The French in New Mexico

Book excerpt: This book chronicles the history of the French in New Mexico, tracing their presence from the 1500s to present times. It tells their story by remembering the lives of the most influential, unusual, or colorful characters. Whether dramatic or lighthearted, their lives are filled with stories of love and death, of chases and hunts, of successes and failures. These stories are placed in their historical and cultural context, showing how their heroes interacted with the general fabric of society and pointing to more detailed readings and further research.