Across the Northern Frontier: Spanish Explorations in Colorado

by Phil Carson

"Across the Northern Frontier" chronicles the compelling frontier adventures of the Spaniards who ventured north from colonial New Mexico into the unknown.

254 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

Reviews

[Keith Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Coloradan, New Mexico aficionado and lover of all things West, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned a tremendous amount about the history and lore of our region and where the Native American tribes were living during the 16th and 17th centuries - in most cases not where we are accustomed to thinking of them. For example, the Comanches were still living in what became the eastern plains of Colorado and in NE New Mexico and hadn't centered in what we know as Texas and Oklahoma. There were also bands of Apaches - not the Kiowa-Apaches of the Kansas-Oklahoma area - living in similar areas.

I wish there were a few more maps and a few more detailed maps - perhaps one or two of the tribal homelands of the 16th and 17th centuries - and some place names in the text are not shown on any of the maps.

Overall a very enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys a bowl of green chile and living, or dreaming of living, in the West.