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 A
brutal tale of subjugation, October 9, 2002; Reviewer:
Midwest Book Review from Oregon, WI USA; Mission: The Birth Of
California, The Death Of A Nation is an historical novel set
against the conquest of Southern California by the Spanish
crown, set in the same era as when the United States was
fighting for its independence. A brutal tale of the subjugation,
forced religious conversion, enslavement, and massacre of
California’s native people seen through the eyes of a young
woman who personally experiences the worst and most vicious of
the conquistadors’ treatment. A disturbing but highly
recommended saga by Margaret Wyman, Mission accurately depicts
the historical, genocidal impact that foreign settlement had on
California’s native population.
The
TRUE Story!,
November 27, 2002; Reviewer:
Brett Weiss from California; Besides telling the dirty truth,
this book will keep you reading and biting your nails until the
very end. (In fact, you will be asking, “What's Next?”) The
book is that good! Just remember that beyond the kind, decent,
misguided and sometimes sordid characters, the story is
historically accurate, even when the truth is frightening and
shameful.
Mission
The Birth of California The Death of a Nation, September 29,
2002; Reviewer: M.
Anderson from San Diego, CA; Margaret Wyman was blessed with
the gift of story telling. She has the extraordinary talent of
bringing her characters to life. I only wish I had the talent
and eloqence to encourage you to read Mission. I found myself
discussing Web with one of my friends as if I were reminiscing
about my own sister. On daily walks along the trails of Lake
Hodges I envision Web and feel her spirit as if she truly
existed. Web’s story has touched my soul and enlightened my
view of Southern California history.
 Mission:
The Birth of California, the Death of a Nation, October 23,
2002; Reviewer: Betty
Holbrook from Pocatello, ID United States; Margaret Wyman has written a
compelling story about early California and its invasion by
Spain and the Catholic church. Surprising twists and turns are
followed through the intertwining of the lives of the natives,
the Spanish soldiers, the Mexicans, and the “black robes”.
Good and Evil, sanity and madness, religious fervor and native
beliefs are all portrayed in this novel. I hope that her future
titles will be as readable.
Mission:
The Birth of California, the Death of a Nation, September 6,
2002; Reviewer: James
L. Ferrell from Idyllwild, CA. United States; Ms Wyman has told a truth which
has been overlooked too long. I found myself captured by the
story and continued to pick the book up and read every chance I
had until I finished it. Further, some friends of mine have read
it and each one has been well pleased. One can tell by reading
the book that the author has researched her subject extensively.
Mission,
August 22, 2002; Reviewer:
Pat Taylor from Banning, CA, USA; I really appreciate the fact
that Mz Wyman told such a heartbreaking story about the Indians.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
California
Missions An Honest Perspective, August 7, 2002; Reviewer:
Susan C. Rugh from Hemet, CA United States; A spell binding book...hard to
put down. The real story of the Padres and the California
Missions...the one we weren’t taught in school. I highly
recommend this book to people who want to know the way it really
was. A very well told story.
San
Diego will never be the same, August 5, 2002; Reviewer:
A reader from San Diego, CA United States; This vibrant account of San
Diego history kept me spell-bound, even though I knew the
outcome would not favor the talented young Indian woman Web and
her family. I found myself hiking through the mountains, walking
along the river banks and exploring the seashore with Web and
her friend Hummingbird, marveling at their skills, knowledge,
and resourcefulness in caring for their families, aching for
them as their world turned away from all that was known.
They were not the only brave and
creative characters. Even those vividly dreadful souls who
stirred my empathy and anger, and who made me want to turn back
the clock and change history, were strong and determined
survivors.
This is an educational,
fascinating, and thought-provoking book. My view of San Diego
will never again be the same. |
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