A history of the ancient Southwest /

Lekson, a preeminent archaeologist at the Univ. of Colorado Museum of Natural History, has written a book conceived to appeal to both professional and general audiences. His writing style is lively, perhaps engaging. There are more than 40 illustrations of reconstructed Southwestern towns. Yet this is a disquieting volume, self-indulgent and referential--something general readers may not notice, but that archaeologists will find hard to ignore. The book's purpose is to provide a comprehensive, integrative prehistory of the area, along with a review of the development of archaeology since the mid-19th century. The interpretations are sweeping, and Lekson's voice is authentic, if not authoritarian. Cultural units operate at regional scales, with successive geographic florescence followed by diminishment and political leaderships that never seem to get it quite right. This is also a history largely devoid of environmental considerations, hence, a socially focused narrative. Archaeologists too are larger than life, with rivalries, coalitions, and battles for interpretive dominion. Despite 100 pages of endnotes, there is no way to know how much of this history Lekson has gotten right. Regardless, the story of the ancient Southwest and those who study its history makes for a fascinating tale. Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels/libraries. M. W. Graves University of New Mexico