In the Sierra Madre
A journey through the legendary Copper Canyon's rich history
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Illinois Press
Published:27th Jul '07
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book offers a deep dive into the rich history of Copper Canyon's treasure seekers and indigenous cultures, exploring their enduring spirit and adventures.
In In the Sierra Madre, award-winning journalist Jeff Biggers takes readers on a captivating journey through the legendary Copper Canyon, exploring the lives of its resilient indigenous culture, the Raramuri/Tarahumara. This book delves into the rich tapestry of history woven through the exploits of Mexican mountaineers and the myriad of adventurers who have sought treasure and meaning in this rugged landscape. The narrative is not just about the search for riches but also about the deep connections formed between people and their environment.
Biggers' year-long sojourn in Copper Canyon provides an intimate perspective on the indigenous ways of life, showcasing their endurance and adaptability in the face of external challenges. The author introduces a diverse cast of characters, from African explorers and Bohemian friars to legendary figures like Geronimo and Pancho Villa, each contributing to the rich narrative of the Sierra Madre. Their stories intertwine with the land, revealing the historical significance of this region and its impact on those who have traversed it.
As readers navigate through In the Sierra Madre, they will uncover tales of adventure, resilience, and the search for identity. This book serves as a tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Copper Canyon and its people, offering insights into the past while celebrating the enduring legacy of a remarkable culture. It is a compelling read for anyone interested in history, anthropology, and the human experience in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Americas.
“Half a century after the release of the film, Jeff Biggers brings home the true treasure of the Sierra Madre: its stories. Biggers weaves a tapestry of intertwined tales that sheds light on this little-known region. Warm-hearted and compassionate, these stories bring to life the Raramuri.” --Michael Shapiro, author of A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk about Their Craft, Lives, and Inspiration
“Once every generation a book comes along that captures the stunning terrain and hidden life of Mexico’s remote western Sierra Madre. In the Sierra Madre is that book for this generation. Jeff Biggers has seen the strange and remarkable that the rest of us can only imagine.”--Tom Miller, author of The Panama Hat Trail and On the Border
"Jeff Biggers has the keenest eye in the business, and he has a fine, luminous voice to tell you what he has seen. This is a welcome addition to western and Mexican letters. Biggers manages to write like a poet, a historian, a naturalist, and an adventurer. His pages are burnished and alive, and I admire his work. You need to read this one soon."--Luis Urrea, author of The Hummingbird's Daughter and The Devil's Highway
"An astonishing sojourn into a remote region."--Booklist
"In the Sierra Madre introduces us to a host of idiosyncratic customs, numerous unforgettable characters, and situations that only a traveler of this ilk could manage. Biggers is the quintessential observer, with the eye and voice of a poet."--San Antonio Express-News
"Award-winning writer Jeff Biggers'. . . . new book In the Sierra Madre is a worthy addition to that shelf of books on the Mother Mountains of Sonora and Chihuahua. . . . In the Sierra Madre tells the story of becoming part of a new and different place, if only for a short while, and what can be learned about not only other people, but yourself, if you strip away most of the trappings of the so-called modern world and focus on what's really important: work, friends, music, a little beer not and then, and a connection to a landscape as it was before technology took over. . . . In the Sierra Madre is a sweet and perceptive book, filled with empathy, respect and kindness."--Tucson Weekly
"Jeff Biggers, as demonstrated here, is a journalist of considerable talent."--Journal of Arizona History
"An interesting and informative look at one of Mexico's last untouched regions."--New Mexico Historical Review
- Winner of <DIV>Winner of the Gold medal in the Travel Essays Category for the 2006 <I>ForeWord</I> Book of the Year Awards contest.</DIV> 2006
ISBN: 9780252074998
Dimensions: 229mm x 146mm x 13mm
Weight: 286g
208 pages