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My grandfather escaped a life with no opportunities in Depression-era Los Angeles by joining up with the Civilian Conservation Corp. After graduating from high school and having two siblings and no money for college, he saw this as the best way for him to provide for his family. He was sent to King Canyon and... Continue Reading →
Pleased to Meet Me is a close look into why are we different... We all have different tastes, hobbies, interests, addictions, appetites, and loves. The book's message relies on little history, a bit of scientific research, some key anecdotes, and quite a few enjoyable cultural references. What happens at the intersection of DNA, the microbiome... Continue Reading →
Growing up in Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, my father had no intention of driving me through the city to a cold and windy Candlestick Park... thus, I became an Oakland A's fan. From Dave Kingman and Tony Phillips, Jose Canseco and Dave Stewart, Eric Byrnes and Eric Chavez... I have... Continue Reading →
Trashed is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel about being a garbageman. For the most part, the book is told in a day-in-the-life narrative, following the three-man truck crew on their routine picking up trash around town. They are the bottom of the food chain at the "Village Service Department." Picking up engine blocks, roadkill, and lots... Continue Reading →
I have long had a fascination with the land north of the DMZ. I have read several true accounts of life in North Korea, including a couple books that I have reviewed on the blog, namely A River in Darkness: One Man’s Escape from North Korea by Masaji Ishikawa (Mini Review) and See You Again in Pyongyang: A... Continue Reading →
Sasha Fleishman, who identifies as asexual, was on their way home from school on the 57 bus in Oakland, Ca, on Monday, November 4th, 2013, when they were set on fire. Richard Thomas and his friend saw Sasha wearing a skirt and tried to 'prank' them by putting a lighter to it. Sasha suffered 3rd... Continue Reading →
Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted is known mostly for his design of Central Park and other nationally renowned projects, but at one point in his life he was a journalist commissioned by the New York Daily Times, now The New York Times, to report on the slave economy of the South about 10 years... Continue Reading →
A wonderful piece of history. One part father-son legacy, one part engineering feat, and one part marriage partnership. Tomasi has interlaced these threads to create a story of great depth, tension, and enjoyment. The Bridge follows Washington Roebling from his first lessons from his father as a young man to severe illness as his tries... Continue Reading →
"Paul!," yelled my dad. "Where's my Backpacker's Guide!?!?!?" Uh oh! I'm gonna get it! I was probably up the hill again trying to make a lean-to out of a tarp. He told me not to cut that cord... I'm in trouble! I ate this type of book up when I was a kid. I had... Continue Reading →
