I received this book as a gift, and it's become a permanent fixture on our living room table. The photos are spectacular, as is writing by Ken Brower,a knowledgeable and highly respected environmental writer.
I grew up in the SF Bay Area, and it was uplifting to read about how Sam Sebastiani has restored the wetlands on his vineyard. I wish all of the wine growers in California were as responsible stewards of the land!

I would highly recommend this book - and it would make a great gift!

Proof that our heroes are all around us. Stunning photographs affirm that we can save this planet from ourselves. The results of one person's efforts are reproduced in a neat, coffee table format that shows how even a mere 100 acre marsh (a former hay field!) can be transformed into a life-sustaining ecosytem that supports a diverse number of species. As in many of Ansel Adams photographs that encompass the reflection of the small landscape within the larger one--Michael Sewell has illustrated the importance of the "small place" as an ecological bell-weather of the greater environment. He proves that determined individual efforts do pay off, and gives us hope for the future. Text by the Browers, Father & Son, heighten this moving, life-affirming experience. Inspiring!

"Women without Class" is a tour de force of exceptional scholarly research and keen social observation. Bettie does a tremendous job exploring how class operates in many powerful, yet subtle ways in the lives of young women in one California high school. She highlights the role of economics, but also addresses issues of race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Through sustained, in-depth ethnographic research, Bettie illuminates the complex social dynamics of a community and brings the personalities, experiences and worries of these young women to life. The book is honest and sharp, reading almost like a novel. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in sociology, education, youth, race/ethnic relations, or gender.

As a person who works daily with young people both in and out of academic settings, I found this book gave a fresh perspective on how we view teenagers (both men and women) and the influence we have on their lives; especially those influences that are unconcious on our part. It changed the way I perceive my students and gave me new tools for communication. I also thought it was a terrific read; often dramatic and moving. I highly reccomend this book to anyone whose work or lives are connected with young people in America.

This book was suppose to come out in print in 1941, but due to the attack on Pearl Harbor and anti-Japanese propaganda, it postponed its release until 1949. Toshio Mori is a master of storytelling. These collections of short stories should be with such classics as Hemingway and Saroyan. Yokohoma, California is both heart-felt and humorous. It is one of the best books on the Asian American experience.

Even though Sau-ling Cynthia Wong notes that "no other Asian-American writer since has been able to match Mori's community portraits for mellowness," his portraits of Japanese-American life just before World War II show the strain of a double identity at that time. (Even the title itself serves to illustrate the cultural binary.) Mori's prose is sparse, yet it is not cold. In all of the characters, from Sessue Matoi, the philosopher who "must be drunk and sober at the same time," to "the woman who makes swell donuts," there is a warmth and humanity throughout every story, even while the hints of the coming war begin to appear

Definitely worth the money. Very good paper back for seeing Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is full of interesting and amazing stops along the road. With the help of roadside markers, this book opens a wealth of information reguarding the geology, history and nature of Yosemite. Any person who goes through Yosemite with out this book, will leave Yosemite with only a small portion of the amazement that Yosemite gives.

I was in 7th grade in Aptos, CA when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit Northern California. I didn't remember a whole lot about that time, so I bought this book to refresh my memory.

This book is not for the serious researcher, but is tremendously interesting for those curious about the sometimes zany history of California's place names. Most entries include an interesting tangle of history and culture and the usual mispronunciation of Native American names by early white settlers. Its a fun book that would make a great stocking stuffer and should brought along on any California road trip. Two thumbs on this one.

This is a very special little gem of a book -- slim but glittering with strange stories. As a collector's item it's worth the money.

This is a great resource guide for California Notaries. It provides quick answers to common questions about notarizing. But be aware before you buy that the 2000 edition will be out soon.

A great resource for multimedia researchers. Includes current and future work on content-based systems, speech and music recognition and MPEG applications. A definite (though expensive) must-have for your library!

First, the 1994 edition is an updated version of the book I used in 1989 and I don't see how it could possibly be any better. From L.A. to Santa Barbara to San Simeon to Carmel--every facet of what he recommended bordered on excellence. The restuarants and out of the way places were supreme and affordable. Frankly, I can't think of a better way to travel on a budget!. We also followed his book x amount of days across Germany and it was equally special.