The Spanish Missions of San Antonio
Lewis Fisher, journalist, author and chronicler of San Antonio's history as preserved in its buildings, gives the reader a fresh approach to a theme that has been visited often but not always this well. . . . Spanning the centuries from the missions establishment along the San Antonio River to the creation of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Fisher relates in outline fashion the rise and demise of the mission communities, with special focus on the structures left as a reminder of their heyday. The book is lavishly illustrated with historical photographs and images, some of which have not been published before, as well as original drawings of the mission compounds based on recent archaeological findings. <P>What sets this book apart from others in this genre are the interesting sidelights that Fisher interjects that are so familiar to readers of his earlier works. . . . What also sets this book apart from the usual coffee table book is the tracing of attempts to preserve the four remaining missions in a national park. Fisher's book is not designed to give extensive detail and analysis of the evolution of historic preservation with regard to the missions nor to the creation of the national park. The extent to which these subjects are presented and dealt with, however, gives the general reader a taste for what may be found in greater detail in more scholarly works. <P>The history narrative is in a simple, straightforward style reminiscent of Fisher's training as a reporter. . . . It is a fine book, with high quality color illustrations. The effort to contract with a prominent historical illustrator to provide birds-eye views of the mission compounds in the eighteenth century is reflective of the author/publisher's high standards in producing quality work. <P>This book is well worth the getting for those interested in mission history and for the general reader and visitor to the area. --Southwestern Historical QuarterlyThis book, with its rich photographs and informative text, is just the kind of book that an intelligent traveler craves at historic sites. --David J. Weber, author ofThe Spanish Frontier in North America(Yale University Press),New York Times Book ReviewNotable Book of the Year 1992Lewis Fisher, journalist, author and chronicler of San Antonio's history as preserved in its buildings, gives the reader a fresh approach to a theme that has been visited often but not always this well. . . . Spanning the centuries from the missions establishment along the San Antonio River to the creation of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Fisher relates in outline fashion the rise and demise of the mission communities, with special focus on the structures left as a reminder of their heyday. The book is lavishly illustrated with historical photographs and images, some of which have not been published before, as well as original drawings of the mission compounds based on recent archaeological findings. <P>What sets this book apart from others in this genre are the interesting sidelights that Fisher interjects that are so familiar to readers of his earlier works. . . . What also sets this book apart from the usual coffee table book is the tracing of attempts to preserve the four remaining missions in a national park. Fisher's book is not designed to give extensive detail and analysis of the evolution of historic preservation with regard to the missions nor to the creation of the national park. The extent to which these subjects are presented and dealt with, however, gives the general reader a taste for what may be found in greater detail in more scholarly works. <P>The history narrative is in a simple, straightforward style reminiscent of Fisher's training as a reporter. . . . It is a fine book, with high quality color illustrations. The effort to contract with a prominent historical illustrator to provide birds-eye views of the mission compounds in the eighteenth century is reflective of the author/publisher's high standards in producing quality work. <P>This book is well worth the getting for those interested in mission history and for the general reader and visitor to the area. --Southwestern Historical Quarterly<br /><br />This book, with its rich photographs and informative text, is just the kind of book that an intelligent traveler craves at historic sites. --David J. Weber, author ofThe Spanish Frontier in North America(Yale University Press),New York Times Book ReviewNotable Book of the Year 1992