California Books

Once again Samantha Dunn takes me to another place. She makes me laugh with her candid clumsiness and her determination to never fail. This is a woman that would be a wonderful best friend. OPRAH you should be reading Samantha Dunn!!!!!

When I read Sam Dunn's fabulous book, I felt exhiliarated -- not only was the writing so exciting, but she made me feel as if I, too, could be sexy, wild, a salsa dancer, maybe (despite being the much-harried mother of three children). Her writing is both vulnerable and wise, poignant and clear-headed -- I read the memoir in one sitting and then went to buy her other books.

I enjoyed this book. Her depiction of the evolution that a person undergoes when they commit themselves to learning how to dance salsa well was very accurate. I also loved how she accurately depicted the mentality of salseros on the salsa scene. It was dead on!

I loved this book so much - it's well written, insightful, and fun. I read the whole memoir in one sitting - I simply could not put it down! It's rich in metaphor and meaning: a must read!

I bought Faith in Carlos Gomez because it was selected by my book club for March, but I've already plowed through it and just ordered the author's other two books! For some reason, I was expecting a book about the life of a dancer, but the salsa world is merely a colorful backdrop for this heartfelt, lyrical, wildly funny book about one woman's search for love, identity and understanding. You will love this book if you've ever searched for love in all the wrong faces, lusted after a gorgeous stranger, found understanding in unforeseen places. SPOILER ALERT!!! There is an unexpected chapter about love and loss that will leave you in a puddle on the floor. I loved it!!

Ho hum, another 'flying across America' book ... it's been done before (e.g., "Zero Three Bravo", "Flight of Passage", "Flight of the Gin Fizz", "The Cannibal Queen", "Biplane", etc. etc.); do we really need another? Suffice it to say that "Flying Through Time" is superbly written. The author's personal experiences are carefully interwoven with 'flashback' narratives from former WWII pilots, a literary technique that works surprisingly well. Highly recommended!

I loved this book. It is well written, funny and interesting. The author has a relaxed chatty way of writing that instantly captures you. If you have a love of bi-planes as I do and are mildly obsessed over them and WWII history of actual flying. This is the book to read.

He writes of his experience piloting across the States and disperses through this experiences of WWII pilots with the Stearman and other aircraft both in the US and in Europe.

As a funny aside. I am a student pilot and it helped me realise that some of my fears up there are what most pilots have been through at some stage. It gave me confidence and I hope that when I finally do my taildragger training - that I'll remember some of the advice. :-)

I highly recommend this book. It is brilliant.

Flying Through Time: A Journey Into History In A World War II Biplane by aviation expert James M. Doyle is an aviation history book that examines the legendary Boeing Stearman biplane, featuring the author's personal experience in retracing 8,000 miles of journeys in a restored biplane. Conversations with World War II survivors who piloted a Stearman; the exciting impression of flying through time, space, and history; the expansive description of both the wonder of flight; as well as the more mundane problems of mechanical upkeep on an aged plane distinguish Flying Through Time as a very highly recommended read for Aviation History reference collections and biplane enthusiasts.

This is one of those books that would make a great PBS documentary! I can just see Mr. Doyle doing the local station PBS tour and maybe bringing some of the WWII pilots from his book along to talk about their exploits. I am enjoying this book like the author flys his Stearman, slow and leisurely. And enjoying the sidetrips to places I'll (unfortunately) probably never be able to go. The book is half an engaging walk through WWII air combat and half modern-day adventure. Buy and read this book-it's funny, enlightening and you'll know more about a Stearman than you ever thought you would! Happy flying!

Even though I know little about airplanes and flying, this book held my attention and kept me turning the pages. The old soldiers' stories are funny and touching and exciting. The author has caught just the right tone in relating them, frequently displaying a dry sense of humor.

Title Fountains of the Spirits
Author Marcyle Taliaferro
Rating Green Light

Review: In the sleepy small town of Cocodrie, Louisiana, young Laurel Chandler finds her life changed forever. Not that the recent death of her parents, escaping the obsessive clutches of her boyfriend, and finding a good teaching job will compare as to what happens when she meets the Lassiter family. Through their southern generosity, stories of the past, and their son T-Jack, Laurel finds herself intrigued. With her new friendship with the family and widowed Emily Conner, Laurel discovers a new belief in God and the love he has for her. Laurel takes her newfound knowledge about God's grace and forgiveness and helps her to relate to the challenging students in her classroom. Laurel also uses her desire to reach out to others and it is when previously struggling T-Jack uses Bible scriptures to compare a trainer's relationship with a horse, that Laurel realizes God's true miracles. Fountains of the Spirits is an endearing read. Marcyle Taliaferro develops characters that you truly care about. Taliaferro has a unique way of reaching beyond the pages of her book to the reader and helping them reflect on their own life. If you enjoyed the characters in Fountains of Spirits you will soon be able to get a follow-up on them in Taliaferro's new book, A Cry from the Harbor.

Marcyle Taliaferro brings home the power of redemption and the manisfestation of God's Spirit in her heartwarming tale FOUNTAINS OF THE SPIRITS. Southern charm weaves through a family tradition as the characters unveil and explore their heritage orally handed down. The plot surprises and delights as it twists while maintaining simplicity at its core. This message needs to be repeated again and again. --- Stephanie S. Sawyer, author FACING ME

Sitting down with Mrs. Taliaferro's book, Fountains of the Spirits is a treat. Her characters are well-drawn, and fully formed from the first page, feeling more like old family friends than people we've just met. The search for the Lost Fountain mirrors the search for meaning and healing in each of their lives. How they get there will keep the reader turning pages. Mrs. Taliaferro's abiding faith shows through in her powerful message of hope and redemption. A must read for everybody. I can't wait to read the next one.

Fountains of the Spirit is a wonderfully constructed story that sneaks up on you spiritually as you enjoy the content intellectually. Marcyle Taliaferro creates characters who come to life right before your eyes. Everyone will know someone from their own lives who remind them of Laurel, T-Jack, and Emily Conner. This story is a must read by anyone who grew up in the country and gives insight to those who can only dream of it. I highly recommend this book!

How do I describe Fountains of the Spirit in just a couple of paragraphs? I don't think it's possible to write a review that does justice to this wonderful endeavor. Not only is the author an accomplished writer, whose descriptions make her readers feel that they're right there in Cocodrie, Louisiana, but she has created a versatile cast of characters - people who you come to care about as you get caught up in the sorrows and joys that make up their lives.

In this book there's truly something for everyone. Horse lovers will delight in the author's obvious knowledge of these wonderful creatures. For me the book was a learning experience, since my firsthand knowledge of the equestrian world is limited. I feel the overall message that Marcyle has attempted to impart is a religious one. By weaving the threads of her obvious love of God and her faith in the power of prayer throughout the novel, she has accomplished her objective beautifully.

This book gives practical advice and guidance to caregivers of both the elderly and others requiring on-going care. In addition, the book gives positive encouragement and uplifiting thoughts. It would have helped me in the past and I know it will help me in the future. Every family seems to be facing caregiving situations these days. This book will help!

A superior book to help all ages deal with the feelings associated with caregiving to aging parents. It is a guide to help deal with the non-system of healthcare, healthcare financing, and disjointed services. The key contribution of the book is the interactive format which encourages recording of vital information prior to the time that it is needed in crisis. The 14 friends have made a great contribution of their own experiences and honestly shared emotions to help guide others through tough times. The book is be a must read for all people facing the care of parents. After you read it you will be comforted by the clear understanding that you are not alone and there are sources of help!

The correct title of the book isFourteen Friends' Guide to Eldercarin

The book is basic in its approach to elder caring. Because the book is written by fourteen different people it is repedative in areas. This book completely ignores the wonderful counsel of daily Bible reading and prayer in elder care giving. My Mother suffering with Alzheimer's, loves to have the Bible read to her. "What a friend we have in Jesus".

This book gives advice on both practical aspects of caring forthe eldery and the more emotional aspect of understanding theiractions. I found that I made quite a few realizations about the behavior of my grandparents (any one of which would have made the book worth my time). The section for recording information such as "Grocery stores that deliver" gave me great ideas about ways to improve their access to things they need. There are so many little things that make a huge impact on our elderly loved ones. This book gives great suggestions. I highly recommend it.

I"m not usually a big reader of corporate how-to type books. They're dry, they all have the same jargon, they all say the same thing, and they're all awash in their own self-importance. This book, however, is different. Heisler and Baldino-Jones have done a great job of taking a concept and making it "real", writing an engaging story around a way that they have developed to bring the usually disparate worlds of sales and service under the same umbrella. They really understand how to make that process work, and provide many examples from their own work as a guide to make this type of integration work in your organization as well. And, in a nice bonus, very little jargon - it's all written in a way that is easily understood and not dry and bland. Definitely recommended.

This is truly a great book and a must read for business leaders in all industries. Mark and Suzanne are not talking about a new fad; I believe converting from CellMates to SoulMates is critical to the survival of companies who have not figured it out.

Having gone through the process of getting sales and operations on the same team and having seen the benefits of the change prior to being introduced to Mark and Suzanne, I highly recommend embarking on the change process. That said, this book will be of great assistance, and may even be the difference between success and failure.

Every company is different and requires its' own plan and leadership. This is not a "cook book" where you pour in some ingredients and bake it for one hour and everything comes out just the way you want it. Instead, this is a guide book or a map that helps you decide where you want to go and then points you in the right direction. You have to supply the thought processes for your company, your politics, etc. It will allow you to gain an understanding of the need for as well as the process you must go through in order to be successful.

The examples in this book are numerous and extremely helpful in understanding the why as well as the how to.

It is not rocket science but it is tough work. As the book points out, the benefits are huge but there are dangers and hardships to consider as well. This book will help you identify those areas and avoid the pitfalls.

Heisler and Jones have created a practical and realistic approach to one of the more vexing problems that occur as companies interface. Their method is based on sound psychological priciples that have been successfully applied to other areas of human interaction. The clarity and conciseness of their writng makes this a very readable book.

In every aspect of business I have been in, sales and service are forever at odds. Each blames the other for overselling or underdelivering without ever realizing that for any organization to be successful, each must not only understand the other but work together to ensure company success.

Suzanne Jones and Mark Heisler not only have lived in the trenches but have also come up with a "roadmap" to fix this age old problem.

Their thoughtful insight and practical solutions will work for businesses of any size and dimension. This book is MUST reading for all businesses and their team members.

Making sales and service work well together is huge undertaking that has to be done for a company to work. This book is a great tool to showing you how to do that! It's well written showing the symptoms of your problems and how to devise solutions. Heisler and Jones demonstrate their incredible experience and know-how to help you improve your profits by getting your company to work!

Browning turns the mystery of the Wild West into modern day mayhem. Transforming Penny Mackenzie from a lackadaisical reporter to a new age Calamity Jane with style, grace, and downright stubbornness. Pat Browning strikes gold with this new series. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Cindy Daniel, author of DEATH WARMED OVER--COMING SOON
October 2003/Quiet Storm Publishing

I loved the book. There may be a little prejudice in that statement, since Pat was one of my favorite classmates at Moss high school in Oklahoma. I liked the story line. I loved the fresh comments and her style of writing. The only problem I had with the book, and that can be blamed on my short term memory, was so many characters in the beginning for me to remember. I had not seen nor heard from this lovely lady in a number of years until she began publishing. Pat, I loved your book and wish you multitudes of sucess in your next books.
Harry Shumard

Author Pat Browning's literary hero was John Steinbeck, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. Her esteem for him and her careful study of his style is reflected in the characterization of her heroes, heroines and villains. The book reads well and is worth reading for its ties to the master.

The rural, hometown personalities of Pat's characters really sparkle. Quirky and real, the dialogue only adds more charm to the story.

I believe the town of Pearl exists in pockets as Anytown, USA. Pat has a real flair for capturing the tell-it-like-it-isness of the folks. I think she must have known my Grandmother!

The mystery is twisty-turny, too, just the kind I like. I learned clues along with Penny MacKenzie, leading to a satisfying and logical end.

It's just the sort of book that goes with a cup of tea and a languid afternoon.

Penny Mackenzie is the Lifestyle Editor for The Pearl Outrider - the local newspaper for the small town of Pearl. Her friend, Maxie Harper, reporter for the Outrider, talks her into a late night stakeout. Although a tip that local eighth graders are worshipping the devil and doing human sacrifices turns into nothing more than a pot party, the discovery of a skeleton in a nearby cotton field, throws Pearl into a frenzy of secrets, lies - and murder. Penny finds Maxie's body during an event put on by the Chamber of Commerce. Dinner in the Round is a progressive event that takes the participants to several locations for different parts of the dinner. However, Maxie's progress is ended permanently - at Egg Foo's Bar and Grill.

Who killed Maxie Harper and why? What does the book, Pearl, The Little Town That Gold Built, written by Dabney Brewster, a retired English teacher and the town's local historian, have to do with her death? And whose skeleton has been hiding all these years in Digger Pott's field?

As these questions swirl around Penny like crazy birds trying to find a place to land, Pearl's unique citizens create more questions than answers while a long lost love interest pops back into Penny's life, complicating matters even more.

In this stunning debut series novel, Pat Browning has created a wonderful protagonist and surrounded her with interesting side characters. Penny and Pearl hold the promise of many more intriguing adventures. Browning's writing is professional and flawless and the story is engrossing, with just the right touch of suspense and humor.

This is a winning cozy - from an exciting new author. I'll be watching for the next book in the series - and the next - and the next....

I give FULL CIRCLE my highest recommendation!

I saw the film of this book at a film festival in Boise, ID a year or so ago. I was so taken by the beauty and the quality of it I chased the presenter down, lost sight of her and then went from one email address to another until I contacted her. I bought the film and now have the book. I've lived in Idaho off and on for a few years now and can say that the absolute beauty of the area, the people and the way of life there are wonderfully captured in this book and film. I'd recommend this to anyone who still believes that there is a code to live by, honesty, hard work and being true to a way of life.

Kendall Nelson captures her subject well. I saw her photos on display at my friend's house and she showed me the book. I couldn't afford the photos, but the book was right in my range. Book is great. Photos are wonderful. I especially enjoy the photo of the cowgirl and her dog.

If you have any interest in cowboys or the American west, you'll love this book. The stunning photographs and elegent text tell the story of a simple, rugged lifestyle that is, sadly, disappearing all too quickly from our national landscape.

You'll want to keep this one handy to look at again and again. And it makes a great gift!

Here's another book of fine photography devoted to cowboys and buckaroos, this time put together by three women. It's a big oversize book, with 48 black and white plates by California photographer Kendall Nelson. The rather worshipful and romantic text is by German-born writer Felicitas Funke-Riehle. Gretel Ehrlich has provided an introduction about the lonely, hard work of a cowboy, written in her own meticulous eye-for-detail style. (Clint Eastwood has a brief 5-sentence foreword.)

The photos were taken 1996-1999 on several ranches in Nevada, with some additional shots taken in Texas, Wyoming, and Idaho. Most of them are of individual cowboys, many with their horses. Typically they are captured against a sweeping terrain under a big sky with scattered clouds. A buckaroo gathers sage brush for a branding fire. Another sits in the open flap of a teepee tent bent over a silver bit he's repairing, Four vaqueros sit in the shade against a wall, smoking cigarettes, the oldest of them watching the photographer.

Cowboys move cattle through sage brush, raising clouds of dust. A cowboss stands with his wife and son against the plank walls of a shed, their three border collies gathered at their feet. A man leans, head down against a fence, snow collecting on the brim of his hat. The photographs capture the relentless, hard work of these men and something of their solitude. Even as they wait for their horses (see cover photograph) they stand separately, keeping a distance between them. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cowboys, cattle ranching, Western life, and thoughtful photography. For vintage photographs of cowboys, I suggest also Richard Collins' "The American Cowboy."

Timeless black and white photography of a timeless subject, Cowboys of the American West. Well done with an obvious emotional connection to her work. A must for everyone's home and heart!

Great overview of the valley history and key players who influenced the culture and its success. Ashley's recommendations on restaurants are eclectic and fun as well.

Highly recommended. I bought some for gifts as well.

Larry Laurich, CEO DRC Computer Corp

This book delivers as advertised. A great summary of Silicon Valley. If you've just arrived in the valley it is indispensable. Pick up this book and spend your time learning, visiting and eating through the locales mentioned. (They should hand this out to incoming students at Stanford, and at the immigration line at SFO.)

Minor quibble, the book suffers from "young journalist syndrome," where its history, anecdotes and insights are a synthesis of the bibliography in the back. However, kudos to the author for reading more valley history than 99% of other writers. He is headed for greatness when he finds his own voice.

I've been involved with the tech business for 15 years and know my way around the places and companies in the valley. I found this book hugely entertaining and informative. At first look, it seems more like a travel book or specialized city guide than anything else - which is fine and a worthy accomplishment. However, there's a whole lot more....Ashlee lays out the history of the valley and the reasons why it has developed into the technical center of the world. Along the way, he provides easy to understand explanations of the technology and how each invention and advance launched new ventures or opened new markets. Finally, he delves into the personalities of both the key individuals and companies, which, for me at least, ties everything together and makes it a much more interesting and enjoyable read. Highly recommended....

Like technology? Like history? Like good writing? OK. This is your book. A little bit travel guide, a little bit history and a lot of fun, Ashlee Vance brings his truly unique and refreshing writing style in a book that is required reading for anyone involved in the technology industry.

I suspect they will be using this as a text book for some course or another at Stanford, and then Ashlee will become a full professor and his head will get really big and, well, that will be that. But read it anyway.

This is a great little book. Part historical overview, part travel guide, it's written in the breezy, easy-going style of Vance's columns in The Register, the best of the online IT rags (except that the book has been carefully proofread, unlike a typical Register story). In less than 250 pages Vance has covered almost all of the important historic events and personalities behind Silicon Valley, and provided a great set of tips of places for visiting, dining and drinking. There's even a good list of books and web sites for further reading.

I've lived in the Valley for nearly 15 years, and yet learned a fair amount from this book, including several places to visit that were new to me. There were only a few curious omissions: e.g., Halted gets a mention, but Fry's does not; neither does Buck's in Woodside; and surely Frank Drake should be mentioned in the section on the SETI Institute? - but otherwise the text is remarkably accurate, despite having condensed many complex histories, each worthy of a book in its own right, into paragraphs or pages. Vance clearly did his homework. My only historical quibble is with his description of the demise of SGI. I thought it was mainly done in by cheap graphics chips from Nvidia and the like; Itanic was just the icing on the cake.

The book mentions his web site and claims additional information can be found there, but so far there isn't anything new. Hopefully that will change over time. Another concern is that quite a bit of the information in the book will date fast; I hope Vance and his publisher refreshes the text (or the website, or both) regularly.

If you live in the Valley, visit the Valley, or you just want to know what the heck the place is about, this book is for you. And if you're a geek too, it's a must-read.

The Second World War completely changed its major participants and exacted some huge sacrifices from all involved. This and other books about the people who did the fighting shows how similar the attitudes were on all sides. The main character changes some of his thinking after the war, but his thoughts and actions during the war are really interesting, especially when compared to the thoughts and actions of the people on other sides.

If ever a book (other than the Bible) showed the divine hand and providence of God, this is it. I wish I could have met the man.

Excellent detailed story of Pearl Harbor's lead Navy pilot who through special circumstances wrought only by God found himself after the war travelling in the USA with Billy Graham and preaching the Gospel in Christian Crusades.

A friend of mine introduced me to this book in April of this year. He told me it was unlike any book about the Pacific war that he had ever read. Although skeptical at first, I sill went ahead and purchased the book. I left it on my book-shelve for several months and forgot all about it. As I began packing up in July to move I noticed this book again, so I picked it up and began reading it. I found the style of writing extremely fluid, and the chapters were concise. This well balanced account of Mitsuo Fuchida life traces it from his days as an Imperial naval aviator to Christian evangelist. 'God's Samurai' is a truly inspirational book filled with numerous accounts of honor, bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice - all the codes of a Samurai warrior. I have enjoyed this book tremendously, and I have just begun reading, 'Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan: The Japanese Navy's Story' by Mitsuo Fuchida, Roger Pineau (Editor),Masatake Okumiya(Contributor). Both 'God's Samurai' and 'Midway' are 'must-have' books for anyone who is truly interested in the Pacific war and naval battles!

An awesome true story. Definitely one of the three best books I've read in the past decade. In a time like this of Osama bin Labens and shocking inter-civilizational conflict, Fuchida's life story shows how true reconciliation and inter-cultural brotherhood can be experienced. It gives hope in spite of the huge obstacles to inter-cultural understanding. A powerful human interest story. Don't miss it!

Fr. Bill Miller is the kind of priest I wish every church could have. And when you read him, you feel he is the kind of friend whose acquaintance you are so glad to have made you want to keep him on speed-dial for the rest of your natural days.

I happen to love dogs, but this book of Bill's is hardly one of those shopping mall specials of the too-cute-for-words, well-intended but theologically suspect book of essays espousing "salvation through dog slobber" one sees so often. What the reader finds is a flesh and blood adult male (though that term is dangerously close to a tautology) who honestly wrestles with faith, doubt, love, betrayal, self-discovery, self-sacrifice, life, death and even cheese. And that's just when he is writing about dogs -- okay, dogs, and the people who love dogs, and some that don't...do you see what I mean? Bill writes normally the way most clergy wish they could preach on their best days, (and the way most people in the pews wish they did too) and yet he somehow never comes off as "preachy". Not even once. How does he do that? Beats the heck out of me, yet it makes this book an easy read though inarguably substantive all the same.

I'd like to say that I could recommend this book without reservation, but as an Episcopal priest myself, I am obliged to find exceptions to nearly everything. Thus, this book may not be for everyone. In fact, it ought to come with a warning label, alerting buyers to potentially embarassing social situations. When I was reading, "The Gospel According To Sam" inflight, the people in the rows around me became annoyed (or perhaps jealous) by the frequent, sudden if uncontrollable outbursts of laughter it caused. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the mortification suffered by my 16 year old daughter when seeing her fifty-something father with tears streaming down his face -- in public, no less -- when trying to retell the moving story (Chapter 9, "Eating Squirrel") of Bill's growing up in hard-scrabble Texas with a father who had no understanding much less appreciation of the boy Bill was nor the man he would become.

So, in all honesty, I cannot recommend this book to everyone. If you need a "how to" book on house-training puppies, this isn't it. Nor is it some canine-version of Christian apologetics*, its appealing photo of Sam on the cover notwithstanding.

But apart from those two exceptions, I would say just about everyone else will enjoy this book, will learn from it, and will (when finished reading it) eagerly await Fr. Bill's next efforts. And when you buy one for yourself, you may discover, as I did, you have to buy a second and third copy -- for my friends to read -- and return (eventually).

But they can't have my copy. Every so often, I feel the need for a good laugh...or a good cry...or the insight of a good friend. In the pages of, "The Gospel According To Sam," I know any one or all three may await.

________________________________________________

* "...explaining the Doctrine of the Trinity so well that even an English Setter can understand it!"

A wonderful story and I laughed and cried as I read this. Bill Miller puts his heart and soul into sharing his experiences about Sam with us.

Wonderful story telling and I highly recomend it for all dog lovers. The next to last chapter doesn't seem to fit the rest of the book. The encounter with young girls detracts from the story line in my opinion.

...this is the book for you. Funny, earthy, wise, gripping, sad. If you love dogs and know they have souls, this is your book.
If you love piety and think churches are holy places, you will find other books better suited to your taste.
This is for those who search for God, and those who love and learn from, and also grieve for, pets loved and lost.

The Gospel According to Sam is a wonderful collection of true stories of one man's journey, his dog Sam and their sometimes impetuous adventures. Each story will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud.
I loved it so much, I am giving several copies this holiday season to a variety of people (Episcopal, Catholic, Jewish and a couple that doesn't go to chuch). The Gospel According to Sam is a book that anyone can enjoy and appreciate!