These 101 men and 101 women who made history in New Mexico are people of adventure and challengers of destiny. The early ones explored and pioneered in this land of paradox. Between the years of Fray Marcos de Niza and the Moon Men is a vast pageant of history played by the men and women appearing in this book. With rocket speed we span the centuries from 1536 to those as they fly to the moon. The purpose of this little book is to acquaint you quickly with those men and women whose accomplishments left a deep imprint on New Mexico. To a great extent New Mexico is what it is today for their having been here. You’ll find their names chiseled on cliffsides, in ancient ruins, in journals and in modern news media. And you will meet for the first time some humble people whose stories have never been recognized before. All these people, the known and unknowns, in their very special experiences merit your acquaintance.