Shooting Polaris is a reflection on man’s relationship to nature and work, American history and the movement into the West, the desire to impose order and the contrary impulse for unmediated experience, the idealistic legacy of the ’60s, the influence of the Mormon church, and the often antagonistic relationship of American capitalism to sound ecological management. Along the way, Hales introduces engaging characters and reveals the art, science, and history of surveying, an endeavor that turns out to be surprisingly profound.

John Hales is professor of English at California State University, Fresno.

Rick Holmer BA’72 MA’75 PhD’78 has published The Aztec Book of Destiny (November 2005, $26.99 paperback, BookSurge Publishing). Written for the general reader, the book is based on a thesis/dissertation begun by Holmer under the guidance of U of U professor of anthropology Charles Dibble.

“Who are you, really?” “What is your purpose in life? “Do you know your true self, and are you living up to your potential?” People have pondered these questions since the dawn of civilization. The ancient pyramid builders of Mexico had answers, and they encrypted them in glyphic codices, most notably in their sacred calendar. The Aztec Book of Destiny summarizes these ancient Mesoamerican beliefs about the spiritual nature of time and its influence on the personality and fate of all people.

The Aztec, Toltec and Maya glyphs reveal a causal link connecting the day of birth to one’s destiny. Each day has spiritual qualities that affect everything that happens to everyone, from individuals to nations.

Holmer’s book condenses the scattered and disparate literature about these beliefs into a fun and informative narrative; but the book goes far beyond what academics and popular authors have published to date. It presents a unique perspective shaped by the wisdom of a traditional calendar-keeper Dr. Holmer met in central Mexico in 1973. The book’s message is that the calendar is not simply an ancient and forgotten curiosity but is as relevant today as in ancient times. The majority of the book projects the timeless Mesoamerican philosophy into contemporary Western society, encouraging introspection and self-awareness.

Rick Holmer is professor of anthropology at Idaho State University, where he has taught since 1983. He has conducted archaeological research in Mexico, Samoa, the American Desert West, and Alaska. Holmer says, “I am approaching retirement and have decided to dedicate the rest of my productive life to publishing all the neat things I have learned for general audiences. This book is the first of five that I have currently outlined.”