The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 87, July 1983 - April, 1984 Page: 216

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

Debrett's Peerage, which has long catalogued the thicket of British
nobility, is now engaging resourcefully to perform an imitation ser-
vice for Americans. Looking at wealth, descent, and "star status,"
Debrett's will publish an extensive series of volumes on America's
"aristocracy," beginning with an inaugural volume titled "Debrett's
Texas Peerage." Scheduled for a November release, "Texas Peerage"
will, according to a Debrett's representative, "look at the Texans
with twinkle," including such worthies as Samuel Maverick, rancher,
and Martin Parmer, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
The volume will list over 2,ooo names in all, and feature biographies
of 3oo notables from the period of the Republic.
Images and Conversations: Mexican Americans Recall a South-
western Past is a group of thirteen oral histories collected in the vi-
cinity of Tucson, Arizona. The stories, gathered by Patricia Preciado
Martin, are accompanied by photographs taken by Louis Carlos
Bernal. In her introduction to this beautiful book, Martin discusses
the wisdom and cultural heritage that is transmitted in conversation:
In a time when youth and innovation and change are valued over age and
wisdom and permanence, we must learn again to listen to the songs taught
to us by our elders.
For the history of all people is a treasure which is there for the asking-
not one to be found buried and gleaming in sunken ships or abandoned
mines, but a history found in richness of culture and oral tradition. It must
be sought with diligence and patience and affection. It must be collected
with love and when the occasion arises-on sidewalk stoops, on church
steps, on nostalgic walks, on garden benches, at kitchen tables sipping
coffee.
Above the din of the computer and the television and the roar of space-
age engines, there is a voice sweet and simple, but true. It teaches us about
ourselves. It teaches the old songs. And those songs bear repeating.
Images and Conversations is available for $25.00, cloth, or $12.50,
paper, from the University of Arizona Press, 1615 E. Speedway, Tuc-
son, Arizona 85719.

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