Junipero Serra, a catholic priest of the order of St. Francis was an early pioneer of the west. California history would not be the same with out this priest that wielded a cross instead of sword. Names of so much of California are inspired by this man and his followers.. As noted in the back of the book his work with the Native Americans was not without controversy but nonetheless his role in the settlement of North America remains secure. The book's index makes this book a worthwhile research tool.