The Lightning Field: Travels in and Around New Mexico

by Robert Eaton

Book Overview

"The Lightning Field" is a series of portraits of people and out-of-the-way places in New Mexico and, occasionally, neighboring states. In the spirit of Ian Frazier’s "Great Plains" and Bruce... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155566153X
• ISBN13: 9781555661533
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Johnson Books
• Length: 234 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A Deeper Appreciation of the Enchantment of New Mexico

The true excitement of New Mexico is not the cities and hotels, which can be found elsewhere, but the unique way in which humanity, now and throughout a colorful history, has lived in and died in and related to the strikingly beautiful geography of New Mexico. Drive past the new suburbs of Albuquerque and you are suddenly confronted by the overwhelming presence of nature. This is both wonderful and scary (to a city slicker). If God were anywhere, he'd be here, and you'd probably feel like striking up a conversation. Robert Eaton has lived in the Southwest for many years, and has worked in such strikingly amazing places as Chaco Canyon. His book is an entertaining series of his personal experiences, each in a unique setting in the far reaches of New Mexico. Each experience is also an encounter with one or more colorful characters, including many native Americans, religious seekers, and loner forest rangers, not to mention rattlers, coyotes, and eagles. But place never leaves center stage for long. In fact, it is the interaction of people and place that Mr. Eaton captures with great precision and poetry. This book does not recommend hotels, restaurants, or other trappings of the comfortable life. Other books can do that. Instead, Robert Eaton shares his discoveries, collected over many years, so that we may gain a better sense of what makes New Mexico truly unique, not what makes it more of the same. If you have been to the places Eaton characterizes, as I have to some, you get to experience them again in a well-written account, even with a new richness. The adventurers among you will feel the rising urge to go and see these places first hand. (That is certainly the effect Mr. Eaton's book has had on me.) Those who prefer to experience these places in your mind's eye from the comfort and security of your plush reading chair will find that this book goes well with a glowing fire, warm dog, and perhaps a glass of Merlot.