Heaven's Window: A Journey Through Northern New Mexico

by Michael Wallis, Michael Wallis (Contributor)

Stunning images and enchanting text reveal the magical qualities of the upper Rio Grande region, a magnetic crossroads that includes Santa Fe, Taos, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

118 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Michael Wallis is the bestselling author of Route 66, Billy the Kid, Pretty Boy, and David Crockett. He hosts the PBS series American Roads. He voiced The Sheriff in the animated Pixar feature Cars. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Reviews

[John Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure why only this book's photographer Jack Parsons is mentioned in the Goodreads credits, since it is written by historian and Route 66 aficionado Michael Wallis.

I am glad I came across this book, since I knew Wallis was born in Missouri and lived in Oklahoma, so I was surprised and delighted to read that Wallis "maintained a passionate love affair with northern New Mexico for many years." It turns out that Wallis lived in Santa Fe as a "struggling young writer in the late 1960's." That's the connection that Wallis still ahs to the Land of Enchantment. The book jacket also discloses the secret that Wallis and his wife "still maintain a hideout in northern New Mexico."

Wallis is quite an experienced writer, and he turns us on the the enchantment of northern New Mexico, concentratin on the areas of Santa Fe, Taos, Chimayo, and Abiquiu. The photographs by Parsons are gorgeous too, showing the gorgeous landscapes and local iconic structures, but also the intriguing people and cultures of Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglos.

I look forward to seeing many of those places on my upcoming visit to New Mexico!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's got a sort of National Geographic-y quality to it, but this tribute to a gorgeous part of the country always makes me long to return there whenever I page through it. In fact, the last time I was there, I sought out a few spots specifically because I'd become intrigued by photos in the book. The text is a bit rambling, or perhaps I was merely distracted by the photos. I wouldn't have minded less text and more photos, frankly. Northern New Mexico surely must be considered one of the most photogenic places in the country.