California For Dummies (Dummies Travel) Review

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California For Dummies (Dummies Travel) ReviewGoing to a place for the first time like California, we felt innundated by choices of where to go and what to do. This guide provided everything we needed...from tips on getting around to the best places to stay and eat. It didn't dumb down and really sent us to the perfect places.California For Dummies (Dummies Travel) OverviewWith two of the nation's largest megalopolises — Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area—California has the largest, wealthiest, and most urbanized population of any state in the nation. Yet it's also an agricultural wonderland, a nature-lovers paradise, a wine-lover's dream, an outdoor enthusiast's ideal playground, and more. In fact, there's so much to see and do in California that you'll probably have to choose. With this guide, you can't lose. It gives you the scoop on:
Northern California, including San Francisco, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Redwood Country, Yosemite National Park, and more
The central coast, including the Monterey Peninsula and the spectacular Big Sur Coast
The Southland cities, including L.A., San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach, ritzy Palm Springs, and San Diego
Major attractions like Hearst Castle, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, and Alcatraz
Activities like hiking in the Yosemite Valley, biking along the Monterey coastline, cruising Sunset Boulevard, taking in the scenery on the Pacific Coast Highway, and more
All kinds of dining options, ranging from foodie favorites like the French Laundry in Yountville and Campanile, Patina, and Providence in L. A. to good restaurants for picky eaters, and great places to enjoy a vegetarian meal or incredible Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, or Thai specialties
Can't miss family destinations in various parts of the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the California Science Center, in L.A., and more
All sorts of accommodations, from new Treebones Resort in Big Sur that houses you in a gorgeous yurt, L. A.'s Chateau Marmont, with its Art Deco and Beaux Arts castle-style main building and individual bungalows, the Grand View and Seven Gables inns in Monterey/Pacific Grove with their spectacular ocean views, Chateau du Sureau in Oakhurst for pure pampering and four-star dining, and more

Like every For Dummies travel guide, California For Dummies, 4th Edition includes:
Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
What you shouldn't miss — and what you can skip
The best hotels and restaurants for every budget
Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages

Complete with all kinds of planning tips plus actual time-tested itineraries, this covers the must-see attractions, suggests things to see or do that are off the beaten path, and answers questions you might not even think to ask, like where to go to get down and wacky the way actual Californians do, where to find great inexpensive, gifts, and even where to find the graves of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. With this guide, you'll soon be singing, "California, here I come."

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Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall Review

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Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall ReviewThis is a deliciously gossipy & insightful book on one of the major figures in 20th century American esotericism. Manly P. Hall was America's answer to Madame Blavatsky and served to pioneer and document the rise of southern California as an occult Mecca. His Philosophical Research Society was a major influence through its publications in educating and influencing many to the cross cultural currents of comparative myth and religion. The cast of characters he encountered serves as a who's who of the American metaphysical underground between the 1920's through 1950's. Both noble and pathetic at times like occultism itself, this book never ceases to fascinate. A careful reading will also reveal several typos and errors that better editing should have caught.
Mr. Sahagun is a remarkable writer who I hope to read more of. His research is impeccable and many of those who played a role in Hall's life opened their hearts, minds and doors to him in documenting this larger than life figure both literally and figuratively. Knowing some of the people in this book that knew Hall and associated with him over the years this biography rings true from the stories I have heard from those that knew the "Maestro".
On another level, fans of Kenneth Anger's classic "Hollywood Babylon" will find much to keep them amused, the occult Hollywood subculture is here with such revelations as Rhonda Fleming's alternative health regime, Glenn Ford's belief in reincarnation and astrology (did you know he had a deformed spine that resulted in the need for special camera angles in the films he appeared in?), John Denver's unrequited attempt to become Hall's disciple, to Gloria Swanson's (the real Norma Desmond) finding a crashed flying saucer in the Hollywood hills? Culminating like a Greek tragedy in the mysterious death of this master of the mysteries- will linger in the mind of the reader long after the last page is read.Master of the Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall Overview
"And for anyone wishing to learn more about Manly Hall, Louis Sahagun's gripping biography is an insightful look at the life and times of one of the last century's most important mystical thinkers."—The Fortean Times

In 1919, a Canadian teenager with a sixth grade education arrived by train to the wilds of Los Angeles. Within a decade he had transformed himself into a world-renowned occult scholar.

His name was Manly Palmer Hall, author of the landmark publication The Secret Teachings of All Ages, regarded as the best introduction to Western esoteric ideas, and the founder of the Philosophical Research Society, which houses one of the biggest occult libraries in the United States.

Hall became the twentieth century's most prolific writer and speaker on ancient philosophies, mysticism, and magic, and a confidant of Hollywood celebrities and politicians. In 1990, he died—some say he was strangled—in what remains an open-ended Hollywood murder mystery worthy of Raymond Chandler.

Master of The Mysteries: The Life of Manly Palmer Hall offers an intimate portrait of this elusive luminary who set as his life's work the daunting task of reconciling scientific reason with ancient wisdom—issues that seekers and scientists still struggle with today.

Author Louis Sahagun draws from Hall's massive archives and a wealth of interviews to provide an insider's view of the birth of a metaphysical subculture that continues to have a profound influence on movies, television, music, books, art, and thought.


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Making the San Fernando Valley: Rural Landscapes, Urban Development, and White Privilege (Geographies of Justice and Social Transformation) Review

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Making the San Fernando Valley: Rural Landscapes, Urban Development, and White Privilege (Geographies of Justice and Social Transformation) ReviewWhile growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the 1950s and 1960s, I often wondered why most ethnic and racial minorities lived almost exclusively in one small northeast corner of the Valley -- in Pacoima and San Fernando. At all of the schools I attended -- Winnetka and Chatsworth Park Elementary, Columbus and Lawrence Junior High, and Chatsworth Senior High School -- you could count the number of minority students on your hands. Laura Barraclough skillfully explains why this was the case back then. The San Fernando Valley was racially segregated, despite the Civil Rights Movement, until around 1968 and even later. Barraclough explains the historic, cultural and political trends and events that allow the Valley to remain segregated 10-15 years after Brown v. Board of Education, the Freedom Riders, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and all of the other civil rights activism of the 1950s. Barraclough's analysis is solid and thorough -- and very readable. I highly recommend this book for those interested in Southern California history and minority and urban studies. If you were one of the lucky ones who rode horses during the Valley's more rural times, this book is for you.Making the San Fernando Valley: Rural Landscapes, Urban Development, and White Privilege (Geographies of Justice and Social Transformation) Overview
In the first book-length scholarly study of the SanFernando Valley— home to one-third of the population of Los Angeles—Laura R. Barraclough combines ambitious historical sweep with an on-theground investigation of contemporary life in this iconic western suburb. She is particularly intrigued by the Valley's many rural elements, such as dirt roads, tack-and-feed stores, horse-keeping districts, citrus groves, and movie ranches. Far from natural or undeveloped spaces, these rural characteristics are, she shows, the result of deliberate urbanplanning decisions that have shaped the Valley over the course of more than a hundred years.

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The Father of Hollywood Review

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The Father of Hollywood ReviewI want to begin by explaining that this is NOT a book about Hollywood, but Hollywood is a big part of this man's story. This 345 page book from 2010 brings us the story of the visionary land developer who developed towns along the midwest railroad and later developed Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Set primarily in the times surrounding 1870 to 1931, we touch a lot of history while reading about H.J., his wife Gigi, their children, and their friends, Teddy Roosevelt, Sid Grauman -- Grauman's Chinese Theater, and many others. As we follow H.J. Whitley's phenomenal drive to push forward in developing towns along the railroad, we touch on Indian uprisings in the undeveloped lands, bank robbers in lawless towns, and women's struggles to be independent. We look at how towns were begun with hotels, banks, schools and how highways were graded and built. It was a very interesting read of a visionary's life and legacy that began well before we were all born, a loving tribute by his great-granddaughter. This book was built from family stories, old family photos, old business records, personal family correspondences, as well as Gigi's journals and diaries. Many stories also came directly from Gaelyn's father who lived with Gigi during the last 20 years of her life. This book is dedicated to Hobart Johnstone (H.J.) Whitley and Gigi.
H.J. was born in Toronto, Canada in 1847. The early years of his life saw much tragedy in losing 4 of 6 siblings to cholera. His parents were killed in a buggy accident when he was 18. Later, he lost his first wife and child to a fire. Alone, he moved to Chicago and began a successful grocery and mercantile business with his inheritance. At 23, he sold the business and headed west. He became manager of town expansion along the frontier for the railroad where he launched more than 100 towns between 1870 and 1894.
Gigi is also very much a part of this story. Born in 1867 in Mobile, Alabama, she was gifted by second sight, a gift that would one day save HJ's life. Gigi's father died at age 2, and mother at age 14. She was raised primarily by Uncle Samuel. HJ and Gigi met on a train while she was traveling with Uncle Samuel and were married sometime later, in 1886. When living in the Midwest, Teddy Roosevelt even taught Gigi how to shoot straight! Much of this book comes from Gigi's records, diaries, journals, and stories.
HJ began opening Indian Territory in Oklahoma and the Dakotas about 1886 along the lines of the Rock Island Railroad and the Northern Pacific Railroad. Son Ross was born in 1888. During his time in the Midwest, HJ had miraculous recoveries from typhoid fever and black erysipelag. You will experience how Hollywood got its name in an early business trip there and later how primarily HJ planned, designed and built the city.
Moving to California in 1894, daughter Grace was born and you will watch as the turn of the century brought with it the growth of the urban electric street cars, the electric light, telephone and automobiles. HJ built the fabulous Hollywood Hotel, which became home to many famous movie people of the time, such as Louis B. Mayer, Harry Warner, Rudolph Valentino, and Norma Talmadge (among many others). You will watch the expansion of tracts of land as they turn into homes, towns, banks, schools, and businesses and how Sunset Boulevard came to be. You will watch, as in slow motion, how HJ spent over 15 years and millions of dollars developing and beautifying Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and the surrounding areas. Some areas included investment partners, but it was HJ who was the initiating and driving force and invested much of his financial income and even more of his personal time on the many projects.
By the 1020s, millions of Americans were going to movies each week and censorship in movies was a big issue. HJ and Gigi's friends included people such as Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore, Lon Chaney, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton, Lillian Gish and Cecil B. DeMille, among many others. In 1923, the Hollywoodland sign, which was later shortened to "Hollywood" was comprised of 13 letters, 30 feet wide and almost 50 feet high.
By the time of his death, HJ put over 140 towns on the map, which included Hollywood, Canoga Park, Indianapolis, Guthrie, Van Nuys and the Ridge Route (a historic California highway on the national register).
This book is a very interesting look at a time long ago and the people who were the driving force behind those times. (Back in the times when a guy had to be INTRODUCED to a gal before he could even SPEAK to her!) Some historical photos are included. I am glad this book found me.
The Father of Hollywood OverviewThe world has been fascinated by Hollywood, California, for years. The glamour, the sophistication, the scandal--the world can't help but follow the happenings of this incredible city. It is a city where stories are created, stories that come to life on a screen and allow viewers the chance to escape their everyday lives for a bit. But few people know the story of how Hollywood came to be. In this beautifully written biography, author Gaelyn Whitley Keith introduces readers to her great-grandfather, HJ Whitley, The Father of Hollywood. Keith uses her research and her great-grandmother Gigi's journal and memoir to recreate the story of HJ's life, a story as captivating as any film. You'll travel to the Midwest, interacting with cowboys and Native Americans. You'll cruise around the world. But most importantly, you'll watch the development of an unforgettable community. You'll witness the creation of Whitley Heights. You'll learn how the famous Hollywood sign came to be. And you'll discover just what brought the movie industry to its home. One man was behind it all. It's time to meet The Father of Hollywood.

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Moving Pictures: Memories of a Hollywood Prince Review

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Moving Pictures: Memories of a Hollywood Prince ReviewTo gain a true feeling of what it was like to be in on the ground floor of the motion picture industry, you must read this book. Mr. Schulberg, a gifted writer, is the son of B.P., who was with such notables as Adolph Zukor and L.B. Mayer as they created the dream factories. As the reader, you are given access to the back lots and inner sanctums of Paramount and MGM as Budd and his friend Maurice Rapf (Harry's son) play on the sets on the backlot, and you are also priviliged to join Budd's family at the dinner table for a more personal view. This book is excellent reading for the serious film student/buff as well as an entertaining read for anyone, since Mr. Schulberg uses a light narrative style and has a well developed sense of humor. The only complaint I can offer is that the book ends when Mr. Schulberg is around 20, and his own best work is yet to come! The reader is so involved that it is jolting to come back to this time. A 'must have'.Moving Pictures: Memories of a Hollywood Prince OverviewRaised in the Hollywood of the 1920s as the privileged son of a pioneer studio mogul, Budd Schulberg went on to win fame as a distinguished novelist, short story writer, playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and boxing historian. Moving Pictures is his fascinating remembrance of growing up amidst the glamour, swank, courage, triumphs, defeats, cabals, and double-crosses of an industry in the making. His utterly candid account includes unsparing portraits of outsized characters in all their power, venality, charm, pettiness, and vindictiveness. As a book on the early days of the movies in Hollywood, this one is hard to beat. Abundantly illustrated with black-and-white photographs.

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The Dream Endures: California Enters the 1940s (Americans and the California Dream) Review

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The Dream Endures: California Enters the 1940s (Americans and the California Dream) ReviewA great introduction to So Cal history with a comprehensive reviw of the whole cultural and historical landscape. Just as important, the writing is quick and entertaining.The Dream Endures: California Enters the 1940s (Americans and the California Dream) Overview

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I Just Kept Hoping Review

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I Just Kept Hoping ReviewI found Gloria's biography to be a pleasant way to spend a few hours.Not great,but fairly interesting look at a forgotten movie star of the 1930's.Frankly,I was hoping she would provide more detail about two classic horror films she made in the 30's,"The old Dark House"&"The Invisible Man",but then again,it 's probably hard to come up with amusing anecdotes about movies she made nearly 70 years ago!I wasn't bothered at all by details of her sex life.Some people are probably just shocked to learn that people actually had sex in the 1930's!I Just Kept Hoping Overview

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Waiting for the Sun: A Rock and Roll History of Los Angeles Review

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Waiting for the Sun: A Rock and Roll History of Los Angeles ReviewBarney Hoskyns' "Waiting for the Sun" is a superbly written and illustrated history of the Los Angeles music scene from the Second World War through the early nineties. There aren't many really good books about popular music around, but this is one of them; in fact, I'd say it's the best book yet written about a music "scene" (as opposed to a particular artist), even better than Jon Savage's "England's Dreaming," which recounts the explosion of punk in the U.K. in the 1970's.
The story moves effortlessly through the progression of musical styles that have flourished and often cross-pollinated each other in Southern California -- small-combo jazz, R&B, early rock & roll, surf music, folk-rock, psychedelia, country rock, heavy metal, punk and rap. The book includes lively portraits of the many famous (and infamous) people who have been a part of it, like Phil Spector, Ricky Nelson, Sam Cooke, David Crosby, Neil Young, Sonny Bono, the Beach Boys, Jim Morrison, Gram Parsons, Charles Manson, Randy Newman, Steely Dan, X and NWA, but also discusses many talented people who never quite made it to the big time, or who lost their way before realizing their full potential. Hoskyns is quite good in describing the business side of the music scene, and in relating events outside the music scene (for example, the booming aerospace industry, the surfing craze, the development of a "San Francisco sound," and the riots of 1965 and 1992) that had a significant impact on it.
In tracing the development of popular music in LA, Hoskyns makes the key point -- though this is hardly news -- that no musical style remains popular very long, and even the most creative and versatile artists simply can't stay on top for more than a couple of years. A handful of artists (Neil Young and Joni Mitchell come to mind) do manage to hold onto a significant audience throughout their careers, but few artists have their level of talent and dedication, and seem to do better by going into production, or management, or the movies, or politics (like Sonny Bono), than trying to rely on an outmoded musical formula.
Another key point is that during the sixties, Los Angeles became the popular music capital of the U.S., if not the world. Los Angeles' preeminence in the industry may be a given now, but even as late as the mid-sixties, many of the top groups lived and worked in New York, Detroit, New Orleans, and elsewhere; as Hoskyns documents, a lively club scene, big-name entertainment companies, sun and palm trees, and growing ranks of like-minded artists, all combined to make the region the entertainment mecca it is today.
This book contains a few small errors, such as repeatedly referring to "Huntingdon" rather than "Huntington" Beach, and ascribing several different publication years to Mike Davis' "City of Quartz," another fine book about Southern California. I also don't understand the significance of the book's lame title, except that it was also the title of the Doors' generally lame third album. Finally, I take issue with Hoskyns' gratuitous bashing of Joan Didion, whose writings on California in the sixties are still -- at least to this Midwesterner -- better than anyone else's.
These minor complaints aside, "Waiting for the Sun" is a superb book, a great addition to the literature on both popular music and Southern California.Waiting for the Sun: A Rock and Roll History of Los Angeles Overview

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New Hollywood Cinema Review

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New Hollywood Cinema Reviewrequired read for film class.
dropped class, but enjoyed the book.
A must read for anyone trying to break into the entertainment business.
However, it is written as an academic text, so the writing gets a little dense at times.
A pretty comprehensive overview of the history and developments in HollywoodNew Hollywood Cinema Overview

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Hidden Southern California (Hidden Travel) Review

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Hidden Southern California (Hidden Travel) ReviewThis guide gave me all of the information I needed to have a wonderful vacation. The information was candid, and thoughtfully presented. There were many tidbits of information/ sights I would never had thought to see if it wasn't for this book. My vacation consisted of renting a car at LAX touring along the coast (stopping at places recommended in the guide) Heading down to San Diego and then returning to LAX by traveling inland and seeing Temecula etc. It was a fun filled 10 days and all I used was this guide. If you just want the basic tourist jargon, buy a Frommers guide, not a hidden one... :-)Hidden Southern California (Hidden Travel) OverviewThe ultimate guide for enjoying the Southern California sunshine, with details on over 100 beaches and parks, including more than 250 hiking trails and over 100 surfing spots. In-depth coverage of the area's two big cities, Los Angeles and San Diego, include its many small jewels such as Santa Barbara, La Jolla, Palm Springs and Santa Catalina Island. Many distinctive lodging options are reviewed including cottages on the beach, spa retreats in the desert, alpine-style lodges in the mountains and boutique hotels in fashionable locales. Hidden Southern California offers insider advice on seeing Hollywood, seven Spanish missions, eight different theme parks and many other popular attractions while avoiding the tourist traps along the way

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Michelin Green Guide California, 7e (Green Guide/Michelin) Review

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Michelin Green Guide California, 7e (Green Guide/Michelin) ReviewI love the Green Guide series because:
1) It's subjective. They tell you what is good, not what is hyped or what the travel agent has a package for. It does not re-hash some handout by the local Chamber of Commerce. Some little-known places get two & three stars because Michelin visited them.
2) It's geared towards road trips. Monsieur Michelin wrote these books to encourage people to wear our their tires. The guides suggest itinararies and put an emphasis on scenic views and scenic routes that Fodors and other guides little heed. It also gives brief road descriptions if the road is dirt or really winding.
3) The green guides give short and interesting background on the history, culture, & economics of the area. These passages are short so they are not boring.
4) The green guides themselves have a lot of maps. Articles are cross-referenced to the map in the Green Guide & regular Michelin road maps.
5) The form factor (shape & size) is easy to carry and stow in a glove box.
6) I mostly agree with their opinions: no stars: so-so; 1 star: Interesting; 2 stars: worth a detour; 3 stars: worth a trip by itself. Surprizing how some major tourist destinations only get 1 star.Michelin Green Guide California, 7e (Green Guide/Michelin) OverviewRespected cultural travel guides featuring Michelin stars and tours.This completely revised new edition features the best of California, which thanks to the film and television industries, can seem a familiar place to first-time visitors. Its sun-baked beaches, city streets, picturesque villages and desert canyons have appeared as settings for countless movies and TV shows. But beyond the familiar backdrops, an endlessly fascinating variety of sights, attractions and experiences invites exploration and enjoyment in the Golden State?s many regions. Tours, maps, full-color photos, illustrations and plenty of new content help you to explore California, while Michelin's celebrated star-rating system and respected maps make sure you see the best that California has to offer.

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Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors Review

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Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors ReviewArmchair movie aficionados beware! Leave your remote control behind and visit hundreds of famous movie locations in person! This one-of-a-kind travel guide (very few authors can claim that) is the result of exhaustive research covering hundreds of film shooting sites and is a must have for anyone who loves movies and the great outdoors. I liked this book so much, I bought TWO copies - one to keep clean and one whose margins are already filling up with notes as I visit the places featured. Get this book and go touch Hollywood history in person!Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors OverviewLET THE MOVIES BE YOUR GUIDE!* Hike THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE Trail!* Behold the KILL BILL Chapel!* Enter THE DOORS Indian Caves!* Swim at BEACH BLANKET BINGO's Malibu!* Escape to SOME LIKE IT HOT's Resort!* Raft the STAGECOACH River!* Explore HIGH PLAIN DRIFTER's Ghostly Lake!* Trek to the LOST HORIZON Waterfall!* Discover the STAR WARS Sand Dunes!Here is the first comprehensive guide to Southern California's outdoor filming locations taking you to more than 50 of the Golden State's most cinematic beaches, mountains, deserts, lakes, hot springs and waterfalls. Illustrated with over 100 scenic photos and 20 easy-to-read maps,Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdours not only takes you to movie history's most memorable destinations, but also recommends places to dine and lodge along the way, from mountain hideaways to beach side resorts. Written by inveterate movie buffs and outdoors enthusiasts Harry Medved and Bruce Akiyama, these two native Southern Californians have interviewed dozens of actors, filmmakers, location scouts and rangers to help you explore Hollywood's most spectacular scenery.

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Beverly Hills, 1930-2005 (CA) (Images of America) Review

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Beverly Hills, 1930-2005 (CA) (Images of America) ReviewOk over view. May need to be more familiar with the community to really enjoy the experienceBeverly Hills, 1930-2005 (CA) (Images of America) OverviewNowhere on Earth are sequels and the success that fosters them more apparent than in Hollywood's bejeweled bedroom, Beverly Hills. This continuation of the history begun in Arcadia Publishing's Images of America: Early Beverly Hills presents a compendium of vintage photographs depicting America's one community that's most synonymous with wealth. However, the Great Depression hit here, too, and the book depicts that as well as the subsequent recovery and boom years, homes of the stars, influence of the close proximity to Hollywood, and the chic shops and restaurants that keep the tourists coming. From the Brown Derby to the Beverly Theatre, from the Harold Lloyd Estate to Jack Warner's digs, from the Beverly Hills Hotel's changes to those that created a new Beverly Hills Civic Center, these are the Beverly Hills facts that have been the bases for all of those Hollywood fictions.

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Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes Review

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Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes ReviewBesides being very well-written and witty, this book is one of the best-researched "graving guides" I have seen on the market. I believe this is because Masek lives in the area, and is a regular visitor to these sites. Many other books have been written by people who either don't know the subject matter personally, or who have relied heavily on other, usually erroenous, sources. These mistakes are repeated over and over in guide after guide, but not in this one. Masek has clearly done all the leg work himself, and it shows.
Besides giving directions, the book also contains some very witty anecdotes about the people and the places they are buried. Although a bit large to sneak into the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn, this book really needs to be at your side for any excursion out there into the increasingly-popular world of celebrity grave-hunting.Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes OverviewHollywood Remains to Be Seen is a fascinating, gossipy guide to the fourteen most significant Hollywood-era cemeteries and the final resting places of the movie stars who are buried in them.Arranged as an easy-to-follow tours of the properties, the fourteen chapters-one for each cemetery-include histories of the cemeteries, directions for finding them, and a detailed listing of exactly where more than three hundred stars, and a detailed listing of exactly where more than three hundred stars are buried.Strange as it may seem, cemeteries are becoming one of the most popular destinations for tourists to Hollywood and for film fans who want to pay their respects to the rich and famous and passed-on.Every year, millions of people from all over the world visit the graves of the legendary film stars buried in Hollywood, and the interest in these places grows from year to year.Hollywood Remains to Be Seen highlights the legend and lore of celebrity graves, from Rudolph Valentino's mysterious "Lady In Black" to the regular deliveryof one red rose to Marilyn Monroe's grave, to the strange journeys made by the body of John Barry more immediately after his death in 1942- and again thirty-eight years later.Also included are information and images of Hollywood's most lavish and majestic graves, from the huge mausoleum of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., complete with Roman pillars and giant reflecting pool; to Liberace's flamboyant tomb, with a musical score set on white marble; to the spectacular domed monument of Al Jolson, featuring a life-sized statue of the entertainer atop a 120-foot cascadin waterfall.Heavily illustrated with nearly one hundred photographs, Hollywood Remains to Be Seen includes photographs of the celebrities as well as photographs of the cemeteries, mausoleums, and graves, maps of the burial grounds and gravesites, and a final section fitly titled "Exit Lines" made up of celebrities' last words.

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The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA, and the Hidden History of Hollywood Review

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The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA, and the Hidden History of Hollywood ReviewMy library is filled with books about the inner workings of the entertainment industry, but none of them have even hinted at the massive power and influence of MCA, Dr. Jules Stein and Lew Wasserman. For over thirty years they controlled what Americans were entertained by. As agents, they handled the vast majority of important actors, musician, singers and writers. And you couldn't hire an MCA talent without agreeing to hire others. In addition, they had insider deals with the unions that no other talent agency or television production company enjoyed. In addition, MCA invented the dubious practice of setting up production companies for entertainers so that they could avoid paying taxes. Of course later, when the star's career started to fade, that same production company became an ever-hungry money pit. I don't think it is possible to truly understand why entertainment is what it is in the twentieth century without reading this book. Despite being published by a major house and receiving rave reviews, you are unlikely to see this author on your local talk shows or to find his book in any of the major chain stores, because so many still fear the subject of this book. Do yourself a favor and order the book from Amazon. It is a must-read for any fan of entertainment books.The Last Mogul: Lew Wasserman, MCA, and the Hidden History of Hollywood Overview

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Hit and Run Review

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Hit and Run ReviewI read this book three years ago and I'm still laughing.
Griffin & Masters have created THE required reading book on everything that is wrong with Hollywood. They were able to tell the inside stories of multi-million dollar deals and make them understandable. Jon Peters, a barely literate hairdresser who happened to be friends with Barbara Streisand, and his business partner Peter Guber schmoozed their way through the 80s and were picked by Sony to run their newly acquired Columbia/Tri-Star pictures. Billions of dollars in losses later (Last Action Hero, I'll Do Anything) they got kicked out.
It is really an incredible story. If it was fiction, you'd think it completly impossible to believe, but it is all true.Hit and Run Overview

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The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids (Unofficial Guides) Review

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The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids (Unofficial Guides) ReviewI found the Unofficial Guide to California with Kids to be very helpful in planning our family vacation. It gave detailed information about everything from beaches to theme parks as well as suggestions on where to bike, camp, hike, snorkle, and whale watch. It has information on family friendly restaurants and lodging, including prices, maps, meals served, types of payments accepted, children's menu availability, as well as which restaurants accept reservations. The Unofficial Guide helped us to pick and choose which attractions to visit by giving a specific rating for each age group, as well as admission prices, average touring time, and what services and facilities are available. All in all the Unofficial Guide to California with Kids helped us to have a GREAT family vacation!The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids (Unofficial Guides) Overview
California is the most visited state in the United States, Disneyland is the United States' second most visited theme park, and California's national parks attract almost 30 million visitors a year.
Los Angeles—as the fourth largest destination for domestic travel in the U.S. and the second-ranked destination for overseas visitors, behind only New York—welcomed 25 million visitors in 2008. San Francisco is ranked in the top 10 most visited US cities, with over 15 million visitors per year. Neighboring Napa County greeted 4 million visitors in 2008, and Sonoma Valley hosted 7 million visitors.


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Lonely Planet Discover California (Full Color Regional Travel Guide) Review

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Lonely Planet Discover California (Full Color Regional Travel Guide) ReviewNew to California or hoping to visit for a day, week, or month? Lonely Planet's latest travel guide to California is a great place to start. Chock full of glossy color photographs, six chapters introduce visitors to the best of the Golden State's urban areas, and a few of its wilder scenic wonders. Each chapter is color coded to help readers navigate to the section they want, and descriptions of eateries, local tourist attractions, hotels and hostels, and local parks are all written in the delightful style that readers of Lonely Planet Guides have come to expect.
Two urban areas, Los Angeles and San Francisco get their own chapters. The other portions of the book cover the rest of the Bay Area and northern California, the Sierra, the Southern California Coast (which does not include LA but does include both Big Sur and San Diego, two remarkably different areas, and of course Wine Country. Each chapter begins with a list of highlights, as does the book itself. Even relatively small communities which merit interest receive some mention here, including Ferndale, just south of Eureka, and hot springs resort Ukiah. The emphasis in this book is on urban visits, but it does include features on parks. Yosemite, of course, gets extensive coverage. But I was impressed by the amount of space devoted to some otherwise little known state parks like Salt Point and Jack London Historic Park.
For the most part, I found the information in the book accurate, but I did find a couple of minor mistakes. The scenes from Star Wars with the Ewoks are described as filmed in two different state parks and actually it was neither of the ones listed. Visitors who remember the movie will want to visit Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park which is not actually mentioned in the book. A description of Lava Beds National Monument is misplaced in the book and appears in the write up on Redwood National Park. Still in all, this is a nice guidebook to the state. I would recommend, however, that readers who want to get out of their cars a bit more should supplement this book with my favorite statewide hiking guide, Moon Handbooks California Hiking. California's scenery is best experienced on foot, so read up and then come visit the most beautiful state in the nation.Lonely Planet Discover California (Full Color Regional Travel Guide) OverviewEXPERIENCE THE BEST OF CALIFORNIAHIGHLIGHTS reveal the must-see attractions and unbeatable experiencesITINERARIES organized by region, theme and length of tripLOCAL EXPERTS recommend what not to missEASY-TO-USE TOOLS make planning your trip simpler than ever - no matter what your budget

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Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles Review

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Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles ReviewWhat a nice book. I live in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, and a friend suggested this book to me. I realized I had read a novel by the author a few years ago that I really enjoyed, "The Ivory Coast" a jazz/noir set in Vegas, so I picked up a copy. Now I'm planning to take the walks written about in the book. Wow. As a kid, one of my favorite "Three Stooges" was shot on a stair street. They had a job delivering ice, and Curly has a huge block of ice in tongs, and when he gets to the top, he's holding a little ice cube. What I love about L. A. is how much history and mystery exists here, particularly on the east side, and parts of Hollywood. Because it was run down over here for so long, large swaths of the east side weren't touched when all of the money moved in a little west, and few of those monstrous developments occurred; there are still little nuggets and gems you can find. My only quibble is that I would have loved pictures of the stair street, but on the other hand, the descriptions are great, and leaving the mystery makes me want to go there myself. Which I plan to.Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles OverviewIn a city known for its fast cars and freeways, this guide reveals a unique feature of the Los Angeles cityscape: more than 200 stairways across the hilly sections of the city, many of which are remnants from the days when most city residents depended on streetcars and buses for transportation. Containing more than 40 walks and detailed maps, this handbook highlights the charms and quirks of this quintessential feature of Los Angeles' development and chronicles the geographical, architectural, and historical features of each staircase and the neighborhoods in which the steps are located. Rated for duration and difficulty, the circular walks deliver tales of historic homes, their fascinating inhabitants, and troves of historic trivia-such as where William Faulkner lived while he wrote the screenplay for To Have and Have Not, where Graham Nash lived, and where actress Thelma Todd was murdered-while other walks highlight spectacular homes by some of southern California's most important architects, including Neutra and Schindler. From strolling through the classic La Loma neighborhood in Pasadena and walking the vintage Red Car Loop in Silver Lake to taking the Beachwood Canyon Hollywoodland hike and enjoying the magnificent ocean views from the Castellammare district in Pacific Palisades, these staircases present a new way for urban explorers to discover a little-known side of the City of Angels.

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Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood Review

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Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood ReviewThis book is a terrific read: an amazingly revealing insight into the workings of the Hollywood machine and a convincing explanation of why the film industry is the way it is today. Fascinating for any film fan but truly essential for those particularly interested in Coppola, Scorcese, Altman and the other enfants terribles of the 70s. I learned more than I ever thought I would about the strange habits, curious peccadilloes and psychological frailties of these legendary directors and producers. Seminal figures such as Dennis Hopper, William Friedkin, Peter Bogdanovich and Scorsese all come across as frighteningly deranged, emphasising the fine line that separates genius from insanity - and many of these characters clearly ended up on the wrong side of the divide. One of Biskind's great strengths is that he seeks to portray all sides of the story, and it's hard not to believe the majority of what is reported simply for the fact that if wasn't true you can bet your life that lawsuits would have stopped publication in its tracks.
The spirit of the times engendered by the rise of the anti-Vietnam, hippy counterculture, generated a climate where a new form of creativity was allowed to enter the mainstream for the first time. This produced a fabulous glut of films - Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver, The Deerhunter, Star Wars, MASH and dozens of others. Biskind's belief is that the rise of the super director destroyed this astounding period in Hollywood history - egos and pay checks became so over inflated that eventually the studios realised that they had to seize back control. As a result the industry more or less stopped producing original pictures and opted for the safe bet of formulaic blockbusters which were more likely to draw big crowds - through excessive marketing and merchandising campaigns and extravagant special effects.
Biskind's style is compelling and the anectdotal evidence at times hilarious, at others horrific (Peter Bogdanovich's fall from grace is particularly gruesome). `Easy Riders Raging Bulls' must be one of the best books yet written about Hollywood and one of the best non-fiction books I have read in many years.Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood Overview

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