Cranston Public Library

From "the poet laureate of medicine" and national bestselling author of Awakenings comes a fascinating investigation of Southern Mexico that explores the origins of chocolate and mescal, pre-Columbian culture and hallucinogens, and the peculiar passions of botanists. 
"Light and fast-moving. . . . Among the botanical and anthropological observations, one catches glimpses of Sacks's inner life: his preoccupation with dualities,...

"The Colorado River is a crucial resource for a surprisingly large part of the United States, and every gallon that flows down it is owned or claimed by someone. David Owen traces all that water from the Colorado's headwaters to its parched terminus, once a verdant wetland but now a million-acre desert. He takes readers on an adventure downriver, along a labyrinth of waterways, reservoirs, power plants, farms, fracking sites, ghost towns, and RV parks,...

First published in 1931, this is the complete history of Santa Fe, New Mexico written by Santa Fe native, Ruth Laughlin. Drawing on her extensive research and thorough personal understanding, the author covers all aspects of Spanish-American traditions, customs, and culture. She captures the elusive quality which makes the atmosphere of the city so appealing and writes with fluent ease of the history of the Southwest from the days of the Conquistadores....

Susan E. Wallace takes us into the heart of nineteenth-century New Mexico and its surrounding Indian Pueblos. Eagerly, she shares her adventures and observations about the land, history, customs and inhabitants. We start with her journey West first by rail and then by buckboard. We go with her to her first contact with Native Americans and attend an Indian ceremony. We share her excitement as she forces open a heavy wooden door into a locked and forgotten...

Since 1988, Terry Pindell has been exploring North America, seeking integration of past and present, history and headlines. The result has been three highly acclaimed book spinning a beautiful web of culture, people, travel, and sociology. Now, in his fourth quest for the soul of the continent, Pindell brings us his fullest history and most expansive cultural portrait yet. Yesterday's Train starts from a twisted tree at the shore near Veracruz-where...