There is a vast literature on the Spanish Missions but Robert Jackson's book, Missions and the Frontier of Spanish America, accomplishes what no other work has done to date. This work puts in perspective the mission system in north and south America, and addresses the development of the mission and its results from a variety of aspects. It draws on evidence from history, historical geography, demography, political history, anthropology, architecture, and archaeology to interpret the evidence and make sense of how the missionaries tailored the system to different political and geographic environments, and how the native populations resisted and adapted to the policies of Spanish missionaries and other officials. evidence of how careful and detailed demographic analysis can demonstrate that population size, food practices and living conditions differentially affected the survival of native groups…Jackson's book is not just a first-rate scholarly work, but also an indispensable academic resource.
Dr. Mariah Wade, University of Texas

 
Missions and the Frontiers of Spanish America
by Robert H. Jackson
 

A serious comparative study of the 17th and 18th century Spanish missions in the Rio de la Plata region and on the Northern Frontier (California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Florida) of New Spain. Analyzes the impact of environmental, economic, political and socio-cultural variations on the development of each area. This book was written for use in colleges and universities and as an essential reference book for other scholars. It will also appeal to anyone seriously interested in mission history.

170 images, 14 historic maps, over 50 graphs & tables
Centuries Old Diagrams of Historic Mission Churches
Charming Contemporary Drawings
Historic Maps
Tons of demographic data
Images of Indian Art and Drawings
Images of mission ruins -- many never before seen
Details of building at selected missions

Dr. Jackson's Bio

Robert H. Jackson (Ph.D., University of California, 1988) has published nine books and more than fifty articles and book chapters in publications in eight countries. Missions and the Frontiers of Spanish America is his tenth and most ambitious work. Dr. Jackson has a world-wide reputation for his original work in the fields of historical demography, ecological history and comparative studies.

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