Readers of this volume of the collected articles of John L. Kessell in the
New Mexico Historical Review
who are familiar with his work will be reminded of a truly unique voice among historians of the American Southwest. Those who are new to John's writing will be informed and enriched by the encounter. By looking at the twenty articles in chronological order, one can see a good deal about the trajectory of John's career and how his interest developed over a career spanning more than forty years. There are five articles that derive from his research on Spanish colonial Sonora, which includes present-day southern Arizona, four that are drawn from his work on the Vargas Project, and one that deals with both Sonora and New Mexico. Ever the Hispanofile, but with a marked sensitivity to the plights of the conquered, there are two articles that explore the anti-Spanish Black Legend. There are two memorial pieces to dear friends and colleagues. Three articles relate to his most recent work on Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco. Finally, there are three more articles that do not fit neatly into any category other than that they were topics that John found interesting and worthy of an article.
"John Kessell is a gift to the discipline of history and field of Spanish and Southwest borderlands. I hope all readers enjoy these jewels of historical research, writing, and interpretation. I love every one; I'm sure his readers will enjoy them too." -Durwood Ball