The Denver Westerners Roundup (May-June, 1999)
“This is Harriet Freiberger’s first book. It is an exculpatory biography of the famed Lucien Maxwell, dedicated to the proposition that Maxwell’s reputation has been besmirched by the violence which came to northern New Mexico after he sold the legendary Maxwell Grant…
The book reads well. It is carefully researched and meticulously annotated. This reviewer found much of interest about the Colonial history of northern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail, and the Mexican Land Grants.”
-W. Toll, Jr., P.M.
Santa Fe Reporter (October-November, 1999)
“Freiberger, in her Maxwell biography, admits that in his day the man was both admired and maligned. No middle ground existed for those who knew Lucien Maxwell personally; he was either a hero or a villain.”
– Marc Simmons
True West (February, 2000)
“Harriet Freiberger has written an excellent biography of one of the most interesting, controversial characters in the history of the American Southwest. Highly recommended.”
-Leon Metz
Sangre de Cristo Chronicle (June, 2000)
“Embarking on a quest to discover the essence of the man, Freiberger began reading the many books and articles written about Maxwell…The illuminating result of Freiberger’s meticulous investigation is, Lucien Maxwell: Villain or Visionary. It is a balanced portrayal of the forceful, but fair man who carved a home out of the wild Cimarron country in the 1860s and ultimately became one of the largest landowners in the United States at the time…
Freiberger’s portrayal of Maxwell as empire-builder on the Cimarron River, is the richest part of the biography. It cogently separates fact from fiction regarding the enigmatic land baron, and how he held and dominated the wild country where he chose to make his home…
Lucien Maxwell: Villain or Visionary. is an important addition to the historical body of work about the notable frontiersmen…”
-Stephen Zimmer, Philmont Museum Director
Roundup Magazine (October, 1999)
“Freiberger’s biography of Maxwell is well researched, very readable, and provides the reader with a glimpse of one of the West’s pioneering giants who has not received enough credit for his accomplishments.”
– Doris Meredith
New Mexico Magazine (October, 1999)
“The author fits Maxwell into national context by referencing contemporary public issues . . ., giving the reader a big window through which this unusual man can be observed.”
– Charles Bennett
Las Vegas Hermit’s Peak Gazette (October, 1999)
“The book contains a wealth of contemporary material throughout Maxwell’s era. Freiberger covers his life from when he was born in 1818 in Kaskaskia, Ill, of French Catholic heritage, to his death in Fort sumner in 1875.”
– Alma Gregory
LUCIEN MAXWELL 