California Books

This book is a nice illustration of Yosemite Park.
It may serve as a good beginning for a little kid's spiritual path.

While the story alone is enough to engage even the most rambunctious children aged 4-8 and lead them to study nature, author-illustrator Emily Arnold McCully's natural watercolor artwork makes the words on the page come alive and awakens a yearning to experience nature too. There is more of the main character, a girl nicknamed "Squirrel," in most of us than we would like to admit! The book's images show us a spritely dynamo of a girl who goes from 'rebellious' to 'inquisitive' as her mentor, John Muir, a gentle giant of a man, teaches her many object lessons and observational skills in the great outdoors. This book won the 2005 Giverny Award, given annually for the best children's science picture book. McCully's artwork gives us a sense of moments of self-discovery in nature, frozen in time. In the story, Muir honed her powers of observation by his own example. He had not lost his childlike sense of wonder, even though, when he arrived at her father's hotel, SHE almost had. The sheer joy of studying nature with Muir gradually replaced her delight in causing trouble. Near the end of the story, Floy (Squirrel) even became a nature guide for the tourists who visited the Yosemite Valley. The torch had been passed to another generation.

This book is about John Muir--an early naturalist in Yosemite Valley who founded the Sierra Club--and his young daughter called "Squirrel" This beautiful picture book is designed for early elementary. I would put together information about Muir--e.g., http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/ --along with photos of Yosemite Valley so the students could imagine what it would be like to want to protect the land. This book would make a good historical bridge to science and environmental studies.

When author/artist Emily Arnold McCully set her sights on famed naturalist John Muir and a little girl whom he met in Yosemite in 1868 the result was a splendid story which isn't totally true - but, it could have been.

At that time Muir was 30-years-old. He'd been to college, worked at several jobs, and felt a strong call to commune with nature and discover its laws. When he arrived in Yosemite hoping to prove his theory of glacial formation, he was hired by James Hutchings, an English journalist bent on attracting tourism to the area. Hutchings was also bent on one other task - taming his spirited daughter, Floy. Here was a girl who never wanted to grow up because then she'd have to be a lady. A thought quite repellant to the rebellious young miss whose nickname was Squirrel. She happily spent hours "talking to the family's pet parrot, balancing on a plank by the woodpile, making mud pies, and capturing frogs."

As the story develops Muir and Squirrel soon become the best of friends as he shows her how to see through his eyes the incredible surroundings in which she lives.

It is not known whether or not Floy grew up to be a lady, but it is known that John Muir became famous and the world has benefitted by what he learned.

- Gail Cooke

This is a lovely book with wonderful photographs of Hollywood fashion icons. Another thing that is great about this book is that it features those who are not as popularly remebered, such as Delores Del Rio, along with more popular icons such as Audrey Hepburn. Great book! Highly recommended!

This book is so pleasing I made sure I bought two copies. Very
Beautiful fashion summaries for some very beautiful Hollywood leading ladies. My favorite fashion icons are Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and
Dolores Del Rio. I wish the author would do another book that highlight current fashion icons such as Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry etc.

I think this is the best Hollywood fashion book there is! The photos are great and the stories are fun.

I bought the hardcover edition -- it was my favorite fashion book. But now, the revised edition with the introduction that involves new stars and their photos (Gwyneth Paltrow, Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore and Cher) adds a new dimension to the story. I'm really happy and for a paper back, the quality is EXCELLENT. Thanks Patty Fox!

It is easy to forget what it was like before Roe vs. Wade. This important work reminds older women and shows younger women the tremendous impact the issue of choice has on lives. It reads like a mystery and develops into a can't-put- it-down good read.

Sometimes people forget that mid-twentieth century California was not just Hollywood, but a large, sparsely populated state, with hundreds of small rural communities. In _Staying Under_, Carol Alma McPhee recreates that California for readers. As a woman who grew up in a similar environment, I want to vouch for her accuracy of detail as well as her ear for dialogue. Maureen and Joann, her two main characters, sound just the way my friends and I did fifty years ago.

McPhee uses her setting to provide a sense of what frightening challenges might face young women emerging from such a protected rural environment in 1948. She also uses the setting to show how all kinds of isolation and separation affect the development of women: isolation from knowledge about themselves, isolation from sensible help from the community, isolation created by the lies told each other.

Though Staying Under is not a mystery, it reads like a mystery. The answer to the question of what Joann is going to do about her pregnancy in 1948--before Roe vs. Wade-- and how she might find help becomes more and more frightening as you read on. This is especially true as McPhee contrasts the life Joann has led as an adult and her strong and passionate character as an adolescent. In general, characterization is one of McPhee's strong points. Maureen, the friend who tries to help the teen age Joann, hasn't changed as much as her friend as she has grown older, but she has developed into a competent and active woman who loves to make fun of herself. Of the men in the book, Paul Ridley, Joann's father who pursues strange religions is the most interesting, though Collie, who keeps an imaginary frog in his pocket, adds to the suspense at the end.

I had forgotten how little information girls had in 1948 about ANYTHING that mattered and how hard it was to find out what we needed to know about ourselves and the world around us. This book reminded me of how our close friendships with other girls helped to nourish our survival.

debbie yamada visited our school

her book has so much history in it

did you know that the 2 kids in the story are the names of her children

I just finished reading "Striking It Rich," and I think it's a wonderful book. Using the story device of finding old letters from the 1850s worked very well; it brought the characters to life. I learned many things about Chinese immigrant life in the U.S. that I didn't know before--the novel is very informative.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone (both adults and students) who wants a greater understanding of the reasons why the early Chinese immigrants would risk so much to come to a distant land and the hardships they faced upon their arrival.

I hope that the author, Debbie Leung Yamada, continues to write and produce more books such as this one. I think she has a fine talent and a voice that is needed to be heard.

This book is one of the most facinating books that I have read in a long time. It was captivating from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. This book taught me much about the history of Chinese-Americans during the Gold Rush Era. I recommend this book for all ages to read.

This is an exciting historical fiction book. The story starts when two kids visit their grandma's house and find a mystery room. Many exciting chapters await you as the secret unfolds. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn't wait to see what happened! Ms. Yamada brings this story to life! I enjoyed this book immensely.

i just recieved this cookbook for a gift and went straight out and purchased it for my friend!Whether or not you are cooking for your hungry family or hosting a cool little dinner party this healthy cookbook is awesome!

Each recipe is delish and easy too. With Summertime, Anytime even the most ordinary cook can feel like a gourmet chef. The recipes are healthy, easy to follow and my kids cant get enough. This cookbook is a "must have" in your kitchen!We Plan, God Laughs: Ten Steps to Finding Your Divine Path When Life is Not Turning Out Like You Wanted

Crazy delicious and easy to use recipes. My new staple is the sweet corn chowder. The book is also loaded with great cooking tips and is so beautiful to look at, I bought a dozen copies to give out as hostess gifts this summer! The summertime vibe is now very much alive in my home(and it isn't even summer yet!).

WOW! What a fresh, accessible cookbook. It's my new favorite on the bookshelf, right next to the Barefoot Contessa series. I was hungry for easy, hip recipes I could use in cooking for my family and having friends over, and this book really delivered just what I was looking for.

...Refer to Charlotte Joko Beck's book "Nothing Special." She writes that it is the best book on Zen that she's ever read. Apparently, it is very difficult to read because it was translated from the original French version. Author was in a serious accident and pondered the human mind for years as he rehabilitated.

This is one of the great books of all time. The author was a psychiatrist who was bed ridden and took the opportunity to investigate the human mind and body. He used scientific observation as his tool. As many eastern Zen masters have said. Just watch as a good shepherd watches his flock. The sheep will be contented and well cared for. He will know each one by their sound. These are not different techniques.

Benoit created with this book a western scientific basis of Zen. Carlotte Joko Beck and her students have created a new Zen called "Ordinary Mind Zen" from a synthesis of Benoit's work and Japanese formal Zen practice.

This is a very difficult book to read. The book was translated from the French. Long paragraphs are one sentence. The book is also written in a dry academic style. The translator was must not have been able to understand what Hubert Benoit wrote, except in a literal sense. I was only able to read it by reading a couple of pages at a time each morning as I took a tub bath. I have read it several times that way. It does get easier the third or fourth time. Unfortunately, formal mediation practice over years would be necessary for a practical usage of this material. The book does have great academic value for people who are interested in the real thing.

Enhanced for the reader with an informative Foreward by Aldous Huxley, Hubert Benoit's The Supreme Doctrine is a masterful survey and exploration of Zen Buddhism. A spectrum of issues and subjects are addressed including the existential, mechanistic, and metaphysical aspects of Zen. Exceptionally well reasoned, written, and presented, this major treatise is a highly recommended and very welcome contribution to the growing library of Buddhist literature for the Western reader.

This book is not an easy read, not so much due to its translation as to its depth and subtly. Like the mark of great Teachers words remembered in hindsight; with each re-reading of this book deeper and deeper lessons can be learned. Though this is not for the novice, nor would I call Beniot a Zen master as such, this book sits side by side on my shelf of important works along with Philip Kapleau's Three Pillers, and Shunryu Suzuki's Beginners Mind.

This is a great book !!..It is well written,informative and entertaining. many pictures,drawings and in depth information on just about everything..I also make my own primitive archery equipment and hunt with homemade bows/arrows which was my prime reason for buying the book.. I was very impressed with the in depth information in this area and as a primitive bowyer myself I can attest to the fact that the author at least has a good basic understanding of such archery.. Only those of us that are obsessed with such skills will know more than the author.. I can tell that it is not his primary hobby, but I can also tell that he is pretty knowledgeable on the subject..

If you are into primitive archery this section alone is interesting read( it is NOT an intructionional book, but is informative enough to give you good insight to how native bows were made)..

The book covers a lot of different topics and has very in depth knowledge of each area..

The author covers a wide range of survival skill subjects from the use of an atlatl to how a boat was made from tules. The book is filled with detailed information with cited sources. The table of contents is hefty and an excellent bibliography is provided. A must for anyone interested in survival skills of Native Californians from the past.

Pual Campbell's Survival Skills Of Native California is an impressive, scholarly, exhaustive, detailed compendium surveying more than 2000 California-based Native American tribal skills. Survival Skills Of Native California is superbly enhanced for readers, students, researchers, and scholars with almost one thousand instructional illustrations. Included are informative sections on all the basic survival skills, the tools of gathering and food preparation, the implements of household and personal necessity, as well as the arts of hunting and fishing. Survival Skills Of Native California offers the reader comprehensive, authentic, detailed information and instruction on how to live off the land and capably employ all of the varied resources of earth's bounty that enabled the survival of California's native population for millennia. Survival Skills Of Native California is a unique and invaluable acquisition for personal, academic, and community library Native American studies collections reference collections.

This book provides a fascinating and comprehensive glimpse into the daily lives of pre-contact California Indians. It is laid out in easy to use chapters that provide just enough information to be complete, but still include local examples and myths to add flavor to the narrative. My only complaint is that some of the skills are a bit complicated and are confusing to read. I guess you just have to go out to the wilderness and try it out! This is a must-read for anyone interested in California Indians and their history.

I bought three different editions of this book. The first one fell apart from use "1974". I lost the second book around Lake Alpine. The latested edition got soaked this year, 2003, in the Mokulmne River. Very useful information, excellent writing. I highly recommend Thomas Winnett's Tahoe-Yosemite Trail.
PS-What ever happend to Don Dennison?

I've done the entire 180 miles of the trails described here, and this is an absolutely essential book if you're planning this backpack adventure. The scenery is as gorgeous as anything on the John Muir Trail and there are less crowds and more sublime solitude. Winnet takes you through the journey step by step and provides you with necessary info: where is the nearest water source? Is the source dependable even in drought years? Is the area known for active and intrusive bears into your campsites to raid your food supply? How are the mosquitoes on this lef of the trip, and so on.

I encourage all serious California hikers to undertake this magnificent journey and to read this book before attempting the trek. It's well written, informative, includes fine maps and many useful tips. Highly recommended.

I've hiked the TYT twice and wouldn't hike it again without this book. Some areas of the TYT are much less travelled than the PCT and without the guidebook, route finding could be extremely difficult in some spots, especially during a heavy snow year.

Thomas Winnett is a good writer and extremely knowledgeable about this area of the country. My only criticism of the book is that its a bit outdated. I think that the last time the book was updated was in the 80's and the trail has changed in a few places due to storms, new regulations, corrosion, etc. If you are a novice in the back country, this could cause you some potential headache trying to figure out where the new trail is. If you are an experienced back country traveler, this shouldn't bother you too much.

The book contains copies of all the needed sections of the USGS maps, which is really helpful. Otherwise, you'd have to figure out which maps you'd need and splice them all together in order to see the whole trail. I am not aware of an entire map or collection of maps that encompasses the entire TYT, so this is pretty valuable. Winnett also includes a handy elevation profile so that you know when you are in for a steep downhill or uphill section, how steep it will be, and how long it will be. Again, a nice thing to have.

The book also has some basic information about flora and fauna, geology, and history, which make it entertaining and educational. If you are planning to hike the TYT, its the best $10 you'll spend on planning your hike.

If you'd like to see photos of my two TYT trips to see what you are in for, you can find them here:
http://www.dudedesign.com/photos/

Good Luck on your hike!

I've used this guide on every leg described in the book and it was dead on (1988 - 1996). The summit creek area description was helpful since that section wasn't well marked. Is much better than USGS maps. Definitely recommend. 259 Top of the line.

This book has so much vitually important information for the employee going through a worker's comp situation. It covers all from the begining to the end. THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LAWFUL RIGHTS -- DO NOT GIVE IN OR GIVE UP -- WITH THIS BOOK YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THAT THE FIGHTERS ARE THE ONES THAT RECEIVE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY/LAWFULLY INTITLED TO THEN.

KEEP FIGHTING AND BELIEVING THAT 'JUSTIFICATION FOR EMPLOYEER'S WRONG DOING CAN BE ACHIEVED.

READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!!!

As a Workers' Compensation practitioner, this is the book that I recommend to all the aquaintances that ask for free advice. I also tend to recommend it to large companies that operate in CA and other states, because it gives the law and requirements in terms that a high school graduate can understand.

There is more emphasis in this book on answers and "by the number" processes than legal precedent or analysis, which I find easier to follow for the lay person. Chris Ball also has a number of forms included with simple completion directions.

If someone is looking for an overview with more legal justification or reference to statutes, the California Workers' Compensation Handbook is an excellent choice. This book by Stanford Herlick is updated every year, and has shorter sections with less hand-holding.

I think that the Herlick paperback is the reference source of choice for the attorney or paralegal to carry in the car or briefcase for quick review of issues and solutions.

I bought this book when I was first injured after getting so frustrated at not being able to get answers to my questions anywhere else. I searched the internet, talked to people, but I just kept going in circles. Then I discovered this book. It saved me. I have since hired a lawyer, however, you will feel more empowered and in control if you understand the process and the terminology. Plus, insurance companies try to "get away" with some things, assuming the average person won't know their workers comp rights. This book has saved me several times in that instance. (For example, they made doctor's appointments for me, sent me the info on their legal letterhead saying I was required to go to that particular doctor. Since I knew my rights from reading the book, I challenged them and didn't have to go to their doctor. Basically, I think they try these tactics just because most people aren't informed, and will just do what they say) It's so important to understand what is happening with your case, and what your rights are. I've been injured for four years, and find I research something in this book at least once a week. If you have a workers comp injury, you shouldn't be without this book! (Also, Nolo puts out a great book on filing for social security disability too) Best of luck to you!

The average consumer has no idea of the laws and the rights he has when faced with an on the job injury.

This book is easy to read and understand. I am a nurse case manager for workers comp injuries and found this book extremely helpful. I encourage all my clients to obtain this book even if they have a lawyer. It gives them a solid knowledge base when the docs, attorneys and insurance people are throwing terms around.

It is well organized and follows a normal sequence of events. It was written by an attorney who handles workers comp cases.

I highly recommend this book.

MY WIFE AND I WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD THE UNLISTED RESERVATION NUMBER AND ENJOYED THE WONDERFUL FOOD AND AMBIANCE OF MA MAISON.

THE FACT THAT THE RESERVATION NUMBER WAS UNLISTED AND THE STARS WERE THE INVESTORS AND PATRONS MAKES THIS ONE OF THE GREATEST MARKETING STORIES EVER AS WELL AS AFFORDING THE READER AN INSIGHT INTO THE HOLLYWOOD OF THE TIME.

WILLIAM REITER, TELLURIDE COLORADO

Ihave rarely read a story of a restaurant that enthralled me from the beginning to the end. It was sincere, happy and sad. I learned a great deal of lessons both in management and in cooking from the great recipes. I recommend this book to all persons who enjoy dining out,so they can better undertand what it takes to run a restaurant.

It was fun seeing the restaurant scene in Hollywood in the 70 and 80, as well as seeing the wonderful picture asnd recipes. I enjoyed seeing where Wolfgang Puck and many other chefs got their start. An easy read and fun holiday gift.

Reading this book and looking at the photographs is like taking a trip back in time to the 1970s. Ma Maison was the greatest restuarant in the country then and all the rich and famous made it their hom awaqy from home. A fun and enjpoyable book. Thanks for sharing the experience.