california

David Pelzer, victim of one of the worst child abuse cases in the history of California, tells the story of how he survived his mother's brutality and triumphed over his past.

Presents a series of newspaper articles on the dust bowl migration the swept through rural California, written by John Steinbeck for "The San Francisco News" in 1936, three years before he published "The Grapes of Wrath.".

Shy, seventeen-year-old Marcus and his sixteen-year-old brother, Enrique, accompanied by two friends, drive from their home in southern California to Monterey to confront the abusive father who walked out a year earlier, and who now wants to return home.

"Los Angeles Times" columnist Steve Lopez shares the story of his relationship with Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless violinist who captured his attention playing a two-stringed instrument on Skid Row, discussing his attempts to help Ayers--once a promising student at Juilliard--reclaim the life he was forced to give up following a mental breakdown.

Chronicles Arnold Schwarzenegger's life, covering such topics as his childhood in Austria, bodybuilding and acting careers, entry into politics, and actions as governor of California.

A biography of Ronald Reagan, discussing his early life in small-town America, his careers as a radio announcer and an actor, his political successes, and his legacy.

Teenager Blake Taylor chronicles his experiences with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder since the age of three, discussing his challenges and providing guidance for others.

Fourteen-year-old high school student Michael "Storky" Pomerantz's journal describes his freshman year, from dealing with his mother's dating his dentist to attempting to win the heart of the girl he loves.

Describes the historical context of the case, University of California Regents v. Bakke, and details the claims made by both sides as well as the outcome, including excerpts from the Supreme Court justices decisions.

The author presents fourteen essays, describing and reflecting upon the landscape, plants, animals, and people of the deserts and foothills between California's Death Valley and High Sierra.