California Books

Coming from New England I needed a lot of advice on what to do with the clay soil and arid climate in Southern California. The Sunset Western Garden Book along with this selection is a great combination for those new to gardening in Southern California. (Try the soil amendment recipe, it worked wonders form me!)

The combination of this book plus Sunset's Western Garden Book will arm the southern California garden enthusiast with all the tools and experience necessary to give a green thumb's up. A true plant geek will find validation and a friend in Smaus' and will read the book saying "been there, loved that". Activities like hoarding plants bought from the Huntington Garden's May plant sale struck a familiar chord.

A transplant to Southern Cal. will quickly gain the inside track to where to go and what to plant to make the best of this unique climate.

Thank You Mr. Smaus ! Finally a book that talks directly to the Southern California gardener. If you live and garden in the So. CA area this is the book you need. Maybe I won't have so many failures in the coming year. This book opened my eyes wide.

If you live in Los Angeles, you need this book. Smaus is the garden writer for the excretal Los Angeles Times and one of its sole redeeming virtues. Smaus covers a range of topics, including plantings suggested for our area and timing of various tasks. Unlike most gardening books, which are written for East Coast or Mid-West audiences, and which are generally unhelpful for our unique climate, Smaus' advice has proven consistently accurate. The book's sole flaw is the lack of an index. Because the articles are short and there is a detailed table of contents, this is not a major problem. Highly recommended.

If you are tired of gardening advice that's good on the East Coast, but doesn't work in Southern California, this is the book for you. It provides real solutions for our unique climate, advice from local professionals, and a reliable planting schedule. This book and Sunset Magazine's Western Garden Book are all you need for successful gardening in Southern California. And in spite of the tone of this review, I have no affiliation whatsoever with the author or publisher :)

I love Mark Twain, and this is Twain at his best! This is one of the best American novels of all time, in my opinion. Twain is very funny and irreverent.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain contained many different morales.It help encouraged me to continue to listen to my heart. I love the friendship between Jim and Huck, and I know that no matter what color, or difference between society, a relationship and still survive.Many people from different place and time, took one look at this book and thought it was a racist book. What ever happened to the saying that wrote, "Don't judge a book by its cover?"Obviously, those who have read this book, knows the true meaning.
I gave this book 5 five stars not just because my teacher told me too, and that I know she is reading this, but because it truely does deserve it. I appreciate my teacher giving us an opportunity to read this novel, because I know that I wouldn't have picked it up to read it. This novel taught me many different things, which I still cherish today. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves different great morales. I recommend this novel to everyone. This novel is a great book, in which it is in need of reading!

Wow.....wow....I mean, really, this book is just amazing. Abso-f-in-lutely wonderful. It's role as the quintessential American novel is so well deserved you can't help but wonder if this is the best read you might ever have. I m currently going through all the classics of the world, and have such joys as Moby Dick, War and Peace, Robinson Crusoe, among many, many others awaiting me. However, I feel like I ve already found the love for the written word that I felt I may aquire after reading perhaps a dozen or so of the worlds finest.

To the novella: He tells the tale with such heart, such character, such life that I will attest that I dont think I ve ever felt so strongly for a character as I do for Huck Finn. He is so vivid and alive and real; its absurd.

Yes, it is quite racist on the surface, and during the 250 odd pages of the story you might read more racial slurs and statements than you have in your life, but in the heart there is nothing racist about this story. I ve heard it defended because thats just how it was in Twains time, and alas, that is how it was then, and the reason it is all so blatant, but there is really nothing racist about the portrayal of Jim. He is so loving and deep and pure. Surely one of the sweetest people you could ever want to meet.

The charm of this story, the unending humor and delight of all the dialects and wordage, the manner of conversation and the subjects....my loves for this story are unending. Its a must read. I know you ve heard that;I know you know that. But damn it, off your ass and DO IT!

Twains masterpiece, and for that matter, a masterpiece of all literature in the history of the world.

This book was great. It had so much action. It was about a boy whose father was always off drinking. When the father hears Huckleberry, also referred to as Huck, is rich the father comes back. The father beats him and gets drunk. So Huck runs off. He goes to a deserted island. While on the island he discovers that Huck's friend, a slave named Jim, also ran away and was on the same island. When Huck hears that Jim's owner is going to sell Jim they going rafting on the Mississippi to find Jim freedom. It is a great piece of literature and I strongly reccomend reading it.

I have been a long-time lover of Mark Twain's books. And being analytical, I want to know why something is written the way it is; I want to know the historical details behind his expression. So when I find that the Mark Twain Library has published Huckleberry Finn the way Mark Tain wanted it (unlike every edition that's ever been published, including the first!), I had to get it. Using all the explanatory notes--which are NOT cumbersome--and the glossary, and other notes about the text, I came away knowing that this book was truly what it is proclaimed to be: the best American novel ever written.

Having read just about all one can get their hands on by Mark Twain, this shed all new light on what Mark Twain was really saying when I read Huck Finn this time. The humour was more obvious, the sarcasm was more justified. The book itself opens up this door, but it helps to know what was in Mark's brain throughout his writing career.

Truly a must have for anyone into Mark Twain. I have purchased all that the MTL has put forth so far, and put my other editions in the yard sale box as errant texted that no longer interest me. I think any fan of Mark Twain will be tempted to do the same. Why read errant editions when one can have the author's intended, authoritative publication--with the original neat pixtures, too. I was so taken by this last reading of H. Finn that I've taken to memorizing some of the glossary terms. They are truly classic; bring'm back.

I am reminded of E. A. Poe's expectation that his works be published only as originally intended. This should not need to be requested by any author. To modify an author's writings for any reason is a type of sacrilege. Of course, even Poe's books are published different than he wanted. But thankfully, there are publishers who seek to restore the only versions worthy of publication. The Mark Twain Library is doing this, and any wanta-be authority in Mark Twain will never be such with "Penguins" and other bird-brained mass-market editions sitting on the shelf, or rather, in their hands.

Reviewed by Sheryl Root

Andrea (Andi) Carter certainly didn't intend for an impromptu horse race down Main Street with her friend, Cory, to end with almost trampling their new teacher. Not the best first impression! If that wasn't bad enough, Virginia Foster, the teacher's daughter, seems to find great pleasure in tattling on Andi and getting her into further trouble any chance she can.

Andi's mother tells her she needs to treat Virginia with Christian kindness, no matter how Virginia treats her. But when an escaped prisoner comes into their classroom and takes the students hostage, Andi faces the hardest and most dangerous decision of her life. Will she have the courage to do the right thing, no matter what the cost?

Andrea Carter and the Dangerous Decision is the second book in the Circle C Adventures series by Susan K. Marlow, set in 1880s California. Readers will empathize with Andi's struggles and failures as well as her courage and spunk. Like most of us, Andi tries to do the right thing, but finds herself often falling short. I laughed and cried with Andi--she's a very likable heroine.

Armchair Interviews says: This was a page-turning read and a satisfying continuation to the series.

Andi and Taffy are back in this sequel to "The Long Ride Home", and they are up to no good from the get-go, leaving the new schoolmaster in the dust and getting off to a bad start for the school year. The schoolmaster's spoiled daughter, Virginia, makes life miserable for Andi, and we accompany our young friend on her journey of accepting and even learning to love as God loves us...even people who seem to want to make our lives miserable.

I love the Circle K Adventure books, and I left my 'tween days behind a very long time ago. Without being "preachy", Mrs. Marlow incorporates the Lord's directive to "love one another as I have loved you", something that we can all use a reminder of, no matter our age!

Hurry back, Andi. I'm dying to know what you're up to now!!

Susan Marlow's latest book is packed with even more fun and adventure for her main character, Andi. The story is set in the old west with plenty of horses and activities that will appeal to young girls. Along with all of this Andi has to make some hard life decisions that reinforce good moral qualities. This is a book I would recommend to any parent or young girl.

There's action on every page of "Andres Carter and the Dangerous Decision" by Susan K. Marlow. Readers will cheer Andi through one adventure after another. Will Andi decide to walk into a life-threatening situation to save a mean-spirited schoolmate? This will be the hardest decsion in her twelve years of life.

Well, I'm jealous! I wish Susan Marlow had written about Andi Carter and her palomino Taffy a lot sooner. ANDREA CARTER AND THE DANGEROUS DECISION takes us back to the heyday of children's books. The setting lets you take an authentic look at frontier California in the 1880's. Andi lives on the Circle C ranch, and there are plenty of horses (even wild ones) to hold the reader's attention. The promise of more Circle C Adventures to come in this series takes me back to when I could hardly wait to see what happened to my book friends in the next installment.

Many series have come down the pike since I was a kid. Marlow's mixes all the elements that I found so enticing, but thank goodness ANDREA CARTER doesn't stop there. There are genuine plot twists, and Andi and her friends are so real that you can see them talking. The bonus is that Andi knows the Lord and depends on Him when she volunteers to go with an escaped convict as a hostage. No easy answers mar the story. Andi is a real girl with real problems, one that readers will welcome as a friend. And yes, I'm looking forward to the next book! Hurry, Andi!

Fantastic architecture and pictures.
I needed it for my new house as inspiration, and my architect has Luutner as one of his favourites.

Lauther has been able to utillize unbuildable sites to create rooms with beautiful views.

In the few months since I purchased this beautifully illustrated and impecabbly written monograph, John Lautner seems to have become Hollywood's favorite posthumous architect. This month's Vanity Fair features a screenwriter and his wife showcasing their restored Lautner masterwork while virtually every fashion spread in the same issue has one emaciated model or another posing, pouting and preening against a Lautner structure. This wonderful book travels Lautner's career arc from Wright disciple employing the tools and traits of the Master to the emergence of his own distinctive blend of wood, steel, concrete and location that, ultimately, bears little resemblance to his roots at Taliesin. As the text makes clear, Lautner shared Wright's prickly self-absorption and relentless self-philosophizing. However, as the book wanders from one beautifully executed commission to the next, you end up endorsing his sense of self. Like the best of Wright, each structure seems to organically emerge from its site to envelop the owners in a beautifully scaled and very human dwelling. A worthy tribute to John Lautner's artistry and vision.

it is amazing to see how the designs of the mid 1900's seem so contemporary even to the present day. this book captures the designs via beautiful photography and commentary.
even the layman will be amazed to find that many of the buildings have been used in the media for many years. whether in movies or magazines they have been associated with the most contemporary designs of our time.
highlights this architects mastery of a typical material palette of concrete, wood, and steel.

This book is really beautiful, the pictures are of great value. If the architecture can be said as to be a little "out of fashion" (I mean architecture of the fifties), it is anyway wonderful and inspiring to see such beautiful house. there is a lot of wonderful pictures of all the major houses build by lautner during his career. the only things that can be missed in this book is that there is no drawings but anyway, I really believe it's a good book.

The word artificial originally meant "artful, crafty." That's an apt description of ARTIFICIAL IMAGINATION, which blends art, craft, and wit into a narrative that teaches us life lessons that we did not knew we knew.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R39FSV3IJ2S78Q Great book, my favorite!

Artificial Imagination

Great book, love it! It's hilarious! I could not stop giggling, I cracked up page after page. Really Nice!

And so many nice photographs. I was traveling with the author, feeling his ambitions, his surprise, excitement and pain. And what a brave soul! He (yes, despite its claims to have been written by an AI program, this book is written by a loving, feeling, breathing human for sure!)--He is able to maintain his sense of humor even as he moves from one place to another, faces one set back after another! He always comes back!

Wow! What a story!!

Oh, And the love story in the end is touching.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2OLO2I0DLSLIA This book transcends genre -- it's a good collection of memoirs, entertaining style, nice splash of humor, an extremely detailed travelogue with beautiful photographs, a good description of technology, a touch of Science Fiction (since it is purportedly written by a Artificial Imagination program) and suffused with philosophical musing and last but not the least, a moving love story.

Even though it's obviously written by a Technologist, the book is very human. It is primarily about the immigrant experience, but Kalpanik is extremely observant and has an eye to look for the unusual, notice what stands out and build humorous side of people, places and his own life.

Wonderful! I am specially moved by his bitter-sweet love story at the end.

Here are some poster size photos and calendars from the book:

Scenic City and Boat Photo Poster
University of Washington Photo Poster
Seattle Secenic Sunset Photograph
Thonging At the Beach
San Francisco Scenic Union Square Photo Poster
Nashville Tug Boat on Cumberland River Photo Poster
"Playing Guitar" Photo Poster
Pike Place Market Photo Print
Beach Hotties Poster

And T-shirts:
Premium Seattle Scenic Calendar

Artificial Imagination

This book combines elements from good humor, a memoir, a scenic travelogue, a touching love story, science fiction and philosophy.

Whether you ever wondered about meaning of it all, or you want to read something light amusing, or want to see places like Seattle, San Diego, Nashville from the eyes of the writer, or vicariously live the life of a
student at University of California, this book is for you!

The author, purportedly an Artificial Imagination computer program simualting a life/career journey through the Hi Tech and yet very sdcenic world of California and Washington (Settle) is witty still though down to earth and funny! The book is written in a very conversational style, as if you are reading a letter from a close friend!!

The word artificial originally meant "artful, crafty." That's an apt description of ARTIFICIAL IMAGINATION, which blends art, craft, and wit into a narrative that teaches us life lessons that we did not knew we knew.
-- Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2JQ1EBHV3YOR6 Great book, nice splash of humor--high quality photos! I specially like the love story at the end.

Here are some links to photo posters and calendars from the book and promotional T-shirts:
Scenic City and Boat Photo Poster
University of Washington Photo Poster
Seattle Secenic Sunset Photograph
Seattle Secenic Photograph
Thonging At the Beach
San Francisco Scenic Union Square Photo Poster
Pike Place Market Photo Print
Beach Hotties Poster

This book transcends genre -- it's a good collection of memoirs, entertaining style, nice splash of humor, an extremely detailed travelogue with beautiful photographs, a good description of technology, a touch of Science Fiction (since it is purportedly written by a Artificial Imagination program) and suffused with philosophical musings.

Even though it's obviously written by a Technologist, the book is very human. It is primarily about the immigrant experience, but Kalpanik is extremely observant and has an eye to look for the unusual, notice what stands out and build humorous side of people, places and his own life.

Wonderful! one can feel a touch of his bitter-sweet experiences but one is encouraged by his ability to find humor everywhere.

Great book, love it! It's hilarious! I could not stop giggling, I cracked up page after page. Really Nice!

And so many nice photographs. I was traveling with the author, feeling his ambitions, his surprise, excitement and pain. And what a brave soul! He (yes, despite its claims to have been written by an AI program, this book is written by a loving, feeling, breathing human for sure!)--He is able to maintain his sense of humor even as he moves from one place to another, faces one set back after another! He always comes back!

Wow! What a story!!

Oh, And the love story in the end is touching.

Artificial Imagination: A humorous, thoughtfully thoughtless description of a Hi-Tech immigrant's journey through space, tim

The word artificial originally meant "artful, crafty." That's an apt description of ARTIFICIAL IMAGINATION, which blends art, craft, and wit into a narrative that teaches us life lessons that we did not knew we knew.
-- Richard Lederer, author of Anguished English

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3MNQP39J0TE6R Great book, will make you laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle, giggle, crack up, guffaw and generally have a good time. Extremely nice photos. And it is actually very thoughtful, one can quickly see through the pretended thoughtlessness. Here are some posters and calendars with the high resolution versions of the book:
Scenic City and Boat Photo Poster
University of Washington Photo Poster
Seattle Secenic Sunset Photograph
San Francisco Scenic Union Square Photo Poster
Nashville Tug Boat on Cumberland River Photo Poster
Pike Place Market Photo Print
"Playing Guitar" Photo Poster
San Diego Scenic Waterfront Poster

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R27056TEI8N6A9 his book transcends genre -- it's a good collection of memoirs, entertaining style, nice splash of humor, an extremely detailed travelogue with beautiful photographs, a good description of technology, a touch of Science Fiction (since it is purportedly written by a Artificial Imagination program) and suffused with philosophical musings.

Even though it's obviously written by a Technologist, the book is very human. It is primarily about the immigrant experience, but Kalpanik is extremely observant and has an eye to look for the unusual, notice what stands out and build humorous side of people, places and his own life.

Wonderful! one can feel a touch of his bitter-sweet experiences but one is encouraged by his ability to find humor everywhere.

A Great book! Thoughtfully thoughtless is the right phrase to describe it! The humor is very appealing, specially its contrast to the philosophical framework. Kalpanik S is simulatnaeously able to make us think, while entertaining us with his word play and humor!

Reading Artificial Imagination invokes feelings similar to the ones I feel while watching the wildly erratic trajectory of snow flakes in a snow storm. As they struggle against the winds, I wonder whethey they feel happy or sad, delighted or dispappointed, nervous or hopeful as the wind takes them with it.

Kalpanik S. takes us through a similar seemingly erratic journey across the Hi-Tech world of Silicon Valley, a dot-com in Seattle, Nashville and then back to California. As I followed his humorous encounters with people at all those places, I tried to look for a method in the madness, try to understand the meaning of our lives as he interprets the meaning of his by making fun of it. We enjoy the humor but also feel the sadness behind it, feel the struggle of an immigrant trying to assimilate into a population, a Hi-Tech worker trying to maintain his sanity, a manager balancing the requirements and demands of a supervisory role Vs. his desire to make friends and be a humane leader and a Hi-Tech nomad trying to establish bonds with his latest land.

The final section is emotionally very touching, as we go 20 years back in time, and feel the strong emotions of an adventurous 21 year old going to a new land, learning technology and falling in love.

And all this coated with author wonderful sense of humor, keeping his cool and managing his life as he tags along his beautiful family, his wife and two lovely daughters.

Impressive!! Must read for anyone looking just for a light reading, learn about Hi-Tech world of Silicon Valley or Seattle, learn as life is for a student at the University of California Campus or is curious about the meaning of life.

This book combines elements from good humor, a memoir, a scenic travelogue, a touching love story, science fiction and philosophy.

Whether you ever wondered about meaning of it all, or you want to read something light amusing, or want to see places like Seattle, San Diego, Nashville from the eyes of the writer, or vicariously live the life of a
student at University of California, this book is for you!

The author, purportedly an Artificial Imagination computer program simualting a life/career journey through the Hi Tech and yet very sdcenic world of California and Washington (Settle) is witty still though down to earth and funny! The book is written in a very conversational style, as if you are reading a letter from a close friend!!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2BQ4EWXI8X74C This book transcends genre -- it's a good collection of memoirs, entertaining style, nice splash of humor, an extremely detailed travelogue with beautiful photographs, a good description of technology, a touch of Science Fiction (since it is purportedly written by a Artificial Imagination program) and suffused with philosophical musing and last but not the least, a moving love story.

Even though it's obviously written by a Technologist, the book is very human. It is primarily about the immigrant experience, but Kalpanik is extremely observant and has an eye to look for the unusual, notice what stands out and build humorous side of people, places and his own life.

Wonderful! I am specially moved by his bitter-sweet love story at the end.

Here are some poster size photos and calendars from the book:

Scenic City and Boat Photo Poster
University of Washington Photo Poster
Seattle Secenic Sunset Photograph
Thonging At the Beach
San Francisco Scenic Union Square Photo Poster
Nashville Tug Boat on Cumberland River Photo Poster
"Playing Guitar" Photo Poster
Pike Place Market Photo Print
Beach Hotties Poster

This book combines elements from good humor, a memoir, a scenic travelogue, a touching love story, science fiction and philosophy.

Whether you ever wondered about meaning of it all, or you want to read something light amusing, or want to see places like Seattle, San Diego, Nashville from the eyes of the writer, or vicariously live the life of a
student at University of California, this book is for you!

The author, purportedly an Artificial Imagination computer program simualting a life/career journey through the Hi Tech and yet very sdcenic world of California and Washington (Settle) is witty still though down to earth and funny! The book is written in a very conversational style, as if you are reading a letter from a close friend!!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RH3902RKHGQYG reat book, will make you laugh, smile, giggle, chuckle, giggle, crack up, guffaw and generally have a good time. Extremely nice photos. And it is actually very thoughtful, one can quickly see through the pretended thoughtlessness. Here are some posters and calendars with the high resolution versions of the book:
Scenic City and Boat Photo Poster
University of Washington Photo Poster
Seattle Secenic Sunset Photograph
San Francisco Scenic Union Square Photo Poster
Nashville Tug Boat on Cumberland River Photo Poster
Pike Place Market Photo Print
"Playing Guitar" Photo Poster
San Diego Scenic Waterfront Poster

This book transcends genre -- it's a good collection of memoirs, entertaining style, nice splash of humor, an extremely detailed travelogue with beautiful photographs, a good description of technology, a touch of Science Fiction (since it is purportedly written by a Artificial Imagination program) and suffused with philosophical musings.

Even though it's obviously written by a Technologist, the book is very human. It is primarily about the immigrant experience, but Kalpanik is extremely observant and has an eye to look for the unusual, notice what stands out and build humorous side of people, places and his own life.

Wonderful! one can feel a touch of his bitter-sweet experiences but one is encouraged by his ability to find humor everywhere.

Great book, love it! It's hilarious! I could not stop giggling, I cracked up page after page. Really Nice!

And so many nice photographs. I was traveling with the author, feeling his ambitions, his surprise, excitement and pain. And what a brave soul! He (yes, despite its claims to have been written by an AI program, this book is written by a loving, feeling, breathing human for sure!)--He is able to maintain his sense of humor even as he moves from one place to another, faces one set back after another! He always comes back!

Wow! What a story!!

Oh, And the love story in the end is touching.

Small heafty book feels good in your hand and is a total pleasure to read. I kept reading "jokes" and "wisdoms" from the book to my husband and couldn't wait to read the next little chapter. I hated the book to end. What a wit Bruce Bellingham is!

"Bellingham by the Bay" is relaxing reading -- and entertaining. It's something I keep by the bed. I'm a retired English Lit teacher and when the world grows too serious, I keep returning to "Bellingham" for its good writing and witty, irreverent insights. At my age, laughter is a great elixir. Try it!

I was overwhelmed by how engaging this book is. It is, indeed, staggeringly good -- the writing is casual and accessible but Bellingham maintains an endearing respect for both his subjects and his readers. I question why it is simply categorized "Humor." Though it drips with insurrmountable wit, it goes beyond being funny. It's a riveting memoir and passages, such as Bellingham's experience in the Bay Area earthquake of 1989 is downright excellent reporting. With all of the romance and literary history that come off the pages, I think a visit to San Francisco is in order this summer. I've bought several copies to donate to my high school library (Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, New Jersey, where I teach English, Journalism and Film) as well as a number of branches of the local public library.

WARNING: DO NOT BUY ONE COPY OF THIS BOOK! You will need at least two copies whether you buy it for yourself or for a gift. Don't think you can pick this up as a gift, browse through it to pick up the highlights and then pass it along, no, you're going to want your own copy. And if you do pick it up for yourself, you will undoubtedly add it to your Christmas gift list. It's a great book for anyone; they just have to have a sense of humor. What makes it a keepr, though, is Bellingham's jabs are as insightful as they are funny, his one-liners are as timeless as they are topical. His slice of life encounters with various celebrities give the reader a fun account of the media scene in everybody's favorite city by the Bay. I practically read this book in one sitting because I kept saying, "just one more chapter" (they're short). It's that kind of book, a pick up and read anywhere book, a great "airplane book", if you will. Check it out for chuckles.

It makes you laugh out loud. Hail the apostles Bellingham! From Nigel, the rabbit - to Susan, the estranged wife - Looking at life through rose coloured glasses indeed.Why hasn't a daily picked this guy up? Bellingham, a man in love with his adopted city of San Francisco. Not a bit of underdone potato - as saterical writers tend to be. Curmundgeons have a hero - a passionate one at that.

Strauss ambles through a fairly predictable first few pages, and
then revs up the motor and we're off on a very UNpredictable
read. Obviously lots of research -- and on the surface it would seem that, heck, everyone has a family tree. But if you don't get interested in your own family tree after reading this, then the problem is with you, not with Strauss' book. What drives her to do the search for her birth mother? And what does she find? And then what? And how do her kids in 2001 eerily but accurately reflect a Civil War vet she didn't know existed? Have fun. Great especially for those who know someone adopted, or are planning to adopt, which includes just about everyone!

I discovered this book quite by accident. I had already read Birthright by Jean Strauss. I was doing a search on Amazon for a review of that book for a friend when this title came up. When I finally got a copy, I couldn't put it down. Simply, it is an incredibly well written book on searching for one's roots. In the end, its both one's adoptive and biological ties that matter. I particularly appreciated the author's final family tree which included both her birth family and adoptive family. The insight I received from this book will be invaluable to my wife and I as we raise our 7 yo son and 2 yo daughter who were both adopted as infants. Many thanks to Jean Strauss.

Having recently been involved in a reunion with a sister that we did not know existed, this book (as well as other Jean Strauss books) gives valuable insight into the feelings of the adopted individual as well as some of the feelings of the other members of the family circle. Jean's struggle and sometimes blunt feelings toward her birth mother open up a new area of human feeling. How should we relate to this new person in our life and all these new relatives? All the details of the reunion and building a new relationship with siblings and her mother over the years gives valuable knowledge to others involved in their own reunion process. Jean shows us that a "blended" family can happen. She has not forgotten her adoptive family that raised her, but she also appreicates the family ties of her natural family. This book illustrates that you can have more than one mother/father. You can have many siblings and extended family and make it all work. We have done this in our family situation. This book is well worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone in the reunion/adoption process.

If "beneath a tall tree" doesn't tug at your heart and bring tears to your eyes, go see your doctor for a checkup. Strauss bares her soul in this fascinating adventure about her life. Besides being enormously helpful to adoptees, it provides a deep, raw look into the mindset of an adoptee. Her fluid style makes this an easy read.

I am an adoptee and I'm currently in a stage of my life where I'm becoming more curious to find out about my birthmother and my background. I was kind of scared and didn't really know where to start, but this book really helped me to realize that I CAN do something about it and that it's really nothing to be scared of. It gave me the perspective of the birthmother as well, wanting to know about the daughter she gave up. I have a feeling that when the time comes to contact my birthmother, she'll be more receptive than not - something I was very unsure of before I read this book. Jean Strauss and her book have kind of helped me to get the ball rolling and start seriously thinking about contacting my birthmother.