This was the first historical account of the actual way the California missions were founded. Other books ignore or barely mention that the Alta
California Missions were part of the same mission program as the ones in Baja or Old California. They even forget to mention Junípero Serra founded
his first California mission in Baja California, not San Diego (which was the 19th California mission, not the first)!
I want to thank the Baja Nomads who helped make our 2012 book a success!
The publisher (M&E BOOKS, El Cajon, CA) has sent out the final copies.
The book was first published in September 2012 and was revised a year later in a Second Edition and had several printings. We sold over 600 copies,
all through word-of-mouth, our promotion and a few distributors such as Discover Baja Travel Club, Mission San Luis Rey Gift Shop as well as San
Gabriel and San Fernando mission gift shops.
Many copies are still on the shelves at the distributors I mentioned, as well as the Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario (where book sales are donated to
the Desert Hawks Resue Service). So, you can still get one of the last copies.
The publisher is considering a Third Edition... but no guarantees.
Anyway, thank you for your support as it led me to intensify my research on the true history of those 27 missions that are in Mexico's California
(Baja)... and this past February 2016, we published Baja California Land of Missions www.oldmissions.com
Udo - 8-3-2016 at 03:56 PM
sargentodiaz - 8-3-2016 at 05:32 PM
It's a fantastic book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the early history of Baja. Brings the past alive.Barry A. - 8-3-2016 at 05:34 PM
Well done, David. I applaud you!!!!
BarryDavid K - 8-3-2016 at 07:33 PM
Thank you amigos, most kind!
Sargento, I think you are talking about my new book, correct? The new book is solely the Baja California mission-history story (which was the first
California).Bob H - 8-3-2016 at 09:29 PM
A lot of work by David K went into publishing the newest book. I highly recommend it. Very well done David !!David K - 8-4-2016 at 03:02 PM
Thank you, Bob!
A lot of Baja Nomads helped make it great,too! Help was given with editing, photos (big thanks to Jack Swords who loaned me many photos for both
books), and some travel information as there is just so much Baja and so little time.
The history of California begins in 'Baja'... which was California first, from the 1530s to 1769 when the occupation of California spread north of the
peninsula into a land that had no other Spanish name, so it was called "New" or "Upper" California. At which point (to avoid confusion) the peninsula
began to be referred to as "Old" or "Lower" California.
The missions were the instrument of Spanish occupation and not the arrival of Spanish immigrants. The desire was to convert the Native Californians
already living there into Spanish citizens. During the first 70 years, there were never more than 20 Jesuits in California at one time and they were
protected or assisted by just a few Spanish soldiers, who were not always at each mission after it was opened. Some masons and other specialty
personal came across the gulf to work, but an occupation of Spanish people it really was not.
The first exception was when the silver mines of Santa Ana (south of La Paz) began to be exploited by a former soldier, Manuel de Ocio...
See how easy it is to get into the history?
So many stories! California (Baja California) is rich in stories!!sargentodiaz - 8-5-2016 at 05:14 PM
Sargento, I think you are talking about my new book, correct? The new book is solely the Baja California mission-history story (which was the first
California).
Yep!Ken Cooke - 8-6-2016 at 10:49 PM
I am one of the owners of the coveted, sold-out book by David K. I plan on using it to get rich one day (with knowledge!)
I hope to get a copy of his newest book. It looks like a winner!David K - 8-7-2016 at 06:35 AM
Next time you come to San Diego County, I can hook you up... OR, you can get one sent to you right away by going to www.oldmissions.com (M&E Books, El Cajon).
Also, from our distributors who mail out the book: Discover Baja Travel Club, Sunbelt Publications, Amazon.com, etc.)David K - 8-8-2016 at 10:04 PM
Just found out tonight that my new book can be obtained at Barnes & Noble! Just let the manager know you want to see the newest book on the
missions of Baja California!
