California Missions

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.