Choice Review

The idea for this book was born when it became evident to Garcia (New Mexico Highlands Univ.) that no oral history about Las Vegas, NM, had been published. The author, a New Mexico native and leading folklorist who has undertaken oral history projects since 1968, selected excerpts from interviews with 11 women and nine men (born 1896-1929) to reveal a wide variety of cultural traditions and beliefs. Garcia presents stories in brief sections divided topically into chapters on life in the countryside, education, folk healing, witchcraft, superstitions, religion, politics, folk sayings, and riddles. The book should attract a wide audience of Latino studies folklorists, researchers, and anthropologists, as well as Spanish-speaking and bilingual readers in all areas of the US with large Hispanic populations. In fact, all Hispanic Americans with an interest in their cultural heritage should identify with many of the stories told by the viejitos--the old folks. One of the unique contributions of Garcia's study is his documentation of the Spanish language of northern New Mexico, a language with roots in the colonial period. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All public and academic levels/libraries. D. G. Kirby Miami-Dade Public Library System