"I loved this book! I came right home and scarfed it down. It's I love the storyline and the way it's going. And it was fun that the Miranda character visited Durango, Colorado. We've stayed at the Strater many times, and I could picture the beautiful rooms so clearly -- I didn't know about the secret panels in the lobby! We'll have to visit again and take a careful look."

As Director of UNAVCO and Radiometrics, I study and measure the movement of tectonic plates via satellite imagery. I found the first four of Mara Purl's series on Milford-Haven quite captivating. I particularly like the forays into various spiritual, psychological and technical realms. Her insights into art, music, and nature seem to emerge in a way similar to their appearance in life. Quite an impressive creation. After helping with her with research for "Nobody's Fault", it was fun to read and see she'd woven the threads of facts into the fabric well.

Lyn Nofziger was part of Ronald Reagan's hard-core conservative inner-circle since before the time Reagan was governor of California. In this book, Nofziger provides historical insights that help us understand the Reagan we knew; as well as to reveal to us a side of Reagan we never knew. Nofziger writes about the good times as well as the bad and shows how the Reagan Team bonded and evolved over the years. It's a fascinating recollection from a man who not only was there, but who knew Reagan intimately. Nofziger's memoirs provide the reader with a greater insight and appreciation for the man we called The Gipper. The end of the book is somewhat disheartening as it reveals the demise of the inner-circle during Reagan's second term as President. As someone with a romantic view of the Reagan Era, it was eye-opening to discover how badly the Reagan Revolution was undermined from within. But, you have to be willing to accept the good with the bad. And this book will most definitely give you both. A must read for all Reagan fans. Oh, and Nofziger is as funny as hell.

Nofziger is not the hilarious donnybrook that Ed Rollins' book covering the same eras is, but it's more circumspect, more low-key, and less emotional. But it's emotional enough, and it's occasionally very funny too. Especially valuable is the inside information on Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 run. Like Rollins, Nofziger believes that Reagan's executive style of management (i.e. knowing his place) was a great strength, but his remoteness and inattention to detail also led to the appointment of the people (Baker in particular) who undermined his conservative philosophy and shunted his key advisers (e.g. Meese). This directly led to the ineffective second term and the Bush years. Thus the "revolution" was largely DOA. Nofziger is one of the good guys in politics. Honest and not self-aggrandizing. If only there were more of him in Washington. He maintains a site out at lynnofziger.com.

This calendar is really unique, it includes a remarkable number and a very wide range of events, from food & wine to music, cinema, horticulture, art, fashion and more. I can't imagine an easier way to be be in the know about all these events, particularly early enough that you can actually plan to attend! I like that the phone numbers are included and even more so that you can go the web site for links to events. Great seasonal photos.

What a great idea for a calendar! Each month informs me about the events in my area.These include sports,food and wine, music,film,etc. I can look ahead and make plans for the activities I don't want to miss. I especially appreciate that there are immediate citations for phone numbers in case I want more information. There is even space on each day for my personal comments and reminders. The back page states that other editions are available for southern California, Texas, New York and Illinois .Think I'll start my Christmas gift list.

one of my top 5 favorite cookbooks- many accessible yet impressive recipes with a good variety of appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts. I'm giving them to everyone I know as wedding gifts. a good way to incorporate nuts into your diet.

I have been using the new Diamond cookbook for a few weeks and want to say that the recipes are very usable. Most ingredients are on my shelf, the directions are simple, effective, and the results so far for all the recipes I have tried have been just perfect. I have been surprised at how easy the preparations are. With some cookbooks, I feel it necessary to try the recipes out before cooking for company but with this book that has not been necessary. I enjoy the many different types of recipes as well as the beautiful pictures. Lovely cover photo also!

This book is several books in one. In addition to his varied personal experiences on the road, it includes some well researched history of the countries he visits, both ancient and contemporary. He talks about the big people in history, like Cortes, Clinton, Subcomandante Marcos, Leon Trotsky, Frida Kahlo and Manuel Noriega. He then gives equal attention to the little people he meets along the way, like the Mexican museum curator whose family had been guarding an ancient relic for several generations. He even travels to Paul Gauguin's house with a Playboy Bunny he met in a youth hostel. But he also engrosses the reader with his thoughts about his personal life, most interestingly, his romance with a Nicaraguan girl. Hurricane Mitch, which strikes when he is Guatemala and devastates the region, adds a sinister backdrop to his odd holiday, but in the end he achieves his goals despite numerous setbacks. It is a little bit like a collection of short stories, since it is written in diary form, so each day represents a new thought, and a new mini adventure. The stories about the crocodile and the monkey I almost wouldn't have believed except that he included photos in the book. I especially liked his description of his climbing of the volcano... and was left feeling it is much more enjoyable - and safer - to read his description of it than to attempt such a feat in real life.

Some years past, a colleague suggested a year of travel instead of my intended return to school. It took thirty years to fulfill that suggestion. David Short didn't require any more prompting than a dull, dirty and dangerous job. His destination, prompted by a world-traveling grandfather, became Central America, specifically, the Panama Canal. The journey lasted just short of six months and resulted in this account of his adventures. A spirited read, An Odd Odyssey should inspire anyone of nearly any age to pull up stakes at least once in a lifetime and venture somewhere distant. Short's account shows how richly rewarding travel can be to those willing to make the effort.

There are two kinds of travel books - the "guidebook" with sights, prices, accommodation ideally suited for those seeking comfort instead of adventure. Glossy photos, usually portraying conditions found on movie sets, detailed maps, prices listed. The other type is the personal journal, which, properly done, imparts a far better sense of "being there" than does the guidebook. Short's chronicle is the second type, a vivid sharing of his thoughts, experiences, disasters, even love. The means of travel was by bus. Just finding one was fraught with hazards - timing, crowding or even just running. Once boarded, there was the issue of finding the proper seat: "Sit in the rear. Bandits will shoot through the front window." On a limited budget the "guidebook" hotels were out of the question for Short. Many havens he found for a night's rest became adventures in their own right. Weather, ever a primary topic for travellers, added its own quirks - a major Caribbean hurricane being the most spectacular.

These minor discomforts aside, Short's recital of his travels points up the many benefits of journeying solo. One of these is that you don't remain alone for long. Not every acquaintance is a welcome companion, but none are dull. They bring their lives into his view, and to ours. Short meets former convicts, travellers from Europe, Canada and Australia. Not limiting himself to fellow "gringos" he deals well with the local residents. Although a few are not as friendly as he - he's robbed twice and has the usual tangles with bureaucrats, cheating taxi drivers and sullen hoteliers. Still, he maintains his equanimity, exhibiting strength in adverse circumstances. In this modern age he can turn to internet cafes, at one point spending more on email and 'net surfing than on accommodation and food.

Short is a learner, eager to know the current and historical conditions of the lands he visits. Teotihuacan, Tikal and the world's largest stone sphere. His account leads you along with him in fine descriptive prose. He shares his learning without becoming pedantic or opinionated. His judgments result of thoughtful assessment and it's easy to agree with them. The book becomes not only the tale of his journey, but a guidebook without gloss or sham. By the end of it, we envy his adventures and his ability to relate them. It's hard not to embark on a similar jaunt with the aim of duplicating his effort for your chosen locale.

As one of the "characters" in this book, I want to applaud Rod Lurie for his integrity and seeking, finding and writing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about a real life mystery and true tragedy. Jon Emr could have been one of the biggest wheeler dealers in Hollywood history, but the paradigm that was instilled in him with his mother's milk was deceit, larceny and the pure joy of putting something over on someone, led him to what hindsight now tells me was his only possible end. Hurrah for Rod Lurie and the publishers for having the courage to tell this story when just about everyone else wanted to sweep it under the rug. I understand the film rights have been sold, but don't hold your breath waiting for the movie! No one in Tinsel Town wants this true story to become common knowledge.

As one of the "subjects" of this book, I want to compliment Rod Lurie on a fantastic job of investigative reporting. I also want to thank him for honoring our agreement to not misquote me and to not quote me out of context. His reportage of my involvement in the life of Jon Emr was fairly and accurately portrayed from our interviews. This story should be made into a major motion picture. I suspect however that the Douglas family has already taken steps to secure the story rights, or other control, to see to it that this story isn't told to a wide audience to spare them embarrassment. I believe, for the most part, the Douglas family was as much a victim as the rest of us.

Got this book as a gift from mom and dad. Walker was a teacher of mine in High School and college. Started reading it just in kind of a way to say thanks for all he taught and found the old professor instructing me yet again. Cliff Walker has a way of making you interested in whatever he's interested in and getting you revved up to go off in your own direction and provide light on a new subject. Since getting it I havn't been able to put it down. The people who are such a part of our history cease to be mythic gods and have put real faces and life into it. Understand this! It is not so much a history book as it great tales about a past we knew was there but scarcely considered. Walker has made the past come alive in a way that few history books ever have...

Thanks again Cliff.

"One Eye Closed the other Red" is the most interesting, humorous , and comprehensive treatment of the Prohibition era that was such an important social storm in our countrys not too distant past. In his book Walker lets us understand and enjoy the "Bootlegging" years that many of us were born in. This is a rich, fun filled account as well as an important book that everyone should have in their library. Cliff Walker has written this as a labor of love and I appreciate the many years of labor he put into it. Thanks Cliff.

"Lee's excellent monograph is a beautifully told tale of the lengthy and difficult history leading up to the creation of [the office of the Chancellor]."

"[A]n illuminating, authoritative, and balanced account.... Lee is the one person in the best position to review this important aspect of the history of the University California.... Few people have both written so well about the history of the University of California and served that history so well."

I have been living in the Bay area for almost 3 years and have had numerous books, most of which stink in comparison to this one. The vast amount of area that this book covers is great for doing just about anything in or around the Bay Area. I've probably utilized this book for more than 30 different activities (biking, hiking, camping, etc.) and I'd have to say that just about EVERYTHING that I've done was great and went smoothly because of the detail the book provides. The only bad thing I'd have to say is that the layout of the information is a bit confusing, but there are so many good "activities" in it that you get over that part quickly.

If you like the outdoors and spend time in Northern California like I do, this book is indespensible! I use it to find all kinds of cool things to do when I travel. I used it on my last trip and it guided me on fun things to do in and around San Francisco, up through Napa and Sonoma valley, great hikes in less populated regions further North around Mt. Shasta, down to Yosemite, the greatest park in the world, to Sea Kayaking in Monterey Bay and finally down to fun coastal stuff around Big Sur. Needless to say I'm very psyched that author Andrew Rice is researching a book on outdoor adventures in Southern California!

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.