2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful treatment of Chacón's memoirs, February 2, 2008
This review is from: Legacy of Honor: The Life of Rafael Chacon, a Nineteenth-Century New Mexican (Paperback)
Being a direct descendant of Rafael Chacón -- his granddaughter Ernestina was my maternal grandmother -- I admit to the possibility of a biased opinion, but I truly think this is an absolutely wonderful book. Although the memoirs themselves are quite extraordinary, Jacqueline Meketa's additional biographical research and information is exceptional.
I think Meketa's own words will give you the best sense of the importance of this book -- the following is an excerpt from the last part of the Introduction, pages 8-10...
The Chacón memoirs are unique and must not be underestimated. He was an important figure in nineteenth-century New Mexico who, until now, has been overlooked. But, with the publication of this work, Rafael Chacón will assume his rightful place as the voice of literally thousands of Hispanic New Mexicans who, muted by illiteracy and overpowered by an invasive Anglo culture, were unable to communicate their values, tenets, and sentiments to both their contemporaries and to those who were to come after. By sheer strength, the English-speaking Americans were able to superimpose their own standards and mores on the Hispanic culture, which had been in place for centuries; even worse, some Anglos allowed neither their position as foreign newcomers nor their ignorance of the native language and customs to dilute, to any degree, their prejudicial judgments and attitudes.
Although a few open-minded Anglo visitors to New Mexico in the last century did give a fair rendering, in diaries, articles, and letters, of the native people, by far the majority were blinded by their own backgrounds. This typically Victorian attitude of white supremacy not only inflicted much pain but also perpetuated many untruths. Perhaps now the distorted portrait of New Mexico's earlier colonizers, seen through a glass darkly, will be corrected through the rare Hispanic perspective preserved in Chacón's account.
Rafael Chacón's captivating eye-witness accounts of life before the arrival of the Americans paint a picture of a people who, although lacking many of the advantages and trappings of a more industrial society, lived with dignity and contentment. Their very isolation and somewhat primitive circumstances had given birth to a way of life in which simple pleasures were much appreciated. Courage, self-restraint, sharing, courtesy, a willingness to work hard, and mutual respect were highly valued. And overriding everything was a deep bond to the Catholic religion, which thoroughly permeated the daily thoughts and actions of the Hispanic populace. Though they were frequently deprived of the sacraments because of the shortage of priests and the requisite cash donations, they maintained an ardent attachment to their faith.
Rafael Chacón's account of his life is a singular gem for a number of other reasons. Its very length, scope, and sweep make it unusual, but, in addition, the author was an educated man of talent who was, as far as is known, the only man present at so many critical events paramount in shaping the course of New Mexico history during the tumultuous nineteenth century. Chacón's writing is rich in anecdotes, personal insights, and stories that cannot be found in official documents or formal histories depicting the events about which he writes. It contains detailed and pertinent information, much of which was previously unknown. Even more interestingly, in several instances Chacón voiced opinions or made charges that subsequent research supported, exposing some clay feet and contradicting certain items which had been accepted as incontrovertible by many researchers and writers.
Inevitably, any written account is filtered through its author's sensibilities and must be judged thus. But the premier characteristic that Chacón's peers attributed to him was integrity, and so it seems safe to observe that he was a man of honor and scruples who tried to set down honestly and without prejudice what he remembered of past events. Research has shown that Chacón did make some errors, mainly in the area of specific dates and numbers, and these have been pointed out where known; but, overall, he did an absolutely amazing job. How many of us, in our mid-seventies, could look back over an entire life and recall events as accurately as he has done?
It was indeed providential that Rafael Chacón was blessed with a long life, for his longevity had the effect of enhancing the value of his knowledge of bygone events once time had elapsed and his contemporaries no longer survived. Unfortunately, it is often human nature to trivialize current events while still, paradoxically, assigning great value and interest to happenings of earlier times. Thus it was that after the turn of the century much more importance was attached to Rafael Chacón's memories by both historians and family and friends. This was the impetus that finally moved Chacón to labor for six years to complete his written account. It is expected that this, the most complete picture ever drawn by one man of the Mexican and early territorial periods of New Mexico history as seen through the eyes of a Hispano, will be of interest to many future generations.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating reading for American history buffs., June 4, 2000
This review is from: Legacy of Honor: The Life of Rafael Chacon, a Nineteenth-Century New Mexican (Paperback)
Rafael Chacon (1833-1925), personally witnessed the end of the Mexican Period and was an active participant in commercial, military, and political events during the early decades of the American era from territorial status to statehood. Legacy Of Honor: The Life Of Rafael Chacon, A Nineteenth Century New Mexican is unique in its detail, anecdotal style, human interest and presents one of the few existent Hispanic points of view on the era and events surrounding the creation of New Mexico. Chacon wrote his memoirs in his seventies to record for his family the drama, adventure, and sorrow he had experienced, including his later service in the American Civil War. He fought at the Battle of Valverde, fought Indians under Kit Carson, escorted the first officials to the new established territory of Arizona, and was one of the few Hispanics to attain the rank of Major, commanding Fort Stanton at the end of the war. Chacon went on to serve several terms in the territorial legislature before homesteading near Trinidad, Colorado. Legacy Of Honor is a superbly informative, biographical contribution to academic American history collections, and fascinating reading for American history buffs.
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