McPherson's even-handed approach to San Juan County's past was a pleasant surprise after having read some pretty one-sided narratives. He touches on many events but could not develop any real depth due to the limitations on book length imposed by the state-wide centennial series of which this title is a part (each county has a history). But he succeeded in putting forth a convenient and easy to digest history that I frequently use as a reference, and which addresses the most important themes and events in the county's long past.