California Books

I liked this book from the start-the Introduction asks: "Where is Big Sur?". Big Sur is an area in California but also a state of mind." The book's only fault are the maps.Figures 1 and 2 of the California coastline
are incomplete. They show no local towns for an out of state visitor to reference as you drive the Coast highway #1. Luckily I have driven that area but I still needed my Rand McNally road Atlas to guess where the Towns of Cambria(near San Simeon) and Carmel would be on the maps. This is a fault of the authors since they describe Big Sur as "the stretch of rugged coastline between Carmel and San Simeon" in the text page 1, yet don't correlate their maps with their text.

With both sensitivity and scientific acumen, the authors systematically describe every animal and plant within Big Sur, and the geological and metereological environments in which they live. The book also gives a temporal and human history of Big Sur. It is also notable for a wonderful review of the various hikes within the area; any person choosing or planning a hike in the Ventana Wilderness or any of the state parks along the Big Sur coast will find this guide a tremendous help. The book also includes over 200 exquisite black-and-white illustrations. I always love to read natural history guides before visiting an area; I must say that I found this one singularly comprehensive and informative. Highly recommended!

A completely thorough guide to the the floral and fauna of Big Sur. The author captures much of the majesty and diversity of the Big Sur region. I use it as a constant reference when hiking the region. A minor suggested improvement would be slightly better organization of the topics.

I've been up and down the PCH several times, but as a midwesterner, most of the flora and lots of the fauna were unfamiliar to me. On my next motorcycle ride through Big Sur, I'll see the place with new eyes thanks to this wonderful guide. Now I know those yellow flowers that splash color over the cliffs in mid-July are lizard tail. What were formerly just "rocks" and "birds" and "trees" now have names and personalities. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the amazing place that is Big Sur.

I received this book as a gift, and read it quickly, almost as a travelogue, wondering what it would be like to live in this vividly described area. Later, I visited Sonoma County and used the book as a guide. I visited a cheese factory, two farmers' markets, a small winery and an artisanal herb garden, led to each location by the informative guide with which I had been gifted. I used several of the clear, easy to follow-and execute-recipes with food bought from the sources suggested in The Cook's Tour. After returning home, I contine to read the book to remind myself of the glorious visit to Sonoma County, and as an inspiration for food purchases and discoveries I would normally have never attempted.

I had my eyes opened when I purchased the original Cook's Tour many years ago. Being a native of Sonoma County, I was fascinated by all the things I didn't know about my home county. Michele gave a face to things I had passed by blindly for years...farms, cheesemakers, gourmet stores, festivals. In the new edition of Cook's Tour she presents us with an ever richer trip through the wonders of Sonoma. She teaches us about the wine appellations and what crops thrive right along with the grapes of that region. She includes political information that supports the farmer and sustainable agriculture. She updates us on new cheesemakers, new purveyors and celebrates the staying power of the old. Once again Michele gives a face to Sonoma County, but this time she introduces us by name and helps us start a conversation. Her recipes are wonderful, making use of all the bounty that is available locally. I feel the circle of belonging to a place close as I drive through the country she writes of with such affection and then buy produce and ingredients, ultimately cooking dishes that are truly local in origin and taste. "The New Cook's Tour of Sonoma" makes me grateful that I live in this magic place. Thanks to Ms Jordan for opening my eyes even wider.

Sonoma County, California is a very special place. From the Pacific ocean on the west to the ridgeline east of the Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County almost has it all.

Michele Anna Jordan helps bring this special place alive with this book. She's an extraordinary writer who infuses her stories and recipes with great commentary.

This particular cookbook is among my favorites -- because it's so much more than just a cookbook. The sidebar commentaries about places in Sonoma County help bring the area to life in my mind's eye.

Highly recommended!

The New Cook's Tour Of Sonoma showcases the rich culinary history and cuisine of Sonoma County, California, a 1,560 square mile agricultural and viticultural country. Featuring 150 recipes illustrated with sixteen pages of superbly presented color photographs, From Mexican Cheese Bread, Potato Gnocchi with Duck Ragout, and Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Garlic, to Oven-Roasted Peppers, Grilled Salmon Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, and Russian River Vineyards Cheesecake with Green Valley Blueberry Sauce, The New Cook's Tour Of Sonoma is a highly recommended combination food history and cookbook that will grace any household cookbook collection.

With a gift for lean, driven prose, during his lifetime Joseph Hansen (1923-2004) was regarded as one the finest authors working within the classic California private eye genre. His best-known works are a series of twelve novels written between 1970 and 1992 that feature insurance claims investigator Dave Brandstetter, a tough, no-nonsense detective--who also happens to be homosexual and is utterly unconcerned about that fact.

Originally published in 1984, NIGHTWORK finds Brandstetter employed to investigate the death of Paul Meyers, an independent trucker whose firey death was first deemed an accidental crash but now looks very much like murder. Assisted by his lover and sometimes-associate Cecil, who is still recovering from bullet wounds received in the previous GRAVEDIGGER, Brandsetter is quickly involved in an unexpected array of witnesses and suspects: a faithless wife, an eccentric who spends his time watching his neighbors from a Victorian mansion, a black minister whose efforts at reaching out to gang members proves a miss-fire--and most particularly a mysterious woman known only as "Duchess" and a questionable detective named Smithers, who may or may not be involved in illegal toxic waste dumping.

At one time The Los Angels Times described Hasen as "the most exciting and effective writer of the classic California private-eye novel working today"--and NIGHTWORK bears the statement out. Hansen's prose is lean but never sparse, his characters flawlessly created, his plots often a bit too plausible for comfort. He is also noted for his talent in evoking Los Angeles and its surrounding communities, and no where is that gift more beautifully on display than in this particular work. A strong-arm page turner indeed.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

I'm reading Night Work for the second time and loving it. Hansen's tale reveals a rare and authentic knowledge of Los Angeles and Southern California. He writes well about Dave Brandstetter, a rich, rich gay detective; Cecil Harris, Dave's young African-American lover; and all the aspects of L.A. that I love, including the cars, the rain, the slums, the food, and the people. This story, published in 1984, concerns the coverup of toxic waste dumping in the canyons, which really happened. How could anyone be so vile as to poison our awesome mountains?

In the frame of a murder investigation, Hansen gives life to his characters -- real people, some of which you may recognize in their natural habitat. There are cameo appearances by the suave Jaguar salesman and the sweaty Culver City used-car peddler. Here are some people, too, that I hope you've never met -- the odd ones and the bad guys.

You'll find, too, a few, I don't like this word, but here it is, subplots. A lot's going on and it's all intriguingly tied together. Good people, some almost saintly, live on these pages along with the other kind, who are driven by their fears or their greed. And did I mention the yummy food and the tempting drinks?

Instead of hot babes, this mystery presents us with hot dudes, such as a young Irish ne'er-do-well and a suave, beautiful Latino detective. The only thing I don't like about Brandstetter is that in middle age, he feels old and worn out. What's that about, Joseph? We Californians stay young forever, don't we?

"Nightwork" is the seventh Dave Brandstetter mystery by Joseph Hansen. The series is set in and around Los Angeles. Dave, a death-claims investigator is looking into the death of Paul Meyers, a truck driver. Someone placed a bomb under the truck and it blew up with him one night. Dave learns that Meyers had been doing nightwork to make extra money. Who killed Paul Meyers? Was it Silencio Ruiz, a gang leader who was sent to jail on Paul's testimony, and who vowed to kill him when he got out of prison? Was it Bruce Kilgore, a teacher, with whom Paul's wife Angela was having an affair? Does it have anything to do with Paul's nightwork? The plot and the characters are strong. Hansen is an excellent mystery writer. It's just too bad that there were only 12 of the Dave Brandstetter mysteries written.

Book seven in the Brandstetter series finds David comfortably settled with a still-fragile Cecil, and looking into the death of a trucker; a trucker who was on the wrong road at the wrong time of night--with a bomb taped to his rig. Hansen writes classic hard-boiled PI novels which start out in prosaic fashion, but weave and wind to brutal and surprising conclusions. The writing is always spare and vivid, with shrewd characterization, snappy dialog, and 'atmosphere' you can smell, touch, and taste. One of the few writers who actually merits comparisons to Chandler and MacDonald, Hansen also set the gold standard for the sub-genre of 'gay mystery.' NIGHTWORK is one of my favorites for the interaction between Dave and Cecil, and the chiaroscuro of Dave's private life and the grim world he works in.

Cohen, in a wonderfully written ethnography, makes us question the categories of Alzheimer's, aging, and dementia by systematically destabilizing our notions of what it means to get old in both our own and India's culture. A worth-while read for anyone interesting in any of the above. However, be forewarned - the text is dense and takes some time to wade through - and it could be suggested that by making so many arguments in so short a span, the book's main thrust isn't there at all, much like Alzheimer's itself.

Brilliant ethnographic research fused with engaging narrative that makes for truly enjoyable reading. Cohen dissects the phenomenon of an aging population and their role in culture and society, while explaining the greater implications both for policy and popular opinion, with reflections on US and Western societies.

As a medical student beginning research on Alzheimer's disease, this book provided me a deeper understanding of the full ramifications of such a disease on the lives of the patient and family members. The interactions described in this book are really quite complicated, yet the clear writing and organization makes this subject matter approachable.

professor cohen may be the most brilliant anthropologist of our time as it pertains to south asia. this book is a sparkling example of a prodigious mind at work. it is both scholarly and playful; rigorous and light-hearted. may be read for both pleasure and for what it can teach us about all manner of things. may be the beat scholarly work i have ever read. first-rate.

Great stuff. Good information - BUT, what has been of the most use to me is the maps - I've used it in many presentations...tremendous information, looking forward to the new addition.

This book gives a very good description of pinot in the USA. It cuts through all the stereotypes assoiciated with growing and making pinot noir, and gives warm-climate growers a second look.

Ever since the movie "Sideways," it's been easy to love pinot and to know why. Like the movie's characters, pinot noir (the grape) is unpredictable, occasionally brilliant, often bad and otherwise given to fits and starts of temperment and quirkiness. John Haeger's "North American Pinot Noir" is the backstory. From the grape's historic evolution (probably in Burgundy) to it's spread through North America's most marginal winelands, the pinot story on our continent is one of renegade artisinal winemakers living and dying with fickle vintages and improvised technology and, ultimately, winning the grudging respect of Burgundy's barons. This encyclopedic account starts with the plant, it's natural history (habits, pests, preferences and all) and progresses all the way through it's best products -- the wines themselves. The tasting notes are extensive and regrettably bounded in time, but they offer acclaim to some great vintages and some great vintners. As the book ages, the notes themselves will only serve to remind most of us of what we missed. But as a survey of pinot's great American terroirs and their beautiful fruits, the book confers rich knowlege and a deep sense of why this grape matters. The book is the University of Pinot Noir. For graduate school, find a place that you like -- Dundee HIlls or Santa Maria Bench -- and proceed to the advanced seminars they offer.

As a part-time wine instructor and wine enthusiast, I'm always looking for good resources to share as well as for my own use. This book is simply outstanding: the writing is clear, there is more information than you could ever possibly use, but you don't feel like you're drowning in irrelevant junk. Bravo!

I just started getting really involved with hiking and the North Bay of the Bay Area has some great parks, but I needed an introduction to get me started and prepared before I hike each park. This book details each and every hike from trailhead and distance to what to look out for on each trail. If you live in the North Bay, I highly recommend this as a primer.

This is a very well written and well-researched book. Very easy to follow - as we know trails are often hard to follow with questionable signage - but this book has never failed me. I have been on a dozen or so of it's hikes and have never had a serious problem as it is a most reliable reference.

Well Done Mr. Weintraub!

I found North Bay Trails and the author's previous work, East Bay Trails, to be excellent. It provides great direction and is written from a hiker's perspective without confusing and unclear information that haunts so many guidebooks. The maps are always accurate and as fine as a bound format allows while the excellent photos help us choose where to go. The historical background is fascinating and the information on wildlife and flora keep me and my child going from discovery to discovery along the trail. This book has guided us to wonderful places we would not have thought or known to hike rather than take us to the often hiked Mt. Tam and Pt. Reyes areas (although his picks in these areas are jewels). This is a must-have if you want to hike the glorious North Bay - now, if Weintraub could just pack our lunch...

David Weintraub's North Bay Trails will please California residents who want to locate hiking areas north of San Francisco. This is the first comprehensive guide to cross county lines to include Marin, Napa and Sonoma Countries, exploring scenic routes and trails for both avid hikers and casual walkers. An excellent reference promising lasting value.

Much discourse on Heidegger finds seeming grounds to separate the man from the philosophy, but Rockmore, in reviewing the crucial parts and pieces of the case, makes a strong case for the intrinsic connection of the Heideggerian philosophy to the philosopher's Nazism. The point should be obvious from the context of the times, Heidegger's conservative demeanour and the latent confusions of anti-liberal culture already effecting Nietzsche. The book focus on a detailed analysis of the famour Rector address, then follow the trail through to the attempt by Heidegger to disengage himself from his prior affirmations. One can waste a lot of time on sophistries here, and, while the value of the philosophy might endures in a question, the fixation of the typical discourse here deserves this careful review of the prosecutor.

Tom Rockmore has radically overturned 20th century philosophy models by challenging Martin Heidegger head-on.

Most famous writers of 20th century philosophy imitate Heidegger's terms, 'in-the-world,' and 'them' and other aspects of his existentialism. Heidegger's Nazi affiliations are most often swept under the rug and even today many of his writings are kept secret by his Estate.

Tom Rockmore courageously joins the battle to expose Heidegger as a Nazi thinker -- and not as an unwilling Nazi participant as his followers like to soft-soap these issues. But Dr. Rockmore is not seeking sensationalism or merely political battles, rather, he is an erudite philosopher himself with some penetrating insights into the origins and weaknesses of Heidegger's positions on the issues.

The 20th century is filled with defenses of Heidegger the man and the writer. His nakedness is praised as beautiful attire by some of the key writers of the past century. Tom Rockmore has performed a revolutionary act by exposing this nakedness and hypocrisy, not only politically but in the realm of theory.

This is one of the most interesting books available on 20th century philosophy.

This well written and closely argued book is a stringent criticism of Heidegger's philosophy and its relation to his notorious embrace of Nazism. Rockmore argues that Heidegger's involvement with the Nazis was hardly the result of personal quirks or coercion but rather a product of his philosophical preoccupations. Rockmore bases his conclusions on a careful reading of the relevant texts, analysis of the main features of Heidegger's thought, and relevant historical background. For example, while Heidegger liked to present his thought as a recovery of the insights of pre-Socratic Greek thinkers, Rockmore shows that Heidegger was influenced by the racist and anti-rationalist Volkish ideologies prevalent in Germany. Rockmore's case is well argued and others, notably Heidegger's recent biographer, Rudiger Safranski, reach identical conclusions. It is clear as well that Heidegger abandoned overt Nazism not because of any real ethical concerns but rather because the Nazis would not accomodate Heidegger's ideas for how German society and education should be run. This book also contains damning criticism of the individuals who have defended Heidegger; including members of Heidegger's family who have apparently restricted access to potentially damaging documents; Heidegger's disciples, some of whom have attempted remarkable ways to explain away Heidegger's Nazism; and a number of other philosophers who seem to be unable to stomach the fact that the person they trumpet as the great thinker of the 20th century was a Nazi. Heidegger emerges as a brilliant and remarkably egotistical man inhumanly dedicated to the pursuit of a small set of ideas, some of which may be great insights, but literally careless of human rights, human dignity, and the physical suffering of the great majority of humanity. One criticism of Rockmore's book is that Rockmore, though usually very careful with terminology, is sloppy about use of the term Nazi. Rockmore argues that Heidegger, after his withdrawal from overt Nazism, remained dedicated to an "ideal Nazism". It would be better to restrict the use of term Nazism to the actual acts and (often contradictory) programs of the Nazis. As Rockmore shows clearly, Heidegger was preoccupied throughout his life with ideas that were anti-humanist, anti-democratic, and Volkish in character. This puts Heidegger in the same general category as the Nazis but referring to "ideal Nazism" is a bit confusing.

Excellent exposé of the person and their inseperable philosophical and political beliefs.

This puts Heidegger in the correct context of his position relative to Nazism, that is, an integral part of the greatest act of capitalist criminality in the 20th century and not, as has been said many times elsewhere, an unwilling participant in the whole "accidental" tragedy.

It says something about the charade called the denazification that Heidegger was allowed so much free reign after, what is euphemistically called the second world war, was brought to a close, with the unexpected crushing of western state capitalism by the USSR.

Regards,

Martyn R Jones
http://www.itspolitics.com/feuerbach/index.htm

Just finished the book and it gave a very good insite as to how the early motion picture industry operated. Both Fred Balshofer and Arthur C. Miller painted a picture, as to how the movie industry operated in the early days in New York, New Jersey and California.

Motion Picture operations behind the camera and indoor and outdoor sets are described in detail as to how they were set up and shot....

As a motion picture theatre historian, it gave me insite as to how and how complicated filming of early motion pictures were to get the precise black and white picture on the screen and focused...

Very good reading.....

This is one of the most enjoyable memoirs of early movie days that I have in my collection. Fred Balshofer and Arthur Miller more or less alternate chapters, with Mr. Balshofer recounting the teen-age Arthur Miller seeking work in the film business, which Mr. Balshofer provided at his studio in New York. Mr. Miller describes his own progress from shooting in the wilds of Fort Lee, New Jersey, to Hollywood and the many films he worked on. The beauty of such a book for the film buff is that it is truly first-hand reporting by people who were in on the very beginnings of the industry.

Film fans who can readily spout all the myriad technical details of modern cinematography - and we all know you're out there - might enjoy this marvelous documentary of the very earliest days of American film. The authors give a thorough review of their experiences with the small companies, the actors and the business of producing film in the first decades of the century when they began their careers. The earlier material is what gives this book its value, though the authors discuss their later work - Miller filmed such black and white classics as John Ford's "How Green Was My Valley" and William Wellman's "The Oxbow Incident".

Yet the great bulk of the book covers the earlier period, and is a marvelous record of a little discussed but significant aspect of early film-making. We are treated to inside tips on shooting from legends such as Billy Bitzer, and endless little moments of discovery as the author's relate their developing skill at the craft of cinematography. Along the way some of the book's stills highlight moments and times, a few significant. The best give striking glimpses into the workings of early movies. A still picture from MGM's 1927 trial scene from the feature "The Bellamy Trial" captures almost the entire nature of filming: Miller behind the Mitchell camera; director Monta Bell astride the judge's bench looking like a cheerleader holding a semaphore; star Leatrice Joy measured for focus in the witness stand; the other actors in tuxs milling around below the bench; Betty Bronson listening up forward to a violinist; and at the far right an actor leans across the witness stand and is drawing a sly smirk from Ms Joy.

There are a few others of this quality - including a great shot of the New York Motion Picture Stock Company in 1911 with a tiny Bebe Daniels centering the front row, who, unlike everyone else is slightly out of focus - even then Bebe was irrepressibly alive!

However, the historical information, and not the pictures, is what gives this book its irreplaceable value. As the other reviewers have noted, we are given here an exceptionally clear-eyed description (these are after all cameramen) of these lost days, and in certain cases gives us unique insight into the day to day workings. Early film-making involved everything from gang battles, legal threats, to taking sledgehammers and smashing open locked studios! In 1912 the legal challenges reach the point that the best lawyers in California are fighting it out over the film rights over the Keystone comedies.

Perhaps best of all is the detailed story of the 1914 filming of the immortal serial "The Perils of Pauline" with Pearl White. Shifting in and out of the book are the power changes constantly rolling through and upending the early days of the industry like the seismic waves of an earthquake.

A sensational addition to any film library, and a must purchase if you love silent films and enjoy reading about the earliest days of Ameircan movies. Fortunatley reasonably priced used copies are available. Perhaps the University of California Press might reissue this 1967 book in paperback?

This book contains the reminiscences of Fred Balshofer, who began as a camera operator in 1905, and the great cameraman Arthur Miller, who learned from Balshofer. Their careers cover filming in Fort Lee, NJ through Hollywood.

Chapters:

1. Early Career with Shields, Lubin and Others (Balshofer dupes films for Arthur Lubin. Melies shows up in a rage.)

2. Early Film Companies Crescent and Bison (Balshofer founds companies to bypass the Edison patents and the Motion Picture Patents Company, meets Miller.)

3. Making The True Heart of an Indian (Early Indian romance starring Young Deer, his wife Red Wing, Evelyn Graham. Miller meets Billy Bitzer.)

4. Patents Company Troubles and the Decision to Move West.

5. Working for Edwin S. Porter (Miller works with Lois Weber, mentioned in passing only.)

6. Filming in the Wild West.

7. With the Pathe News Weekly.

8. Keystone Film Company and Rivalry among the Companies (Miller works with Mabel Normand, Mack Sennett, Charles Chaplin.)

9. The Perils of Pauline (Miller works with Pearl White, Crane Wilbur.)

10. The Sterling Film Company and Actor Troubles (Balshofer meets Chaplin, works with Francis X. Bushman and photographer William Alder in "The Second in Command.")

11. Working for George Fitzmaurice (Miller works with director Cora Adams mentioned in passing, writer Ouida Bergere, actor Florence Reed, set designer Anton Grot, actor Antonio Moreno.)

12. Yorke Film Corp. (Balshofer works with May Allison, Harold Lockwood, Valentino, Julian Eltinge, Virginia Rappe, Harry & Jack Cohn.)

13. Filming Mae Murray, Elsie Ferguson, Richard Barthelmess and Others (Includes Sessue Hayakawa, Fanny Ward, Mae Murray. "Forever" with Wallace Reid. Describes John Barrymore effect in "Jekyll and Hyde.")

14. Filming in London and Rome (Miller shoots "The Eternal City" and meets Mussolini. "Cytherea" for Goldwyn with early Technicolor. Works with Edmund Goulding, Ronald Colman, Blanche Sweet, Leatrice Joy, Anna Q. Nilsson, Cyril Chadwick. Transition to sound.)

15. With Cecil B. DeMille and John Ford (Includes Tay Garnett, Raoul Walsh, Lew Ayres, Harry Langdon, Helen Twelvetrees, "Wee Willie Winkie" with Shirley Temple.)

16. Last Films Before Retirement (Darryl Zanuck. "The Rains Came" with Clarence Brown, Myrna Loy. "The Razor's Edge." "Anna and the King of Siam" with Irene Dunne, John Cromwell. "Ox-Bow Incident," William Wellman. "How Green Was My Valley." "Song of Bernadette," "Gun Fighter," Henry King.)

This book, along with its Oregon-Washington Second Volume, is a MUST-read for anyone planning their own trip along all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail guide provides a wealth of information such as mileage, water-stops, trail conditions, tips, maps, and even locations (including addresses!) of post-offices and other along-the trail stop-overs for re-supply. PCT hikers often carry this book with them in their packs and reference it often. More weight-conscious thru-hikers will cut or tear the book apart into sections (it's conveniently divided into a long series of trail sections between stop-overs) and ship the abbreviated guides back to themselves at towns along the journey.

Combining years of research and tens of thousands of miles of first-hand trail experience, the authors have done an outstanding job in allowing future backpackers access to the information they need to plan their own epic adventures. The book usually comes with an pamphlet included to keep you posted on any updates and changes to the trail since the book's latest release (which I believe there have been six such releases since its initial publication in '73).

I'm planning my own thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and after much of my own extensive research through countless other books and guides, I still come back to this one for the information I need to plan my own greatest adventure to date. Be sure the check the Oregon & Washington volume of the guide as well, written by the same authors in the exact same format.

I have used this book since 1980 to hike all or part of the PCT. It can make or break your trip. The most important info is where to find water. Some souces are difficult to find, but this book will lead you to it. The amount of info,maps, water, landmarks, milage,trail conditions, suppy points, etc., make this book a must on any hike along the PCT. If you don't have it with you, you're a lost soul.

I enjoy all of the Schaffer books because they are accurate, fun to read and reliable. This book has little chapters on the PCT, and the descriptions of each part of the trail are a total delight. So often these hiking books neglect to tell you how to reach the trailhead and oftentimes they don't provide detailed instructions (I mean this for section or day hikers of the PCT). Schaffer never makes this mistake. You will not need a separate map to locate any of the sections of the trail, his maps and written instructions are first-rate. In fact, there is even a nifty fold-out map sewn into the rear pocket so you can tote it along on any of your journeys. Equally interesting is that this book doesn't merely give elevation gains, difficulty ratings and desriptions of the trail conditions. These are vital to know, but Schaffer also includes little bits of information of what kinds of wild flowers you will encounter, birds, wildlife and other little nuggets neglected in other guides.

The book is supposed to be mainly for thru-hikers of the PCT, but there are many trails here that can be used for day hikes. These trips will be in the 10-16 mile range and any strong hiker can easily do these hikes in one day. If you do choose to go the entire PCT, Schaffer describes water sources, camping sites and addresses whether bears or marmots might be a problem for you. Most importantly, he tells you where to find water and whether the water source is reliable throughout the whole year.

I can't recommend this guide highly enough. Even if you're an armchair hiker, you'll derive many hours of vicarious joy from this guide.

I bought this book & another book, kept this one and returned the other. I haven't seen a better guide to the PCT.

As to Churchwell's history of Palm Springs, here is what was said by Peter Wild, English Professor at the University of Arizona and author of numerous books on the Southwest. "Two of the most reliable [histories] . . . are Frank Bogert's oversized book . . . ;and my favorite . . . , Mary Jo Churchwell's heartfelt work giving us a generally accurate picture of how much was lost when the village was wrenched into a city."

Mary Jo Churchwell's history of Palm Springs touches on the familiar Palm Springs of old ....a Palm Springs populated by the beautiful people like Bob Hope and Gig Young, Lucy and Desi, and yes, the lovely Miss Dinah Shore. BUT, Churchwell's Palm Springs is so much more: The canyons, the desert wildflowers, corny street and condo names, and above all, the sunshine that just won't quit.

All I can say is WOW! I want all my friends to read it - very moving. This reads as if I'm chatting with an old friend that grew up in Palm Springs as I did. I remembered things I thought I had forgotten. Let's hear more from Mary Jo Churchwell!

If you've dismissed Palm Springs as a soulless wasteland fit only for golfers, gamblers and creaky celebrities, this book will change your mind. With Mary Jo Churchwell as your good-natured guide, you'll discover the things that truly make Palm Springs unique in the world. This is the first book to focus on the area's awesome natural wonders and its bold past populated with writers, eccentrics and explorers. Whether you're a visitor or a lifelong resident, this book will quadruple your enjoyment of this desert town.

If you've dismissed Palm Springs as a soulless wasteland fit only for golfers, gamblers and creaky celebrities, this book will change your mind. With Mary Jo Churchwell as your good-natured guide, you'll discover the things that truly make Palm Springs unique in the world. This is the first book to focus on the area's awesome natural wonders and its bold past populated with writers, eccentrics and explorers. Whether you're a visitor or a lifelong resident, this book will quadruple your enjoyment of this desert town.