Versus Gold presents a broad, sweeping record of the environmental history of the California region over the past 250 years. Its vast scope and rich material make it an excellent book for anyone interested in the evolution of the human-environment interaction in California, from the pre-European communities, who flourished successfully in the region for millennia, to today's nature-isolated society. The painstakingly gathered primary source material and bibliography and the relevance of the essays make it an invaluable resource for any formal study in the environmental history of California or the U.S. (People familiar with the editor's related book, _Major Problems in American Environmental History_ (Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath, 1993), may be interested to know that only seven of the 105 entries in this book are taken from that one.)The editor uses the cumulative effect of a selection of primary texts and related essays to describe and analyze the history of the human-environment relationship in California. The primary sources are extremely diverse and include origin stories and compelling firsthand accounts of Native American groups and excerpts of various documents such as old diaries, legal notices, historic academic writings, novels, contemporary journal articles, maps, antique photographs, etc. The essays represent a wide range of writings by historians, environmentalists, ethnographers, ecologists, activists, philosophers, etc.--from Mark Twain, Mary Austin and John Steinbeck to Judi Bari and Gary Snyder. The essays generally do not directly refer to the primary sources, but rather discuss the general topics of the chapters and provide context and analysis on the subject of the sources. A few of the topics covered are "Native Californian Cultivators", "Dredging for Gold", "Sea Otters Encounter Russians", "Aboriginal Fishers", "Hydraulic Society Triumphant", "Chaos and California", "The Battle for Bodega Bay", and Deep Ecology.One negative effect of all of this variety of material is that it sometimes diffuses the book's focus. Indeed, a cover-to-cover reading can be challenging because of the kaleidoscopic effect of its topics. On the other hand, this does not detract from its usefulness as an occasional reader, a complement to other books in a course, or as a resource for additional research in the field, as its subtitle suggests. Also, considering its variety, the coherence afforded by its organization is remarkable.The documents and essays together cover topics spanning the days of prehistory in the California region to the present day. Descriptions of pre-European inhabitants of the region are followed by discussion of European settlement and use of the area and interaction with the land, with attention paid to the relationship between immigration and the natural wealth of the region--particularly gold, the concept of which drew a frenzied influx 150 years ago. The book follows the early transformation of the idea of nature into commodity and the exploitation and large-scale transformation of ecosystems by the European settlers; some contemporary philosophical thought on that exploitation and its dramatic results is also included.Throughout, the work illustrates human perceptions of and reactions to environmental destruction, such as that wrought by hydraulic mining, the flooding of large valleys and the transformation of grasslands by over-grazing, including the preservation efforts of the twentieth century by such people as John Muir, Huey Johnson, etc.; various preservation rationale are discussed. Particularly interesting is the surprising amount of concern by Europeans in previous era for the human impact on the environment, such as the despair expressed by a mid-nineteenth-century author about the already-extreme non-local ownership of California land; this lends new perspective to our current environmental concerns. The theme of the human response to environmental destruction intensifies in later chapters (reflecting actual chronology), culminating in chapters on the evolution of environmental science, environmental movements and the editor's own vision for a rejoined green (nature) and gold (economy) in California.The sources presented in _Green Versus Gold_ are extensive and impressively varied (this is typical of Merchant's work, such as the foundational _The Death of Nature_); it would be hard to imagine a more diverse and comprehensive collection of material about the environmental history of California in a single volume. The breadth of the material gives the reader unique insight into the state of environment and the human-environment relationship across a variety of landscapes and social structures, from the intense management of ecosystems by Indian groups in pre-European times to the high degree of alienation from the land in modern Los Angeles. Through these selections, the central theme of the book--the developing tension between the green of nature and the gold representing the human use of nature in California--is brought to light. The discussion of human efforts for nature and the editor's ideas about a partnership ethic in the closing chapters provide relief from the overwhelming evidence of the human domination and destruction of nature.Kenneth WorthyNovember, 1998

Carolyn Merchant, ed. _Green Versus Gold: Sources in California's Environmental History_. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1998. Green Versus Gold presents a broad, sweeping record of the environmental history of the California region over the past 250 years. Its vast scope and rich material make it an excellent book for anyone interested in the evolution of the human-environment interaction in California, from the pre-European communities, who flourished successfully in the region for millennia, to today's nature-isolated society. The painstakingly gathered primary source material and bibliography and the relevance of the essays make it an invaluable resource for any formal study in the environmental history of California or the U.S. The editor uses the cumulative effect of a selection of primary texts and related essays to describe and analyze the history of the human-environment relationship in California. The primary sources are extremely diverse and include origin stories and compelling firsthand accounts of Native American groups and excerpts of various documents such as old diaries, legal notices, historic academic writings, novels, contemporary journal articles, maps, antique photographs, etc. The essays represent a wide range of writings by historians, environmentalists, ethnographers, ecologists, activists, philosophers, etc.--from Mark Twain, Mary Austin and John Steinbeck to Judi Bari and Gary Snyder. The essays generally do not directly refer to the primary sources, but rather discuss the general topics of the chapters and provide context and analysis on the subject of the sources. A few of the topics covered are "Native Californian Cultivators", "Dredging for Gold", "Sea Otters Encounter Russians", "Aboriginal Fishers", "Hydraulic Society Triumphant", "Chaos and California", "The Battle for Bodega Bay" Deep Ecology. The documents and essays together cover topics and issues spanning the days of prehistory in the California region to the present day. Descriptions of pre-European inhabitants of the region are followed by discussion of European settlement and use of the area and interaction with the land, with attention paid to the relationship between immigration and the natural wealth of the region--particularly gold, the idea of which drew a frenzied influx 150 years ago. The book follows the early transformation of the idea of nature into commodity and the exploitation and large-scale transformation of ecosystems by the European settlers; some contemporary philosophical thought on that exploitation and its dramatic results is also included. Throughout, the book illustrates human perceptions of and reactions to environmental destruction, such as that wrought by hydraulic mining, the flooding of large valleys and the transformation of grasslands by over-grazing, including the preservation efforts of the twentieth century by such people as John Muir, Huey Johnson, etc.; various preservation rationale are discussed. Particularly interesting is the surprising amount of concern by Europeans in previous era for the human impact on the environment, such as the despair expressed by a mid-nineteenth-century author about the already-extreme non-local ownership of California land; this lends new perspective to our current environmental concerns. The theme of the human response to environmental destruction intensifies in later chapters (reflecting actual chronology), culminating in chapters on the evolution of environmental science, environmental movements and the editor's own vision for a rejoined green (nature) and gold (economy) in California. The sources presented in _Green Versus Gold_ are extensive and impressively varied (this is typical of Merchant's work, such as the foundational _The Death of Nature_); it would be hard to imagine a more diverse and comprehensive collection of material about the environmental history of California in a single volume. The breadth of the material gives the reader unique insight into the state of environment and the human-environment relationship across a variety of landscapes and social structures, from the intense management of ecosystems by Indian groups in pre-European times to the high degree of alienation from the land in modern Los Angeles. Through these selections, the developing tension between the green of nature and the gold representing the human use of nature is brought to light. The discussion of human efforts for nature and the editor's ideas about a partnership ethic in the closing chapters provide relief from the overwhelming evidence of the human domination and destruction of nature.Kenneth WorthyOctober, 1998

OK---I am taking the trouble to write a review because Where Else are you going to read a story about Ginger Rogers going to another studio to use the bathroom? Where Else are you going to read a story about Joan Crawford seducing a young Jackie Cooper? Or a wonderful, colorful account of a dinner party at San Simeon, complete with what people talked about. Or why "Over the Rainbow" almost got left out of The Wizard of Oz. Don't get me wrong--this isn't full of dirt. It is an intelligent, well-balanced view of the people and doings that make show business the true business it is! It is like meeting an old cameraman or other studio worker who "knew 'em all" and lived to tell YOU about it. Run, do not walk to the checkout and get a copy of this book today!

The Grove Book Of Hollywood gathers over 150 recollections taken from magazine articles, production logs, and oral histories alike, providing a decade-by-decade timeline of some of Hollywood's most ambitious stars and screenwriters. The use of personal recollections offers a more intimate view of Hollywood than an outsider's report could generate, providing an intriguing survey.

I recently became a guardian of my young nephew but could not afford and didn't want to deal with a lawyer. This book made it possible. It layed out the steps in a well structured manner. I was very satisfied with my purchase. The forms it included with the book were just great. Buy it.

As an attorney who regularly represents clients in guardianship proceedings, I strongly recommend that my clients read The Guardianship Book so that they understand the sometimes confusing process. In some cases, I hand the book to my clients during our first meeting, as "homework" to read before I will prepare and file a petition. For those who cannot afford an attorney, I recommend this as a resource that will save considerable time and avoid court hearing delays. For clients who can afford to pay my fees, the book still saves my time explaining many issues -- the $25 book can easily save $250 in attorney fees. (Mark J. Welch, Pleasanton, CA)

This is the most complete and and comprehesive divers guide to Catalina and the Channel Islands I have ever seen. Diagrams, GPS locations, hazards, hunting guide and much more valuable information in this guide. Don't leave home without it.

This book is the ultimate authority on Diving Catalina Island. Bruce Wicklund, "the Master of the Deep," provides rare insight into diving one of the finest destinations on the West Coast. His knowledge of the Channel Islands, like his super-human waterman skill, is unparalleled and conveyed brilliantly in this invaluable resource for any diver, novice and expert alike.

This is the greatest book on the best ethnic restaurants in LA. Hopefully, the author will put out a new edition. I have it. It's about 10 years old, and I'm not going to sell it. It's better than any new guide out there. Even if you don't go to these places, it's an interesting read.

When this book first came out about 10 yrs. ago or more it was a revelation. In one collection it guided you through EVERY major ethnic community in the greater L.A. region and told you which were the best restaurants, bakeries, markets, etc. I don't know of any other book that comes to close to being this comprehensive & incisive.

If you ever spend any time in L.A. & you are interested in ethnic food, you must have this book.

This book cuts through the clutter of previous rock art meanings and uses the wisdom of the native americans to describe these symbols. I enjoyed reviewing his descriptions of the sites I have already visited and learned the locations of many more. Complete directions, maps, and contacts for each site are included. This is an excellent resource for people who love rock art!

An excellent survey of rock art that fits the pictographs and petroglyphs into a social and psychological model based on native american interpretations of meaning. Detailed listings and directions to more familiar sites will no doubt increase visitation but the presence of people interested in preservation will hopefully deter those only motive is to deface places of beauty and wonder. Whitley's academic background enhances the book and it has appeal to informed readers and those just discovering rock art.

No reason this should not be republished. An anecdotal history of the times. Makes one's head swim with stories of the street, the happenings and the love. Born too late, but feel like I've been there.

"The Haight-Ashbury: A History" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy."

These handbooks of North American Indians by Goddard are some of the most information-replete contain some of the most rare data available. The 100+ dollars for any of these volumes is well worth the money. I've ordered (via interlibrary loans) 3-4 of them (primarily, because I'm a scholar of several groupings of Native North Americans) and have found them beyond enjoyable and fascinating, to say the least. If this is your 'bag of barnucles,' then you can't go wrong with Goddard!

This volume, number 8 in the series, is an absolute necessity in anyone's library who studies the Native Americans of California. Edited by the late Dr. Robert Heizer, a student of Alfred Kroeber who authored "Handbook of the Indians of California."

Unbelievable, but same as Greg (who is the other who wrote a review, and he read it in the same month), I found this book in a corner of my father's in law house, I read it and it was a wonderful reading, it was printed in 1974 and is a very good book, if you see it at your parents house just read it, you will enjoy it.

Even the most obscure books at Amazon have a revue, however, Harlequin does not. I found it in a box in my home, in the garage, full of books from my grandma -- to be discarded. I love the book. The synopsis' of the book make it sound very lame and cheesy, but it is very good, and if anyone ever chances upon Harlequin: read it. The publishers should reprint it, so Amazon can sell it. One day i am going to make it a motion picture.

(...) This book doesn't just list single menu items from restaurants you've never heard of, but lists several menu items from numerous well-known restaurants, such as one of my personal favorites, Acapulco. They even show you how to eat healthy at Jack-In-The-Box, which is home of the Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger, a.k.a. The Widowmaker.

The coupon section alone is worth buying the book -- if you're skeptical about trying a restaurant or a menu item, you can rest easy knowing that you're not paying full price like the diners around you. And, unlike the diners around you, you know exactly what you're eating!

Healthy food + discount food = A happy, healthy diner.

If you're like me, and you: live in San Diego, love to eat out, and are concerned about eating healthy, do yourself a favor and BUY THIS BOOK!!!

I thought I knew all there was to know about the nutritional values of the foods I eat. After years of being overweight I finally lost my extra pounds three years ago, so I pride myself in choosing the meals I eat in restaurants carefully. Surprise! This book made me aware of reems of information I didn't know. Going to be good and have plain pasta with a marinara sauce? Did you know that many if not most restaurants toss the cooked pasta in oil or butter to keep it from sticking together? These folks not only let you know how restaurants work, but the full page menus from some of the most popular spots in town will allow you to choose your meal before you are faced with dozens of tempting choices. PLUS...the coupons in the back will save you the cost of the book in 2 meals or less. Get it, you may never overindulge eating out again, and your friends will never be the wiser.