In this intimate account of Jemez Pueblo from distant times to the modern era, historian Joe S. Sando profiles the multi-faceted history of one of the most vital and enduring of the Pueblo Indian communities of New Mexico. It is intimate because it is a story told by an insider, one whose experiences and perceptions of Jemez span nearly six decades. Sando writes about many of the events he describes with the authority of a participant and a witness. Sando follows the story of the Hemish (people of Jemez) from the origins and development of Pueblo civilization, the Spanish colonial period and the American territorial period to the continuing struggles with the United States Government to maintain sovereignty, land and water rights so vital to the survival of the Pueblo people today. While some of the history is similar to that of the other nineteen Pueblo Indian villages in the southwest, much of it is unique to Jemez. Although the villages are closely related to one another historically, socially, and culturally, each is considered by its citizens to be a sovereign nation, with all the rights and responsibilities normally associated with international states. Each has its own government, customs, languages and sense of destiny.

In addition to detailing the history of Jemez Pueblo, Sando discusses Pueblo government, land ownership and water rights, farming and irrigation, the coming of the railroad, the influence of the Catholic church, the influx of people from Pecos Pueblo (now part of Jemez), education at the pueblo, the town's astonishing success in the sport of long-distance running and the artists past and present who continue to contribute so much to the culture of the community.The appendix contains a compendium of information about the pueblo, including a list of tribal officers since 1598 as well as a list of Jemez Pueblo college graduates.