Sunshine and Shadows in New Mexico’s Past has one main goal: to reveal the sharp contrasts in New Mexico history. As with all states, New Mexico has had its share of admirable as well as deplorable moments, neither of which should be ignored or exaggerated at the other’s expense. New Mexico’s true character can only be understood and appreciated by acknowledging its varied history, blemishes and all. The first of three volumes, Sunshine and Shadows in New Mexico’s Past: The Spanish Colonial and Mexican Periods represents the New Mexico Historical Society’s humble gift to New Mexico as the state celebrates its centennial year of statehood in 2012.

Sunshine and Shadows in New Mexico’s Past has one main goal: to reveal the sharp contrasts in New Mexico history. As with all states, New Mexico has had its share of admirable as well as deplorable moments, neither of which should be ignored or exaggerated at the other’s expense. New Mexico’s true character can only be understood and appreciated by acknowledging its varied history, blemishes and all. The first of three volumes, Sunshine and Shadows in New Mexico’s Past: The Spanish Colonial and Mexican Periods represents the New Mexico Historical Society’s humble gift to New Mexico as the state celebrates its centennial year of statehood in 2012.

Richard Melzer is a professor of History at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus. He has authored or edited over a dozen books on New Mexico history, including Buried Treasures: Famous and Unusual Gravesites in New Mexico History (Santa Fe: Sunstone Press, 2007). He is a past president of the Historical Society of New Mexico.