Regarding his background as a Mexican folk healer in Texas as a core part of his identity, Torres (an administrator at the U. of New Mexico, Albuquerque) offers an insider's rather than New Age account of this tradition and his meetings with three famous curanderos. Photos feature the healers, their rituals and herbs. Coauthor Sawyer (PhD, UNM staff) is described as the first Anglo initiate in the Southwest. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)