4 comments about A Guide to Ethnic Food in Los Angeles: Restaurants, Markets, Bakeries, Specialty Shops for the Food of Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Greece, Guatemala,.

1. When this book first came out about 10 yrs. ago or more it was a revelation. In one collection it guided you through EVERY major ethnic community in the greater L.A. region and told you which were the best restaurants, bakeries, markets, etc. I don't know of any other book that comes to close to being this comprehensive & incisive.

   If you ever spend any time in L.A. & you are interested in ethnic food, you must have this book.




2. This is the greatest book on the best ethnic restaurants in LA. Hopefully, the author will put out a new edition. I have it. It's about 10 years old, and I'm not going to sell it. It's better than any new guide out there. Even if you don't go to these places, it's an interesting read.



3. This is a fantastic compendium of ethnic food in LA. It gives you everything you'd ever want to know: best bakeries, best markets, best restaurants. It divides categories by geography (important in LA) & by ethnic cuisines.

   While the 1992 printing will make some info out of date (restaurants for example), this book is one of a kind & the best in its genre.




4. Although 13 years old, much of the info in this book is still relevant. Despite the youthfulness of Los Angeles, there are restaurants and markets that have managed to survive for decades. These places are invariably great and almost institutions in their community. Hence, many of the listings in Burum's book still survive in this megapolis. You'll have fun tracking down that obscure German sausage maker who has had his shop for some 30 years...as well as the occassional let down upon discovering that the old Japanese immigrant, who made fresh tofu daily at the back of his grocery store, decided to call it quits a few years ago.
   
   This book is not only a guide to the ethnic markets in LA, but also serves as an introduction to the cuisine of LA's ethnic groups. Interspersed within the listings, you'll find glimpses into the history of LA's immigrant communities, and what they really eat that you don't get at the mainstream ethnic restaurants. If you're the type that prefers to eat where you're the only one not of the ethnic group the restaurant caters to, get this book. It lets you in on not just the basics of a people's cuisine, but makes you feel comfortable with the unfamiliar (and much more authentic] dishes.
   
   The book is organized into the following chapters, which fairly represents the demographics of Los Angeles:
   China; Japan; Korea; Thailand; Vietnam; Southeast Asian [Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillipines]; India; Mexico; Central/South America and Caribbean; Europe; Greece, the Middle East and Africa.
   
   Overall, an indispensable introduction to LA's greatest asset: It's diversity of people and cuisine.

2 comments about L.A. Lore: A Scintillating Exploration of Los Angeles.

1. Outsiders perceive L.A. as a hellhole of endless sprawl, smog, and high crime, emblematic of the U.S. at its worst. Stephen Brook moved to L.A. long enough to really get to know the city and all of its complexity. He's a Brit, but never falls into the trap of arrogant Yank-bashing, as so many British travel writers do when they visit the U.S. It's refreshing that Brook is a writer who actually likes L.A., so we experience the city through the eyes of a British newcomer who enjoys being there and accents the positive where he can. However, Brook is not blind to the negative elements; he gives ample coverage to the gang problem, the abuses by LAPD, and Black-Korean friction. He discusses the perceived failure of the public school system, but also interviews teachers who have dedicated their careers to providing a quality education. Brook takes us through the various suburban communities, explaining how each has its own unique character. At the end of the book, I felt I understood the fabric of the city in a way no tourist does, and now I can't wait to re-visit L.A.



2. Los Angeles, like New York, is a city that people either love or hate, but nobody thinks it's boring. That is, unless your only exposure to it is reading the traditional travel guide with its listing of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland and Universal Studios.
   
   Stephen Brook breaks out of that mold. An English writer who came to L.A. in the early Nineties, he proceeded to criss-cross the city, visiting virtually every major neighborhood, from Pasadena to Watts, from Beverly Hills to Long Beach. Not only did he bring an Englishman's fresh eye to the city, but he somehow arranged introductions to some of the most interesting people in it. In reading the book, one gathers that his open mind resulted in their opening their minds and hearts to him. He is simply a nice person, which comes through in his writing.
   
   The writing is succinct. Each of the 32 chapters consists of approximately 10 to 12 pages discussing a different aspect of the city (His breakfast with Carver Mead at Caltech, in Chapter 20 is alone worth the price of the book).
   
   Brook's forte is architecture. Los Angeles arguably has the finest architecture in America, and Brook provides addresses, the name of the architect, and a brief description of each building, yet somehow avoids sounding like a cataloguer. He is also strong in describing the various museums throughout the city, many of which I was not aware of.
   
   At the same time, he is equally at home discussing the political, educational and gang situation in the city.
   
   All in all, a fine book.

No comments about Jim Dine: Entrada Drive.

No comments about National Geographic Traveler: Los Angeles (National Geographic Traveler).

5 comments about The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book (3rd edition).

1. This is a not so typical tour guide which provides its reader with a lot of bang for his/her buck. It provides information which is fairly accurate regarding the living (who tend to move quite a bit). The listings provided for death scenes are very accurate (assuming you only die once). Ditto for burial sites (assuming that remains stay put in one place.....unfortunately, that isn't always true as I seem to always be finding out). What is really impressive about the many editions of this book that have been published to date is that the author constantly updates the information in the book, so that it is as accurate as it can be given the odd and fluctuating state of celebrity mindsets (and fortunes).
   So if you are willing to assume that some of the information may become outdated, you will probably enjoy this book quite a bit.



2. There must be 50 Hollywood homes books on the market. If you visit Beverly Hills, a tour-bus or map salesman will gladly take your money. But W. Gordon's remarkably accurate and truthful guide will spell out where the buses point out homes where movie stars never lived. Gordon provides detailed directions and maps to the sites you want to see. And loads of "goodies" and information. He shows you how to get to Arnold's palatial block of homes in Brentwood, and warns that driving there is a $ 500 fine and possible jail time! Wow! He also gives directions to Rudolph Valentino's original 1920's mansion(and much, much more). Forget the B.S. Here it is. When I e-mailed him for an up-date, he gladly provided it for free(see the book). Why waste time driving around freeways?



3. About 5 years ago I took a summer job giving tours of Hollywood on an old trolley car. One of my most memorable experiences was the day one of the guides for the Beverly Hills tour got sick and I was thrown into the front seat of a tour van and sent on my way to give a tour of the star's homes. It was without a doubt one of the more embarrassing moments of my life as it wasn't my regular gig and I had to make a lot of stuff up because I had no idea whose house was whose and the guy driving the van was as clueless as I was. But if the owner's of the tour company had seen fit to give me this book beforehand I would have known where I was and all those tourists wouldn't have asked for their money back when the tour was over.



4. The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book is full of interesting facts, historical tidbits and interviews with Hollywood natives that provide readers with a realistic view of Hollywood, past and present. As any worthwhile tour guide should, this book lists hundreds of locations of interest to visit in and around the Hollywood area, extending it's reach to surrounding Los Angeles communities that have ties to the entertainment business. However, the tone of Gordon's book is informative, straightforward and friendly, not off-putting or intentionally misleading, as some guide books can be.
   
   Not surprisingly, Gordon's book is even a fun read for those of us born and raised in Hollywood. For me it brought back memories of old haunts, and it evoked nods of approval among friends as we read through many accurate descriptions of favorite locales and pages of sound advice about what to visit and why, as well as what to avoid.
   
   Whether you're a native of the Los Angeles area, a tourist planning just a few days' visit to Hollywood, or a local history buff searching for a fun and interesting book to read, you can't go wrong picking up a copy of William Gordon's Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book.



5. Used an earlier edition of this book when I took a self-guided tour in 1997, and bought this newer edition for my trip to L.A. in 2007. Indispensible! Better than a "map of the stars' homes" any day. Thoroughly recommended if you are planning to drive yourself around the various parts of L.A. looking for your particular favorite haunts. Thanks to this book, in 1997 I got to see (and exchange waves with) Jack Lemmon as he drove out of his driveway (no, I wasn't lying in wait. I'd pulled over to double check my location).
   
   Though I had far less time to use it on my 2007 trip, I would have felt naked and unprepared just travelling without it. Another great feature about this book is that the author encourages submissions/corrections/additions to add to future editions, so if you discover the rare incorrect or out-of-date piece of info, he wants you to submit it to him so the next edition will be just that much more accurate.
   
   Used the info in the book to track down the Playboy Mansion in 1997. Had a neat experience at the mansion gates that trip and have pics to prove it. When I drove by it again in 2007 a few hours before I was to attend a party there that evening, I glanced at the book over in the passenger seat of my rental car and gave it a knowing smile.
   
   My copy is autographed. Don't know if that increases its value, but it is a nice touch.

4 comments about City of Angels.

1. Elisa Kleven consistantly ups the ante, no one working in publishing today has her eye for detail. Her colorful and inviting spreads paired with Jaskol and Lewis' informative and fun text make this book a winner. Only Kleven and company could make L.A. so appealing and inviting!



2. This book is one of those rare children's books that teaches the adult as well as the child. I can only hope that the authors and the illustrator work on capturing the magic of other cities, just like they did with Los Angeles!



3. As residents of Los Angeles we are thrilled to have a book which highlights our city, its diversity and its vivacity. Each page is a jeweled mosaic. We will enjoy introducing our grandchildren to their city in picture and word.



4. This book shows Angelenos and the world that there is much diversity to celebrate and enjoy in Los Angeles and it does it in a fun, colorful way. The illustrations are delightful and the text informative. Even long-time residents will learn something new. Fun for adults as well as kids. We bought them as gifts for everyone on our holiday list.

No comments about Artwise Los Angeles Museum Map - Laminated Museum Map of Los Angeles, California - Streetwise Maps (Artwise) (Artwise).

No comments about Thirsty? Los Angeles: The Lowdown on Where the Real People Drink.

No comments about AAA Southern California: Coachella Valley, Colorado Desert, Imperial Valley, Inland Empire, Lower Colorado River, Metropolitan Los Angeles, Orange County, Salton Sea, San Diego Area, Tijuana, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Disneyland Resort, (Griffith Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Knotts Berry Farm, Legoland, Los Angeles International Airport, San Diego Zoo, Universal Studios, University of California at Los Angeles: Metropolitan Los Angeles Map, Mileage Chart, Communities, Cities, Towns, Major Roads, Highways, Parks, Recreation Areas, Forests, Ski Areas, Points of Interest: Sectional Series 2008).

3 comments about City Observed: Los Angeles.

1. In 1994, I learned I would be living in Los Angeles for the following two years. A survey of guidebooks at the local library turned up this well-organized volume of Southern California's architectural points of interest by the late co-owner (with Frank Gehry) of the title of LA's finest architect.

   The book was in my Mustang convertible for the next 24 months of exploring the "only-in-LA" landscape. The history of the Mayan Theater and other grand movie palaces, Los Angeles City Hall, unique residences in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Frank Lloyd Wright's Pasadena homes, UCLA, and so many other sites came to life through Moore's succinct, academic but accessible summaries. Maps were excellent, and photos were provided for almost half of the hundreds of entries. The chapter exclusively on Disneyland as an architectural metaphor for SoCal was particularly intriguing.

   I forgot to mention: in 1994 this book had been out of print for 8 years and unavailable in stores. I "lost" the library's copy and paid the fine for it, it was so good. Presumably the edition on Amazon is new and revised, and I'll be ordering it for my frequent returns to Charles Moore's modern architectural sandbox.




2. I purchased this book before a recent trip to Los Angeles. We had a vehicle and were able, in a few days to get to many of the places described by Moore. The book is an excellent cross-section of many of the choice sites in Greater L.A. For this reason alone, the book is well worth purchasing if you are interested in architecture.

   Moore is also a very entertaining writer. He is not afraid to express his opinions on anything and this makes his book both good reading and a helpful guide. If one has limited time, Moore's guide to the best places to visit is reliable.

   The one "down side" to this book is that it is somewhat dated. It was published in 1984 and has not been revised. Accordingly, some of the places he describes have disappeared. Furthermore, his description of when certain buildings are open to the public is out-of-date.

   In any event, if you are interested in architecture and wish to see some of what L.A. has to offer, this book is well worth getting.




3. This book is the first one to disagree with Postmodernists and seriously treat Disneyland as a humane rather than "simulated" space. Very much worth reading.