California Books

This is an eloquent and heartbreaking tale of one immigrant's journey throught the U.S. Immigration system. It reads like a John Grisham novel although the story is sadly true. The author, a 7-foot tall Kenyan, was a political prisioner in Kenya for his role as a labor organizer. He faced imprisonment and torture and was ultimately able to escape Kenya via the promise of a basketball scholarship in the United States. In his quest for political asylum in the U.S. he encouters heartless judges,corrupt officials, State Department bureaucrats, a beautiful "witch", kidnapping rebels, interpid law students and a dedicated and brilliant law profressor (his co-author). I couldn't put it down and felt a mixture of outrage at the U.S. immigration system while in awe of the power of the human spirit to overcome the most dauting of odds.

My copy arrived yesterday; I may not get to read it until our beach vacation this summer. But the photo of the two authors on the inside back flap of the dust jacket may be the funniest author photo ever! It will be hard to wait until this summer to read it.

I found the book a moving story of David Kenny's trials in establishing his right to remain in the U.S. But more than a story of asylum, it is a story of optimism as David Kenny, his wife, family, and legal team work together to find a way to prevent him from harm in his native Kenya. There were many emotional scenes in the book and I found myself impressed by David's open spirit and his devotion to his friends. The love story within the book is also funny, spunky and inspiring. David's narrative let's use see parts of America very clearly from our assumption that all Kenyan's can play basketball to how many people have personal hand guns and are not afraid to display them proudly--a display that shocks people from nations where guns are only in the hands of the government or the criminals.


The book is very frank about the complexity of the law and the obstacles that prevent many immigrants, even those with attorneys, from securing legal status in the U.S. Many people are critical of our legal system and wonder why more people don't have legal status. Perhaps reading this book will help them understand how difficult the legal and bureaucratic hurdles can be. I am an immigration law professor and hope to use this book in teaching but I recommend it to anyone with an interest of the amazing journeys modern day refugees make.

David Kenney and Phil Schrag have opened many windows into the world of law and the emotional experience of law's rigidity.

This is an amazing book that makes plain the unbelievable complexity of immigration law. Anyone with an interest in immigration policy should read this book.

For those of you looking for a good summer read to take to the beach, or just a great book to snuggle up with on a rainy day, I highly recommend opening up the pages of Asylum Denied. It is both informative and inspiring as it tells the story of David Kenney Ngaruri, the political asylee who struggled to stay in America. Although the book is currently being passed around law schools, as the new go-to-guide for asylum law, I am sure it will not be long before it makes the bestseller stands at nation-wide bookstores or grabs a spot on Oprah's booklist. Asylum Denied, written by two authors, the above-mentioned David Kenney Ngaruri and Philip Schrag, the professor of law at Georgetown University, serves both as a law manual and as a heart-warming story of adventure, perseverance, and love. Unlike most law-related books, it reads very smoothly and catches your attention from the first page. Even if this is not the usual type of book you read, I urge you to give it a try. If the face on the cover of the book is not enough to convince you to read it, then I hope this review will.

This book has everything a casual offroader or overlander would want (this book does not cover the hardcore break stuff, tear up your rig trails). Great descriptions of the trails and the road surface you be riding on. Great turn bu turn directions to each trail with GPS coordinates! Also explains some of the history and highlights of the trail and rates all trails for remoteness and beauty. Interesting book just to read for fun. There is no better off road book available!

After being transplanted to Southern California from the Northwest, I felt hemmed in, separated from all things natural. Backcountry Adventures has helped to change that. It's a wonderful guide to exploring the region.

The hefty book begins with a historical, botanical and geographic guide to the region, highlighting Southern California's explorers, settlers, missionaries, bandits, flora, fauna and more. It then moves into the individual descriptions of off road routes.

The book is geared towards exploring Southern California's outdoors with a 4WD and might disappoint the Glamas crowd who is focused doing awesome things in their trucks. But, for those of us looking to justify the excess of our SUV's with some exploration, it's perfect.

Each route guide begins with a simple rating guide which rates the trail on a number of qualities like driving difficulty and remoteness, then moves into a description of its history and the history of the region it explores. Next comes a description of the route itself, and then a detailed turn by turn guide with GPS coordinates.

The only real complaint I have with this book is that sometimes routes can be difficult to find without reading through the entire guide. It does contain a few "20 most scenic routes" and whatnot lists, but includes no way to find, say, the most remote routes in the book.

The other thing I'd suggest to improve the book is an accompanying website with downloadable GPS coordinates and user comments. Typing in the coordinates for a route is needlessly time consuming, and being able to download them from the internets would be wonderful. Hearing feedback from other drivers would also be great.

All in all, this book has helped to liberate me from the urban sprawl of Southern California, and for that I'm very grateful.

Tons of info, loads of great photos show you clearly what to expect on each trail. I'll be buying the Northern Cali book next.

I've been using this book for close to a couple years now. While I don't consider myself a novice to off-roading, I definitely don't fall into the rock-crawling group, preferring to use my 4x4 to simply get me to new and out-of-the-way places when time permits. Thus far it has proven to be an excellent resource for quick weekend off-roading getaways and for reading up on new trails to explore. In fact, I've enjoyed this book so much I wound up buying two others as gifts for family and friends. The photos and overviews of each trail definitely help give a good feel for what to expect. If you're a techno-geek like me, being able to plot a computer-generated map using the detailed GPS coordinates will prove highly invaluable (though I have discovered a few critical--though easily identifiable and correctable--errors in the coordinates), and with a handheld GPS I don't need to worry about the often-unusual orientation of the printed maps. For those of us who love exploring, this book will make a fantastic resource.

I bought this, and another book about place to go off-roading in so-cal. This book is like the bible of southern California.
Not only does it have extensive trail location and info, it is a virtual encyclopedia of So-Cals towns, cities, how they got their start. In addition it has extensive info on native species, of plants and animals, important founders of California, and much more. I would definitely recommend it.

Great book with lots of information for anyone traveling. My nine-year-old son is the biggest fan of the book, he can't put it down!

It was very thorough about times, content of restaurants, rides, themes.
It gave helpful hints about best hours and days to visit each area.
Even a few coupons included.

Very helpful, easy to read, great guide to add to the excitement of getting ready for the trip of a lifetime for us travelling from Australia in October 2008, but also provides you with essential information. Also brought "the unofficial guide to disneyland" which is also very good, but we keep picking up this one because of the pictures and ease of finding information.

I enjoyed reading this guide. I understand that it is written with a Disney slant but that was what I was looking for. Excellent information is provided. This is a must read for a for time visitor or someone who just wants a refresher on all that Disney has to offer.

The book is very helpful in planning a Disneyland vacation. It has information on everything to do there and in the surrounding area.

Okay, so I was on a tight budget and needed a new book...found this in hardcover at the local superstore on the bargain table...what a find! Frances Norris tells a wonderful story of a character coming to grips with the loss of her family, both recently and in the past. The characters are very believable and Norris gives a true feeling of setting without drowning the reader in description. I read this quickly, but still felt satisfied. Very enjoyable read.

Love and food are two of my favorite subjects, so how could I resist this book? I was not disappointed. The loss element keeps the story subtantive so that its not just another piece of fluff. The book has hilarious characters (including an overbearing narcissist in an amoeba jumper), but the author treats all with compassion enough to make them full and true. The food styling scenes bring together Hollywood fakery with a delicious disgustingness (photographing motor oil poured on macshed potatoes to resemble a sundae). You can't help cheering on narrator Julia as she navigates the crazies and searches out her soul in a soul-less city. Buy this book right away and enjoy!

I loved Julia's story. She finds her inner spark by overcoming her pain, loss, and depression and finding love and forgiveness in unusual ways. The characters are well portrayed and do not lack depth, even the obviously obnoxious figures are seen with irony and compassion at the same time. Highly recommended.

Dear Francie:

I just finished your book. What a wonderful story, full of feeling, wisdom, beauty and hope. I really enjoyed the characters, not to mention that you are an incredibly gifted writer style-wise. I lived the whole trip to Sedona as if I was there. And the end is so sexy, yummy, I love it!! All I can say is, keep writing, girl! And like I said, some day we may see the movie "Blue Plate Special", very attractive title to my ears. Thank you for your gift to the world of readers,

The only reason that I got this book was because the author went to my high school - so I have to admit that my expectations were not that high. But I really, really enjoyed this book, for the reasons stated so eloquently by other reviewers. It was gripping though sad.

This cookbook was given to me when it was first published. I have used it ever since and today the cover has finally fallen off but it is still very much in use.

I haven't prepared a recipe in here that isn't fantastic. The presentation always amazes guests as they think whatever is made took hours and hours.

Like others have said, the recipes are not that difficult and stand the test of time.

Thank you so much for the cookbook. I received it in a timely manner and it was in perfect condition. What a wonderful way to receive a book that was impossible to find before.

I received this cookbook in the hardback edition from a friend back in 1980. I have used and used it over and over again. There are many favorites that I have used again and again; the Tahoe Brunch and Lasagne, to name only two. Buy it an see for yourself!!

I RECEIVED THE CALIFORNIA HERITAGE COOK BOOK AS A SHOWER GIFT IN 1974. I HAVE USED IT CONSISTANTLY FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER FOUND A BAD RECIPE. MY DAUGHTER IS LIVING IN AN APARTMENT WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE AND ASKED IF SHE COULD HAVE HER FAVORITE COOKBOOK TO TAKE TO SCHOOL ... CALIFORNIA HERITAGE! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COOKBOOK TO ABSOLUTELY ANYONE WHO ENJOYS EATING OR COOKING. I AM NOW SEARCHING FOR TWO ADDITIONAL COPIES.

The copy of the book I purchased was a present for one of my children. I have used the California Heritage Cookbook for 20 years. Every recipe I have made was good--to the extent that I do not hesitate to serve what appears to be a truly strange combination of ingredients to company. My favorite cookbook (and I collect cookbooks).

California Sizzles is a must-have cookbook. It has a wide range of dishes and contains suggestions for food combos for a variety of events. I've found that the menus produce quality results without those "oops" that you find with recipes in some cookbooks. It makes a great gift.

My husband and I both like to cook. We have quite a varied collection of cookbooks, and this is still the best all around source for reliable, tasty meals. We make notes on the pages, recording dates we tried things, and ways we may have tweaked something. Now when I give a copy to anyone (I think I am on #10), I add my own notes of favorites. Recipes are not complicated, but sure to impress. From appetizers to desserts, you will not be disappointed.

Love the balboa broccoli salad and carrot cake made with baby food! great if you don't like shredding carrots! Lots of great recipes

California Sizzles provides excellent recipes that are devoid of the blood-sweat-and tears with which many of us are too familiar.
I learned of this book at a lunch where one of the cookbook's praiseworthy recipes was served. There was almost a stunned silence when the group learned I didn't have it on my bookshelf. Well, I do now and don't regret it for a minute. American cuisine has long been extremely underrated.

Collecting and using new cookbooks has been a thiry-five year hobby. "Sizzles" is truly the book that I consult first whether I'm planning an event or a family meal. At least one half of the recipes have been tried and have become favorites at our house. I am ordering another copy of this today as a gift for a friend....this makes four that I've purchased.

A well composed photographic book. One of few books of it's kind which highlights Southern California's ever present but, often over-looked mountain ranges. If you have never visited your local mountains, this book will make you want to.

Olander's book is a fantastic coffee table book and at the same time a tour guide and history book. I thoroughly enjoy this book each time I open it- which is often. I have often explored and hiked these mountains and have visited many if not most of the places shown in Ms. Olanders' book. It has motivated me to seek out places I haven't been and to re-visit others with new knowledge and history guiding me. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy nature.

This book is filled with both stunning photography and graceful prose. Call of the Mountains spans an 18 month period in which the Olanders explored their local mountain ranges. It chronicles the people that they meet along the way and the stories that the ancient mountains hold. The book concludes with the desire that these treasured mountains be preserved for future generations.

This is much more than a book with great pictures. Ann & Farley Olander show the rest of us how we can enjoy the quiet beauty and simple pleasures of the wilderness next door. Unassuming and inspiring, this book is a roadmap for nature lovers and urbanites alike.
It is truly a collection of quiet visual poetry that rhymes with wilderness.

Benoit & Kathryn Gendron, New York City

Thank you Ann and Farley Olander. My husband and I have always enjoyed the mountains, and the San Gabriel Mountains hold a special place in our hearts. It is so nice seeing California mountains so lushly photographed with important prose. Our friends pick it up to look at the photos, but always end up reading it as well. It is truly an inspired partnership that created this work or art.

MY WIFE AND I READ ALOUD TO EACH OTHER (THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, WITH PRINTED BOOKS). MRS. MURPHY'S CAT WORKS ARE GREAT FOR THIS USE.

WE BOTH RECOMMEND STARTING WITH "CATSWOLD PORTAL", THEN BEGINING WITH THE FIRST IN THE SERIES AND PROGRESSING FROM THERE. THIS MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO GAIN SOME BACKROUND, BUILD ON THE DELIGHTFUL JOE GREY CHARACTERS AS WELL AS THE MORAL AND SOCIO-POLITICAL COMMENTARY AS WELL AS COMMON SENSE ADVICE WHICH ENRICH THESE WORKS.

MAKE NO MISTAKE. WHEN READING THESE BOOKS, ONE IS IN THE HANDS OF A WISE MASTER STORYTELLER! WE ARE BUSY ASSEMBLING HER PAST WORKS, WHICH ARE PLENTIFUL. IT'S OUR ONLY CHOICE, AS WE'VE READ ALL 12 OR 13 JOE GREY MYSTERY WORKS AND ARE WAITING FOR THE FEB, 2009 RELEASE ON A NEW ONE.

WE READ AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR, WHO MENTIONED "...CROSS THEIR GRAVES" AS PERHAPS HER FAVORITE. WE WOULD AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY...IT IS OURS ALSO.

HAPPY READING!

For any cat or mystery lover I highly recommend this book. It is written very well and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You won't want to put the book down. And when you are finished reading this book you will crave more of the Joe Grey Mysteries written by the delightful author Shirley Rousseau Murphy. She has a way of making you visualize the town and its delightful scenery and the mystery just wraps around you. If you have a cat you may find yourself looking at him or her in a completely different light as Ms. Murphy brings the cats in her stories to such believable life. And the other characters involved are charming and real weaving you right into the story right along with them.Cat Cross Their Graves: A Joe Grey Mystery (Joe Grey Mysteries)

This is one of the better Joe Grey mysteries. The action keeps moving along and the characters are starting to expand their personalities. The story line has interesting twists and surprises.

It starts with a murder: Kit, the youngest of the three talking cats of Molena Point, discovers the body of a former film star in the stairwell of the hotel she owns. But there's more going on in the arty little California town. Joe Grey's long-time friend and partner Dulcie has a secret that's affecting their relationship: a young girl is hiding out in a hidden room in the basement of the town library, and Dulcie doesn't feel free to tell anyone about her. Then Cora Lee French, one of three senior ladies living in a recently-purchased old house on the edge of the canyon, finds a grave in the back yard. Worse, it's one of several--and even worse, the remains are those of children.

To the police, each of these things is a separate case. But Joe and his friends know there's a connection. And so there proves to be, but only a cat could draw together the threads and bring this complex affair to a satisfactory conclusion. Meanwhile, Dulcie unexpectedly learns something of her own roots. And readers who are especially fond of little Kit will be pleased to find that she plays a large part in the ultimate success, although her role begins more or less by accident. This may be the best Joe Grey mystery to date (although hints about the upcoming one suggest it will top them all). As always, there's an excellent "sense of place" in the vignettes of the town, and all the familiar cast members--Clyde Damen, Wilma Getz, Max and Charlie Harper, Dallas Garza, Ryan Flannery--reappear as well. No fan of cat mysteries should miss it.

If you love cat mysteries, read this book. It's a great page turner, and you'll be sorry when it ends. Murphy keeps you guessing, and you'll be eager to know what happens. If you've never read her before, this is a good one to start with. This is my favorite book in her series (I have read all of them) and it follows the footsteps of some of my favorite cat mystery author, Lilian Jackson Braun's books. Murphy will surely keep her audience entertained and coming back for more.