NEW BOOK: Baja California Land of Missions "hot off the press" by David K

Reviews:

Baja California Land of Missions by David Kier, M & E Books www.oldmissions.com
“As a writer and a 20-year full time resident of Baja California Sur I’ve had a chance to become acquainted with the author and his life-long love affair with the peninsula and its missions. It was that unflagging love of adventure and travel that caused him to amass an amazing library of current and historical documents about the peninsula and the missions which he shares with uncountable numbers of Bajaphiles through affinity forums and social media groups.

“Baja California Land of Missions is a unique and handy summary of existing data about a place and time which defies examination and description; some of the planet’s harshest landscapes where alone a few hardy souls dared to challenge and rare crumbling 300-hundred-year-old manuscripts which tell a garbled tale of daunting travel in the new world.

“The book chronicles the missions on the peninsula. Readers will learn more about the missionaries, the storied Camino Real, the process, the setbacks, the suffering and those who plan to travel the mission chain will feel the centuries slipping away with the guide book in hand. It will surely become the Vade Mecum of this historical and archeological museum; the 800 miles of stunning cathedrals and relic ruin foundations that lured Mr. Kier and so many others to take the path rarely chosen.

“David’s friends and followers will buy two copies: one for the car, jeep, backpack, saddlebag and another for their home library where it will be safe, protected and cherished so it can become the perfect gift one day for their kids and grandkids – history books are rarely complete as new findings become available but this book is truly an heirloom edition because so little evidence remains to be uncovered. The book may hold its historical certitude and relevance for many decades to come. Don’t miss this one.”
George Bergin, Respected Baja California Commentator ‘Osprey’ at www.bajanomad.com
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“I have written two books and numerous articles about Baja and wish this book was available when I was doing my research. Inveterate Baja buff David Kier has created the consummate guide to the historic missions of Baja California. He explains and/or dispels long-established rumors and guesswork about the missions and the dedicated padres who established them. The fine maps and photos help make this book an easy to digest reference guide.”

* Greg Niemann, Author: Baja Legends; Baja Fever; and more www.gregniemann.com
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“With his great passion for Baja California history, especially its mission history, author David Kier is well qualified to write a concise yet comprehensive guide to the missions founded on the peninsula by the Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican Orders. This handsome and handy volume represents a fine attempt to achieve that goal, provoke discussion, and place the Baja missions in a broader historical and geographical context.”

* Graham Mackintosh, Author: Into a Desert Place; Journey with a Baja Burro; Nearer My Dog to Thee; Marooned with very little Beer www.grahammackintosh.com
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>>> M & E Books is proud to announce the publication of Baja California Land of Missions written by David Kier. This 243-page work is a detailed history of the activities begun by the Spanish Empire, commissioning several orders of Catholic priests, and others, in an attempt to colonize the peninsula of California between 1535 and 1855. All twenty-seven missions are detailed as well as the satellite visita outposts and the more obscure, little-known, associated sites. The padres who served at each mission are listed along with the years they served. The El Camino Real mission road is discussed. Why the missions failed and what happened since they closed is also told. GPS waypoints for each mission and additional places of historic interest are provided. The mythical lost missions are detailed as well. Over 125 photographs, drawings and maps will visually take the reader to the missions as they were, and as they are now. A reference list of books plus detailed index will assist in further mission study or research.
ISBN 978-1-4951-9121-3

Order from http://oldmissions.com Prices on the site for U.S.; Canada & Mexico; and other countries with sales tax and shipping included! PayPal, Credit/Debit cards, or a PO Box to mail in checks or money orders is available.

Distributors, books stores, or organizations, contact us about discounts for volume orders: oldmissions@gmail.com

Also available at Discover Baja Travel Club (members and non-members)

Some samples from inside the book....















See our Facebook page: THANK YOU!!!

 

Have you got your copy?
Do you like history...?
Do you like travel...?
Do you go to Baja...?
Do you want to know how California was discovered and colonized...?
It's all told in this book about Baja California's missions... the FIRST California missions... The first was founded 72 years before San Diego, and 18 were established before San Diego.
Perhaps you have a Fourth Grader who is allowed to provide more of the mission story than the California school program bothers to include???
Available at http://oldmissions.com and at Discover Baja Travel Club in San Diego.
Thank you!
David

 

From inside the book.

 

A reader in Canada sent in this nice review:

David:

I just received a copy of your new book, "Baja California: Land of Missions.” Thank you for all the hard work that went into this volume. It is certainly the best book written on the subject. You have done an excellent job in researching the material. I learned a lot about the history of all the missions and how they are tied together.

I am a retired professor of historical geography. I served 12 years as the head of the department of Geography at the University of Calgary in Canada and for some 35 years as a professor.

Over the last few years I have made several trips to Baja California and have traveled the peninsula from one end to the other. On these trips, understandably, I visited nearly all the old missions, but not San Borja.

Thank you Dr.!

The book is shipped daily, ordering is easy, online or via mail: www.oldmissions.com
FREE shipping to U.S. addresses and we pay the sales tax! A ~$7.00 savings...

 

We are getting ready to produce the second printing of Baja California Land of Missions. I would like to hear from anyone who has the book on how it was for you and if you would like to see anything more.
Thank you for your support!

Here is the book's Preface for those who may enjoy the book:

 

Nice! I love Baja and the whole history of the California's. Probably gonna order me a copy real soon... Little pricey but looks worth it.

 

There's about 240 pages of information, maps, and photos that will provide you with so much information and interesting historical stories I don't think you will be disappointed at all. To make the cost easier for you, there will be NO sales tax or U.S. address Shipping charges added... about a $7 value. Many years of research and a lifetime of my personal interest in the subject and trips to Baja California have gone into making this book. My (co-authored) 2012 book, 'The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834,' gave just a brief history of the missions. This book goes into great detail with new data never before published in a book on only the peninsular California (Baja) missions. The GPS waypoints for all the sites may also be of value to you?

On top of that, you can contact me via email or here (PM, etc.) anytime I can help with mission questions!

Thank you for your interest!

At Mission Santa Rosalía de Mulegé (the fourth California mission, 1705) in 2007:







That's right, Baja isn't just a desert!
All three photos taken in Mulegé, Baja California Sur.

 

That last one is San Ignacio, no? I'll definitely buy a copy in the next couple days, looks very well done. Last time I was in Baha GPS wasn't a thing, ha. Had to use the old fashioned paper maps. Fun that way, though... I like the feeling of "we could get lost" and relying more on brain power than satellites.

 

Good thing about Baja though is if you get lost, just head 50 miles east or west and you're at the ocean! May mot be the ocean you started out for, but it's all good.

 

@goblue82 @deadhed61

 

No... (you do need the book!)

The last mission (in Baja) was Guadalupe (del Norte) founded in 1834. However, the last Spanish mission in Baja California was Santa Catalina (1797). Mexico declared its independence in 1810 and achieved it in 1821. The mission system was soon shut down as a product of Spanish colonialism. However, in California (Baja & Alta) it was allowed to remain in place as the Indians were (then) dependent on the missions for instruction and survival (so the government believed).

San Ignacio (the large stone church on my book's cover) was the 11th mission (1728). By-the-way, a mission is not just the church, but the whole enterprise of the project (dams, aqueducts, housing, crops, farms, barracks, etc.).

There were 48 California missions... 27 in Baja and 21 in Alta California. The only fully intact mission churches are in Baja California. The missions of Alta California are all reconstructed or replicas. To see original mission church construction from the Spanish California period, you must go to Baja California. Most of the missions are in ruins or vanished... but complete churches are located at San Borja, Santa Gertrudis, San Ignacio, Mulegé, Comondú (a side chapel), San Javier and San Luis Gonzaga.

 

Then is that a picture of Mulege? I had heard that the river in San Ignacio is the only one where the palm trees were all planted by the original missionaries.

 

Where are you hearing these things? Date palms are at many oasis sites in BAJA and were introduced by the padres.

 

Apparently not from your book. Is that Mulege?

 

LOL, I look forward to you getting all the correct facts!

Yes, that river photo was taken from the back side of the Mulegé mission church shown in the previous two photos.

 

Here is a list (with years of their founding) of all the California Missions. The names in bold are on the Baja California peninsula, and are all described in my new book. I also have chapters on the discovery of California, early mission attempts, the lost missions of legend, and more:

1 -1697 Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó
2 -1699 San Francisco Javier Biaundó
3 -1705 San Juan Bautista de Malibat (Ligüí)
4 -1705 Santa Rosalía de Mulegé
5 -1708 San José de Comondú
6 -1720 La Purísima Concepción de Cadegomó
7 -1720 Nuestra Señora del Pilar de la Paz Airapí
8 -1720 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Huasinapí
9 -1721 Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Apaté
10-1724 Santiago el Apóstol Aiñiní
11-1728 San Ignacio de Kadakaamán
12-1730 San Jose del Cabo Añuítí
13-1733 Santa Rosa de las Palmas (Todos Santos)
14-1737 San Luis Gonzaga Chiryaqui
15-1752 Santa Gertrudis
16-1762 San Francisco de Borja Adac
17-1766 Santa María de los Ángeles
18-1769 San Fernando de Velicatá
19-1769 San Diego de Alcalá
20-1770 San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo
21-1771 San Antonio de Padua
22-1771 San Gabriel Arcángel
23-1772 San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
24-1774 Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Viñadaco
25-1775 Santo Domingo
26-1776 San Francisco de Asís (Dolores)
27-1776 San Juan Capistrano
28-1777 Santa Clara de Asís
29-1780 San Vicente Ferrer
30-1782 San Buenaventura
31-1786 Santa Bárbara
32-1787 San Miguel Arcángel (Dominican)
33-1787 La Purísima Concepción
34-1791 Santo Tomás de Aquino
35-1791 Santa Cruz
36-1791 Nuestra Señora de la Soladad
37-1794 San Pedro Mártir de Verona
38-1797 San José
39-1797 San Juan Bautista
40-1797 San Miguel Arcángel (Franciscan)
41-1797 San Fernando Rey de España
42-1797 Santa Catalina Virgen y Mártir
43-1798 San Luis Rey de Francía
44-1804 Sants Inés Virgen y Mártir
45-1810 El Descanso (San Miguel la Nueva)
46-1817 San Rafael Arcángel
47-1823 San Francisco Solano (Sonoma)
48-1834 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

The final four missions were developed during the Mexican period and are not Spanish missions.

Book orders are mailed daily: http://oldmissions.com
THANK YOU!

 

Not only does this book tell the story of the 27 missions in Baja California, but you will also read about the discovery of California and the early attempts to colonize the land and harvest the vast beds of black pearls along its coast.

The missions were used by Spain to civilize the natives and (try to) turn them into loyal Spanish citizens.

 

Baja California Land of Missions is now in its second printing as it begins to be found in more locations.
I will be doing a PowerPoint slide show on the book and the mission story soon in San Diego for Discover Baja Travel Club, free for club members and non-members can attend for a small seating fee. Location and date to be announced.
Thank you!