A Certain Love »

Miguel Encinias is primarily a writer of history, mostly about the Spanish era in what is now the United States which started with the landing by Ponce de Leon in Florida in 1513. He writes in a style he calls dramatized but accurate history.

Starting late in life he has had 3 books published, including a critical edition of an epic poem about the founding of New Mexico published in Spain in 1610. His style accounts for the realism he was able to achieve in this book about an interracial love affair in partially segregated New Mexico starting in the thirties, less than a century after it was conquered during the U.S. war on Mexico. It is based equally on his experience, and that of people he knew.

The author had a full career of combat as a fighter pilot in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He also served twice in Cold War nuclear attack units. Between his wars he managed to get a BS in foreign service at Georgetown University, an MS equivalent at the Institut Des Sciences Politiques in Paris, and another MS in French in preparation for teaching French at the Air Force Academy. He got a double Phd in Spanish and education after retirement.

This is a triumphant tale during a difficult time in our country when a love affair between couples of a different race or ethnicity was opposed by the dominant society, and considered miscegenation.