“One of the most comprehensive studies of land grants in New Mexico to date. . . . Ebright not only provides an important history of land policy in New Mexico but also reminds readers of the long history of people who defended the rights of Indians in New Spain for hundreds of years. With this impressive piece of scholarship, Ebright himself keeps the spirits of these advocates alive for the modern world to appreciate.”—Choice
“This excellent book provides many insights into the complex history of New Mexico—over centuries—under Spain, Mexico, and the United States.”—Western Historical Quarterly
“A must-read for anyone interested in the legal aspects of Spanish colonial life and the land rights of the lower classes, Hispanos, and Native Americans alike.”—New Mexico Historical Review
“Ebright’s beautifully illustrated Advocates for the Oppressed is a meticulously researched and well-written collective narrative of individuals who defended the rights of Pueblo Indians, Genízaros (Hispanized Plains Indian captives or former captives), and Hispanos.”—Great Plains Quarterly
“Malcolm Ebright is the only scholar who could have conducted the depth of archival research needed for this book, which is different from other books in the field. It does not duplicate studies of the more commonly known land grants but focuses on the lesser known Ojo Caliente Grant, the grazing grants to New Mexico Pueblos, and the Pueblo land grants in the Galisteo Basin that were later abandoned. There is also a key chapter about the early land grants in Santa Fe and the story of the nonexistent, mythical Santa Fe League. The broader issues in the eighteenth-century lawsuits that Ebright covers are still relevant today: disputes over the use of common lands, conflicts over land titles and boundaries, and disputes over Pueblo Indian land rights.”—José A. Rivera, author of La Sociedad: Guardians of Hispanic Culture Along the Río Grande
