Fascinating history under foot. Yet, I couldn't get past the "border blimp" in the first photo. Perhaps it is because I am so far north of the southern border, but it is a bit of a shock to realize this is part of the environment there. The El Paso Salt War is entirely new knowledge for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jill. The El Paso Salt War was new to me as well—amazed there is so relatively little out there about it. As for the border blimps, they are just one example of how militarized the U.S.-Mexico land border is, if much of the fortification is now provided by technologies of electronic surveillance. I wrote a piece about the subject a few years back, which was linked in the piece and an academic friend and reader just provided a paywall-free link for, if you're interested to learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Jz4W9Wjoeta15txnImmTyKOiUMM1v4b/view
It stands as such a contrast to the border to the north. With Roger Stone in Ontario orchestrating the campaigns of the Canadian Conservative Party, it makes me wonder why. The northern border is much more fluid across water boundaries and subject to perhaps too little surveillance (murdered and missing Indigenous women, oil pipelines, smuggling, etc.).
I have paddled right over it in the BWCA, so have some experience of that. My first novel (written in 2013-14) opened with an inversion in which a young American fugitive is deported across the border at International Falls, where the Canadians have built a wall to keep the craziness out. It may yet happen IRL... And fascinating observation about the dangers that come with it's currently under-monitored state,
This Field Note particularly interested me, Christopher, because I have been through that stretch of high desert many times and it plays a significant role in my forthcoming novel set during the Apache Wars: Blood Touching Blood.
P.S. Linking the idea of the threatened public commons, i.e., the moon and the salt flats, plus "accreted" land, is also painfully poignant. I'm sure in your research you came across the book "El Paso Salt War of 1877" by C.L. Sonnichsen? I used to collect his books, back when I was a Texana obsessive.
Another fine essay & ramble, Christopher. The irony is pretty thick, as usual, as your mentions of important books and vital bookstores in the West Texas region become entangled with book publishing disruptor Jeff Bezos, not to mention conjuring the watchful eyes of the coyote in the borderlands, being watched by the border patrol blimp.
Fascinating history under foot. Yet, I couldn't get past the "border blimp" in the first photo. Perhaps it is because I am so far north of the southern border, but it is a bit of a shock to realize this is part of the environment there. The El Paso Salt War is entirely new knowledge for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jill. The El Paso Salt War was new to me as well—amazed there is so relatively little out there about it. As for the border blimps, they are just one example of how militarized the U.S.-Mexico land border is, if much of the fortification is now provided by technologies of electronic surveillance. I wrote a piece about the subject a few years back, which was linked in the piece and an academic friend and reader just provided a paywall-free link for, if you're interested to learn more: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Jz4W9Wjoeta15txnImmTyKOiUMM1v4b/view
Thanks for the look. I'll take a read.
It stands as such a contrast to the border to the north. With Roger Stone in Ontario orchestrating the campaigns of the Canadian Conservative Party, it makes me wonder why. The northern border is much more fluid across water boundaries and subject to perhaps too little surveillance (murdered and missing Indigenous women, oil pipelines, smuggling, etc.).
I have paddled right over it in the BWCA, so have some experience of that. My first novel (written in 2013-14) opened with an inversion in which a young American fugitive is deported across the border at International Falls, where the Canadians have built a wall to keep the craziness out. It may yet happen IRL... And fascinating observation about the dangers that come with it's currently under-monitored state,
What is the name of this novel? Tropic of Kansas? I haven't read it, but I think I'd like to.
Yes, that was Tropic of Kansas. It was well-received, but is not everyone's cup of tea. If you're interested, there's an excerpt from the opening here: https://reactormag.com/excerpts-christopher-brown-tropic-of-kansas/
thanks!
This Field Note particularly interested me, Christopher, because I have been through that stretch of high desert many times and it plays a significant role in my forthcoming novel set during the Apache Wars: Blood Touching Blood.
Thanks, Derrick! That sounds like a book I would love to read. Fascinating country and incredible history.
Shooting for an early December release date. I'll keep you posted. I'd love to know your thoughts on it. Blessings.
P.S. Linking the idea of the threatened public commons, i.e., the moon and the salt flats, plus "accreted" land, is also painfully poignant. I'm sure in your research you came across the book "El Paso Salt War of 1877" by C.L. Sonnichsen? I used to collect his books, back when I was a Texana obsessive.
I had not found that, and was surprised how little scholarship there seemed to be on the subject. Just tracked down a copy to correct that. Thanks!
Another fine essay & ramble, Christopher. The irony is pretty thick, as usual, as your mentions of important books and vital bookstores in the West Texas region become entangled with book publishing disruptor Jeff Bezos, not to mention conjuring the watchful eyes of the coyote in the borderlands, being watched by the border patrol blimp.
Thanks, Jesse! I wish I had gotten a photo of that coyote, but I was behind the wheel 🐺