Converting California: Indians and Franciscans in the Missions
"'Now, James Sandos's Converting California, clearly the best single book to the published about missions in decades, provides the synthesis. Building on his extensive and masterful research Sandos constructs a compelling, highly readable narrative, his major points adeptly illustrated by stories of specific individuals and events. He demonstrates that only by integrating the varied perspectives of mission Indians, non-mission Indians, Spanish and Mexican Franciscans, soldiers, and settlers, and visitors from the outside world can the mission be fully comprehended. Along the way, Sandos poses and provides learned and satisfying answers to the central provocative questions.' Richard J. Orsi, Western Historical Quarterly"