California Books

DESERT by Jack Dykinga is published by Harry Abrams, Inc., a company that publishes high quality art books and not, for example, vacation tour guide books. DESERT is 143 pages long, and contains 83 full-sized color reproductions. Dykinga uses a 4X5 camera, resulting in a higher quality image.

Many of the images are merely of flowers or of pretty scenes. Here, there is no attempt to produce a photograph of artistic merit. However, this slight shortcoming is overwhelmed by a number of novel and creative photographs.

For example, JOSHUA TREE AT DAWN AFTER SPRING SNOW discloses a dark cloudy sky, tinged with purple, a shadowy snow-covered desert, and a grove of snow-covered Joshua trees--all cloaked with pre-dawn shadows. It is difficult to tear one's eyes away from this photograph.

DAWN ON THE PANAMINT MOUNTAINS and CRYSTALLIZED SALT FORMATIONS are two photographs that continue with the artist's experiments (successful experiments) with pre-dawn photography of the white desert. Here, the whiteness is not from snow, but from white salt.

Jack Dykinga has also focused his attention on cracked lakebeds (dried mud). CRACKED CLAY AND THE MESQUITE FLAT reveals a fascinating heart shape in a patio-like area of cracked sand. The cracked mud area abuts a region of desert that is soft sand.

Another fine shot, MESQUITE FLAT SAND DUNES AT SUNRISE, features a patio-like area of cracked sand, each pentangle of cracked mud is covered with warty clumps of earth. An open area in the middle of the cracked mud patio contains an open area in the shape of a diamond. At the center of the diamond-shaped open area is a small growing bush. The diamond-shaped area with the little round bush resembles an eye.

RACETRACK AT SUNRISE and RACETRACK AT SUNSET are fascinating images--the most unusual in this book. Each shows millions of tiny pentangles of cracked mud, stretching off into the distance. In the foreground are a couple of flattened areas resembling thick ruler-lines. The flattened areas were produced by small boulders, somehow propelled over the mud by the wind. At one end of each ruler-line one finds a boulder.

Again, if one is able to tolerate the abundance of conventional "pretty" scenes of flowers and sunsets, one should purchase this book, if only to view the seven great photographs discussed in this review.

Mr.Dykinga's skill as an artist is further demonstrated by his book, STONE CANYONS OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU, also published by Harry Abrams, Inc. STONE CANYONS is especially distinguished by its focus on a park called, Vermilion Cliffs (Paria Canyon, The Wave, Coyote Buttes), a park that is rarely the subject of published photographs. STONE CANYONS also uses the style of depicting scenes just before sunset (or just after sunrise), when all but a thin line of the horizon is steeped in shadow. Stand aside, David Muench, here comes Jack Dykinga.

There is a knock at my door and here is the UPS man delivering my order from Amazon.com. Among the books: Desert, The Mojave and Death Valley Photographs by Jack Dykinga, text by Janice Emily Bowers. I barely had time to read more than a page or two of the text before it made me want to go straight to the photos to see the place she was clearly, and intelligently writing about. And I was not disappointed: It was overwhelmed with joy of at being able to share the keeness of Mr. Dykinga's fine and perceptive photographic vision of that place. This is a more subtle body of work than the previous books based around his photographs.

The Sonoran Desert had a similar effect on me years ago and expanded my sense of what ilandscape photography could be. Stone Canyons did not have as great of affect on me as the first book

More than anything else, the images in this book remind me why the large format camera is such a tremendous aid to seeing something more clearly and perceptively than you can with the naked eye. even more so than a 35mm or medium format or easily portable digital gear can. Some of the photos even have a sense of humor to them and when did you last see that in a photograph of a natural landscape? The reproduction of the images appears to be first rate and the design and typography of the book match its contents in quality.

In short there are wonderful things to be found in this book.

This book just shows how spectacular a desert can look with the magnificent photos around the Mojave desert and Death valley of emptiness, stark flowers and blooms and just superb landscapes. It'll give you some inspiration to find something to look for even in a desert.

I know I will as I will be going to Ayer's Rock (Uluru) in Australia in a few months and it's also a big desert!

This book is a beauty, some of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen.

I spent the first week of September in southern California this year, and on Sunday before Labor Day I drove from Los Angeles up to Death Valley. I hadn't been there since I was a child and I have to say although it is a desolate and lonely place (and 114 degrees at Furnace Creek the day I was there) it is also one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The sand dunes at Mesquite Flat alone are worth the trip.

Everyone should see it, but if you can't buy the book. My copy came shrinkwrapped in plastic which I really like, the last thing you want is to buy a nice book like this in a bookstore where someone has spilled coffee on the pages.

As I went through this book, I kept asking myself, am I looking at the dessert or am I looking at the landscape photographs of Jack Dykinga? I've been to the Mojave and to Death Valley and I don't remember them looking so beautiful.

Dykinga's style reminded me of the work of Eliot Porter, with modern film stock. Most of his pictures have the same subtle quality, created by the use of analogous colors, that is, colors near each other on the color wheel, and varying only by tint or small changes in hue. A Dykinga picture almost always has one dominant hue like brown or tan or blue, and the hue rarely feels intense, even if it's a field of California Poppies.

It's obvious that Dykinga's work utilizes a large format camera. Everything is in sharp focus from foreground to distant mountains, thanks to small apertures and the ability to twist the light through his camera. This means that the picture is not going to immediately draw your attention to one aspect of the scene by controlled focus. More likely, the viewer will have to work his way through the picture, discovering things along the way.

The layout of the book seems to be well considered. Quite often two plates with similar subject matter will face each other and there is a synergistic effect from the comparison. For example, I delighted in examining two facing pictures of desert sunflowers. In both cases the yellow orange flowers have a hilly background, but one group of flowers is pushing up through dried-out, cracked clay, while in the other picture the flowers are growing from a small body of water collected for a brief time from rainfall. The mud and the water are both magenta in color but the textures are completely different. The thoughts that arose from the juxtaposition were not only about the variety of the desert but also about the nature of color and vision.

I suppose one reason that I never saw the dessert the photographer portrays is because most of the pictures were taken at the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. To have been that many places in the desert at just those times would have taken me months and months. At the very least, I can be a philistine and thank Dykinga for saving me a lot of time.

As to the text in the book, my feeling is that it probably has to be included for marketing purposes. Janice Bowers' essays seemed poetic and show that she loves the desert, but like most such commentaries, they do little to illuminate the photographer's work. I suppose the essays are worth reading once. The pictures on the other hand can bear many, many viewings and add something to the sense of the place each time.

I finally concluded that I was looking at the desert through Jack Dykinga's eyes when I viewed this book. I resolved to return to the actual desert again and see if I could continue to see it through his eyes.

This story was well-written, well-plotted, and the romance made my toes tingle. Jason and Nikki make a dynamic, sizzling couple while trying to overcome all the obstacles and danger thrown their way. Read it from cover to cover in ONE night. I just couldn't put it down! Great job, L.C.

I love a good romance with lots of intrigue and L.C. Martin has found the right combination in Destiny!The twists and turns kept me reading well into the night. And the characters with all their fobiles and inner turmoil were pretty likable.

The setting was well described and made me wanna sit back and have a margarita and listen to a couple of Buffet tunes! I'm a new fan of L.C.'s but will keep on looking for more of her books.

L.C. Martin's Destiny, gripped me from cover to cover. Her characters were so real, and I totally identified with Jason, he was likeable, yet someone you might not want to get hooked up with, and the romance was absolutely sizzling. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn't want it to end. I'm So glad I picked up her book at the LAX Airport, because I found a fresh new favorite writer. Keep at it, L.C.! I'll be looking for your next one!

I don't typically read romance novels, but I enjoyed this book. The characters were very believable, there was lots of action and the suspense built until the end!

A great read. L.C. Martin has mixed genres in a very effective way and its hard to put the book down once you start.
Jason and Nikki will be your favorite people in a short time once you begin to read.
A well written book with a nice story line.
I'm glad I got to read it.

You are alone in the middle of the ocean, at the mercy of the wind and the sea. How scary is that? What if strangers are trying to get you too? Or ARE they? Read this book and find out! Soooooo scary! Five stars!

You are alone in the middle of the ocean, at the mercy of the wind and the sea. How scary is that? What if strangers are trying to get you too? Or ARE they? Read this book and find out! Soooooo scary! Five stars!

This is a damn good book. As retirees, my wife and I read alot of books. This is a very good book. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. We expect this book to be passed along to all our friends.

This is a damn good book. As retirees, my wife and I read alot of books. This is a very good book. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. We expect this book to be passed along to all our friends.

'The Devil To Pay' truly is a sailing mystery adventure, in which a beautiful boat (yacht) takes the lead role for a good portion of the story. I found the characters appealing because they rose to an enormous challenge with courage and intelligence. Leda, the heroine, particularly impressed me. The plot is tight, with a fitting surprise ending. Boat lovers will especially appreciate the detailed descriptions of everything pertaining to the boat and sailing, but even I, a total ignoramus of sea-faring matters, appreciated the deft way in which the author made use of his extensive knowledge of boating to develop and further the plot.

Well done, Mr. Parola!

Ken's stories remind me of Dr. James Herriot's awesome tales about his life as a country vet in Britain. (All Creatures Great and Small, and others)

Ken's books are also heartwarming and for anyone who loves animals.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIJ2ZYSOJDATB This isn't really a review, it's just the only way I could find to share this great video that was created at a party I had for the release of Dogs I Have Met. Among the many dogs who attended: Trap Jack and Dag, both of whom are featured in the book.

and an American Pit Bull Terrier lover in particular, I have a special place in my heart for Ken Foster and his experiences. He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes and take corrective action for injustices he observes. He is a patriot for the APBT breed. This book is very well written and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Bravo, Ken!

Ken Foster has again produced an entertaining look at the people he has encountered in his interesting dog-filled life. His writing style is unique and one to be emulated. The small volume is a quick read. American Pit bulls have a great advocate in him as he gently but forcefully defends them.

I truly appreciated this book specifically because of the strong focus on decriminalizing the american pit bull breed. It is so sad that this wonderful, loving breed of dog has been so persecuted due solely to the inhumanity of humans. Dogs are one of God's greatest creations, and humans have exploited, abused, and mistreated them to such unbelieveable levels. Thanks to the author for his wonderul work. It is a short easy read, but shares valuable insight.

Top notch telling of the adventures of Father Duffy and the Fighting 69th. Maqnificent battle sequences as well as historical background.Fine piece of work...R.D.Morgan..author of "The Tri-State Terror" and "Taming the Sooner State".

My husband has this book in hardcover and liked it so much that he bought the soft covered version for an older gentleman he knows from the Catholic War Veterans: Father Duffy Post in Manhattan, NY. It is a well written and informative story that does great justice to the bravery and courage of this Catholic Chaplain and others from the Fighting 69th. It also tells the story of the immigrants of NYC as they fought and died together during this first World War.

This is a very good book and thoroughly researched about the Fighting 69th Regiment New York US Infantry. It provides a very detailed account of the Regiment's actions in the Great War of 1914-1918, although the United States did not declare war on Germany until early 1917. The Regiment was transported to France towards the end of 1917 and went into the trenches in February 1918. The book describes the various actions in which the Regiment fought and the doughboys suffered very heavy casualties in its advance to the Hindenberg Line. The book was based upon the writings from his diary of the regimental chaplain Father Francis P Duffy, who also wrote a book in 1919 about the Regiment, a copy of which has recently been received from Amazon and will be my next read.

I've read a lot about the American Expeditionary Force and the Fighting 69th, but Stephen Harris's study really expanded my knowledge about both. I'll certainly have a much better appreciation of Joyce Kilmer's "Rouge Bouquet" next time I hear it read and of the goings on at the River Ourcq next time I visit that battlefield. What I really enjoyed, however, was the author's biographical sketches and background on a whole raft of fascinating individuals. These include average Joes caught up in the adventure of lifetime, Medal of Honor recipients, plus well-known characters like Kilmer, Wild Bill Donovan and--most importantly--the namesake of the book, Father Francis Duffy. The good father turns out to be amazingly multi-dimensional: a good Samaritan to Teddy Roosevelt's returning malaria-afflicted Rough Riders, a learned modernist intellectual who works his way into his bishop's doghouse, a military politician of the first order, the proud protector of his Irish and unofficially Irish flock, and New York City's most beloved humanitarian. A strong recommendation for Duffy's War.

The 69th regiment, is one of the oldest and most famous units in the United States Army. It's history goes back to 1851 when it was known as the 69th New York Militia. ('A' company can trace its roots further back to the Revolutionary War.) The unit gained fame at numerous Civil War battlefields and Gen. Lee gave it the name 'The Fighting 69th.'

This book takes the regiment into the next war, World War I, where its actions were no less heroic. It spent 170 days in the front lines suffering hundreds killed and thousands wounded. Perhaps its most famous members were Father Francis Duffy (whose statue is in Times Square, which technically is really Duffy Square), Wild Bill Donovan who headed the OSS in World War II, and the poet Joyce Kilmer ('Trees') who was killed. The regiment was part of the 42nd Rainbow Division under Douglas MacArthur.

This is the full, previously unpublished story of the regiments actions in World War I and fills out a trilogy of stories concentrating on individual regiments by the same author.

The 69th still exists. It was one of the first military responders at 9/11 - having two men killed there, and it was federalized and sent to Iraq in 2004.

Weber is great, so is this book. You can find the most origins of modern thoughts in his book

It seems that many people comment this book with the difficulty to read and the bad organization. However, I want to suggest that after read Schluchter's 'The Rise of Western Rationalism', you will know more about why Weber's writings are in this style. Simply speaking, it links to Weber's view of History, and if he want to elaborate the history in a approiate way, not a simple linear evolutionary way, he had to demonstrate the whole picture--or in Schluchter's word, 'basic configuration'--of history. History, in this case the rise of Rationalism, is not compose solely by few influential events, but also related to the others. Those 'significant historical events' are only the consequence of the competition between ideas and historical events, therefore, Weber wanted to explain why the configuration favour the rise of western rationalism, so he must concern all elements constitute the history. That is, Weber showed us the conditions and the process of competition within or among the many spheres, I think that is why Weber had to use this seems fragmented writing style.

I'm a little confused. I purchased this book because of it's comprehensiveness (1400+ pages of work by Weber), but when the book arrived, it was only about 700 pages long. Am I missing something here? If I paid $20 for a used 1400 page copy and receive a 700 page book, should I only be charged $10? Strange.

This is an uncommly brilliant work in social theory and sociology. Moreover, economic sociology was founded through "Economy and Society", especially its second chapter ("Sociological Categories of Economic Action") which is the size of a small book (approx. 200 pages).
The general theoretical approach of Weber can be characterized as one of "interpretive economic sociology", that is, as a type of economic sociology in which the concept of "meaning" is at the very center of the explanatory exercise.
Social action (to follow Ch. 1) is defined as a type of behavior to which meaning is attached ("action"), and which is oriented to the behavior of others ("social"). Economic sociology consequently deals with "economic social action".
"Economy and Society" was part of a larger work entitled "Handbook of Social Economics", which included volumess on "Economy and Nature", "Economy and Technology" - and "Economy and Society". In his work Weber explores such topics as "economy and law", "economy and religion", "economy and politics", and much more.
The work "Economy and Society", finally, is a bric-a-brac. Weber himself only sent 4 chs to the printer (=Chs 1-4). The rest of the 2 volumes consists of manuscripts that his wife and economist Melchior Palyi put together, pretty much as they saw fit. Caution is consequently necessary when reading "Economy and Society"; and this work should not be treated as "a book" by Weber.

I expect this comment is going to be useful, if at all, only to first year graduate students, so it'll be understandable if it's not rated very highly.... Anyway, just a quick note on Mr. Jack White's comment of April 11, 2000. One thing that Max Weber's Economy and Society is NOT, is a foundational text for structural-functionalism. That honor would probably go to Emile Durkheim's The Division of Labor in Society-- to be followed oh-so many years later by seminal works of Americans Talcott Parsons and Robert K. Merton. I'm not sure what Mr. White was thinking, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't about classical sociological theory.

Este libro me parece un mensaje muy especial para los Dejados atras. No solo te da pistas de lo que sucedera si no que te dice que los dejados atras tienen otra oportunidad, mucho mas dura y catastrofica pero oportunidad de estar al fin con nuestro Dios.

ESTE NOVELA ES IMPRESIONANTE, ES UNA NOVELA APOCALIPTICA COMO NO LA HAY, TE ATRAPA DESDE EL PRIMER MOMENTO NO PODRAS DEJAR DE LEERLA UNA VEZ QUE EMPIECES (UNA NOVELA DE DESASTRE COMO NO LO HA HABIDO EN LA HISTORIA Y QUE PRONTO SUCEDERA) SUPER RECOMENDADA (Y SUS SECUELAS NO SE QUEDAN ATRAS SON IGUAL DE INCREIBLES) NO DEBES DE PASAR ESTE ESTE LIBRO, EXIGE SER LEIDO

Si alguna ves tuviste dudas de como es eso del ARREBATAMIENTO DE LA IGLESIA aqui te lo narran. Si eres nuevo en Cristo y no te queda claro que pasa o si llevas varios años jugando al "Cristianito Dominguero" este libro te va a sacudir. Aunque es ficción, esta lleno de verdades Biblicas que han de cumplirse, nadie sabe el día ni la hora pero podrías estar viendo un montón de ropa en el lugar donde estaba tu amig que te hablaba de JESUS... No puedes dejar de leerlo, dia y noche, comiendo y en el baño, un excelente inicio a la serie de DEJADOS ATRAS, corre por el siguiente libro: COMANDO TRIBULACION.

Encuentro facinante ciertos pasajes de este libro. Nos narra como los creyentes desaparecen y otros miles se quedan.

Que Dios nos da una segunda oportunidad o debiera decir tercera para aquellos dejados atras.

Un mensaje de Dios de misericordia.

Esta novela ha hecho que piense en el juicio final y las consecuencias que tendremos que afrontar y ademas de hacerme muchas preguntas y buscar respuestas a lo que puede ser ese juicio final. Ademas que nos deja ver que DIOS es tan maravilloso que da una segunda oportunidad para aquellos que son DEJADOS Atras. Es un libro fascinante y dificil de soltar. Definitivamente es un libro que exige leer los libros subsiguientes.

I wanted something thorough and informative about Native American Tribes. I also wanted something clear and concise, but not so bogged down with detail that it was a chore to weed through.
This encyclopedia gave me what I wanted and more. I'm writing a fictional novel with a Native American character and needed help in knowing him and his background. I was impressed with how easy it was to look up information by tribe and get interesting tidbits, that if I so desired, I could research further.
This is definitely a writer's dream. I feel confident writing about a character from any tribe with this book in my collection.

Excellent. As a Englishman, in my middle 60s, interested in native American history since I was a child, this book is very informative.

I had read about most of these tribes in the past in web searches and other references.
That is why I fault the illustrations ( the stone tools look noting like their actual pictures) and that there isn't a better coverage of tool, housing and food sources. The language groups are well covered and their relationship are made pretty clear.
I was looking for my local California Indians that are in San Diego County.
They are noticeably absent in this coverage or disguised pretty well.
Since most of this information is in my old 1950's World Book
encyclopedia under different sections, I was hoping for a little more information here. I have to admit that it is a good reference source.

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" is a compilation of facts for more than two hundred Native American tribes in North America, including prehistoric peoples on the North American continent as well as all of the identifiable Native American civilizations on the continent. Organized alphabetically by tribe or group, there is at least one representative Native American tribe from each language family or language isolate for each culture area covered. From locations, migrations, contact with non-Indians, wars, customs, housing, tools, clothing, art, rituals, diet, and cultural contributions, "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" has special relevance for contemporary tribal issues and concerns. "Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes" is a critically important, superbly presented, essential and core addition to professional, academic, and community library Native American Studies reference collections.

I am a fifty seven year old retired elementary teacher...but
my lifelong interest has been the Plains Indian Culture.
I just asked my hubby to get me this book for Christmas after
spending about ten minutes looking at it in Barnes and Noble
yesterday.
Good sized print, the info is arranged as user friendly.
I saw tribes mentioned in there that have been omitted from other
books about North American Tribes. A comprehensive guide.
Many drawings....colored illustrations.
My only negative -----I wanted to see a few more maps ...regional
maps of the tribes.
ALso...at the store ...I was looking at a SOFTCOVER edition....not
a hardcover one. (I would not pay 75 dollars for hardcover when
it is available in softcover. )

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!!

Be forewarned, this is a textbook, not some easy-reading self-help book. The book explains that we erect defenses in relationships because of our mother, self-hate, and fear of death. It also explains how those defenses manifest themselves and how they are damaging to meaningful living. The book also relates how duality (saying one thing when we mean another) is damaging, in both adult relationships and with our children. There is a lot of explanation and insight here, but not a lot of direction for solving the problem.

many books of this nature havebeen revelations for me. however, this is THE one! if i hadto choose for you one book thatsays it all it is this one. thisis the one that through aprocess of reading, digesting andapplication will transform you.this is truly life changing stuff!first time through my mouth wasagape most of the time. virtuallyevery line was a light bulb experience.thank you dr. firestone!!!

One of the best, most powerful books ever writen. Reading this book will be painful, but worth it. It's worth at least 10 years of therapy.

This excellent book has changed my life, helping me to become a happier person and putting me on the road to my first good relationship. As I was reading it, I would come to new chapters and say, "well this certainly doesn't apply to me" (e.g. "Idealization of the Family"), but I quickly learned that those chapters did indeed apply. I now refer to it as my Bible because I so often talk about it to my friends and encourage them to read it. The section on Theoretcial Issues is probably too academic for most readers, and I am skeptical about how much schizophrenics can really be helped by these techniques. But I think the general population would be greatly helped by the ideas in the book.

I previously purchased a lot of books trying to figure out my partner's behavior. Nothing ever made sense. This book finally ties together all the pieces of the puzzle. Even after 2 years of therapy, the therapist couldn't explain my partner's behavior. I gave this book to the therapist to read, and she thought it was an excellent book. With direction from this book, the therapist is finally getting to the root of the problem.