California Books

Money well spent. We are ready for wildflower season! A lot of color pictures with good information. If you live in or near the Mojave Desert this is a valuable book.

I live on the Mojave Desert, Antelope Valley to be precise, and this book portrays the beauty we are now experiencing this spring. We have a beautiful Poppy Preserve on the westside of our valley. Jane Pinheiro was a woman who not only painted pictures of many of our wildflowers , but she was one of the people instrumental in seeing that the Poppy Preserve came into being. A number of her paintings are on display at the Preserve. I have one of her paintings, and with this lovely wildflower book, I was able to ascertain which of the wildflowers is depicted in my painting. If anyone is interested in not only viewing the array of colors during our spring wildflower viewing, but is interested in learning some of the names of said wildflowers, and a bit of background for each of them, this is the book to buy.

I love these Falcon guides mainly because of the lavish color illustrations. Every flower in the book has its own color picture, along with helpful descriptions. The front matter in this book includes all sorts of background material about the Mojave, along with the usual educational stuff about plant types, leaf distribution, etc. And the book is made to last -- if you take any care of it at all, it will last you forever.

Pam MacKay's 'Mojave Desert Wildflowers' is a wonderfully informative & beautifully photographed guide to the wildflowers of the Mojave. This sturdy plastic-coated field guide contains over 300 gorgeous photos, finely detailed plant descriptions, and is virtually an introductory textbook on Mojave Desert ecology. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the Mojave Desert. The author lives & teaches in the Mojave and her dedication, attention to detail, and love of the desert are revealed on every page.

Jim Otterstrom

This is probably the easiest to use desert plant book I have (and I have eight that focus on desert plants in all). What it lacks in completeness, it more than makes up for in terms of ease of use. There is a picture for each plant and the plants are grouped according to flower color. So as long as the plant is in bloom, it's not too hard to find out what it is. This book does a great job of covering the plants you are most likely to come across which makes it a great book to thumb through in the field. If you are dealing with similar species within the same genus or rare plants, you'll probably want to get the Jepson guide.

Lynn Davidman's book provides a sensitive and nuanced account of how mother loss reverberates throughout the course of people's lives in complex ways. As a fellow sociologist, I was touched by and learned from her deep and compassionate empathy for her subjects. She carefully and thoughtfully listened to their stories, and presents her analysis in a strikingly original way that honored the integrity of the narratives. This book helped me think about loss, identity, narrative and the art of sociological writing in new ways. I also know that her work has helped many individuals to make better sense of their own experiences of mother loss, something that few sociology books can claim.

I was impressed with the diversity of people interviewed. A central theme for most of the interviewees was how little disclosure of their mother's illness was given to them before or even after death. I was happy to see that children of the mothers who died in the 1980s and 90's were made more aware of their family situations. This book gives permission for those of us who have lost our mothers to open up the emotional attic and relive the memories that we all too often bury in our day to day lives.

The aspect of this excellent and thoroughly riveting book that was most striking and impressive to me as I read it is this: the author has accomplished a work of scholarship and great depth while, at the same time, sustaining an attitude of seemingly immeasurable respect for her subjects and their varied stories.

Early on, Dr. Davidman lets us in on something: "Ethnographers are emotion workers. In order to do this work with integrity we need to seek actively to create a safe space for our interviewees as well as for ourselves." Evidently she succeeds. The interviews - oral histories, really - are presented and interpreted with care and subtlety by Dr. Davidman. The stories are heartbreaking, each subject has suffered a grievous loss; but this book is never maudlin. In addition, its lessons are useful not just for readers who have lost mothers, but for anyone interested in the why and hows of human caring, hope, and love.

I was deeply affected and inspired to action as a result of experiencing this book. I will say that in my view, "Motherloss" helps to heal the world - not a small thing for academic research and hard work to accomplish.

What is perhaps most impressive about this high-achieving book is the wide audience to which it appeals. On one hand, Davidman is a masterful storyteller, weaving her own story of loss with the poignant and remarkable stories of her respondents. She is sensitive and incisive and expertly is able to represent the broad array of experiences with motherloss that she encountered during her fieldwork.

This book is also a superb example of what sociology can be. Far from crunching numbers or stating hackneyed conclusions, Davidman offers a work of qualitative sociology replete with thick analysis and an understanding of the complexities and contradictions of the lives we live. She offers a fresh perspective on the role of the sociologist that, I hope, will inform sociologists in years to come.

Her writing is lucid and engaging and carries the reader through many painful stories about motherloss and the aftermath of what she terms the loss of caring. Her steady voice and astute analysis demystifies the often silenced and unspoken tragedy of losing a parent at a young, formative age. There are few people--in the academy and outside of it--who I can think of who would not grow and learn from this book.

When I was fifteen, my mother died of cancer. This book is the first one I have found that has helped me make sense of this experience. My mother's cancer was not openly discussed in our family and we did not talk about my mother much after she died. But her death made a huge impact on my family;we were kind of lost without her. And for most of my life I have not talked very much about this. But reading this book and seeing the experiences of the people Davidman interviewed, helped me see how common our family's experiences were. It was helpful to learn about how society and the mother's role in it, and the American taboo on death, shaped our very personal, painful experiences of loss. I recommend this book to anyone who has lost a mother at any age. I'm sure you will find comfort in it.

Freelance writer Liz Sullivan takes on a temp job as media escort for food/lifestyle celebrity Hannah Couch, who, it turns out, is quite the opposite of her friendly, grandmotherly image. And her waspish, vindictive personal assistant, Naomi Matthews, is even worse. After someone downs a fatal Pellegrino with lime, and a couple of abductions at gunpoint ensue, Liz, who is a prime suspect, must find out who doctored the drink. Though two of the major characters are exceedingly unpleasant, there are plenty of more appealing ones, not the least of which is Liz herself, a likable, sympathetic amateur detective. On the whole, this whodunit is funny, sometimes outlandish, and very entertaining. This is the first of Lora Roberts' mysteries I've read, and I now plan on reading the first four books of the series.

This is one of the better books of a good series, funny and exciting with an "edge of your seat" narrative. Lora Roberts does an excellent job portraying the edgier side of life in her Liz Sullivan series, where money isn't always available and sometimes the Thrift Shop is a necessity. Yet, she also manages to lighten this with some wonderful and sly humor and engaging friends. Liz's friends (including her dog) bring her much needed support and enrich the stories though they take a backseat in this book (except for a couple of memorable and surprisingly funny scenes at gunpoint). This particular book in the series was mesmerizing. I couldn't put it down till I found out what happened to Liz and her latest "temp job from h-ll." If you haven't read any of the previous books I would recommend you do so to see how Lora has allowed Liz to grow into herself. Yet, this books stands alone as a wonderful and exciting adventure.

Character Liz Sullivan finds herself in a temp job straight from hell in the newest installment of this wonderful series. She has to serve every whim of the great domestic celebrity, Hannah Couch. Liz finds herself in danger from everything including being slapped, not being able to find fresh produce, being kidnapped, and being a suspect in a homicide. After a little time with Hannah, she also finds herself in danger of wanting to commit what readers would probably call a justifiable homicide. Lora Roberts has some of the funniest lines available in mysteries, reminding me often of Janet Evanovich's books. Liz's romance with the Paul Drake is exciting and endearing, and makes readers wish for more! Her friend Bridget worries more about picking up her kids on time than finding herself held at gunpoint. This cast is fun and could be anyone's neighbors and friends. I hope Lora Roberts will write many more of these clever books!

This book was really incredibly written. Even though I have never read any books in the series except this one, I'm sure that this book was a good one to start with. Murder Follows Money is funny in it's own way, and also provides an amazing mystery which was also fun to solve. I read this book in one entire day, all during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just couldn't put it down. It made me sad when I had finally finished the book. It was one of those page-turning mysteries that I absolutely love. I feel that Lora Roberts has created a never-ending series with a very interesting character. Liz Sullivan is the kind of character that you wish that you could get to know in person. Believe me, this is a great book and I recommend it to anybody who loves mystery!

Murder Follows Money is the best yet in a great series. Liz has taken a temporary job with a media escort business. She's hired to do clerical work, but is pressed into service when none of the regulars are willing to escort the famous but difficult lifestyle maven Hannah Couch. Hannah arrives in San Francisco with her entourage - an interesting cast of characters who have their own troubles with Hannah. When one of them turns up dead, Liz is again pressed into service. At gunpoint. She is also the chief suspect. The mystery is entertaining and kept me turning the pages. The solution to the double bind Liz finds herself in is both clever and great fun. I found myself chuckling al the way through. Many characters from the earlier books are here, but it isn't necessary to have read earlier books to enjoy this one. A great summer read. Highly recommended.

The book Nothing About Us Without Us: Disability Oppression and Empowerment written by James I Charlton is profound. It really gives an insight to the history, psychosocial history of disabilities all around the world.

It is a profound book (very deep) and at times difficult for sensitive people like me but it is a must read book. I would like for the people in Puerto Rico to read this book to really comprehend the story behind the movement of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The community of Persons with Disabilities in Puerto Rico need to comprehend deeply the situation that is going on even in Puerto Rico. The system provided in the territory of the United States does not work. On the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico the ADA Law is not enforce. I personally cannot wait until the Ammendment to the ADA Act of 2008 is pass by the Senate and finally signed by the President of the United States.

The "ADA Ammendment Act of 2008" was passed on the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly with 402 votes to 17 NAYS on June 26, 2008.

There are few books that can clarify the civil rights concepts and disability... This is one. I sat in a meeting of a government training program for Fair Housing investigations, and two of the lawyers/instructors as well as the Academy's Director stated that they do not need people with disabilities to be involved with the training or policy decision-making - now I give this book to persons who do not have a disability. What if we plan a celebration of women or Black History Month and only white males were invited?

RedGimp

Even though America may be one of the world's most enlightened
countries when it comes to treating people with disabilities
with respect, we still have a very long way to go.

As proven in "Nothing About Us Without Us", the revealing
expose by James I. Charlton, so does the rest of the globe,
to varying degrees. Listen to the voices of people with
disabilities in different countries that carry the same
messages of fear, shame, discouragement, and even hope:

Maria Paulo Teperino: "There is a cult of the body in Brazil.
We call it 'culto ao corpo'. Machismo is very strong, and
it affects the way many men think of women. Because of its
prevalence, machismo leads many men to believe that a disabled
woman can't satisfy him. Many even believe that disabled women
cannot have children."

Fadila Lagadien: "In South Africa, families don't educate or
support the education of disabled women because of the attitude
that no man will pay a 'bola' (dowry) for a disabled woman."

Joshua Malinga: "I had an inborn attitude not to accept the
attitudes at the institution. These ideas were very bad. For
example, disabled people were told when to eat, when to sleep,
that they couldn't make love, it was banned...By the mid-1970's
I and a few others wanted to reject all these ideas and start our
own organization. By 1965, I began organizing disabled people
because I knew things were not right."

Charlton's book reveals the often-ignored truth that 'things are
not right' for people with disabilities all around the world.
Whether it's being called a 'chirema' for 'useless' in Africa
or being 'ai duan' (looked down upon because of your disability)
in Asia, if you have one, then good luck NOT being treated as a
second-class citizen or worse. Things are looking up, however...

Rachel Hurst: "I decided I had to do something. I quickly realized
that a single person never gets anywhere, so I tried to figure
out how I could do something collectively." --London, England

More and more people with disabilities are joining Rachel in
organizing to stand up and fight for the human rights that other
humans take for granted. After you read "Nothing About Us Without
Us", I sincerely hope you will want to join them in their just cause.

I'd thoroughly recommend this book. It provides a global overview of the disability rights movement, and includes interviews with many activists from different countries. I found it easy to read, and thoroughly interesting.

This is a well written, thoroughly researched work dealing with the treatment of disabled people in various cultures. The book explores the impact of religious institutions, charities, schools and various other institutions on how the disabled are treated. It also does a remarkable job of explaining how consciousness needs to change in order for progress to be made. It is an extremely thought provoking work which raises many issues. I recommend this book to anyone who may some day be disabled - which is any of us.

I have this item at my desk at work, and I find myself constantly pulling this down, and taking a few minutes to read it whenever I feel down. Almost without failure, it brightens my day. I followed this OJ trial to from the beginning to the end, and it was awesome! I bought at least 20 different books on the crime and the trial, over the past 10 years, most within the 2 or 3 years after the crime.

My mother bought me this notepad, and it is without a doubt, the best book I read on this topic.

I highly recommend it, for its humor and its lasting impression.

OJ was a real scumbag, and this notepad is constant reminder of that fact, and of the fact that we can't bring back Ronald Goldman or Nicole Brown Simpson!

MC White said: Check it out!!!

I found a Xeroxed copy of entire book (shame on someone) in a box from an auction. I've held onto it for years because it's so smart, clever, amusing and imaginative. I watched the trial on tv and wondered many times "what the heck is he writing?" Now I know! Beard and Boswell are demented to be sure, but I've always preferred black humor (don't even go there) and only someone with jumbled brain cells could come up with a book like this one. Buy it..it's priceless!

Here it is, four years after I first spent a summer reading and re-reading it with my friends (one of whom must still have it!). I've got to read it again. Maybe e-bay?

without a doubt, the funniest collection of drawings and text on the o.j. situation. a comical view into the demented mind of a lunatic!

OK, if the humor of the title of this review evades you, this is not the "book" for you. If you think the whole situation is funny, then get this book.

Page after page of doodles and notes that blow political correctness out of the water, and made me laugh out loud. This product is fall down funny.

Again, a classic that is out of print. Shame, shame, shame.

This book was more than I expected, well written, beautiful pictures. It is the second book I have gotten by this author. Plus it came to me quickly and in perfect condition. Thanks!

I am not related to the author (like the previous reviewer). Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. I'm a long time organic gardener but I found this California farm story fascinating. As soon as I finished it my 18 year old daughter grabbed it and it doesn't look like I'll get it back soon. Two of her friends are in line to read it. Lovely photographs,too.

Reading Michael Ableman's book was like stumbling upon his personal journal. I could imagine it's dirt-stained, hand-written pages - the miscellaneous seed or wind-blown earthen particles stuck deep in the creases of the binding. This book is filled with earnest, intimate tales - the everyday woes and triumphs of a gentle farmer, side-by-side with the battle stories of a true community activist. It is his journey that I found so fascinating, so inspiring. Ableman's story is compelling because he has been on the good path and done the good work for a long time - more than 17 years. From the early days of setting up the produce stand on weekends at a local farmer's market, to lamenting a killing winter frost, he draws the reader into the drama. Ableman's intensely close relationship with the land is his reward for paying close attention to its needs. His goals were clear - to grow healthy food for local people in a way that respected the land's ability to sustain itself. He learned by doing, followed his intuition, and made tough decisions based on what was right, or what he believed to be right at the moment. This book offers its readers as much "food for thought" about life, as it does about farming!

I live in a desert climate, so farming is something that interests me in this desolate place I live in. I really enjoyed this book because of the success story and the farming aspect of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes farms.

This book was an inspiration to read. It gives me hope that urban sprawl might be contained in some small parts of the world. It's also a good guide to organic farming and living, and getting past the "hippie" stereotype that organics still have. I'd highly recommend this book.

This lady brought me to love a land and people in a manner I never dreamed possible. A must read for the romantic as well as the pedantic.

... this writing is like the geography [of Baja], desert surrounded by water. Rich, yet sparse; full, yet hungry. Like Mexico, full of soul. This book is much more than a regional tale: it is the beginning of a literature of Baja ...

I bought this book and it was so enjoyable that I read it in one sitting! I read constantly, but I can only think of three or four times in my life where I've read a book straight through. It's a wonderful story and I can't wait to pass it on to some friends...

Your beautiful metaphors, poetic style and sense of humor make wonderful reading along with the story...

I have recently read The Other Side - Journeys in Baja California by Judy Goldstein Botello and loved every word of the book so much that I had to write this letter of praise. Not only do I enjoy (meaning passionate about) travel memoir-adventure books and genre, but especially the subject of Mexico and sub-subject of Baja California. The author is extremely talented to articulate and convey her observations in such a charming way. It is a lovely read that possesses many aspects of the humor, color, soul of this fascinating region and its people. There is much more than meets the eye at the surface and the author captures this and a period of time that will never be again.

Sincerely,

Lorraine Holle, Resident of Seattle, WA

Chang's novel is fast paced and very true to modern day Silicon Valley. Although this book is an action-thriller, it is really a Korean-American's self-discovery as he uncovers his family's past and his partner's murderer. The conflicts and tensions that have to do with class and race are thoroughly explored, which make this book much more than a just a thriller.

This absolutely terrific novel totally subverted my expectations of what an "Asian American" or crime novel ought to be. It's engrossing, fast-paced and intriguing in ways that you won't expect. The crime format provides Chang an opportunity to explore race, class and family without being bogged down by the weight of those issues. And Chang fleshes out Allen's character and touches upon racial issues without ever derailing the fast-paced storyline. And yet, at the same time, this is NOT simply a crime novel, either. It's a blend of both--something really innovative and different.

Don't be put-off because Chang has the courage to move away from stock issues played out by other KA writers. While some people think that Chang Rae Lee is be the best KA writer out there, let it be said: Leonard Chang is BETTER than Chang Rae Lee. In fact, he's a better fiction writer than most of the Asian American writers out there as well. Beacuse he's a WRITER'S writer, i.e. he cares about his craft and not about selling out to mainstream tastes of what an Asian American novel should be. Of course, because he doesn't write about KAs whose mothers happen to be comfort women, intergenerational conflict or "honor killings," Chang will be somewhat underrated and underappreciated by those who prefer sappy melodramas about Asian Americans. Which is a shame because he's one of the most talented and interesting writers to ever come out of Korean America. Read Over the Shoulder. It's truly an immensely enjoyable and exciting novel that will be sure to blow you away.

The title might lead one to expect a spy novel, but this is the debut of Allen Choice, a Korean-American security specialist who becomes something of a reluctant private eye, as he investigates the drive-by slaying of his partner, Paul Baumgartner. Paul is killed in what at first looks like a hit on one of their corporate clients, but as Allen digs into the mystery, he begins to realize that Paul was doing a bit of moonlighting and that one of his clients might be behind the killing. Also, his investigation leads Allen to explore the events surrounding his own father's "accidental" death twenty years before.

This was a great book, with Allen's introspective, lonely thoughts at the forefront. There's a lot about what it means to be different or "other" in America, as well as Allen's personal alienation (he was brought up by an aunt who viewed him as a nuisance) and his own personal emptiness, which are at the heart of the book. Other than his job, he doesn't have much going on in his life and when his investigation threatens his employment, things don't look good for Allen.

Luckily, he has the help of an inexperienced lifestyles reporter for a local paper, Linda Maldonado, in unraveling the mystery. Besides offering a compelling mystery, this book also features a sweet, unexpected, slowly-developing romance between the two (the clueless Allen doesn't realize why Linda is going out her way, risking her life and career to help him, until almost the very end). An excellent mystery debut and I'm strongly looking forward to the second book in this series, _Underkill_.

With the overtones of Greek Tragedy, the themes of the sins of the father reaching the son, OVER THE SHOULDER takes a lyrical and heartfelt view of what happens when the son begins learning about his father, whom he never really knew. Occasionally overeaching with respect to the pseudo-existential musings of Choice, Chang (Choice/Chang? Choice=Sartre?) delves into the world of bodyguards and hidden secrets, of guarding the body of truth, of the "choice" of the past and the "choice" of the guard. We can read this novel on a few different levels, the easiest being the thriller elements, the more complicated being the issues of race and family legacies, of the disjunction between generations and how the past interferes with the relationships of the present. I was reminded of Walker Percy since the elements of the Search (Percy's term), congregation, and connection are all present. With Percy, in the Moviegoer, we have movie culture as a frame with which to view Binx's relationship with the world, whereas in Over the Shoulder we have the world of security protection (protect Allen's security, his blanket of armor) as the frame. I'm afraid most serious readers might avoid this novel for its lurid cover (What is a novel of "intrigue"? When is a good novel not "intriguing"?), but for those interested in a complex and complicated story with thematic elements echoing Sophocles, all layered with a very well-written mystery, you might try this one.

I've read Mr. Chang's other two novels (one for an Asian-American lit class, another on my own), and was really surprised to see him try this kind of novel. It's a thriller and love-story and it's so different from his other works. I really liked it. At first I was confused, not even sure it was the same author, but then I saw the same kinds of themes he handles, like dealing with past secrets and people being lonely and isolated. I also saw him turning up the plot elements, which was fun. I think most people will like this novel a lot, because it's exciting, and also looks deep into what it means to be alone in the world. I guess I kind of fell for Allen Choice.

This book is wonderful!! It tells the story of Mr. Lou and his jorney from South Carolina sharecropper to owner of the Challengers Club in South Central Los Angeles. I am a teacher in Baton Rouge and this books makes me want to do more in my job. I think anyone who wants to know how to help kids should invest 5 hours of their life and read this book.
It shows that alll you need is dedication, love and patience, and you can make a difference in any childs life. I signed up to volunteer to be a mentor because of this book.

It was my privilege to recently read the autobiography of Lou Dantzler, founder of the Boys & Girls Challengers club in South Central. This book is called "A Place to Go, A Place to Grow."

This is seriously one of the most motivational, inspiring and important stories I have read in several years. This is a story you need to read, and a man you need to know about.

Lou was born and raised a sharecropper's son, in the time before the Civil Rights Movement and the Sexual Revolution. When his father passed away he was expected to run the family business and help provide and care for a large family. His mentor at this time was a soldier who escaped the cyclical poverty of the sharecropper life, only to gain respect for his achievements in the military where work was rewarded according to merit. This guidance was just the beginning of Lou realizing that what a child needs is discipline and inspiration; that there is more to life when you respect yourself and all you have to offer the world.

When Lou moved to LA he worked several odd jobs as he helped support and raise his own family, and was saddened by how many children in his neighborhood would spend their time out in the streets with nothing productive to do. He decided to truck a group of boys to the park to play, many of whom were afraid to do so unchaperoned, because of the dangers of gangs and drugs. Lou and the boys had so much fun that this small gathering eventually lead to converting an abandoned VONS shopping center into what is now an amazing facility that provides job training, dental care and a full basketball court!

What I love about this true story is that is shows the love and dedication of just one man can truly change the world. Lou never lost hope and just kept on trucking, literally, and it payed off big time! He helped inspire several generations of youth growing up in South Central to aspire to greatness in self respect, education and family.

Recently Lou passed away, but his legacy truly does still live on! I think you will love this book. It is not only a time capsule about the turbulent 20th century, but it is also very vital to our contemporary issues with poverty and street violence here in LA and what we can do as a community to turn the tide.

[...]

Remember a portion of the profit made on the sale of this book goes back to Challengers!

*I hear they are always looking for donations and volunteers! :)

I have heard about this book for four years, because Kathleen Felesina, the co-author, and her sister Laura Peterson, who plays a prominent role in Lou Dantzler's story, are longtime family friends, daughters of longtime family friends. The Peterson/Felesina families should be very proud, as, I'm sure, Lou Dantzler's beloved mom Narvis would be of him.

Lou Dantzler is "a marvelous man," a true American hero who doesn't grandstand and for much of the book thinks of himself as just a sharecropper's son, which is like saying that George Washington Carver was just a gardener. In a time when Bill and Melinda Gates are crusading to overhaul the school system and Bill Cosby is raising a furor over African-American children's futures, this book needs to be promoted and shouted from the rooftops, as does Lou Dantzler's work--which thankfully President Bush Senior did in the wake of the 1992 riots when, like Laura Peterson's USC, Lou Dantzler's Challengers Club wasn't touched by gang violence. The story of this club and its remarkable, brave founder is a must-read for every educator, parent, youth leader, pastor/rabbi--in short, everyone who cares about at-risk kids. Adults can share this book with kids too! Kudos to Lou Dantzler, and to Kathleen Felesina for this uplifting, motivating book.

This book shares the essential characteristics that a youth development professional must possess in order to make an impact on the lives of today's youth. The dedication, commitment, yet the simplicity of the concepts behind empowering and motivating today's youth to reach beyond the physical surrounding is embraced in this journey from the cotton fields of South Carolina to the urban inner city of Los Angeles. The determination to achieve by holding a community up to a standard of commitment to its youth is demonstrated in this epic story that shares how hard work with compassion along with sheer determination can change a community initially through its youth, then it parents, and bring forth the common good from mankind from all walks of life to help in changing a community. Anyone working in the youth development field would be inspired by this book as well as educated on simply methods to achieve change through parent engagement, establishing clear enforceable standards, and holding everyone accountable.

Anyone who has devoted their life to one cause or another will find inspiration from Lou's first hand account of how he started Challengers Boys and Girls Club. Each page is filled with pieces of wisdom and advice he gained from people who understood his mission and wanted to help. You get a total understanding to how the club grew from a few dozen kids and trips to the park into a beautiful, sprawling oasis in the middle of South Los Angeles. Lou's gentle nature and natural curiosity are also evident throughout the book, as he describes in great detail how strangers latched onto his desire to help children and chipped in with advice, money, and perhaps most importantly, support. Now, 38 years later, the reader will become so entranced by what they read, they to will want to lend a hand. As the expression goes, Only Time Will Tell and Lou's time at Challengers has told at least 30,000 kids that his committment and conistency to their well being is paying off in dividends.

I have found this the best book for much more than the Tahoe Basin. It is better than any Yosemite guide for even south into the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It is actually fun to sit down and read, it is small enough to take back packing, it has trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and the photographs are clear. My only suggestion is for a more comprehensive index.

If you are looking for a specific nature book (on the flora (plants) of the Lake Tahoe (California) area, this is an excellent choice.

WHile there are a number of flower books for the Sierra available, I found this one particularly useful because the plants are arranged by family so you can learn how to identify plants that are not in the range covered by the book. THe introductory section was also really informative and interesting.

Without a doubt, this is the best plant or flower book I have ever read. The author clearly knows Tahoe Basin vegetation and natural history like nobody else. The key is masterful in its simplicity, the pictures spectacular and the text brilliantly concise (and sometimes witty!). You can leave your tent, cell phone and coffee mug behind, but you must not forget Mr. Graf's book when going to Tahoe.

Weekends in Tahoe are tons better with this book in tow. It is way cool to know the names of the gorgy plants and flowers with whom you are sharing your away-from-work time. I especially like being able to answer my two-year-old's question, "What's dat one momma," as he begins to take an interest in the names of the plant life surrounding him. A great gift for parents of children who go to Tahoe from time to time...or for anyone still young at heart/inquisitive enough to want to know more about Tahoe vegetation.