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New Mexico in the Civil War    Timeline 1861 1862

cover Reading Group Discussion Guide: Glorieta Pass


"By geographical position, by similarity of institutions, by commercial interests, and by future destinies, New Mexico pertains to the Confederacy.

—Henry Hopkins Sibley, 1861
  1. There are four "point of view" characters in Glorieta Pass: Alastar O'Brien, Laura Howland, Jamie Russell, and Lacey McIntyre. Which character did you find most interesting and why? Which character resonated most strongly for you? Would you have liked to see the story through the eyes of a different character?

  2. Do you think the author presented a balanced picture of the opposing forces in the war (Federal and Confederate)?

  3. Did the novel convey a vivid sense of time and place? Did you get a good feel for the setting while enjoying the story, or did it feel too much like a "history lesson?"

  4. Did you get a sense of how the events in New Mexico fit into the larger picture of the war and what was happening in the country in 1861-1862?

  5. Do you wish any of the characters who died had lived, or vice versa? Why?

  6. Were the real historical characters portrayed well? What did you learn about historical figures from this story?

  7. Did you find the use of archaic words, phrases, and grammar confusing? Did they enhance the story or distract from it?

  8. Did you like the historic quotes at the beginning of each chapter? Did they enhance your enjoyment of the book? After reading the book, what is your reaction to the quote from General Sibley at the beginning of the book?

  9. What scenes or characters do you think are most memorable?

  10. Have you visited any of the localities used for settings in the novel? If not, have you visited any Civil War battlefields? What were your impressions?

  11. What question would you most like to ask P.G. Nagle about Glorieta Pass?

  12. Would you recommend this book to others? Did it make you want to read more books by P.G. Nagle?