Frank Waters (1902–1995), one of the finest chroniclers of the American Southwest, wrote twenty-eight works of fiction and nonfiction.

Mr. Waters has created in Old Maria a character of vital and lyrical intensity. His "people of the valley' are humble, earnest, superstitious, lovable folk, the stuff of nature, the elementary stuff of a decent and prevailing humanity. Readers who are content to take the primitive and ruthless Maria del Valle on her own terms will treasure her and return to her again and again.