No comments about Where the Locals Eat: Los Angeles The 100 Best Restaurants.

No comments about Insight Pocket Map Los Angeles: Pop Up Map, Top Sights, Bars & Restaurants, Shopping (Insight Pocket Map).

2 comments about Sunset Boulevard: Cruising the Heart of Los Angeles.

1. From start to finish, this remarkable book captures the essence of the legends that have shaped both the lore and the reality of Los Angeles. Sunset Boulevard literally crosses the heart of Los Angeles, touching along its route to the Pacific Ocean many neighborhoods that define the city's diversity and drama both past and present. This book culls stories of the past and ties them to the present, explaining every step of the way how Sunset Boulevard helped make Los Angeles what it is today. The maps of each neighborhood show both present-day landmarks as well as those gone-but-not-forgotten. Each chapter is devoted to a specific neighborhood along the 23-mile route and contains lists (including, happily, addresses and phone numbers!!) of restaurants, museums, nightclubs and hot shopping sites worth visiting. All in all, this is a book for both tourists and locals alike.



2. Sunset Boulevard lives large in legend and lore (did I say that?), and this book presents myriad facets of the long and meandering street, one of the most famed in America. From interesting anecdotes (including the story of how an entire school was buried beneath what is now Dodger Stadium) to hundreds of elucidating and entertaining photos and illustrations, some historical and many contemporary, the book is a compelling and engaging treatise. While some of the subject matter isn't of inherent interest to me, the author's writing pulled me in to many a tale, and rewarded my attention handsomely. The maps and address/phone information are useful for touring the boulevard and its many neighborhoods, as listings present to the visitor and native alike lots of places to eat, drink and otherwise acculturate. Sunset Boulevard itself is, of course, but one stretch of asphalt, but there's a wealth of history -- and plenty of current interest -- that lies along its 23-mile length.

4 comments about Favorite Dog Hikes in And Around Las Vegas (Favorite Dog Hikes).

1. It has a bunch of new trails we never knew about. There are photos of every hike, excellent directions and maps. The photos were the selling point. They give a good idea of what to expect. We took our dogs out to Goodsprings and they just had the best time. It was a beautiful hike. There wasn't a soul out there. No leashes, either. We all had so much fun.



2. An easy read, with the best coverage of dog friendly trails and parks around Las Vegas, loaded with basic hiking information for dogs and humans that's good anywhere. The sections on, on leash, and off leash local parks are a nice bonus.



3. This is filled with great information for anyone (dog owner or not) I especially like the climate/temperature information, as Las Vegas weather extremes can be hard on dogs. Excellent descriptions of all areas. Interestingly written and accurate.
   This is the best dog hike book available!



4. Benti and Lawlor's Favorite Dog Hikes: Las Vegas is a great book for people looking for an active way to spend time with their dog outdoors. There are many maps and great directions for getting to the different areas and two great maps of off-leash dog parks in the area. Several photographs help tell you more about the hikes the authors talk about.

No comments about Los Angeles (America Series).

5 comments about Hollywood Remains to Be Seen: A Guide to the Movie Stars' Final Homes.

1. Great Book.........I am an old movie buff



2. He led a glorious life full of glamor and adoration for his host of fans. His ending, however, would make a movie to beat all. He was abandoned by everyone and ended up at his final resting place, the cemetery. Read about false memories and not actuality in a tome written to launch a career on the heels of:
   Another Imposter on MYL : A Dutiful Daughter's Memories, August 12, 2006 I got too close to the truth for comfort and so had to find it on my web site about the shenanigans of the stars there who act like so much ____________ Now hear this: a fan's expose of what is really happening.
   
   Dean Martin was successful in the Fifties as an actor, singer, t.v. show host and yet we young people back then though he was just a drunk. He was a member of the rat pack, not that that is saying a whole lot. Sinatra was a bigger lush than Dean could ever be, and all those wives of his! I do remember how he was fascinated with the lovely Lainie Kazan on his television music show, and perhaps that is what caused his divorce.
   
   The author of this book has related how her 'mother's house' was next door to Rosemary Clooney. I guess Ira Gershwin lived on the other side of Rosie? I do remember that before the talented Dean died, he was living as a bum (like James Agee in New York), with a beard and same old clothes. There was no one to care for him in that condition. I ask you, where was this 'devoted' dauthter then? She is the second to make money off the deceased singer. First Jerry Lewis, after all of his tantrums and allegations, refusing to a reunion with Dean Martin. Now, the absent daughter who is using her dead father's fame as her own.
   
   She has wormed herself into a slot on Music of Your Life, after first playing around with Les Brown, Jr. there in Branson, Missouri, getting to be top dog for two hours daily; now, she has her own weekend slot and all night on Sundays. Here is how she is described on their web site: Deana, who is an accomplished actor singer, entertainer and author, in addition to being the daughter of her famous father, has quickly become a Music of Your Life listener favorite with her great behind- the-scenes stories. Between concert and book tours, Deana produces the annual Dean Martin festival! When I was fifteen, I could sing just as well as she can. And to think that she collaborated on her CD (thanks to MYL) with Jerry Lewis, it's a sacrilege after all he did to her dad she supposedly is devoted to. With a daughter like that, who needs enemies. The writer of the book, DINO, shows how he died in virtual isolation. We all knew that. It's a sacrilege for anyone to make a fortune off a dead person who is not hear to tell the truth. Such is life today.



3. Very well put together with an exceptional reference section.Easy to read and follow.Worth the price and I reccomend it.



4. I REALLY LOVED THE BOOK I WISH THERE WAS MORE PICTURES OF THE STARS GRAVES . BUT WAS A GREAT READ IT TELLS WHERE ALL THE STARS IN HOLLYWOOD ARE BURIED THIS IS A BOOK ILL CHERISH AND KEEP FOR A VACATION TO HOLLYWOOD AND TAKE WITH ME THANKS



5. This is one of those great niche books, that seem weird on the surface, but are actually really fun reads. This book is very well crafted and though I would have appreciated a few more images, overall, this is about as good a book on this uh interesting subject, that could be imagined. I have never been one that found cemeteries scary or eire, I find them, well the nice ones anyway, very peaceful. In Victorian times, people had picnics in cemeteries and they used them as public parks, so I really dont know how they sort of ended up these scary, spooky places we never visit..I guess Hollywood movies...so that makes this guide interesting on many levels. All and all, fun read, highly recommended.

5 comments about Hungry? Los Angeles 3rd edition.

1. First, I love food, and Los Angeles is a great place to eat. So imagine the difficulty involved in picking a great little undiscovered restaurant with thousands of eateries among the hundreds of square miles of L.A. County.
   
   Enter Hungry? Los Angeles. Since the slim first edition came out about four years ago, I've used this book, kept editions in my glove box, and given them away to newbie neighbors. There are hundreds of listings covering a vast swath of the Los Angeles area.
   
   Hungry? is geared towards economical restaurants, but they are not restricted to "cheap eats" places. There are plenty of higher-end eateries as well, but these are usually written about highlighting certain specialties or meal times. Reviewers note ambience, costs, and neighborhood info in addition to their favorite dishes. It's broken into geographic sections which encompass far north and west (to Ventura County), the east (San Gabriels), through the Westside and down to the edge of Orange County in the south. Special sections also break out the best night-owl spots, the best burgers, and many other eclectic sub-categories.
   
   Obviously I like the book so much because I agree with the reviewers in a majority of cases. Most of my favorite restaurants make it into the guide. Instant validation! Plus I find new places I haven't tried yet and make a note to visit them.
   
   This 3rd edition is not without it's minor problems; there are a lot more typoes and spelling errors in this book than in previous editions, some addressess (and indeed a few cities) are completely wrong, some of the restaurants reviewed have been closed for a few years, and I think they were late to press and rushed the book through. But these are quibbles. If you call in advance to make sure the eatery is open for business, you'll be able to count on many, many pleasant dining experiences.



2. I loved the earlier editions of this food guide when I lived in the city, but now that I'm down at the beach, the older versions just didn't cut it--so I e-mailed the editors and the listened. The new Hungry?, which I just picked up today, has a TON of listings for the beaches, south bay and Torrance area which, unfortunately, I now must frequent. This book is a total must if you live in LA--forget the other guides!



3. I love LA and I love these books. They're quirky, fun, and really really honest. I couldn't wait for the new edition to come out and was just about to eamil the publishers when I saw that this came out. Since I am (or try to be) a vegetarian, this book's the best yet because it has a huge selection of veggie friendly/vegan places. It also seems like they expanded their coverage of the beaches and westerly areas.



4. I picked up this book after the color caught my eye, and it has come in handy much more than expected! It's got some great places that I would never have found on my own. The reviews give all the info you'd need before deciding on a place to eat, and although it doesnt cover EVERY restaurant in the city like Zagat, it gives good suggestions for every neighborhood. I highly reccommend it.



5. If you live in L.A. or are going to visit this is a must have guide.

3 comments about Chinese Food Finder: Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

1. I was very excited to get this book, since San Gabriel Valley is littered with way more Chinese restaurants than I could ever try personally. I imagine it was a tough job, especially in the fast-paced Chinese restuarant scene where stores pop up and die overnight. (And a few listings have already gone out of business.) The book succeeds at providing a good overview of the various regional cuisines, and I did enjoy reading about unfamiliar foods and their history.
   
   However, a little more detailed information about the specific restaurants and more write-ups would make this book even better. For example, there are tons of dim sum places in the Valley, but only a handful are written up and Carl was lukewarm toward all of them. Where is a great dim sum place? Maybe descriptions of how the dim sum offerings might differ from say Mission 261 and Ocean Star (both are mega banquet room sized, but Ocean Star offers far more food variety than Mission 261). The Hong Kong style coffee shop listings also felt thin, leaving out alot of the tasty and popular spots that dot Valley Blvd. like OK Cafe and U2. And how about writing up the best place for roast suckling pig or squab?
   
   Despite these shortcomings, I would still recommend this book as a solid introduction to LA Chinese cuisine.



2. well written, accurate, helpful, and there is nothing like it on the Internet or in print



3. This book is both more useful than you'd expect, and less. The lesser part is because many of the restaurants listed in the guide no longer exist. A guidebook like this one needs to be updated every couple of years for it to fulfill its purpose. There are too many restaurants listed that have since closed and too many new restaurants that should be in here that aren't, but that goes with the territory of writing restaurant guides.
   
   On the other hand, this book provides an excellent introduction to the regional cuisines of China, with detailed descriptions of the kinds of dishes to expect at various types of Chinese restaurants. This book can be a handy tool for ordering a meal at any authentic Chinese restaurant regardless of what city it's in. Even though I'm quite familiar with Chinese cuisine, I often bring this book with me for mealtime inspiration when I'm traveling to any city with a Chinatown--I even brought it with me on my most recent trip to Hong Kong & Guangdong.
   
   Reviewed by Barbara Strother, author of Moon Living Abroad in China (Living Abroad).

5 comments about Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies (The Architect and Society).

1. Reyner Banham's writing is intelligent and entertaining. He has taken LA to heart and reveals how its "four ecologies" have affected its contemporary appearance and character. You'll not only learn how LA's architecture came to be as it is, but learn a great deal about the history and personality of the city as well. I read this book to get to know LA better. I couldn't have picked a better one.



2. Outstanding book about Los Angeles, a must-read for anyone interested in history, architecture, and culture.It reads like poetry.



3. Even though Banham's book was written in the early '70's, it remains a cogent view of a metropolis that has changed yet remained the same. It is a place, yes a real place, that is defined by geography and the various cultures of its inhabitants to a unique degree. Architecture is but a backdrop to Banham's larger point about the inter-relationship of people to the natural and built environments. The perspective of 35 years only sharpens the observations made by the insightful author.



4. The book was exactly what I wanted for a Christmas present and at a good price.



5. Los Angeles. There were a few years there when Los Angles was the center of the world. 1965-1985, give or take a few years. Oh yes, even the Brits were raving. David Hockney had declared LA the best place to paint ("Splash") and Reyner Banham declared LA the city of tomorrow. Things were cooking and I was there. Then things started to go wrong. Spielberg and the boys from USC took over Hollywood and turned the city from a culture center into an amusement park. The pollution started to get too dangerous to laugh at. The gangs took over much of the fringe. There was Rodney King, O.J., riots, earthquakes, fires, gang warfare. All in all, the city was destroyed. Who knows what Banham might make of the place now. This is a great little book.

No comments about Cruising L.A.: Architectural Styles in 5 Easy Drives.