BajaNomad - NEW BOOK: Baja California Land of Missions: Have your copy yet?

NEW BOOK: Baja California Land of Missions: Have your copy yet?

David K - 2-23-2016 at 08:51 PM

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 It was that unflagging love of adventure and travel that caused him to amass an amazing library of current and historical documents about the peninsula and the missions which he shares with uncountable numbers of Bajaphiles through affinity forums and social media groups.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 guidebook 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) in San Diego on Governor Dr.; as well as the Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop in Oceanside, at the mission, just off Hwy. 76 at Rancho del Oro, 4 miles east of I-5

Some samples from inside the book....

See our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oldmissions

THANK YOU!!!

[Edited on 12-9-2017 by David K]

Bob53 - 2-29-2016 at 12:20 PM

Thanks for the book. Great read!

gsbotanico - 3-5-2016 at 02:23 PM

I received my copy. Thanks for all the work that went into the book. Excellent photos and maps.

David K - 4-4-2016 at 07:43 PM

A second San Diego County distributor now sells Baja California Land of Missions, along with The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834

Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop (in Oceanside off Hwy. 76, north at Rancho del Oro) joins Discover Baja Travel Club (in San Diego on Governor Dr.) in selling both books... (membership not required to shop Discover Baja, but membership offers a discount).

Here are our two books on the top shelf at the mission gift shop in Oceanside.

Thank you for your interest in the history of our favorite peninsula between 1533 and 1855!

Udo - 4-5-2016 at 08:34 AM

Thanks for my book, DK.

[Edited on 4-15-2016 by Udo]

LancairDriver - 4-12-2016 at 09:02 PM

I received the book a few weeks ago. Very well written and organized and full of early Baja information. Very enjoyable reading.

chuckie - 4-14-2016 at 01:31 PM

I do not have my copy yet...

mtgoat666 - 4-14-2016 at 10:09 PM

If I use my nomad card, what's the discount price on the kindle edition?

A nice book review from a reader in Canada:

David K - 4-16-2016 at 08:30 AM

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. ...

[Edited on 12-9-2017 by David K]

Sharing some of the front pages...

David K - 4-17-2016 at 09:43 AM

Here is a look at my Preface and Acknowledgement pages and one of the maps...

Many Baja Nomads were part of this project!

Books are shipped out 6 days a week. To order, go to www.oldmissions.com and use PayPal, Card, or mail a check to the P.O. box. We offer free shipping to U.S. addresses, and the sales tax is on us saving you about $7.00.

We have a Canada order choice and the rest of the world order choice that covers the additional cost of mailing above the domestic rate... click the drop down menu and your address country. www.oldmissions.com

More from M & E BOOKS:

In addition to this new book, we have other new, uncirculated books available including Tom Miller's 1987 'The Baja Book III and Michael Humfreville's 2006 'In the Shadow of the Volcano'... Visit our website.

Thank you,
M & E BOOKS
EL CAJON, CA
www.oldmissions.com

[Edited on 12-9-2017 by David K]

David K - 5-12-2016 at 05:00 PM

Baja California Land of Missions is about to go into its second printing!

This is in response to the request by Sunbelt Publications to distribute my new book through their huge network of book retailers. Very exciting!

I did make a couple of small edits based on Nomad feedback on San Borja and on the Santa Rosa/ Todos Santos location. I will share them all here soon. One link in the book (to the Harry Crosby El Camino Real Maps) was just changed (so I made a corrective edit for the second printing). Instead of depending on another's link, just go to the Harry Crosby El Camino Real link at my website www.vivabaja.com where I can easily update the link, should it change again!

The second printing also features a sponsor, a Baja travel related business we all can appreciate here on Baja Nomad!

Thank you for your great support of this intense and accurate story of the attempted colonization of the island/peninsula of California... 1533-1855.

CaboMagic - 5-16-2016 at 09:35 PM

Congrats DK!
Would like to order a copy please .. please email me instructions cabo"at"cabomagic.com

David K - 5-17-2016 at 08:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by CaboMagic

Congrats DK!
Would like to order a copy please .. please email me instructions cabo"at"cabomagic.com

I will... but for anyone else, it's no secret! Go to: www.oldmissions.com
Check to our PO Box, or online payment by Card or PayPal

Thank you. The book has more accurate information than any other book ever published on all 27 missions, plus the facts about the "lost missions" and more!

bajamedic - 5-17-2016 at 01:08 PM

David, last week, during a visit with my Son and Granddaughter, they were "building a mission" as a project for her 4th Grade Missions study. On the kitchen table I found your Missions Book open, them studying the design and reading the section on her mission as they wanted to be as authentic as possible. My granddaughter told me about being able to show the rest of her class her autographed copy of The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California. JH

David K - 5-17-2016 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamedic

David, last week, during a visit with my Son and Granddaughter, they were "building a mission" as a project for her 4th Grade Missions study. On the kitchen table I found your Missions Book open, them studying the design and reading the section on her mission as they wanted to be as authentic as possible. My granddaughter told me about being able to show the rest of her class her autographed copy of The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California. JH

That is wonderful to hear my last book (co-authored with Max Kurillo) is getting such good applications, thank you!

The new book has much more detail on the peninsular California missions when your son's family is ready for more Old California history.

SUNBELT OFFICIAL DISTRIBUTOR

David K - 5-20-2016 at 05:32 PM

I would like to thank Sunbelt Publications for their interest in making my new book one of their many Baja and Southwest history books available.

http://sunbeltpublications.com/shop/baja-california-land-of-...

In addition to the existing sources for purchase (Discover Baja, Mission San Luis Rey and from M&E Books online), my book is also available now from:

*Aztec Shop at San Diego State University
*Bahia de Los Angeles Museum in Baja California
*Ingram (book distributor to libraries, etc.)

Thank you!

How is this book different from other books about Baja missions?

David K - 5-21-2016 at 09:41 AM

Well, other than all the information is historically correct and the many errors found in most modern books are not repeated in it, here are some other differences:

* History of the discovery of California and the period before the first mission is provided.

* Every mission is included with the dates of operation, the missionaries assigned to them, and photos of each, often including historical photos or drawings to compare past to present.

* Many mission visitas (satellite visiting stations) are named and photographed.

* The often confusing history of missions that moved, were called different names or had multiple sites is made clear.

* Details on many of the missions are provided that have never been published in a book before. The little-known history of the nine Dominican missions is fully told.

* The mythical lost missions and places incorrectly called missions by others are detailed.

* A full reference list of publications is provided for continued research.

* A chronology of events, a list of all the known missionaries, and a list of financial benefactors for the missions is provided.

* A list of GPS waypoints for all the missions and a complete index finalizes this work.

Also, the book clears up the confusion about :

*The Todos Santos/Santa Rosa/La Paz mission story

*CalamajuÃ©/Santa MarÃa relationship

*The multiple locations of Santo TomÃ¡s mission

*San Miguel/ El Descanso connection

[Edited on 12-9-2017 by David K]

Ateo - 5-23-2016 at 05:33 PM

I'm heading south next week. Surf forecast looks bad so I may hit Mision San Borja or some other site. What's your favorite in Northern Baja David?

David K - 5-23-2016 at 05:40 PM

I can't really rate them as we all have likes and interests... but if I did my list may be:
1) Santa MarÃa (too rough for a Tundra)
2) San Borja (especially because of the hospitality of JosÃ© and family)
3) San Fernando (not much left, but the petroglyphs down the arroyo are cool.)
4) The two missions at El Rosario
5) Santo Domingo (just 5 miles east of Hwy. 1)
6) San Vicente (if the gate is open)
7) Santa Gertrudis... lucky if the door is unlocked.

[Edited on 3-1-2018 by David K]

Ateo - 5-23-2016 at 06:00 PM

OK. Gracias. Borja sounds like the top of my list.

I want to play with my 4X4 too, but will be solo so I'll need to be careful.

May head to SP Martir too for a night.

Looking thru my Baja Adventure book right now.........

TMW - 5-23-2016 at 06:08 PM

Ateo get a spot and put DK on the email list. If you get into trouble send a help signal and as soon as DK lets me know I'll come running. You do know of the rock paintings near the north end of the San Borja road don't you, Montevideo I think they are called.

Bajaboy - 5-23-2016 at 06:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I can't really rate them as we all have likes and interests... but if I did my list may be:
1) Santa María (too rough for a Tundra)
2) San Borja (especially because of the hospitality of José and family)
3) San Fernando (not much left, but the pertoglyphs down the arroyo are cool.)
4) The two missions at El Rosario
5) Santo Domingo (just 5 miles east of Hwy. 1)
6) San Vicente (if the gate is open)
7) Santa Gertrudis... lucky if the door is unlocked.

Santa Gertrudis is really cool and is a must see! I was blown away with all the relics and the professionally done literature for sale/donation. But it is located in Baja Sur.

Ateo - 5-23-2016 at 06:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

Ateo get a spot and put DK on the email list. If you get into trouble send a help signal and as soon as DK lets me know I'll come running. You do know of the rock paintings near the north end of the San Borja road don't you, Montevideo I think they are called.

You're awesome Tom. I would do the same for you. I have a SPOT and usually put a few friends on it. I'll add DK. One of the reasons I was thinking Borja was for those paintings. I hear the family out there will take you to them?

Ateo - 5-23-2016 at 06:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Santa Gertrudis is really cool and is a must see! I was blown away with all the relics and the professionally done literature for sale/donation. But it is located in Baja Sur.

Thanks Bajaboy. I was just about to pull out my missions book to track down Gertrudis until you mentioned it was in Sur. I'll keep this filed in my mind for the future. Gracias amigo.

Bajaboy - 5-23-2016 at 07:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Santa Gertrudis is really cool and is a must see! I was blown away with all the relics and the professionally done literature for sale/donation. But it is located in Baja Sur.

Thanks Bajaboy. I was just about to pull out my missions book to track down Gertrudis until you mentioned it was in Sur. I'll keep this filed in my mind for the future. Gracias amigo.

If you're headed that way and I'm at our place, I'll join you. We went out that way last summer but were stopped just short of the mission due to a crazy washout shown in the first picture here: http://bajaboyadventures.blogspot.com/2015/06/playa-san-rafa... That entire area is so beautiful!

AKgringo - 5-23-2016 at 07:32 PM

I was looking at my AAA map, and El Arco and the Gertrudis mission are just over the border, in BC north.

As far as I know, there is no wall on the border yet!

David K - 5-23-2016 at 08:00 PM

Confirmed, Santa Gertrudis is in BAJA Norte... best access without going into Sur is south of L.A. Bay via Bahia San Rafael.

4x4abc - 5-23-2016 at 10:02 PM

do you have a lat/long for Las Tinajitas, David?

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 08:20 AM

Does anyone else find it amusing how DKs special places require hushed conversation but anyone else asking for the same from him gets a big middle finger along with verbal diarrhea?

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

do you have a lat/long for Las Tinajitas, David?

Yes. I was there in 2001 with Neal and Marian Johns, my son, and Amo Pescar. Neal asked me to not post the GPS, only share by email or u2u.

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 08:42 AM

I'm just pointing out the obvious. I got nothing to prove.

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 08:44 AM

And I'm not calling anyone a bad person-wherever that zinger came from?

Bajaboy - 5-24-2016 at 08:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

I'm just pointing out the obvious. I got nothing to prove.

Which finger :light:

MMc - 5-24-2016 at 08:56 AM

So David, Can I take to some of my favorite beaches? :lol:

Tough when you get hijacked.

[Edited on 5-24-2016 by MMc]

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 09:32 AM

Dave, I'd like to see this special place in the next revision of your book. That would really be the icing on the cake!

[Edited on 5-24-2016 by woody with a view]

MMc - 5-24-2016 at 01:04 PM

What do you do when somebody takes you to a place that you have already been and asks you not to post it?

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by MMc

So David, Can I take to some of my favorite beaches? :lol:

Yes, and if ask me not to publish their locations I will honor that request as I always have with anyone who shows me a new place.

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 03:52 PM

oh, okay - bad roads, right? then what's the worry about blasting this location all over the internet?

rts551 - 5-24-2016 at 04:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Woody, what we have here is a failure to communicate.
MMc, if I had already been there then I wouldn't be taken to it, I would be returning.

Both of you: I have met hundreds of Nomads and there is no resaon for me to think I am so special that I need to keep any place secret from any Nomad, most I can consider as amigos. It is the people who don't come to Nomad you should worry about.

There are lots of great people who do not frequent NOMADS. Where the hell did you ever get that?

woody with a view - 5-24-2016 at 04:22 PM

i'm out. good luck w/ the book.

willardguy - 5-24-2016 at 08:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

The point is that most of my maps and trip reports are here on Baja Nomad, and not "all over the Internet" and I know lots of Baja Nomads and nearly all are great people and no reason to not share a camping location with them. I can't speak for people I do not know or have been able to read posts from. Obviously, Woody and MMc thinks there must be some terrible folks that they fear will come and ruin some remote beach that they go to a few days out of the year? While these remote beaches have been in books and maps for over 60 years, they somehow think my posts here on Nomad will do some harm that 60 years of publications have not??? I feel so honored!!

Anyway, this thread is a classified ad for my history book... any questions about what is in the book?

David K - 7-27-2016 at 05:46 PM

My next scheduled Baja California Land of Missions lecture/ PowerPoint (slide) Show will be in Borrego Springs on Saturday evening January 7 for the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association. Details as they become available.

Also 'Like' our Facebook page to stay in the loop on happenings and mission photos and facts: http://facebook.com/oldmissions

Thank you!

Our newest distributor in Mexico is Baja Cactus Motel, where sales of the book go to the Desert Hawks Emergency Rescue Service. Books at Baja Cactus are $25 for Baja California Land of Missions and $15 for The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834.

BajaCactus (Antonio) and I in El Rosario, July 10, 2016...

Please pop into the motel office for your books and help out a great organization that Antonio has worked so hard to create and run!

HOW TO GET A COPY OF BAJA CALIFORNIA LAND OF MISSIONS

David K - 8-9-2016 at 11:43 AM

The fastest way to get a copy of Baja California Land of Missions would be to walk into one of the book dealers.

The next best way is to order online and have it mailed to you!

Distributors:
Discover Baja Travel Club, San Diego
Aztec Shop, San Diego State University
Travelers Bookcase, Pacific Beach*
Sunbelt Publications, El Cajon
Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop, Oceanside
Baja Cactus Motel, El Rosario
Museum, Bahia de los Angeles
El Caballo Blanco, Loreto*
(*in stock soon)

Mail Order:
M&E BOOKS http://oldmissions.com (no postage in U.S., and no tax added)

Discover Baja Travel Club https://squareup.com/market/discover-baja/item/baja-californ...

Sunbelt Publications http://sunbeltpublications.com/shop/baja-california-land-of-...

Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Baja-California-Land-Missions-David/d...

Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baja-california-david-kier/1...

Let you favorite book dealer know about this book! www.oldmissions.com
Thank you!

More Book Distributors of Baja California Land of Missions

David K - 9-29-2016 at 07:45 AM

In addition to those listed just above:

*Old Town Gift Co. in Old Town San Diego
*San Diego History Center in Balboa Park
*Soledad Mission in Soledad
*Temecula Valley History Museum in Temecula
*Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano near the Mission

Thank you!

See the book's Facebook page as well: www.facebook.com/oldmissions

David K - 10-28-2016 at 09:15 AM

A reminder that if you stop at the Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario, my mission history books are for sale there, at a discount, and all sales income goes to the emergency rescue service operated by Antonio, The Desert Hawks: https://www.facebook.com/HalconesdelDesierto/

[Edited on 10-28-2016 by David K]

December 2017 Holiday Special

David K - 12-8-2017 at 08:30 PM

M&E Books will include a copy of Michael Humfreville's book, In the Shadow of the Volcano, with each order for 'Baja California Land of Missions' sent to a U.S. address in the month of December 2017.
Happy Holidays
www.oldmissions.com

[Edited on 12-9-2017 by David K]

fishbuck - 12-9-2017 at 08:12 PM

I have the Mission book and it's very cool.

[Edited on 12-10-2017 by fishbuck]

David K - 12-10-2017 at 08:16 AM

Thank you Fishbuck.

I do hope people will read it from front to back, as it really is a story of the (attempted) colonization of California by Spain from 1535, and not just a reference book to the 27 missions founded (1769-1834).

Any U.S. orders I get for the book this month (December 2017), I will include a gift, a copy of Mike Humfreville's book, In the Shadow of the Volcano.

fishbuck - 12-11-2017 at 03:40 PM

I think I know someone who would love your book and I'll keep Mike's book for my collection.

David K - 12-11-2017 at 05:41 PM

Until they have a copy, they can enjoy mission facts and photos at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oldmissions

(Boy, I was just at the post office to mail some Baja books ordered this weekend, and the line was L-O-N-G!)

David K - 12-14-2017 at 08:42 PM

Last chance to get 2 for 1 in time for Christmas! Order Baja California Land of Missions and get a free copy of Michael Humfreville's great book, In the Shadow of the Volcano (U.S. address only). Go to www.oldmissions.com