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CORVALLIS - An Oregon State University professor has co-edited a new book of essays that provide a different interpretation of the history of New Mexico - from a Chicano perspective.

"The Contested Homeland: A Chicano History of New Mexico" was published by the University of New Mexico Press. It was edited by Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies at OSU, and David R. Maciel, who chairs the ethnic studies department at California State University at Dominguez Hills.

The book focuses on themes of self-determination, resistance and "cultural maintenance" in the lives and struggles of New Mexico's people. Contributing authors look at the history of conflict - not only between Anglos and Chicanos, but over modernization. Those clashes have touched on the survival of Spanish language, folk traditions and land grants amid the English language, new and secular values, and real estate booms and speculation.

Gonzales-Berry has been on the OSU faculty since 1997. She has bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of New Mexico. She is an expert on Latino and Chicano history, culture and literature.

The book is available from the University of New Mexico Press by calling 1-800-249-7737.