Mayordomo: Chronicle of an Acequia in Northern New Mexico - Softcover

." . . a timeless, near-classic. . . . This is the sort of book you will read, shelve, and take down to read parts or all of again. And again." . . . a timeless, near-classic. . . . This is the sort of book you will read, shelve, and take down to read parts or all of again. And again. "Mayordomo" is informative non-fiction writing at its best . . . Moreover, it has been perceived as a fine piece of living archeology . . . Crawford applied his skill as a writer of smooth and sensitive prose. Crawford writes with clarity and true pitch about the climate, the wildlife, and the social complexities of northern New Mexico village life. . . . As a contribution to naturalist literature the book is equally rich. . . . "Mayordomo" is sure to become a classic regional study . . . Crawfords sensitive pen captures the conflicts and continuities with poignancy. Stanley Crawford has . . . turned the history of an acequia into a startling and lovely celebration of life. . . . Crawfords artistry draws the reader . . . into the lives of those simple and strong people . . . His narrative technique effectively leads the reader through the pasts mundane tasks of yearly digging and scraping ditches . . . "Mayordomo" illustrates the joy of living life deliberately without modern conveniencesit reveals to the reader the strength and hardihood found only in those who live close to the land and depend on the environment for survival. It is a testament to the human spirit . . .

Irrigation ditches are the lifelines of agriculture and daily life in rural New Mexico. This award-winning account of the author's experience as a mayordomo, or ditch boss, is the first record of the life of an acequia by a community participant.