Book Review by Journalist Chris Edwards: You Had a Good Home, But You Left… by Steve Pearce

ALAMOGORDO, NM — Former Congressman and Vietnam War veteran Steve Pearce has returned to the public stage with the release of his memoir, You Had a Good Home, But You Left…. The book, which chronicles his solo flight around the world in honor of fallen comrades, is now the centerpiece of a statewide tour that will bring him to Alamogordo on Saturday, December 14, 2025, for a book signing and veterans roundtable.

A Review of You Had a Good Home, But You Left…

Pearce’s memoir is a deeply personal narrative that blends aviation adventure with spiritual reflection and civic duty. The title, drawn from a military cadence, sets the tone for a story steeped in remembrance and resilience. 

Pearce, no stranger to Alamogordo (he represented us in Congress for years and still shows up at local events), isn't writing a dry political autobiography here. This is a pilot's story – Steve flew combat missions as an Air Force captain, dodged storms in the cockpit, and navigated the turbulence of politics back home. He left a comfortable life in Hobbs, answered the call to serve, and spent decades fighting what he sees as federal overreach on everything from land management to energy policy. The book chronicles the "flight" – the highs of service and conservative victories, the storms of losses (like his 2018 Senate and gubernatorial runs), and that nagging question so many veterans and ranchers around here wrestle with: Why leave a good home?

What strikes me most, reading this as a local journalist who's covered Pearce's career to include his BLM nomination is how personal it gets. Pearce doesn't shy away from the costs – the family time missed, the political bruises, the ideological battles in a state that's trended bluer. He writes with the straightforward grit of a southeastern New Mexico oilman: no fluff, plenty of faith, family, and free-market principles. For readers in Cloudcroft, Tularosa, or right here in Alamogordo, it's a reminder of the conservative voice that's shaped our district for generations.

The prose is straightforward yet evocative, with Pearce’s voice reflecting both soldierly discipline and statesmanlike sincerity. It is less about policy than about memory, duty, and the meaning of homecoming.

Is it flawless? Like any memoir from a polarizing figure, it'll resonate more with those who share Pearce's views on limited government and Second Amendment rights than with progressive critics. But even if you disagreed with him on policy (and plenty in Otero County have), you can't deny the authenticity. This isn't ghostwritten Washington insider schlock – it's Pearce unfiltered, reflecting on service, sacrifice, and why sometimes you have to leave the nest to find your way back stronger.

In a time when New Mexico politics feels more divided than ever – with Pearce recently passing the GOP torch after years at the helm – this book lands as a timely testament to perseverance. For veterans, pilots, conservatives, or anyone who's ever heard that cadence call and felt the urge to march, it's worth the read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars – A solid, heartfelt New Mexico story from one of our own.

You Had a Good Home, But You Left… is available now wherever books are sold. Pick it up, support a local(ish) author, and think about your own journey next time you hear "You're right!" echoing in the distance.

Political Context: BLM Nomination

Pearce’s book tour coincides with his nomination by President Trump to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The announcement has rekindled Otero County’s long-standing debates over federal land control, resource access, and local autonomy. Supporters see Pearce’s nomination as a chance to restore balance in land-use policy, while critics warn of potential conflicts with conservation priorities.

Though the memoir is not a political manifesto, Pearce’s reemergence through literature and policy underscores the dual nature of his legacy: a veteran honoring the past and a policymaker shaping the future. His memoir offers a meditation on sacrifice and remembrance, while his nomination signals renewed influence in national land policy. Together, they frame Pearce’s story as one of service, stewardship, and the enduring struggle to define home.

– Chris Edwards, Author, Journalist & Host at KALH Radio Alamogordo

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