Wrecker
In her second novel, Summer Wood tells the story of a troubled child and the rural, counterculture community that takes him in.
by Tania Casselle, May 01, 2011
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