California Missions [Paperback]

Barbara Shangle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

This 48-page historical travel book provides the most current photographic images of California's heritage-rich missions. Each of the 21 missions is illustrated in full color photography with historical text and detailed picture captions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Amer Products Corp (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188495829X
• ISBN-13: 978-1884958298
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,385,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct and Informative, February 8, 2006

By 

Beautiful Thinkers (California, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California Missions (Paperback)

America is a place that offers a kaleidoscope of landscapes. Florida shines in orchards of palm and citrus trees. Kentucky and Tennessee flow with oceans so green and lush the hills seem like waves splashing upon the earth. Maine is waft with pine and maples that set the sky ablaze in fall. Chaco Canyon, New Mexico pulls you back to the past and sprinkles the imagination with the magnificent art and architecture of the first Americans. In all of this we are reminded of the splendor of our country. And after years of experiencing our nation, state-by-state, we are convinced that California is the most beautiful of all. Rich in art and spirit; always pushing toward acceptance and tolerance for all people. Yet, we rarely take the time to reminisce about those who first settled this state, setting a foundation and shaping the hopes, dreams and struggles of generations to come.

In the book California Missions, we are reminded of the influence of these earliest settlers on the architecture, language, music, art, apparel, children's games and other reflections of California's early Spanish culture. Starting with the very first mission, "San Diego al Alcala" settled in 1769, Barbara Shangle takes the reader through each of the 21 missions' unique history, in all their adventures, hardships and dramas.

Even with an abundance of information, this book is not so cumbersome that it becomes overwhelming. In fact, Shangle does a magnificent job of delivering just enough knowledge to keep the reader interested and engaged. Beautifully vivid photographs accompany the history and description of each Mission. For anyone not able to tour the Missions in person, photographers James Blank and Robert Shangle have done an amazing job capturing the spirit and uniqueness of each.

The Missions are such an important part of our heritage that elementary students have for years been encouraged to learn about them. Not only does this book cover the information needed to write an A+ report, the photography in the book will make it a family treasure for years to come. Beautiful enough for the coffee table, yet it's an affordable 8 x10" paperback volume.

2.0 out of 5 stars Only So-So, February 27, 2009

By 

Gary F. Pilgram - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California Missions (Paperback)

This book seems to require that the reader already has a good basic knowledge of Mexican and California History -- quite hard to follow and understand. Still, I got the gist and some information. Not recommended as a primer on the CA Missions.