Canfield (English, U. of Arizona) analyzes metaphorical border crossings<-->between ideologies and between cultures<-->in films and novels set in the early US Southwest. In addition to seminal works such as , , and , he considers lesser-known American works, Chicano, Mexican, and Native American literature, and writings by women and ex-slaves. He's most interested in the existential choices characters must make when faced with cultural dilemmas in searching for identity, purpose, and justice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)