Customer Reviews

Mission: The Birth of California, the Death of a Nation

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I was delighted to come across this incredible book by Margaret Wyman. Having taught fourth grade in California for ten years, I thought I had a good understanding of the relationship between the native Americans and the Spanish. This indredible story of a Kumeyaay Indian woman, took me to new heights of understanding, and stirred emotions in me from compassion and sadness for the natives, to rage and disgust of the Spanish. The author does an exceptional job of bringing her characters to life. I literally could not put the book down as I raced to learn the fate of these intriguing characters. Margaret Wyman writes with passion and ingenuity. I highly recommend this fine book.

Besides telling the dirty truth, this book will keep you reading and biting your nails until the very end. (In fact, you will be asking "What's Next?") The book is that good!
Just remember that beyond the kind, decent, misguided and sometimes sordid characters, the story is historically accurate, even when the truth is frightening and shameful.

Margaret Wyman has written a compelling story about early California and its invasion by Spain and the Catholic church. Surprising twists and turns are followed through the intertwining of the lives of the natives, the Spanish soldiers, the Mexicans, and the "black robes". Good and Evil, sanity and madness, religious fervor and native beliefs are all portrayed in this novel.
I hope that her future titles will be as readable.

Mission: The Birth Of California, The Death Of A Nation is an historical novel set against the conquest of Southern California by the Spanish crown, set at the same era as when the United States was fighting for its independence. A brutal tale of the subjugation, forced religious conversion, enslavement, and massacre of California's native people seen through the eyes of a young woman who personally experiences the worst and most vicious of the conquistadors' treatment. A disturbing but highly recommended saga by Margaret Wyman, Mission accurately depicts the historical, genocidal impact that foreign settlement had on California's native population.

Margaret Wyman was blessed with the gift of story telling. She has the extraordinary talent of bringing her characters to life. I only wish I had the talent and eloqence to encourage you to read Mission. I found myself discussing Web with one of my friends as if I were reminiscing about my own sister. On daily walks along the trails of Lake Hodges I envision Web and feel her spirit as if she truly existed. Web's story has touched my soul and enlightened my view of Southern California history.

Ms Wyman has told a truth which has been overlooked too long. I found myself captured by the story and continued to pick the book up and read every chance I had until I finished it. Further, some friends of mine have read it and each one has been well pleased. One can tell by reading the book that the author has researched her subject extensively. Jim Ferrell, Idyllwild, Ca.

A spell binding book...hard to put down. The real story of the Padres and the California Missions...the one we weren't taught in school. I highly recommend this book to people who want to know the way it really was. A very well told story.

This vibrant account of San Diego history kept me spell-bound, even though I knew the outcome would not favor the talented young Indian woman Web and her family. I found myself hiking through the mountains, walking along the river banks and exploring the seashore with Web and her friend Hummingbird, marveling at their skills, knowledge, and resourcefulness in caring for their families, aching for them as their world turned away from all that was known.

They were not the only brave and creative characters. Even those vividly dreadful souls who stirred my empathy and anger, and who made me want to turn back the clock and change history, were strong and determined survivors.

This is an educational, fascinating, and thought-provoking book. My view of San Diego will never again be the same.

I really appreciate the fact that Mz Wyman told such a heartbreaking story about the Indians. I thoroghly enjoyed reading it, and can't wait until another one comes along