Washington University Books

This is an insightful and illuminating work on the subject, which is very interesting by itself. The author has conducted extensive research in the field, and the narrative is very well written indeed.

A joy to read.

If you like history...if you like old photos that aid in bringing a story to life...if you like well-written sentences (unlike mine), then you will like this book. Shirakawa documents the lives of a Japanese American community in the Pacific northwest of the United States. This is not the first time I have read a book written or edited by Stan Flewelling. This writer is one who is unknown to the vast reading public, and that, truly, is a shame. As with his other works, Flewelling's Shirakawa has been thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written. If you have not read a book written by Flewelling, may I suggest that you start with Shirakawa. You will delighted that you found this author and his book Shirakawa. It is with pleasure that I give it my rating: DAYTON SAYS: BUY THIS BOOK.

The book is a novel composed of a series of poems about Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Leon Trotsky. The poems work by themselves and have great imagery and emotional impact. There is intrigue, politics, religion, betrayal, murder, art, sex, scandal, and even a monkey. What more can you expect to read all in one place?

An excellent contribution to the local history of Northern California and a remarkable insight into the nature of Chinese integration into American society and business, written by an author with personal knowledge of the retail food industry and the scholarly qualifications to do the in-depth research necessary for the book. The author traces the rise and decline of Chinese-owned grocery stores in Northern California - not ethnic grocery stores aimed at the Asian market, but general-purpose stores and supermarkets advertised for everyone. In the 1920's and 30's Chinese entrepreneurs began with local markets in Sacramento, Yuba City, and the Bay Area, then in the 50's and 60's developed these stores into heavily advertised chains such as the Giant Foods of the title, Farmers Markets, Famous Foods, and Bel Air Markets (which still exist under non-Chinese ownership). Using low-cost labor, primarily family members and recent immigrants, these markets were able to undercut their competitors' prices. But the owners' reluctance to modernize and to build for the long term caused these markets, with some exceptions, to lose their competitive status and to eventually be sold to non-Chinese rivals. The author also includes valuable information on the California grocery workers union and on the current state of the retail food industry.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in Northern California history.

This book is well written and wounderfully arranged for the shorebird buffs and beginners alike. The book gives a great over view on the identification of shorebirds and gives many interesting facts as to their range and occurrence in the Pacific Northwest area. Every thing from the most common Killdear to the rare Spoonbill Sandpiper is covered quite thoroughly with good photographs, descriptions of various plumages, and a habitat and behavioral description. Even though I do not live in the Pacific Northwest area, this book has been a great help in my shorebird watching.

As long as I can remember this book has been sitting on the book self in my parent's house. I used to pick it up and look at all the wonderful pictures in it not knowing what they were or who took them...until, when I got older I realized that such a wonderful piece of obsecure americana was created by my ancestor Sumner Matteson...so this book is not only special to me because of it's value as a piece of visual history, but as a piece of my true past.

Very easy transaction. Very prompt seller. Well packaged book. Thank you!

The California memoir SLEEPWALK: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' AND A LAST DANCE WITH THE '60S provides essays which cover growing up in California during the late 50s and early 60s, written by an observer who comments on California catholic schools, fashion, politics and more. His memories follow his California life and blend cultural and social observation with autobiography in chapters that recreate compelling portraits of California lifestyle. A 'must' for any interested in California culture.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have the earlier edition of this book. It's one of the first comprehensive books about snow. What it is and how it affects life. Even a lot about skiing, and avalanches, and clearing snow from roads, etc. Great to see that it's available again. There's sure a lot more to snow than one would think!

This is my favorite of Carol Ririe Brink's books; followed closely by Buffalo Coat. Her style is compeling; her characters so interesting the well developed that you miss them when you have finished reading the book. As well as being a great character study, Snow in the River also provides a facinating glimpse into the expansion of the western United States and its effects on those who lived it. Snow in the River is on my top 10 list; a definate must read.