Ebook Cities of Gold A Journey Across the American Southwest Douglas Preston 9780826320865 Books

Product details Paperback 480 pages Publisher University of New Mexico Press; Reprint edition (March 1, 1999) Language English ISBN-10 0826320864

Cities of Gold A Journey Across the American Southwest Douglas Preston 9780826320865 Books Reviews

• I rarely write reviews, and most books are not worthy. This one is a five. I rate it at that, as it is history that is well written and researched (I hope), and is an engaging read that I did not want to end. I am a horse rider myself, spend my winters in AZ riding the same types of terrain, and can empathize with the ordeals of horse wrecks and treacherous trails. There is a lot of humor throughout the book, that might not be appreciated if not a horseman or at least an outdoorsman. The stories of the tribes and individuals are captivating, of past and present. If you are interested in the history of our southwest before and during the demise of our American Indians, and willing to assess the value of modern society, I highly recommend it. And if you don't know a thing about a horse, you will gain some insights from reading this book!
• Preston gives a captivating "ride" through the Arizona and New Mexico areas that Coronado went through to find the "Cities of Gold". He has researched details from Coronado's party's diaries and then decided to ride this trail with a neighbor. Preston writes with sobering realism as they face not only treacherous landscapes, but also physical hardships the lack of water and challenging situations with horses and weather. However, they meet with interesting people along the trip and Preston includes these interviews that give the book colorful characterization, and he sprinkles it with much humor and tongue in cheek verbiage. Well put together in a "then (Coronado's time) and now" format that gives the reader an idea of the changes, or not, of this Southwest area of our country. A reading must for any Arizonian or New Mexican, or anyone planning to visit these areas.
• I originally read this book due to my longstanding affinity for Doug Preston's work in fiction. Not expecting much, I was deeply surprised by how well this book put to use Preston's skill as a writer. His history working in journalism, the prosaic way in which he could document his personal experiences of beauty, hardship, joy, and toil involved in his parallel journey. This book helped me realized my own love for history, and affirmed my love of adventure. If I could ever wish to write a book, this is the book I would want to write.
• In one way, this book mirrors Bill Bryson’s A Walk In The Woods, in that Preston starts his journey laughably ill-equipped and partnered, yet still brings us along on a great adventure. We meet oddballs, ranchers, cattlemen, con men, native American indigenous tribes—each with their own take on the Spanish “discovery”of the Southwest. The first part of the story follows the journey of Coronado north from Mexico in the 1500s. The second deals with Native American tribes and their experiences with the Spaniards and, later, the US government.
  I sent this book to all my relatives in Arizona!
• What else can I say?
  
  Of course, I like history, and have enjoyed a travel book here and there, and love the deserts (although my experience is the Mohave, not Arizona/New Mexico).
  
  He rides, falls off (and has other hilarious struggles whilst learning how to handle horses on an epic journey), talks to lots of people, and "digresses" into loads and loads of history, from the very recent (small town boom-and-bust, new developments moving in to old ranch land) to prehistoric (although the amateur archaeologist in me cringes every time he collects an arrowhead and takes it with him).
  
  And if that isn't exciting you then you aren't the target readership. I was and am and I loved it.
• What an enlightening book! Thank you Mr Preston for giving the world a glimpse into our past. I have lived in Arizona for twenty five years and have learned more about it's past through this story than I have learned in all the years of living here. I am very sad in learning some of the things I did. But I'm glad to be armed with the information that I can now pass on to my Grandchildren so maybe future generations won't make the same mistakes.
• My favorite author NEVER FAILS .... He never dumbs down his books. His research is phenomenal. It's intellectual, fun, entertaining, gripping, and educational. I have every single book he ever wrote (I think? Unless he's hiding something). I never put a book down without learning at LEAST one new thing. Has anyone ever actually thanked an author for his books? Well, let me be among that crowd!
• Preston is an excellent author who writes incredible adventure stories, but I find his histories very informative. If I were still teaching history I would refer my students to read his informative and exciting insights into the past--so far I have traveled with him in his adventures in a Mayan lost city of the Monkey god, solving an Italian serial killer mystery, and lastly this truly informative insight into the Spanish search for the 7 Cities of Gold. Information you may not find in your history classes.