El Camino Real

Text by Douglas Preston and José Antonio Esquibel

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO PRESS, ALBUQUERQUE

1-800-249-7737 (to order)

JULY 1998

178 pages

 During the summer of 1997, I was introduced to Doug and Christine by Gabrielle Palmer, Director of El Camino Real Project. I had completed some research consultation for El Camino Real Project when the Prestons consulted with Gabrielle about their intent to complete a book concerning El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Doug and Christine wanted to produce a book that would be of interest to everyday people, especially for Hispano people of New Mexico whose ancestors had traveled on the historic route. In addition, they were interested in suggestions of places to photograph that would have some meaning to people.

The University of New Mexico had already expressed an interest in publishing the book. As far as could be determined, it would be the only book published on El Camino Real in 1998, the cuarto centennial anniversary of the opening of the road in New Mexico. Its original working title was "Between Dream and Reality," which was changed to give people a better idea about the primary subject of the book.

By the December 1997, I had written approximately eighty pages of material that I presented to the Prestons and in turn, they passed the material on to the editor of the book. My contribution was significant enough to earn the privilege of co-author with Christine and Doug.

Christine's photography has appeared in Smithsonian, The New Yorker, New Mexico Magazine and El Palacio (magazine of the Museum of New Mexico). Her photographs of the rich landscapes of El Camino Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe will be on exhibit in the meeting room of the Palace of the Governors, April through September 1998.

Doug is the author of Cities of Gold (a personal account of his experiences from his journey across the wilderness of New Mexico and Arizona tracing the route of Coronado), Talking on the Ground, and five novels (including The Relic, Reliquary, and RipTide co-author with Lincoln Childs). Doug also writes about archeology for The New Yorker, Smithsonian, Natural History, and other magazines.

It has been a pleasure working with Christine, Doug and the editors at the University of New Mexico Press.

Care to read excerpts from The Royal Road: El Camino Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe?