Junipero Serra

Junipero Serra
Steve W. Hackel 
Hill and Wang
September 2013
Biography 

In the 1770s, just as Britain’s American subjects were freeing themselves from the burdens of colonial rule, Spaniards moved up the California coast to build frontier outposts of empire and church. At the head of this effort was Junípero Serra, an ambitious Franciscan who hoped to convert California Indians to Catholicism and turn them into European-style farmers. For his efforts, he has been beatified by the Catholic Church and widely celebrated as the man who laid the foundation for modern California. But his legacy is divisive. The missions Serra founded would devastate California’s Native American population, and much more than his counterparts in colonial America, he remains a contentious and contested figure to this day.

 I'm a sucker for a biography that's engaging and easy to read, this book does not disappoint. Eye opening and historically accurate I was fascinated. While consider the founding father of California Serra had a dark side that was carefully navigated in this book. Worth reading. Don't expect to get warm fuzzies but do expect to get to know a historical figure that is first, and foremost, just a man. 

My thanks to Hill and Wang for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my real and honest review. 

Dessert Gift

Jill Galloway has made a success of marriage. She has had a long standing syndicated radio talk show on marriage and now her first book is coming out. Just as she and her husband Jack are getting ready for a California book tour and long needed vacation, he tells her he is not going with her. He wants out. He wants a divorce. And then he puts her on a plane and sends her away. 


As her world crashes down around her, Jill flees to her parents' home in the California desert, wondering if everything she's built her career on- and everything she's built her life around- is a sham. She thought she'd done everything right. So how did her marriage slowly slip away? And will she ever get it back? 


I will fully admit that I am single and have never been married. I will also admit that I loved this book and was completely engrossed in it. John does an excellent job of weaving a story that grips you and makes feel alongside the characters. The depth of this story will amaze you. I walked away having learned something about relationships and about myself. It was truly a great read. I give it five stars :) 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.