Why did New Mexico remain so long in political limbo before being admitted to the Union as a state? Combining extensive research and a clear and well-organized style, Robert W. Larson provides the answers to this question in a thorough and comprehensive account of the territory's extraordinary six-decade struggle for statehood. This book is no mere chronology of political moves, however. It is the history of a turbulent frontier state, sweeping into the current almost every colorful character of the territory. Not only politicians but ranchers, outlaws, soldiers, newspapermen, Indians, merchants, lawyers, and people from every walk of life were involved. This is a book for the reader who is interested in any aspect of southwestern territorial history.

Those facing censorship challenges can find support and inspiration in this book, which compiles dozens of stories from library front lines.