Presenting the new book The Real World of Mission San Luis Rey

SAN DIEGO - March 20, 2015 - PRLog -- The Old Mission San Luis Rey Historic Foundation presents The Real World of Mission San Luis Rey, a new book by author Jim Downs and published by the Old Mission San Luis Rey Historic Foundation.  Author, educator and historian Jim Downs of Oceanside spent the last five years researching and writing the book in order to counter extremist points of view about the Mission and the Franciscans as well as the native Americans of the San Luis Rey River Valley.  Downs, who admits he knew little about the Mission before writing the book researched archives and met with archaeologists, authors and Native Americans to educate himself. His book includes the real story of the Mission and Mission Indians from the period of the Spanish arrival and the Mexican and California periods as well.

A book about the Mission would not be credible without the story of how Friar Junipero Serra founded the mission system.  The first six chapters focus on this aspect and how it impacted the Native Americans and their culture.  As the canonization of Father Serra nears this story about our own Mission San Luis Rey becomes even more relevant to us.

Here is what Dan Krieger, Professor at Krieger Consulting, has to say about the book.

"Jim Downs's The Real World of Mission San Luis Rey fills a major gap in the complex history of California's mission chain. It's the first in depth examination of the 'King of the Missions,' including not only the narratives of F. Antonio Peyri, O.F.M. and Pablo Tac, the Native American who followed him to the Vatican, but the development and management of the mission's vast ranchos and Assistências. Downs uses great sensitivity in dealing with the fate of the Luiseño Native Americans under Spanish, Mexican and American rule. The record of Pio Pico, who became the administrator of San Luis Rey in 1831, greatly enhances our view of his role as the last and most rapacious Mexican governor of California. Downs' work will remain the 'gold standard' history of the 'royal mission' for years to come."

Proceeds from sales of the book will go to support the work of The Foundation; the maintenance and preservation of the old Mission and education of the public about our Mission San Luis Rey.  The book will be available in bookstores soon or you can order now by going to http://popcornpressandmedia.com/books.