Forty primary documents that give the era of Mexican rule in Arizona a vitality and humanity rarely found in historical writing. . . . From the first instance, in which we witness a complaint about a rigged footrace, to the last entry, detailing the pathetic appeals of the widows of mine soldiers killed by Apaches, we are given extraordinary insight into a society dominated by violence and uncertainty.


The selections, the scholarship, and the translations are first class. This book, although thin, is like gold—a weighty contribution to regional history.


The documents are vivid snapshots linked together by Kieran's succinct introductions and annotation. What's more, they are wonderfully readable, Kieran is a superb translator who makes them come alive.


This slim volume is a gem. In clear chronology, each chapter presents a telling document, superbly translated, with context established by the editor's tersely informative introduction and annotation.