California Books

Living in California, I never knew there were so many great places to drive my SUV. The trail descriptions in California Coastal Byways are extremely accurate, concise and helpful. I liked the photographs because they give a perspective on a tour. The list of resources, parks and places of interest in the back of the book is invaluable. I wish I had time to go on all the drives. Good job.

The spiral binding of this paperback may not make it accessible for library lending, but individuals seeking a family driving guide for backcountry California will find it wonderful. California Coastal Byways covers roads from the Oregon border to San Diego, focussing on the coastal Route 1 and offroad between this and 101. It's easy to look at the general map, choose a specific region, then read the different trip descriptions which include notes for car, bicycle and stops along the way, maps needed and how to get there. Highly recommended for any California resident or visitor who enjoys rural back roads explorations.

As new owners of a 4x4 SUV, we bought this book as a guide for weekend off-roading. We have done a few of the trails in San Diego and found Tony's book to be informative; with times, highlights of the trail by mile, and any cautions needed. However,'El Nino' has changed some terrain since the 1995 printing. We found some trails designated "easy" are now "moderate", etc., according to Tony's definitions. Great resource for finding those dirt roads and heading off into nature!

Who'd ever think that California, of all places, would have so many beautiful little dirt roads through the coastal mountains? It was such a pleasant surprise to see so much of wild, old California still in existence, thanks to this book and my Toyota 4Runner. At last, a guide for the non-hard-core four-wheeler!

This was so helpful to me in Community Property. The casebook was awful, and this followed the casebook quite closely, doing a much better job of presenting the material. Highly recommend this - I could have passed the class with this book alone.

This is a well-written and informative book which appears to cover anything anyone would need to know about California community property. Although it is written by an attorney and aimed at the law profession, I find it very easy to follow (and I am not an attorney). If you are not an attorney, you may need to look up a few terms in a good dictionary. So far, I have had to look up only one term that I did not understand.

This is a perfect book for someone looking to grasp easy and fast extremely complex legal issues. The author has become one of my favorites.

I took Marital Property with Professor Goldberg, so I found this E and E really helpful in studying for her test. She took most of her material for examples and sample questions directly from this book. Therefore, this book was extremely helpful to me.

How helpful it would be in a different setting? I don't know. But I think overall, its a pretty good supplement to have, especially the flow chart regarding pre and post Lucas analysis.

It's summer. It's hot, and you should be near water with this book in hand. This collection of male on male erotic short stories will make you need water for cool down, as it features about every man-type needed to break your sweat. What's your pleasure? There's cowboys, wannabe cowboys, a hitchhiker, athletes, young hustlers, young surfer studs, military men, and hmmm... did I cover all of them... no, but I'll leave the rest a mystery.

But the key to all of this is the author, William Maltese. Thanks to his adept use of descriptive words and action words, you get to play voyeur. You can be right there with these youthful, sex-starved beauties. You can watch, you can feel, and by the time you've finished one tidy little tale out the 13 total here you'll be ready for the pool or beach to lower the temperature a bit.

Pity your wrist.

From Great Britain, but "All-American boys with sex on their minds strip down to their jocks and beyond in this collection of seriously filthy adventures. ¶ From whipping ass to licking boots, with a touch of ritual scarring along the way, these tanned West Coast studs aren't averse to being told what to do and how to do it. ¶ Includes the novella 'Uniform Sex.'"--© zebraz

good collection of stories written in a manor to keep your interest. Once you start reading the book it keeps your interest and you wish to see what is next. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy a variety of fiction.

Youthful, horny guys feature in this wild collection of seriously filthy sexual adventures. Truly shocking! Includes: What If..?; Scruffy Cowboy Boots; Pumping Gas and Food Chain. - from Prowler Press

Whether or not you're a "surfer dude" (I'm not), it turns out to be easy to relate to the memorable cast of beach loving characters in California Fever. And be entertained by them.

The plot starts out at a moderate pace, and the action really picks up after a bit as the set of beach bums take up the challenge of making money - not necessarily through completely legitimate means, but they mean well.

It's one of those tales that keeps drawing you to the next chapter to find out what happens next. There are surprises!

Anyone who loves the ocean and the surf lifestyle will enjoy this hilarious story about a tightly knit group of surfers. Thoroughly uplifting and incredibly well written. Makes you feel nostalgic for those younger carefree days, excellent friends, and getting into lots of trouble.

California Fever by John Jacobson was a breath of fresh air to a California Beach Cities Girl. The first chapter is only a fraction of what the story is about. I started listening to it in my car with my sixteen year old son on the way to the doctor's office. We both started laughing and marveled over how clever all the different characters were. The story reminded me of a few characters I used to surf with. When we got to where we were going, we didn't want to get out of the car and quit listening.
This book is especially good on Audio The narrator really makes the characters come to life. I grew up in Southern California and I could relate so much to the characters and mood. I knew a number of surfers who are like the dudes in the story, who would've done anything other than work. And what these guys do to try not to have to work is really hilarious. I've already started spreading the word how much it reminds me of a number of people I used to know. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story about the history of California and those who love to spin a tall tale.

A well-written, witty and engrossing book (on tape), with verisimilitude worthy of Michael Crighton. The audio equivalent of a page-turner book, an entertaining story for long drives in the car.

I have not taken my test yet but I feel very prepared, much more so than I did before I purchased the book. My only disappointment is it only lets you take the free online test once so make sure you have studied and feel confident before you attempt the free online practice test. Otherwise, this is a great book to have.

I purchased this book with about 3 weeks before the test, and here I am counting down the days til my Physical Ability Test!! Thats right...I passed! This book has some great practice tests. I didn't really take the first one all that seriously (wish I would have, there are only two in the book). The test is just about a mirror image of this example tests that are offered in this book (with different questions of course) I only read through the book once and did fine on the test, I think that the book brings forward a lot of the same material that is covered on the test and is worth the starting pay of a CHP...$69,000!!

Very happy!!! Well put together and helpful. The practice testing is great. Positive results will surely be obvious after the test!

Lots of great information in this book. The practice tests were especially helpful. In fact, the practice tests were harder than the real test. I passed on the first try.

Wonderful colors and plates. Inspirational to browse through or informative to read and digest. A good addition to any art library.

As the inside cover reads and I completely agree, "Lavishly illustrated, painstakingly researched, and gracefully written, this handsome volume is the definitive study of California's distinctive style of Impressionism." Dr Will South provides a chronological survey of the California Impressionists starting in the later part of the 1800's up to the final days in the 1920's-30's. Dr. Gerdts analyzes the California Impressionist Movement with style. With biographies of approximately 75 artists and an extensive bibliography, this volume is not just a coffee table art book. It is an important research tool to conduct an extensive study of any of these artists.

The paintings throughout the book are reproduced in radiant and superb color, helping one grasp the phenomenal beauty conveyed by the works. The pages are thicker and heavier than most of the art books on the market today. The paintings of the California masters are included as well as some works by lesser known artists. The text is fresh, easy and fun to read, and the chapters are well organized, exploring the origins and evolution of the Impressionistic movement in California. I predict this volume will become a classic. Definitely worth the money!

As discussed in the book, the California Impressionists were creationists, and painted the glories of nature as being from the hand of the Almighty. It might very well be that such a perspective is necessary to fully apreciate the spectacular scenery of their state. Accordingly, as Will South points out, the California Impressionists were more the artistic ancestors of the Hudson River School rather than their presumed French forbears.

The color reporductions in this book are quite good and the narrative is informative, though I must admit the first part of the book starts a bit slow with many names, dates and places. Later on the book more deeply delves into aesthetic considerations and picks up quite quickly. By the end of the book the movement loses its steam at the same time as the idyllic and pastoral California of their paintings increasingly vanishes under a flood of paradise seeking immigrants from the east and we are left with a sense of wistful regret at the loss. Yet this book preserves the art and times of late 19th, early 20th century California, and does so memorably well.

This is a very handy reference book. I use it far more often than I thought I would.

This book is an excellent resource for people who are researching for a book/article about California or just curious why places were named as they were.

Erwin Gudde is actually a direct ancestor of mine, so I accquired this book so that my son may pass it on through the ages as a claim to fame if you will. The book was nicely done, and very informative.

Great book to keep in your car or backpack. Fun to read while on trips. Answers many WHY questions on the road. Good times!

Without a doubt this book is excellent in almost every way.
I am preparing for the California Brokers exam and have purchased many books and this is the best value and best written of them all by far, BY FAR!
The introduction specifically states that this book was written to prepare readers to take and pass the California Real Estate Salesperson and Broker examinations.
Buy this book!

I am about to take my exam and I am quite confident thanks to this exam book by William Pivar. I was not able to find the companion that can go with this book according to the Introduction. I think it would have made it even easier to learn.

I baught this book at first just so I can see how I would feel about getting into real estate. Let me tell you, I studied the book, took the C21 course (we went over the same material that was in the book but rushed through it in class)then took and finished my state exam in a little over a half hour (3-31/2 hour test if I remember correctly).

Believe me when I say, this book helped me a lot. I don't think I would have past the state exam with just taking the crash course.

I have been in real esate for a year now :). Thank you, Mr. Pivar

This book is a rigorous study book. And it is a lot less expensive than taking a cram course. It is the only thing I studied and I passed the first time!! Now I just wish there was a companion book for the Broker's exam!!!

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (1/07)

According to the author, Malcom Kushner, "squisine is a combination of the words squeeze and cuisine." Basically put, anytime you take a squeezable foodstuff such as ketchup, relish, or anything else that "squishes" and add it to what you are eating, you are creating "squisine." The easy-to-use part of squeezable food is not the main importance of "squisine" however, it is the fun part of squeezing the food to add it to a dish that makes it truly squisine and the fun is what makes it worthwhile and entertaining for kids.

Throughout this book the author takes us through the art of squisine, telling us simple ways to add variety and fun to dishes by using this easy-to-apply technique. Because his instructions and ingredients are so easy to use and simply found, the child in your life can happily apply this technique to even the most boring of foods, making them squisine works of edible art! One of my favorite ideas presented in this book is to squeeze messages for someone using a squeezable medium. I have used this on many occasions myself, serving an open-faced sandwich with the message "I Love You" in mustard on top of bologna or cheese. The look on the face of the person receiving not only lunch but a message of caring, is priceless and well worth the extra few seconds it takes to turn an ordinary sandwich into a message of caring.

But, ideas on how to use squeezable food aren't all this book is made up of. It also is packed with recipes including BBQ sauce, honey mustard dip, parmesan yogurt dip, maple chocolate syrup and even strawberry cream cheese spread...all of which work extremely well as squisine for the young chef in your life!

I would highly recommend "California Squisine" for any and all individuals that have a special child in their lives that likes to help in the kitchen. Not only are the recipes found within kid-friendly; they are tasty and fun to prepare as well. In fact, I found many of the recipes perfect for all ages within the pages of this book and ones that I foresee using time and time again even when my children don't help me with their preparation. It is an interesting book, not your typical recipe book for kids, having within its pages recipes, quotes and simple entertainment for kids of all ages. It would be a perfect gift for anyone who works with children as well. Many of the recipes could easily be used in a classroom setting making this a book that would be welcome by teachers as well. Simply said, this book is a great book for m any ages and many types of people. Check it out your self and I'm sure you will agree that it is a book that not only useful but fun as well!

"America's Favorite Humor Consultant" Malcolm Kushner presents California Squisine, a unique cookbook consisting entirely of recipes that are healthy, easy-to-make, and squeezable - perfect for introducing kids to the joy of making tasty treats. Best of all, no actual "cooking" is required! Though not specifically a weight-loss cookbook, California Squisine is pediatrician-approved and provides emphasis on salads, vegetables, and other healthy foods make it ideal for building positive attitudes toward good nutrition. Recipes range from Tuna Pate to Peanut Butter Pizza with Everything, Vegetable Kebabs, Pineapple Pudding, and much more. Enthusiastically recommended for harried adults with little time to invest in cooking as well as for kids.

Ask any child, "What are the four basic food types." You may be surprised when they respond, "Fast, frozen, instant, and take out." Informational and entertaining, Malcolm Kushner addresses a timely and important issue faced by American's today, that of childhood obesity.

The book includes over 100 recipes that have met the criteria set forth by the author and his team of consultants. The recipes had to be squeezable, be approved by their medical advisor, had to be made without cooking, and had to be approved by the taste tester.

The book is divided into six basic groups of recipes: Dressings, dips and spreads, sauces and syrups, snacks, sandwiches and other stuff, desserts, holiday squizine, and ethnic squizine. A blender is the only appliance needed to prepare these, cleverly illustrated, mouthwatering recipes.

The easy to follow instructions also provide suggestions for getting children involved in the preparation of the meal. This involvement adds a touch of family time fun to meals and the ownership the child feels insures less stress at the dinner table.

In addition to the valuable background information and recipes I especially appreciated the humorous quips in the "food for thought" sections, generously spaced throughout the book. Malcolm Kushner has given the reader a sample of his wit and lived up to his reputation of "America's Favorite Humor Consultant."

This delightful book should be in the hands of every mother of pre-school through pre-teen children. It should be displayed and available in book stores and in the waiting rooms of pediatricians across America.

Of all the cookbooks for kids I've read to date, this one is by far the best. It covers all the bases -- it's Easy, Fun & Healthful -- and as a bonus, the running commentary by author Kushner couldn't be more entertaining. Let's take those bases one by one.The recipes really are easy for kids to follow. They are divided into two parts, "What You Need," and "What You Do." Unlike some kids' cookbooks that purport to have simple recipes but require you to use ingredients one finds only in gourmet stores or overseas markets,the recipes found in "California Squisine" are comprised of items everyone typically has already in the fridge or kitchen cupboard. There are only a few steps that go into the preparation of each item, and they are clear and concise. As far as fun is concerned, children will love the concept of "Squisine." I was a teacher for 12 years and currently work with pre-school children and know how much children enjoy tactile activities. And the foods really are healthful! They are packed with anti-oxidants, are low in sugar and are just good for kids (and adults) to eat -- without being boring. I not only highly recommend this book for children, but also for special needs people of all ages. My adult daughter is autistic and loves to cook. However, she becomes frustrated with complicated recipes -- and I am not comfortable with her using the stove. She loves these recipes and it gives her a great deal of satisfaction to be able to prepare the different foods in "California Squisine" with confidence on her own.(And of course she loves "Squisining.") Kushner has done more than write a cookbook -- he's created a concept and should be heartily congratulated for it.

If you love beautiful gardens in California, but haven't a clue how to go about creating one, this is your book. Landscaping made simple is how I'd describe this book. One of the best features in the book is that you can see the full height/growth potential of different plants and trees. Also, there is a detailed guide on what grows where using a number system to trace each section. Thus, you won't fall too hard for any plant, flower or tree that hasn't a chance of thriving in your particular environment. On the other hand, you can plant with confidence those garden items that will succeed in your home. As surrounding yourself with nature can soothe the soul, this book serves as a handy tool in eventually finding a garden sanctuary. Love, Mom: A Mother's Journey From Loss to Hope.

I was looking for a general, beginners introduction to gardening in S. California. I think this book is good for showing highlights of what to grow and how to garden in California. I bought it for my daughter, who is new to gardening and short on time and money. It guides one to good choices, particularly in choosing trees and shrubs for the garden. My one slight disappointment: it was very brief on the subject of vegetable gardening- what to grow in each season, and how to set up the garden, soil amendments, watering, etc.

What a great book--it gives you the very best trees, the best vining plants, etc. I was having a hard time deciding what to plant until I bought this book. This was especially the case with trees. When you know you have room for two or three trees, but there are so many to choose from, how can you pick? This book is so helpful! They also suggest other plants that go well with the top ten in each category.

I'm not a California native so this book was a blessing when I moved to the Coast with my very own front and back yard to fill up. This book is easy to follow on when, where, why and how for plants and planting in California. Also it's great for beginners to advance gardeners as it helps you plan a garden and then gives you ideas on embellishments. This book is a must have!