by Jon R. Bauman
A novel of the early 1800s when two cultures met at the southwestern end of the Santa Fe Trail
Praise for Santa Fe Passage
The Western Writers of America has named Santa Fe Passage a finalist in the Spur Award category of Best First Novel for 2005.
"A consummate storyteller, author Jon Bauman
propels his protagonist westward from Missouri into a world of Santa Fe traders,
Mexican aristocrats, mountain men, prostitutes, and Comanches. A
scrupulous historian, Bauman faithfully recreates the powerful social and
political forces that converged on New Mexico in the fateful years before the
U.S. army invaded Mexico in 1846." -- David J.
Weber, author of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated The
Spanish Frontier in North America
"A beautifully researched historical novel with a passionate cast of
characters who travel between Missouri and Santa Fe during the early 1800s.
There is Celestina, a highborn Mexican Woman loved by Matt Collins - a Yankee -
pragmatic yet fearless. There are priests and presidents and governors and
soldiers - fully human men and women living at the southwestern end of one of
the most dangerous trails in Western history - all woven into a memorable
plot." -- Jane Roberts Wood, author of Train to
Estelline and Roseborough
“Jon.
R. Bauman has written a sprightly historical novel about the Santa Fe
Trail….Like the novels by John Grisham, the plot moves quickly….Mr.
Bauman’s protagonist is Matthew
Collins…[who] develops a savviness that helps him deal with not only the
Indians but also with the Mexicans….[T]here’s plenty of historical detail to
fascinate those who wonder what it would have been like to live in the Old
West.” -- Dallas Morning News, February 27, 2005
Santa Fe Passage … is by far the best historical novel about the Trail.
Jon Bauman … has written a readable, entertaining, and informative story that
rings true. … Bauman has a good understanding of all three cultures affected
by the Santa Fe Trail, and he creates a number of realistic characters, not
stereotypes. … Not only is this finely-crafted, thoughtful, and sophisticated
novel a good read, it will cause readers to want to know more about the history
of the Trail. As one of the characters in the novel, Jack Marentette the
mountain man, might say, ‘This is a splendiferous book.’” -- From
Wagon Tracks: Santa Fe Trail Association Quarterly, November 2004
“Bauman’s … descriptions of Mexican politics and culture and American
arrogance and expansion are right on target. … Matt [Collins, the main
character] finds himself caught between two cultures and two loyalties, a
dilemma that intensifies as an American war with Mexico becomes imminent in
1846. When war comes, Matthew is forced to choose which side he will support.
Bauman does a masterful job portraying the events, people, politics, and history
of New Mexico.” -- From Publishers Weekly,
October 11, 2004
This page was last updated on 03/10/05.