Highly regarded by Native Americans as well as Anglo and Hispanic historians, Sando's book covers the origins and development of Pueblo civilization, the Spanish conquest, the Pueblo Revolt, the influence of the United States government in Pueblo history, and the issues of land and water rights so vital to the survival of Pueblo people today.

Rich source chronicles evolution of distinctive Native American craft, exploring origins, history, graphic content, and techniques.

Prehistoric burial practices provide an unparalleled opportunity for understanding and reconstructing ancient civilizations and for identifying the influences that helped shape them.

Po'pay: Leader of the First American Revolution is the story of the visionary leader of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, which drove the Spanish conquerors out of New Mexico for twelve years. This enabled the Pueblos to continue their languages, traditions and religion on their own ancestral lands, thus helping to create the multicultural tradition that continues to this day in the "Land of Enchantment." The book is the first history of these events from a Pueblo perspective. Edited by Joe S. Sando, a historian from Jemez Pueblo, and Herman Agoyo, a tribal leader from San Juan Pueblo, it draws upon the Pueblos' rich oral history as well as early Spanish records. It also provides the most comprehensive account available of Po'pay the man, revered by his people but largely unknown to other historians. Finally, the book describes the successful effort to honor Po'pay by installing a seven-foot-tall likeness of him as one of New Mexico's two statues in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. This magnificent statue, carved in marble by Pueblo sculptor Cliff Fragua, is a fitting tribute to a most remarkable man.

This book will appeal to anyone interested in knowing more about how a fascinating mix of people of various cultures have molded New Mexico's history.