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Land of Enchantment: Memoirs of Marian Russell Along the Santa Fe Trail.
The Santa Fe Trail was one of the great commercial routes across the West, frequented more by merchants than by emigrants. Hence women travelers were few on the Santa Fe Trail, and Land of Enchantment is one of the few firsthand accounts by a woman of life on the trail. The author, Marian Russell (1845-1936), dictated her story to her daughter-in-law in the 1930s. Published in a limited edition in 1954 and highly praised by scholars, that edition has become virtually impossible to obtain.
This forgotten classic paints a vivid picture of nineteenth-century New Mexico as seen by a bright young girl from the age of seven on. Mrs. Russell’s memories of several well-known western figures are not only delightful reading but make this book a useful addition to the region’s history.
163 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 17, 2020
An excellent short book about one woman’s life centered around the Santa Fe Trail (she traversed it five times!). A good look at the perils and possibilities of life in New Mexico and Colorado in the second half of the 19th century. I enjoyed this book very much.
Things I liked about this book:
1. The raw honesty. These memoirs that were written before political correctness took over are terrific because the people writing them are generally straightforward about their opinions. Marian Russell had a little Mexican slave at one time for a short period. It does not go well. She ends the episode with a terse "that is the only time I ever owned a slave." If this memoir were written now, that fact would not make the book, she'd have to hide it.
Mrs. Russell is also forthright about the degradations committed by the Indians and they were many. Were there atrocities committed by the whites? Yes there were, but Mrs. Russell isn't trying to be fair and balanced, she's trying to tell her story from her perspective.
2. The love between Mrs. Russell and her husband. It's a delightful story that ends sadly, but Mrs. Russell loved her husband and still loved him when she recounts her memoirs in her 80s and 90s. I like that.
3. Her love of the desert and New Mexico. Marian Russell loved New Mexico and loved the high desert even though she ends up in the mountains of Colorado. The desert always has first place in her heart.
4. Mrs. Russell traverses the Santa Fe trail five times which must put her in the top ten women who traveled the trail in the second half of the 19th century. Her mother traversed it even more than that. These were tough, admirable, pioneer women, who were often in danger from Indians, from nature, and from illness. They persevered and its impressive.
Things I liked about this book:
1. The raw honesty. These memoirs that were written before political correctness took over are terrific because the people writing them are generally straightforward about their opinions. Marian Russell had a little Mexican slave at one time for a short period. It does not go well. She ends the episode with a terse "that is the only time I ever owned a slave." If this memoir were written now, that fact would not make the book, she'd have to hide it.
Mrs. Russell is also forthright about the degradations committed by the Indians and they were many. Were there atrocities committed by the whites? Yes there were, but Mrs. Russell isn't trying to be fair and balanced, she's trying to tell her story from her perspective.
2. The love between Mrs. Russell and her husband. It's a delightful story that ends sadly, but Mrs. Russell loved her husband and still loved him when she recounts her memoirs in her 80s and 90s. I like that.
3. Her love of the desert and New Mexico. Marian Russell loved New Mexico and loved the high desert even though she ends up in the mountains of Colorado. The desert always has first place in her heart.
4. Mrs. Russell traverses the Santa Fe trail five times which must put her in the top ten women who traveled the trail in the second half of the 19th century. Her mother traversed it even more than that. These were tough, admirable, pioneer women, who were often in danger from Indians, from nature, and from illness. They persevered and its impressive.
July 31, 2015
Interesting memoir of a woman who grew up during a pivotal time in U.S. history. She knew anyone and everyone who was a mover and shaker at the time, including Kit Carson (you get the feeling the world was a lot smaller back then). It's a quick read, providing a glimpse of life on the Santa Fe Trail. She and her family traveled it several times. If you have ever lived in and loved New Mexico, you completely get her love for the area. Her views of Native Americans are harsh, but understandable considering her experience. Who's to say I wouldn't feel the same way in her shoes? The ending did make me research the Maxwell Land Grant (easily done online), and I recommend doing so to anyone who reads this book.
June 21, 2014
I generally steer clear of memoirs because the narcissistic tone irritates me to no end. Not so with Marian Russell's memories of her life on the Santa Fe Trail. I wonder if that is because her story was dictated to, filtered through, and written by her daughter-in-law. Mrs. Russell has a crazy-good memory, by the way, and her recalled detail of places and people add to the appeal of the book. Amazing!
So cool to read about the history of places in the southwest that we have recently become more familiar with since we now have family living in the region!!
October 24, 2018
Marian Russell's descriptions of the Santa Fe Trail, army outposts in New Mexico, Santa Fe, Bishop Lamy, Kit Carson, her early trading post, and San Luis Valley homesteads in Colorado. She and her husband had nine children. The closing descriptions of his murder by land company agents who tried to take over homesteaders' land by force is heartbreaking. Her final paragraph describes what it is like to grow old, living only with the desire to remember the past. This memoir is an important contribution to understanding U.S. Southwest history from 1850-1910.
June 29, 2014
I was completely blindsided by this book. It is a gem! This is a chronicle of a life filled with awe, excitement, hard work, danger, and adventure along the Santa Fe trail, and in New Mexico and Colorado as the American west "was won." Marian Russell recalls her life's details in such a manner as to be entertaining for sure, spellbinding yet humble; she lived a full life! And she shared it with us in this book. Wow! A 5!
August 12, 2020
Spellbinding story of a child and woman travelling the Santa Fe Trail in the mid 1800s.
The best story I have read of the day to day reality of the early days of Fort Union, Santa Fe and the Trinidad area told by a very brave woman who loved the life she lived. It was lovely to hear how she loved a life of hardship and New Mexico.
The best story I have read of the day to day reality of the early days of Fort Union, Santa Fe and the Trinidad area told by a very brave woman who loved the life she lived. It was lovely to hear how she loved a life of hardship and New Mexico.
October 18, 2023
A wondrous account of travels on the Santa Fe Trail, with her mother and brother with a wagon train. Her descriptions of the skies, rainbows, the prairie, and the desert are tangible. Marion came to love the desert.
Marion, 7, believed that there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, because Will, her brother had told her so. Mother told her, "The end of the rainbow is always much farther than it seems, dear. If you climb the green hill the rainbow will still be before you. I think perhaps it rests in California at a place called Sutter's Fort. We can follow the rainbow and hope that it leads to fame and fortune." For years I thought the end of the rainbow was in California.
Marion, 7, believed that there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, because Will, her brother had told her so. Mother told her, "The end of the rainbow is always much farther than it seems, dear. If you climb the green hill the rainbow will still be before you. I think perhaps it rests in California at a place called Sutter's Fort. We can follow the rainbow and hope that it leads to fame and fortune." For years I thought the end of the rainbow was in California.
September 8, 2025
What a Great Storyteller
As a New Mexico resident for a number of years now, Marian Russell captures the magic of the Land of Enchantment like no other. And what times she lived in! Her memories of traveling the trail, old Fort Union, Fort Marcy, and of course old Santa Fe, are so vivid, and the remembering is so well told. Sometimes when I've traveled through that part of this beautiful state I have wondered what it must have been like in those early days. In sharing those vivid recollections, his book has given me a taste of that, and I will appreciate our rich history even more.
As a New Mexico resident for a number of years now, Marian Russell captures the magic of the Land of Enchantment like no other. And what times she lived in! Her memories of traveling the trail, old Fort Union, Fort Marcy, and of course old Santa Fe, are so vivid, and the remembering is so well told. Sometimes when I've traveled through that part of this beautiful state I have wondered what it must have been like in those early days. In sharing those vivid recollections, his book has given me a taste of that, and I will appreciate our rich history even more.
June 6, 2021
Marian Russell, along with her mother and brother, traversed the Santa Fe Trail for the first time in 1852. The danger from Indians was ever present. Marian recounts details of this journey and subsequent trips across dangerous trails in the west. She was particularly fond of Santa Fe and of Kit Carson, whom she first met when she was a child. Eventually, Marian and her husband settled in Colorado, where they were evicted from their property and her husband was killed during the Maxwell Land Grant Conflict. The story is intriguing, authentic, and fast-paced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2017
Living near the old SAnta Fe Trail, I am fascinated with details of life in the days when trade was active along the trail. Marian Russell traversed the trail
5 times and watched a period of our history unfold. This memoir is a must read for those interested in the southwest and the struggles of settlers, soldiers, Indians, northerners and southerners during this period.
I found this book at Ft Union National Monument gift store and am sure it is also sold at other National Park locations.
5 times and watched a period of our history unfold. This memoir is a must read for those interested in the southwest and the struggles of settlers, soldiers, Indians, northerners and southerners during this period.
I found this book at Ft Union National Monument gift store and am sure it is also sold at other National Park locations.
November 13, 2017
Fascinating
Very detailed, personal, yet historical record of life in the 1800's. I enjoyed identifying with "Maid Marian" from a safe & comfortable armchair. Of course there are cultural differences but I understand the times being so very changed but Marian so clearly had a heart full of love. I do hope her family appreciates that their ancestors were true pioneers and that their legacy is incredibly special, AND recorded for posterity.
Very detailed, personal, yet historical record of life in the 1800's. I enjoyed identifying with "Maid Marian" from a safe & comfortable armchair. Of course there are cultural differences but I understand the times being so very changed but Marian so clearly had a heart full of love. I do hope her family appreciates that their ancestors were true pioneers and that their legacy is incredibly special, AND recorded for posterity.
June 9, 2022
Marian Sloan Russell travelled the Santa Fe Trail several times in her life. Before her death, at age 92, she dictated her memories to her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hal Russell. She not only gives detailed memories of life on the Santa Fe Trail, she gives eye-witness stories of Kit Carson, Captain Francis Angry, and the first Bishop of Santa Fe, Jean Baptiste Lamy.
We're so lucky to have this first person account!
We're so lucky to have this first person account!
August 27, 2022
This was an incredibly interesting book to read. Most excitingly, I have traveled to some of the places Marian Russell lived—or was connected to—along the Santa Fé trail. A few of those places included were, Bents Old Fort, Fort Larned, and most importantly, Fort Union, which is where Marian married Richard Russell in 1865. It was very cool to think that I have walked on the same paths that Marian did, many, many years ago.
September 23, 2020
great read!
Being a native Kansan and familiar with many of the places mentioned by the author, I found this book of compelling interest. I have traveled the trail from its starting point in Independence, Missouri, to the end of the trail In Santa Fe. I love the history of the path and I find myself marveled by the fortitude and tenacious spirit of its travelers.
Being a native Kansan and familiar with many of the places mentioned by the author, I found this book of compelling interest. I have traveled the trail from its starting point in Independence, Missouri, to the end of the trail In Santa Fe. I love the history of the path and I find myself marveled by the fortitude and tenacious spirit of its travelers.
February 13, 2022
Achingly beautiful memoirs of a young girl through adulthood. They challenge common perspectives on American women in history and tell truthfully how one women loved every bit of her life on the trail and recognized the beauty of her surroundings, simply living her life to the fullest.
March 15, 2024
After reading several books about men who traveled the Santa Fe Trail, it was refreshing to read this book as told by Marion Sloan Russell who traversed the trail more than once and was able to relate experiences from her unique perspective.
July 17, 2024
A sweet but disjointed memoir of a woman recalling life along the Santa Fe trail in the late 1800s. It is her memories told to her daughter in law. And it is really much more a collection of memories than a story.
February 15, 2023
3.5 stars. It skips around a little bit, but is otherwise a good read. Another map would have been helpful.
Read
October 2, 2024Perfect book to read right before visiting Santa Fe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
“They said that everything of consequence that is ever done in the world must first be thought out in solitude, and that every great person must have his forty days alone in the wilderness. I think today that is the only successful way.” (Pg. 44)
September 6, 2010
Author Marian Russell writes about her life traveling back and forth, across the Santa Fe Trail, living in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Kansas.
Very descriptive and readable about her family, the people and places, food, clothing, cultures, and heart aches of her life. The period she wrote about was mostly from the 1850's and the next 40 years.
Her mother was quite a nomad and pioneer spirit and kept her brother and her moving. Russell loved the adventure and the difficulty of life on the trail, over which she passed, 5 times.
I was amazed at her remembrance at an old age. I was also struck by the many people close to her that died: her father, step-father, wagon masters (2), friends, children, husband.
Really interesting.
Very descriptive and readable about her family, the people and places, food, clothing, cultures, and heart aches of her life. The period she wrote about was mostly from the 1850's and the next 40 years.
Her mother was quite a nomad and pioneer spirit and kept her brother and her moving. Russell loved the adventure and the difficulty of life on the trail, over which she passed, 5 times.
I was amazed at her remembrance at an old age. I was also struck by the many people close to her that died: her father, step-father, wagon masters (2), friends, children, husband.
Really interesting.
July 23, 2014
Lively and interesting memoir by Russell who traveled the Santa Fe trail numerous times. Enjoyed reading about her life in old Santa Fe; having recently spent a few days there, I could picture clearly the sites she mentions. The copy I have, picked up in Taos, has a helpful introduction and an afterward by Marc Simmons with a background on the trail itself and the civil land grant conflict that took the life of Russell's husband. Recommended reading for fans of Southwestern history and those with an interest in women's writing about the West.
November 20, 2017
Outstanding. These memoirs were dictated to her daughter in law in the 1930's, but carry back to the 1850's and 1860's along the Santa Fe Trail and in Santa Fe itself. My wife and I really enjoy going to Santa Fe and the ambiance to which Russell alludes is a powerful draw of the area. Her pantheistic tendencies are a little distracting, but this is a must read for fans of the old Southwest or northern New Mexico.
September 25, 2010
While at Philmont this summer, a woman in the bookshop recommended this book as the best book about the Santa Fe trail. (I haven't read any others so I have no comment about that) It is a memoir, about a woman who traveled along the Santa Fe trail 5 times, in her life. Fairly interesting.
August 1, 2014
A detail-filled memoir by a woman who traveled the Santa Fe trail between Kansas and Santa Fe several times. She knew Kit Carson and Bishop Lamy. She was literate and intelligent and possessed of an excellent memory. May be the best wagon-train memoir I've read.
March 21, 2023
My dad highly recommended this book and had been beginning me to read it. It was a lovely book about a women’s time on the Santa Trail. It was interesting and educational to see this part of history.
Read
February 26, 2009this is really a great book. a vivid picture was painted thru Marion's memories and experiences. A history person MUST read this.
April 8, 2016
This autobiography of a woman who crossed the Santa Fe Trail five times by wagon will break your heart.
April 13, 2017
Marian Russell, her mother and brother traveled the Santa Fe Trail many times during her youth. Her first trip on the trail was at the age of seven when her widowed mother decided to move with her children to the gold fields of California and reunite with her family who had gone before her to the Coast. Before she was able to get there she learned her family had died in illness and so she and the children stopped in Santa Fe. Through the years she took them back to Kansas for several years, but homesick for New Mexico and also loving the excitement of the trail she returned to the West. This pattern was to continue throughout her life but Marian married a young lieutenant stationed at Ft Union during one of the stays in the West and from then on she remained there.
In her memoirs, Marian tells of the Santa Fe Trail excursions and her fellow travelers. She speaks of her childhood in school in Santa Fe and in Kansas. She speaks of the " Mexicans" and the Indians, both friendly and savage. Then after marriage there is the time as the young wife of a Lieutenant protecting those who ventured into Indian territories, their leaving the military, starting a family, moving away from Forts into the small towns of New Mexico and finally the establishment of their final home near the Colorado town of Trinidad where the Trail turns southward through the Raton Pass.
Her memories are so vivid and well told that it is not hard to feel the same sensations, smell the same scents, see the same sunsets and sunrises and hear the same singing voices she experienced throughout her life in the unsettled West. She died in 1936 after being run over by an automobile in Trinidad. Though the world had changed very much by then--especially the Western US--her story comes to life through her words. Having been to the places she of which she speaks, it is easy to roll back through time and imagine the young Marian arriving at Ft Union at 7yrs old sitting on the springboard seat of a prairie schooner. Also it is not hard to imagine her love of the place, because it is truly still an enchanted and enchanting land.
And as an added bonus, her brief mention of the Maxfield Land Company and its interference in the Stonewall Valley of Colorado inspires further research into the history of the land.
In her memoirs, Marian tells of the Santa Fe Trail excursions and her fellow travelers. She speaks of her childhood in school in Santa Fe and in Kansas. She speaks of the " Mexicans" and the Indians, both friendly and savage. Then after marriage there is the time as the young wife of a Lieutenant protecting those who ventured into Indian territories, their leaving the military, starting a family, moving away from Forts into the small towns of New Mexico and finally the establishment of their final home near the Colorado town of Trinidad where the Trail turns southward through the Raton Pass.
Her memories are so vivid and well told that it is not hard to feel the same sensations, smell the same scents, see the same sunsets and sunrises and hear the same singing voices she experienced throughout her life in the unsettled West. She died in 1936 after being run over by an automobile in Trinidad. Though the world had changed very much by then--especially the Western US--her story comes to life through her words. Having been to the places she of which she speaks, it is easy to roll back through time and imagine the young Marian arriving at Ft Union at 7yrs old sitting on the springboard seat of a prairie schooner. Also it is not hard to imagine her love of the place, because it is truly still an enchanted and enchanting land.
And as an added bonus, her brief mention of the Maxfield Land Company and its interference in the Stonewall Valley of Colorado inspires further research into the history of the land.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews