The Missions of California

by Young Woodbridge Levick and Melba Levick

Book Overview

Featuring 32 new photographs and freshly updated with travelers' information, this full-color guide covers all 21 historic missions of California, destinations that attract a steady stream of admirers throughout the year. Established by Spanish friars, built by native Indians, and preserved by historians, the missions are enduring testimony to the faith and craftsmanship of the Golden State's inhabitants over the years. The Missions of California pairs Melba Levick's excellent photography with back story by Stanley Young for a complete tour of each mission, from sun-kissed Mission San Gabriel to stately Mission Dolores. Visitors will want to remember every detail of the lofty bell towers, carved saints, ambitious altarpieces, and more. With this artful tribute, they can.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811836940
• ISBN13: 9780811836944
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 11.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive view of California Missions

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.

Best Pictures of California Missions

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.