If you think that the "official" 9/11 story is phony, you're probably correct. This book presents well documented inconsistencies in that official story, and calls for a truthful, objective investigation (which sadly may be politically impossible).
Engaging, exciting historical novel set in the first half of 20th century San Francisco (& beyond). Excellent literature on a number of levels. Insights are offered re the Northern California Italian community, the legal system, and various institutions.
A scholarly view of labor history and the genesis of the ILWU in San Francisco during depression times. The shortcomings of the powerful men at the top "pulling the strings" are not glossed over, and sins & crimes of working class folks aren't emphasized.
You will frequently laugh out loud while reading this autobiographical narrative of a partially successful attempt to "through hike" the Appalachian Trail. This is much more than merely a very good outdoors/hiking book!
Artful pictures of ambient cats in their native Cairo, Egypt surroundings
Fun, engaging novel. Future fantasy, survivalist, pro-animal
Warts-and-all history, dense but concise and readable, wonderful vocabulary
An earlier edition of this book was the text for my California History class at UC Berkeley. As a scholarly (yet concise) work, it is complementary to Prof. Starr's book.
Readable, engaging academic study of cats' long relationship with ancient Egyptian civilization
Firsthand study of cat-human relationships in coastal Kenya, near Somalia
This book was loaned to me by a descendant of the author, and offers insights about the Civil War from the rebel perspective. Understanding is the reward for reading through this well written account of a "grunt" level confederate soldier.
Comprehensive reference on veterinary care of cats.
Unlike "9/11 Contradictions", this long and detailed investigative study points toward what Mr. Ruppert views as the most likely set of conspirators for the catastrophic disaster that HAD to be the result of a conspiracy.
Readable study of women's place in various Native American cultures. Scope is objective, and not "sugar-coated". I didn't know that Field Hockey was a favorite sport among Native American women...
A classic novel by a beloved Victorian author... I think back to the characters in Copperfield much more than Great Expectations, which I also read in Jr. High School.
The title says it all... An important book for those who attempt to understand the Holocaust.
Readable, exciting biography of Albert Einstein detailing his personal, public/political, and scientific lives. Einstein's famous scientific ideas are understandably explained by author Kaku, who is himself a theoretical physicist.
Exciting, detailed, reasonably historically accurate novel tells the story of Scandinavians leaving the homeland and enduring the sea passage to a new life in Minnesota.
The story continues with the struggle to survive in a new country, and the changes and rewards that result.
Life in the USA offers new opportunities and different challenges...
If you read the first three books in the series, you won't be able to stop there!! Author Moberg's entire set of four books are all worth your attention.
Inside view of the Carter presidential campaign, life in the White House, and events during the Carter administration.
Unauthorized biography of the Bechtel family and the construction and engineering business they built. Includes some embarassing information. Was criticized by Bechtel people when published.
Not highly rated by Amazon.com reviewers, but nevertheless informative on a general interest level about an arcane, complex, little understood topic. Fuzzy Logic is important, for instance, in the control of Japanese air conditioning units! :-)
Exciting story of Galileo's relationship with his daughters springs a surprise ending on the reader!
An absolutely essential reference for maintaining good health in pet cats.
Wonderful book linking people's eating habits with their lives.
Jack London's biography is more interesting to me than any of his fiction! According to history professor Walton Bean at UC Berkeley, Jack London was an Oakland kid from the wrong side of the tracks who "never had a chance"...
Touching but sad true story of a stone age man thrust into the California society of the early 20th century.
Readable and inspirational (but detailed and scholarly) story of a true American hero - the first Mountain Man known to reach California overland.
The quintessential reference cookbook that every household should possess...
Whisk back in time to Victorian ruled India... Besides the literary adventure of this exciting story, it's fascinating to compare the present state of affairs in South Asia.
This frank, candid autobiography details the going-ons behind the scenes in restaurant kitchens... It is a worthwhile book on several levels, I think, including food, personal conduct, work, business, and urban life.
As a graduate of UC Berkeley with relatives who spent careers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, this history of the institution and its scientific innovations was of major interest when published. I loaned my copy out and need to get it back!
Survey of the various breeds of cat and detailed explanation of color, body sizes and shapes, and temperament. Magnificent photographs throughout by Tetsu Yamazaki.
This unforgettable French novel was required reading in the English class of the Junior High School I attended in Oakland...
Exciting sea story, begins in India, perspective on religion, lots of animal savvy
Autobiographical story of Mark Twain's young adult enterprise of becoming a Mississippi River Pilot. As a teenager, I couldn't put this book down... Twain was a very gifted writer.
I bought this book to understand Mumia's situation after listening to many of his oral commentaries on the radio airwaves. It's a good book. I gave my copy to a friend from Philadelphia. She almost thought it was toxic, but I hope she read a little of it.
Fascinating story of the development of vital navigation instruments and techniques.
Heartwarming autobiographical story of standard highly disciplined veterinary medicine expanding to embrace and include alternative holistic treatment.
Indispensable workshop reference book with incredible amounts of useful information.
Daniel Defoe's best work, in my opinion. (Robinson Crusoe, Journal of the Plague Year are others). As an adolescent, I thought this was a pornographic novel until actually reading it... There's a lot of "redeeming social importance" in this frank work.
Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat shares his research on and positive feelings for wolves in the wild. This book changed my thinking about the natural world.
The facts behind the US policies toward Iraq up to 2003, gleaned from mainstream sources like NY Times, Wall St Journal, Washington Post, etc...
Worthwhile Americana novel: entertaining, meaningful
Novel that gives an impressionistic look at New York society at all levels around the turn of the 20th century. This was where I discovered Emma Goldman...
This is a book I haven't read yet, but would like to some day. A couple of author interviews when the book was new and being promoted sparked my interest. Ms. DiPrima is tough, practical, and capable but at the same time she's liberated & unconventional.
Originally required college reading, I re-acquired my lost copy and read it again. A vital first hand account of the communist revolution in China written by a westerner.
Delightful book that tells everything you could want to know about left and right handedness. The joy of the scientific inquiry process is on view, too.
Autobiographical story of Mark Twain's journey west after deserting from the Confederate military kept me turning pages. I rode my bicycle over Tioga Pass in Yosemite to see Mono Lake after reading about it here.
A copy of this book appeared in the living room (perhaps my father brought it home), and I began dipping into it without realizing what it was... My appreciation for this fusion of medieval Persian dissenter with Victorian poet ever grows!
Exciting, compelling historical novel set in medieval Japan.
Basic monograph on owning a Somali Cat.
Ms. Duncann sells the reader on the notion that a certain small segment of society is strongly attracted to really hot, spicy food. I know that I'm one such person! :-) Lots of good recipes and food advice here, and some good stories as well!
This is a great biography. My brother never returned the copy I lent him, but reported that his father-in-law read it then went out and purchased a Mac! :-) I also enjoyed the book "option$" by "fake steve jobs"...
Good book for insight into the justice system, prison life realities, affluence vs. poverty behavior differences, and women's issues. I picked it up by chance and couldn't stop reading...
Socio-political ideas combined with mathematics, dimensions, and geometry make this an entertaining, exotic diversion. Women are probably quite unhappy with their characterization in Flatland, which may mirror inequities in society.
Manchester writes history almost as if it were a novel, so the pages keep turning. A view inside the German (or any, I suppose) Military-Industrial Complex is afforded... A window to the Holocaust is here too...
Everything you could want to know about dining culture and hardware. I received this book as a door prize at the 2000 KGO Radio 810 AM Holiday Cookie Exchange, where the "Swedish Dreams" that I entered in a field of 25 selected bakers won 3rd place! :-)
Well told story of important scientific and engineering advances. Author Jacob Bronowski shares insight and appreciation for the human struggles and revolutionary thought that accompany major discoveries propelling civilization forward...
Important historical portrait of a great American. This volume must be an official "Classic" if Amazon.com offers two monographs of study notes on it! :-)
From the time I could crawl, I spied this book on the shelf! Not until it became required reading in High School did I finally discover how relevant, humorous, and absolutely ribald is this wonderful collection of medieval tales!
I'm putting up the latest edition of Colin Fletcher's "Bible of Backpacking", even though an earlier edition is the one I absorbed. Getting in touch with Fletcher by reading his book will immensely enrich your hiking and backpacking life.
This fiction for young adults won the Newberry Medal in 1923, and is an exciting, well written sea story. Pirates (aka "Gentlemen" or "Gentlemen of Fortune") play a large part here...
Unbelievable but true story of adventure and incredible survival in the Antarctic. Haunting photos from the original expedition are central to this very well done volume.
I read this book after hearing a radio author interview. Xinran Xue herself hosted a pioneering radio talk show in China, and records a number of candid, often tragic, stories of women's struggles in modern China.
This recognized classic is also a well written novel that will keep your interest. Steinbeck makes you re-assess your own values while describing "okie" immigrant life in depression-era California.
This guide to plant life in California is quite complete and authoritative. "User Friendliness" is not its strong point, but detail and reference value are.
Historical novel set in ancient Greece and Crete. It's exciting and revealing of long-gone cultures, but I didn't realize until reading the Amazon.com reviews that this is a fictionalized account of part of the Greek Theseus legend! :-)
Unauthorized bio of RS McNamara reveals unflattering details. Great investigation into Piedmont, the snooty, provincial bubble of a town he grew up in.
Collection of short stories by Steinbeck, all worthy of attention. The Red Pony is one of them...
Frank Norris was contemporary with Jack London, but came from a wealthier class of people. "The Octopus" is the railroad (Central Pacific?), and the novel affords a panorama of California life during the gilded age.
Marvellous retelling of the medieval Arthurian epic in modern syntax.
Delightful story every child should read
This volume is on my short list of the best books I've read. The epic story of Maria's constantly transformative journey through life is well told and exceptional as to her achievements along the way. A larger than life VIP, she retained her humanity.
If you want to view and understand the source material for "Euclid's Elements", information as old as or older than the Bible, this set of three volumes is the place to go! (Volume 1 is pictured, but there are 2 more similar ones...)
Every homeowner and every person involved with water heaters should own this excellent loose-leaf book. Literary quotations & humorous cartoons spice up this VERY practical handbook.
Youthful enjoyment of this book led me to eventually devour all of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Medieval English and French life, chivalry, and adventure are on view here...
A novel remarkably similar to Moll Flanders, but with a female author. The setting is the Massachusetts colony during Puritan times. This was assigned reading by my female 11th Grade English teacher, with excellent educational value. S'a good book, too!
The first book I owned, which led to borrowing many of the sequels from my Aunt Pat... The word "rainbow" does not appear in the book, but the famous Yip Harburg song can be found on YouTube by Judy Garland in the movie, or by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
You go along with a person who participated in the 1849 migration to California in search of gold... His journal is the centerpiece of this vital, interesting story. The actual experience was quite different than I expected...
Authoritative history of Classic Ragtime. Race relations, the universal language of music, and the growing pains of the USA at the turn of the 20th century all come into play. An excellent book!
Colorful coverage of momentous events in the USA: Mormon migration, Mexican War, pre-gold rush overland settlement of California, Mountain Men, and more!
Excellent first volume of definitive Lyndon B. Johnson Biography... I always thought LBJ was a reprehensible crook, and Caro confirms it, but presents the full story so the reader can understand why people might follow LBJ into the black hole of Vietnam.
A good book, it doesn't answer the burning question I have about LBJ: was he involved in an assassination conspiracy against John F. Kennedy... I think Caro might know, and I wonder if it's a factor delaying the 4th volume in this series...
What is Christianity and to some extent Roman Catholicism all about? This engaging, well written autobiography addresses these large questions. Reading his book supplemented a visit I made to one of Sheen's public appearances late in his admirable life.
Besides being a good "coming-of-age" narrative, this autobiographical account provides rare first-hand observations of life in Mexican California by an American. Famous quotation: "In the hands of an industrious people, what a country this could be!"
Fictional federal Grand Jury case detailing legal probable cause that Bush, Cheney, and associates should be charged with felony fraud against the US Government. Author is a retired federal prosecutor, or "AUSA" (Assistant US Attorney).
This book has been very useful as I've developed a low-cost, minimum labor vegetarian cycle of recipes.
Read through this book and learn what is behind the native culture in the unique, much visited tourist magnet of the Hawaiian Islands... A couple of dozen respected elder Hawaiians are interviewed and share their wisdom and experience...
Exciting well written novel about an American railroad-borne circus during the depression times of the early 1930s. Female author does a decent job getting inside the psyche of her male protagonist... Maybe her husband and three sons help...
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