The Missions of California (Paperback)

by Stanley Young (Author), Melba Levick (Photographer), Sally Woodbridge (Foreword) "The beginning of the California missions was by no means auspicious..." (more)
Key Phrases: mission chain, mission era, mission buildings, San Gabriel, San Francisco, Santa Clara (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
California's missions were built by Spanish padres over 150 years ago, and this book tells the history of each, along with photographs of the adobe architecture, bright gardens, rustic interiors, and artistic flourishes. A classic guide to 21 missions, this beautifully illustrated volume is now revised and updated. 160 color photos.

About the Author
Melba Levick has published more than 40 photography books on travel, architecture, and design, including Mexicolor (0-8118-1893-4) and Mexicasa (0-8118-2806-9). She lives in Los Angeles and Paris.

Stanley Young is a writer and communications consultant based in Davis, California.

Sally B. Woodbridge is an architectural historian and the editor or author of numerous books on architecture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Rev Update edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811819388
• ISBN-13: 978-0811819381
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,331,987 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive view of California Missions, July 6, 2001

By	Patricia A. Boyd (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This was very interesting to read, as well as a terrific photographic reference for the California missions. The landscape-page layout lent depth to photos of the beautiful colonnades and porches these missions are famous for. I am proud that my native state of California has done such an outstanding job of restoring these missions, and enjoyed the skill Young and Levick used in crafting this volume.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pictures of California Missions, December 22, 2000

By A Customer

I've looked and I've looked, but I still haven't found a better pictorial representation of California's missions. If you appreciate architecture, you'll love this wonderful, definitive reference source. Bravos to Melba Levick for her terrific photos - they capture the very essence of each mission in a way I've never seen. Minor quibble - earlier editions were elegantly art directed and printed on glossy stock. The design work on this edition is heavy-handed and the photo reproduction on matte stock isn't nearly as brilliant or as sharp. Ah, but those gloriously composed photos! Nothing can deter their splendor.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pictures of California Missions, December 22, 2000

By A Customer

I've looked and I've looked, but I still haven't found a better pictorial representation of California's missions. If you appreciate architecture, you'll love this wonderful, definitive reference source. Bravos to Melba Levick for her terrific photos - they capture the very essence of each mission in a way I've never seen. Minor quibble - earlier editions were elegantly art directed and printed on glossy stock. The design work on this edition is heavy-handed and the photo reproduction on matte stock isn't nearly as brilliant or as sharp. Ah, but those gloriously composed photos! Nothing can deter their splendor.