From Library Journal
Wakely's photographs and Drain's writing beautifully portray the ruins and buildings of the Spanish missions of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California. The book includes visitor information, maps, and an annotated reading list in addition to over 150 color photographs of the buildings, grounds, altarpieces, statues, carvings, and details of the 25-plus churches featured. The photography is striking and vivid, and Drain's accessible text explores the history of the missions, the techniques of their construction, how the art was done, and something about the symbolism used in the design of the buildings, altar panels, and frescoes. With a foreword by N. Scott Momaday; recommended for general readers.- Chuck Malenfant, Louisiana State Univ., Baton RougeCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
An art book as well as a guidebook to the Spanish missions of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and southern California--conceived as an expression of the Catholic faith of the European conquerors, but built and maintained by native Americans who often incorporated their own traditions. Interiors and exteriors are revealed in 150 color photos with detailed captions and text, and a foreword by N. Scott Momaday. 11.5x9" Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.


Book Description
Visually beautiful and historically important, the Spanish missions of the United States are a unique legacy of two very different cultures. Conceived as an expression of the Catholic faith of the European conquerors, they were built and maintained by native Americans, who incorporated their own traditions. A Sense of Mission presents 29 of these fascinating and popular churches in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California. More than 150 color photographs feature dramatic exteriors and grounds, altarpieces, statues, carvings, frescoes, and other folk details. The text explores the history of the missions, how they were built, and the meaning behind their symbols, while an introduction by N. Scott Momaday lends insight from the Native American perspective. Visitor information, maps, and an annotated reading list round out this handsome, authoritative guide of more than a decade.


About the Author
Thomas A. Drain is an architect and former icon painter who holds a master's degree in theology. David Wakely is an architectural and travel photographer whose work has appeared widely. He lives in San Francisco. N. Scott Momaday is a Kiowa Indian writer and the author of several books, including House Made of Dawn, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Visually beautiful and historically important, the Spanish missions of the United States are a unique legacy of two very different cultures. Conceived as an expression of the Catholic faith of the European conquerors, they were built and maintained by native Americans, who incorporated their own traditions. A Sense of Mission presents 29 of these fascinating and popular churches in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Southern California. More than 150 color photographs feature dramatic exteriors and grounds, altarpieces, statues, carvings, frescoes, and other folk details. The text explores the history of the missions, how they were built, and the meaning behind their symbols, while an introduction by N. Scott Momaday lends insight from the Native American perspective. Visitor information, maps, and an annotated reading list round out this handsome, authoritative guide of more than a decade.