Pueblos, Spaniards, and The Kingdom of New Mexico (Hardcover)

by John L. Kessell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The first narrative history devoted to the tumultuous seventeenth century in New Mexico. Kessell's work presents a clearer picture than ever before of events leading to the Pueblo Revolt.

About the Author
John L. Kessell, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New Mexico, specializes in the American Southwest during the Spanish Colonial period. He is the author of Spain in the Southwest: A Narrative History of Colonial New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California and numerous other volumes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 225 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press; First Edition edition (November 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806139692
• ISBN-13: 978-0806139692
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #626,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicling history through the relation of linked, lesser-known true stories, January 10, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Written by John L. Kessell (Professor Emeritus of History, University of New Mexico) Pueblos, Spaniards, and the Kingdom of New Mexico is a narrative history of the seventeenth century of New Mexico, accurately portraying the tension between the Pueblo Indians and Spanish colonizers. Chronicling history through the relation of linked, lesser-known true stories, Pueblos, Spaniards, and the Kingdom of New Mexico offers its own interpretation and analysis of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, the Spanish reconquest in the 1690s, and much more. A welcome addition to Native American and New Mexico state history shelves, especially recommended for public library collections.

5.0 out of 5 stars knowledge of situations involving the players, March 12, 2009

By	Jack B. Little - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is obviously written by a person very knowledgable about the Spanish colonial times in New Mexico. It is easy to read. It shows how all of the people groups survived resource poor New Mexico.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rehash of outdated Research, February 3, 2009

By	El Picaro "Lion of New Spain" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

I had Dr. Kessel in a 300 level History of New Mexico class back in 1986 and this book was a bit of a disappointment compared to the class. The book is a thin summary of Colonial New Mexico History from 1598 to the resettlement in the 1690's. There is no new primary research just a re-hash of older circa pre-1950's historical interpretations and the author's older material. Dr. Kessel claims to be balanced but this book is heavily biased in favor of the Pueblo Indians and a strong Black Legend taint. Dr. Kessel characterizes the Spaniards in the tired old stereotypes and the Pueblo Indians positively despite some despicable behavior by some like Esteban Clemente (page 101). When a Spaniard does something negative he is cast as a villain and when a Pueblo Indian does the same deed he is cast positively. When a Spaniard performs an apparent good deed it is cast as though there are always bad, hidden motives. Also, when the action is between Church and State/colonists he unfailingly excuses the Priests/friars and casts the colonists as villains. I hope Dr. Kessel conducts some original research with a more temperate attitude before writing about his subject again. Example of rhetoric used: when Spaniards conduct negative activities they are described as "henchmen" (page 67, 101) and when a Pueblo Indian conducts negative activities he is portrayed as caught in a "dilemma". There are so few books on this topic it is ashamed that Dr. Kessel lacked a bit of self awareness (conscious word choices)while writing. I would recommend Marc Simmons over Dr. Kessel.