Spanish Peaks: Land and Legends [Hardcover]

Conger, Jr. Beasley (Author), Barbara Sparks (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

The Spanish Peaks stand alone some distance from the main cordillera of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, outside the town of Walsenburg in south-central Colorado. These remarkable twin mountains are visible far out on the plains, and for centuries have served as a beacon for American Indians, Spaniards, fur trappers, traders, soldiers, and travelers. In Spanish Peaks: Land and Legends, author Conger Beasley Jr. and photographer Barbara Sparks collaborate to tell the story of these and many other legends and of the peoples who created them, impelled by the timeless allure of the twin peaks.

Beasley tells how the forebears of the Ute, Apache, and Navajo were the first to settle in the region, some 1,500 years ago. By the 17th century, Spanish conquistadors had already begun to make forays into the area, driven by their mania for gold and treasure, and for over two hundred years an uneasy relationship existed between them and the mountain tribes. French and Anglo fur traders further added to this volatile racial mix by the 1800s, followed by Hispanic settlers from New Mexico who established their own distinctive culture in the lush valleys radiating out from the peaks. In the wake of the Civil War, the area attracted a large contingent of Southerners seeking a fresh start as ranchers and farmers, and immigrants from all over Europe and North America flocked to the peaks, spurred by the mining of coal from rich deposits in the area and further complicating the cultural and racial tapestry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...[the authors] demonstrate how current inhabitants [have] been affected by interactions of the natural environment and their historical, religious, and cultural traditions. The book is a joy to read." -- Journal of the West<br /><br />"In a happy marriage of crystalline prose and expressive photography, Spanish Peaks addresses the geology of these mysterious twin peaks and includes ancient American Indian legends..." --Rocky Mountain News --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Conger Beasley Jr. is the author of many award-winning books and guidebooks.
Barbara Sparks has collaborated on two previous books; her photographs are collected in several museums. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Colorado (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870816047
• ISBN-13: 978-0870816048
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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