Tony Hillerman's Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn

by Anne Hillerman, Don Strel (Photographer)

Don’t miss the TV series,  Dark Winds , based on the Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito novels, now on AMC and AMC+!   “You’ve read the books, now see the land. . . . It’s like having Tony Hillerman still with us.” — Denver Post A photographic journey through the landscapes of beloved bestselling author Tony Hillerman’s novels—with an introduction by Tony Hillerman and a personal essay by his daughter, Anne Step into the world of Tony Hillerman’s novels with this stunning collection of original documentary photographs of the landscape that was integral to his writing. Alongside these breathtaking photos are brief synopses of Hillerman’s novels, descriptive passages from the novels, the author’s own comments about the sites, and narrative information on the locations pictured. Compiled by his eldest daughter, Anne Hillerman, with original photos from Don Strel, Tony Hillerman’s Landscape is a timely showcase of a hauntingly beautiful region that captured one man’s imagination for a lifetime, and is a daughter’s loving tribute to her father.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Travel, Reference, Nature

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2009

About the author

Anne Hillerman writes the best-selling Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito mysteries set on the Navajo Nation using characters her father Tony Hillerman made popular and her own creative twists. Her newest novel, "Shadow of the Solstice", is set for release in 2025. The Hillerman stories are the basis for the "Dark Winds" television series.
Her non-fiction books include "Tony Hillerman's Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn," with photos of the country Ton Hillerman visited in his novels. Anne's other non-fiction books include "Gardens of Santa Fe," "Done in the Sun," and "Children's Guide to Santa Fe." When she's not writing, Anne enjoys cooking, walking with her dogs, gardening and travel to the Navajo Nation.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Navajo account of their arrival here explains that First Man, after helping the tribe escape the flooding underworld into our Earth Surface World, built that mountain to mark the southern boundary of Navajo territory. He decorated it with blue turquoise beads, pinned it to the earth with a stone knife, and assigned two other holy people (Yellow Corn Girl and Turquoise Boy) to live there as its protectors. I dearly love that legend.” —TONY HILLERMAN

And as I close Tony Hillerman’s Landscape, these are the sentiments of beloved author and chronicler of the mystery series featuring legendary Navajo police officers Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee. And I must agree. Having grown up in northern New Mexico, that is where my heart remains and this beautiful series of books written by Tony Hillerman only reinforces the magic of this enchanting desert landscape and the sacred beliefs of the Native American people that I have always held dear.

This is a beautiful photographic journey through the landscape and culture and heritage of the Native American people that Tony Hillerman has written about for years, and chronicled by Hillerman’s daughter, Anne Hillerman. It should be noted that the beautiful photographs throughout the narrative are the art of her husband, Don Strell. The photographs of the beautiful landscape are integral to the writing of Tony Hillerman as part of the Leaphorn and Chee saga. Anne Hillerman very capably gives us a brief synopses of the Tony Hillerman novels with descriptive texts from his works, as well as his own comments about the land and the legends. It is clear that this beautiful landscape and its culture captured the imagination and love of author Tony Hillerman for a lifetime. And my thanks to Anne Hillerman for the graceful way in which she told her father’s story and of. his love for this land of enchantment.

[Anne Hillerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book both as a tribute to my Dad, the author Tony Hillerman, and as an enticement to those who haven't yet discovered the Hillerman Navajo mysteries to take the plunge. The photos, by Don Strel, capture some of the magic and intrigue of the sites Dad used to
set his Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee mysteries. We've had great reviews in New Mexico Magazine and from the audiences who have seen our
slide presentation of photos from the book. I'd be honored if you all would take a look! We have a couple websites for the book, www.annehillerman.com and www.tonyhillermanslandscape.com

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read an excellent book called “Tony Hillerman’s Landscape”, written by Hillerman’s daughter Anne, with photographs by Anne’s husband Don Strel. If you’re a fan of Hillerman’s work (as I am) it’s an excellent book because Anne and her husband go to the places in her father’s books. She writes about the places, he photographs them, and there are also passages from Hillerman’s books. It’s about as close as you can get to taking a jeep tour of Hillerman’s country short of going to New Mexico in person.

This was almost as good as going to the places in Hillerman's books! Beautiful pictures, loving writing from his daughter. And, let's face it, a lot of the places Hillerman's books go are really hot and dry and I could go there through this book in my air conditioned house. ;-) Seriously, now I want to go to all these places.

One thing that really encouraged me was when Anne mentioned that her father’s writing career didn’t take off until she was in college. Considering that my oldest son is just a sophomore in high school, I’ve still got time!

[Shirley Reed-Packebush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it but then I love that part of the country and I have read all the Leaphorn/Chee books.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who enjoys Hillerman's novels needs to own this book.

Ideally, a reader would start with the first book, The Blessing Way, and continue reading the books in order. I didn't. The mysteries were still entertaining and I gained insight into the Navajo culture, but I couldn't appreciate the development of the characters. Now that I'm reading the books in sequence, I can see what I missed the first time around.

With this book, Anne Hillerman has added yet another dimension to the stories. Here, she includes relevant quotes, beautiful photos, and additional information about the Navajos, about writing the story, and about the locations.

The only thing missing is a map and an index.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of photos of the Navajo landscape in Leaphorn & Chee’s adventures. Hillerman’s daughter and son-in-law organized and narrated the beautiful photos. The little anecdotes about Hillerman writing the stories are very insightful. I highly recommend reading this during reading the series.

I did expect more photos and less words, but that’s just me.

Footnote: 1) My daughter-in-law is 50% Navajo (rest other Native American) so I have been on the rez and know second hand some of the problems there. This helped me understand further.

Fave parts: Thoughts on those who do & don’t like the scenery & how it affected the books, explanation of Chee’s cat and reading without guilt.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great palate cleanser, between BIG READS. . . the e-book treated me to the most exquisite photographs of the the areas that show up in the Hillerman books. Written by his daughter, Anne, Tony Hillerman is clearly loved and adored, and admired for the works of art and acts of peacemaking between cultures as he brought Navajo, Hopi and other indigenous communities to the reading public. He provided a bridge that showed "cowboys" are NOT the only good guys. In fact, as we often suspected they rarely were - as in life the gray areas rule until we chose to see the colors, and boy, it is so often what we prefer that prevails (as everyone's truths overlap in a messy heap). As a reader is educated, so are their communities. . .so Huzzah to Tony Hillerman, turning our gaze outside our own isolated shelters.

This book is filled with gorgeous photography, with Hillerman books fitted in to their places and settings, along with engaging origin stories about how they came to be, from title choice, to crimes committed, and characters developed and expanded. An all-star delight to this Hillerman fan!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with lightweight detective or action novels, I appreciate descriptions of real places. Michael Connelly's Bosch series, for example, mostly gets the evirons of LA correct, including travel times between actual locations in the city. (OK, he fudges some Colorado locations in one book.)
Anne Hillerman squeezed another book out of her father's work by visiting key sites from his Leaphorn and Chee books. Her photog husband provided current photos of many of them. That made this interesting to read (each chapter has an excerpt or two from books that mention the places shown in the chapter) and view, especially if one has travelled thorough New Mexico and Arizona. Anne deftly avoids mention of the troglodytes still controlling Arizona politics.

[Jim Augeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read MANY of the Chee/Leaphorn/Manuelito books, it was fascinating to read about the settings for these books from the source. Being from New Mexico (though not originally) it was even more intriguing to be able to close ones eyes and see these fascinating landscapes for a second time and through someone else's eyes! To those folks who have never seen any of this part of the country, you have no idea what you are missing. While much of it would no doubt appear stark and dreary, there is just so much hidden beauty to it all, it defies comprehension at times.

[Jacqui H. Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a longtime fan of Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries. This book, compiled by his daughter, is a great companion book for Tony's stories, but it's also a wonderful travelogue of their many trips throughout the remote areas in northern Arizona and New Mexico. Having traveled through those areas many times in the past with my husband, it was a vivid flashback of good memories in a beautiful landscape and the incredible people we met along the way. Thank you, Anne Hillerman, for this jewel... And for continuing on with the Leaphorn/Chee/Manuelito series.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read most of Tony Hillerman's Chee and Leaphorn books. I have spent a lot of time in that country, visiting many off-the-beaten-track places and learning so much in the process. It's always calling me back to visit again. This book was a wonderful walk through that country, woven in with the tales told. I loved looking at the pictures, especially those I recognized. For those who have yet to visit that country and/or read Hillerman's books, this would be a good intro.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the Leaphorn and Chee novels. That pretty much says what I think of the characters and stories. This book brings them and the land they live in to life. I have been there. I grew up in New Mexico and I was a student at UNM when Mr. Hillerman was there. Truthfully, On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn made me a touch homesick.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little did I know that when I picked up Thief of Time in paperback in 1990 aboard ship during Desert Storm I’d end up reading all the books in the series and retiring to New Mexico. So why read this if you’ve read all the books? Fantastic background stories that’s why. Navajo jewelry for one. Gorgeous pictures of the scenery that inspired Hillerman as well. A nice tribute to her father.

[Aly Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read most, if not all of Hillerman's Chee and Leaphorn adventures/mysteries and currently traveling in Arizona (found this book in Canyon de Chelly) I could not ask for anything better to read!

[Joanne M. Matthew]

i made the mistake of getting this on kindle so the photos are not able to be fully appreciated. I would recommend hard cover. The stories behind each novel is lovely to read and further inform the fan of the author's life and inspiration.

[Vida · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful compilation of the stories written with the characters of Leaphorn, Chee, and Manulito. It includes excerpts from the stories, descriptions of the scenery, beautiful pictures and much more.

[Permies.world · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting anecdotally but I expected the photography to be better. Felt very “family snapshot” on that end. I did enjoy the author’s stories re the locations & her father’s connections to the locations.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such lovely photos of the scenery that encompasses Dinetah. I had my own images in my mind as I read the Hillerman books but this fills it in even better. Gorgeous!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book for those who have enjoyed Mr. Hillerman’s tales. Quite the walk down memory lane.

[Sparkie Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, love the photos that have inspired Leaphorn and Chee. I never tire of reading them again. Hope to see that area one day.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and interesting commentary as Anne and her photographer husband travel in search of the landscapes that are featured in her father's books.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives some background on how Hillerman found material for his books with lots of great picture of places where the stories took place.

[FRED GARTNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent review of all the books that I had read. It was a joy to see the landscapes of each book and the great explanations of the sites that were in the books plus the commentary of both Anne and Tony Hillerman.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book that has great pictures of the places that Leaphorn and Chee visit within the tribal lands of the Navajo.

[Michelle Schulten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always 5 stars!!!!

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downloaded from Hoopla at my public library, all i can say is BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFULLY done. Im going to purchase a hard copy. And re-read everything.

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is making the reading and re-reading of the Hillerman books so enjoyable. If you, like me and my husband, are a true Tony Hillerman fan, then this book is for you.

Tony Hillerman’s Landscape is loaded with beautiful, colorful photographs taken all over the Four Corners area and specifically in the area where Tony Hillerman’s books are set. Best of all, it’s not haphazard. It’s organized according to Hillerman’s books. Each chapter is devoted to the area featured in each book or several books if it’s the same area. The original book-covers are shown and then a short summary of the book. There is then a brief commentary about the area and/or events in the book. It is brief so the photographs are center stage.

Reading Anne Hillerman’s first novel, The Spider Woman’s Daughter, inspired me to go back and start reading all of Tony Hillerman’s books again. So far I've read The Blessing Way, so you know the first thing I did after receiving Tony Hillerman’s Landscape was to go the chapter on The Blessing Way. It was so much fun to read about and look at the pictures of the Hubbell Trading Post, Beautiful Valley, conchos, and the breathtaking beauty of the Lukachukai mountains. I also loved the quotes from the book that matched up with the pictures.

Rereading the Tony Hillerman books along with my new tour-guidebook is going to be a fun project. I strongly recommend you add this book to your library and/or to that of a friend or family member who is also a Hillerman fan.

[Laurel Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful depiction of the landscape along with each of the leaphorn and chee mysteries written by tony hillerman. Anne has done an excellent job describing the setting of the stories and brought to life the landscape where the mysteries take place.

I have borrowed and downloaded the book for 3 weeks onto my Kindle from the Hot Springs County library, Malvern, Arkansas. The librarians assisted me with the download. I hope to renew the book several times whenever I am about to read one of leaphorn/chee mysteries.

I bought the book on kindle. I love the pictures of the places noted in Hillerman's books. Every picture makes reference to the story where it takes place. I am taking a trip this summer, visiting the sites.
This will enlighten me not only making the story real but making history of the places that the stories reference. I will learn of the history and culture I visit.

[Eric Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book to peruse. I had for a long time now been using Google Maps, Streetview, and Satellite to see the places that Hillerman writes about in his Navajo detective series of books. It was fun to see all this tied together in one volume with some nice commentary by Hillerman and his daughter Anne regarding the plotting and scenery of the different books.

Good stuff! If you've read the Chee/Leaphorn books, you'll like this one a lot.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. It was much more! I had expected pictures of landscapes with captions. All those were present, but there were synopses of all the Chee and Leaphorn books with pictures and complete explanations as to what the pictures were depicting and explanations as to their relevance to the books, the Southwestern Indian culture and the geography and geology. Very well done, but took me much longer to complete it than I had thought.