Written by the foremost historian on New Mexico, this popular fourth-grade-level textbook introduces the young reader to New Mexico's past and present. When students finish reading this book, they will better understand how different cultures shaped the way we live today as well as know about major events and key people in New Mexico's development. Simmons approaches history as a window to the past. That is, students come to understand they are part of a long flow of human events. This book surveys the experiences of first the Indians, then the Spanish, and finally those people who have come to New Mexico since it has been part of the United States.Supplementing each of the eleven chapters are maps and photographs, about a third of them in color.Reading level: grade 4.