SAN FRANCISCO & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
More Books

101 Stories of the Great Ballets  •  George Balanchine  •  Francis Mason
REFERENCE •  1975 •  PAPER  • 541 PAGES
Scene-by-scene retellings of the most popular ballets from the man who revolutionized the art. Includes production notes, summaries and personal comments for various productions of each ballet. (GEN262, $17.95)
 
The Amateur Emigrant  •  Robert Louis Stevenson
TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 172 PAGES
The famed novelist's 1896 account of travels in the American West -- in pursuit of his future wife and featuring his impressions of this still wild and untamed land. Named "One of the Ten Essential Travel Books" by Paul Theroux. (USW481, $13.00)
  The Amateur Emigrant
Angle of Repose  •  Wallace Stegner
LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 592 PAGES
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a retired historian who plans to write the story of his grandparents and their life in the American West. With a deep knowledge of the region's history and lore, this novel is also the story of a man coming to terms with his family and himself. Much of the narrative takes place in California, Colorado and Idaho. (USW301, $16.00)
  Angle of Repose
Art-Sites San Francisco  •  Sidra Stich
GUIDEBOOK •  2003 •  PAPER
Subtitled "The Indispensable Guide to Contemporary Art-Architecture-Design,” this guide offers practical information and discussions about the best places to see work by local and international talents, including museums, galleries, film centers, architectural sites, parks, gardens and more. With maps, suggested walking tours and helpful indexes. (SFO23, $19.95)
 
art/shop/eat San Francisco  •  Marlene Goldman
GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES
A compact, illustrated guide with excellent local maps. The book includes not only museums, shops and restaurants, but also not-to-be-missed sites and attractions by neighborhood. (SFO18, $13.95)
  art/shop/eat San Francisco
Artful Players, Artistic Life in Early San Francisco  •  Birgitta Hjalmarson
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1999 •  HARD COVER  • 288 PAGES • COMING IN
Art journalist Hjalmarson offers up this humorous, informative history of bohemian San Francisco, circa 1850-1906. In the wake of the Gold Rush, wealthy upper classes showered payment upon artists whose paintings, photographs and lifestyles transformed San Francisco from frontier outpost to epicenter of radical America. It ends with the great 1906 Earthquake. (SFO01, $34.95)
 
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Selected Works  •  The Asian Art Museum of San Francis
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1994 •  PAPER  • 208 PAGES
This handbook presents a selection by the curators of the highlights of the Asian Art Museum collections. (SFO45, $20.00)
 
Back Lane Wineries of Napa  •  Tilar Mazzeo
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES
An insider's guide to 70 local wineries. (CAL286, $19.95)
  Back Lane Wineries of Napa
Ballet and Modern Dance  •  Susan Au
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES
An introduction to ballet and modern dance, a volume in the "World of Art" series, touching on a variety of popular forms, from the classical to the avant-garde. Illustrated throughout with color photographs. (GEN245, $19.95)
 
The Best of the West, An Anthology of Classic Writing from the American West  •  Tony Hillerman
ANTHOLOGY •  1992 •  PAPER  • 528 PAGES
A campfire collection of unforgettable portraits of the West, this anthology includes excerpts from diaries, news dispatches, travelogues, novels and short stories, selected and introduced by Tony Hillerman. The anthology, which spans the centuries, is organized thematically, taking in travelers, homesteaders, Navajos, government officials, pioneers and authors as diverse as Edward Abbey, Meriwether Lewis, Frank Waters and John Steinbeck. (USW87, $18.99)
  The Best of the West, An Anthology of Classic Writing from the American West
Best Short Hikes in Redwood National & State Parks, Including Humboldt Redwoods State Park  •  Jerry Rohde
GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 237 PAGES
A guide to more than 60 hikes among the Redwoods in five northern California parks, inluding Redwood National Park and Humboldt, Prairie Creek, Del Norde Coast, and Jedediah Smith State Parks. (CAL232, $17.95)
 
Between Pacific Tides  •  Edward F. Ricketts  •  Jack Calvin  •  Joel W. Hedgpeth  •  David W. Phillips  •  John Steinbeck
FIELD GUIDE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 652 PAGES
A handbook to the rocky shores and tide pools of the Pacific Coast of the United States, first published in 1939 and now in its fifth edition. After 50 years this standard reference still reflects Ed Ricketts' considerable personality and enthusiasm for tidepooling and marine biology. Each intertidal zone is discussed in depth, augmented by black-and-white photographs and diagrams. Much revised, this edition includes the original forward by John Steinbeck and a tribute to Ed Ricketts. (FG34, $32.95)
  Between Pacific Tides
Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch  •  Henry Miller
LITERATURE •  1978 •  PAPER
A loving, observant tribute to Big Sur, Miller's home for 15 years. As with many of his works, this is more a collection of reflections, anecdotes and character portraits than a straightforward narrative, and it's just as evocative and thought-provoking as anything he has written. First published in 1957. (CAL143, $16.95)
 
The Big Year, A Tale Of Man, Nature, And Fowl Obsession  •  Mark Obmascik
NATURAL HISTORY •  2011 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES
Obmascik, himself an over-the-edge birder, recounts with glee and page-turning detail the race to see the most birds in North America in a year, a quest that has his three competitors on the road at a moments notice, heading out in the middle of the night, and combing the beaches. As he so winningly demonstrates, these people are driven. (BRD29, $15.00)
  The Big Year, A Tale Of Man, Nature, And Fowl Obsession
Birding in the American West  •  Kevin Zimmer
FIELD GUIDE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 432 PAGES
An illustrated guide to finding and sorting out similar species of birds in the mountains, deserts and other habitats of the West. Zimmer provides plenty of useful information on individual species, including behavior, habitat and identification. Useful as a site guide, he includes detailed listings by state -- and suggestions of the best places to find individual species. With numerous black-and-white illustrations and photographs of similar species and sought-after birds. (USW404, $32.95)
  Birding in the American West
The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife  •  Christopher W. Leahy  •  Gordon Morrison
NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 1072 PAGES
A handsome, fully illustrated survey of the birds of North America, organized A to Z, covering birds, bird biology, conservation and birdwatching. Published in cooperation with the American Birding Association. (NAM21, $19.95)
  The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife
Bone  •  Fae Myenne Ng
LITERATURE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 191 PAGES
A poetic, dreamlike novel that relates the story of two generations of a family in San Francisco's Chinatown -- as told through the wandering memories of Leila, an Asian-American woman in search of clues to explain her sister's suicide. (USW153, $12.99)
 
Butterflies through Binoculars, The West  •  Jeffrey Glassberg
FIELD GUIDE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 374 PAGES
A photographic identification guide to butterflies found throughout the western United States, from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Range maps and 625 color photos are included, along with short descriptions, information on biology and conservation, and other facts helpful to spotting and identifying butterflies. (BUG11, $24.95)
 
California Fault, Searching for the Spirit of a State Along the San Andreas  •  Thurston Clarke
CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1997 •  PAPER  • 417 PAGES • COMING IN
More than just a discussion of earthquakes, this is a good natured portrait of California, from a man who traveled along the San Andreas fault in search of what defines the Golden State. What he finds is an eccentric landscape of people living on land that could crack open at any minute. (CAL33, $12.95)
 
California Map  •  Borch Maps
2008 •  MAP
A laminated, folded map of California, shown at a scale of 1:1,100,000. Two Sides. 19.5X26] inches. (CAL55, $9.95)
 
California's North Coast Map  •  MapLink
MAP
A detailed map of Nothern California's coast to the Oregon border, including Redwood National Park, Klamath District State Parks, Smith River National Recreation Area, and Humboldt County Parks, at a scale of 1:62,000. Two Sides. 39x27 inches. (CAL233, $3.95)
 
Cannery Row  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 193 PAGES
Based on memories of characters he met living in Monterey, California, this is Steinbeck's story of the denizens of Cannery Row, a group of good-natured bums, prostitutes and alcoholics. It's an often humorous, touching story of community and poverty. (USW150, $15.00)
  Cannery Row
Chasing Monarchs, A Migration with the Butterflies of Passage  •  Robert Michael Pyle
NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES
A memoir of Lepidoptery, combing the entomologist-author's considerable knowledge of butterflies and their biology with a rambling road trip from British Columbia through the Southwest to Mexico. (MEX62, $14.00)
  Chasing Monarchs, A Migration with the Butterflies of Passage
Coastal Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest  •  Elizabeth Horn
FIELD GUIDE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 179 PAGES
From British Columbia to northern California, this is a handy photo-identification guide to coastal shrubs and wildflowers. It's divided into five habitats and organized by plant family. With 200 photographs. (PNW15, $14.00)
  Coastal Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
Compass Guide California Wine Country  •  John Doerper
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES
A comprehensive introduction to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, covering wineries both small and large. The listings are excellent and include helpful driving directions and regional maps, but what sets the book apart from other guides are the numerous evocative color photographs and informed essays on the history of the region and winemaking techniques. (USW171, $21.99)
  Compass Guide California Wine Country
Compass Guide Coastal California  •  John Doerper  •  Galen Rowell
GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 397 PAGES
This compact guide is an excellent overview of coastal California from Point St. George to San Diego, with particular emphasis on history, nature and visitor attractions. Handsomely illustrated with color and archival photographs, it features literary excerpts, good maps and some practical travel information. (CAL38, $21.00)
  Compass Guide Coastal California
Continental Drift  •  James D. Houston
LITERATURE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 337 PAGES
James D. Houston's acclaimed novel of the California experience unfolds on a Monterey ranch in the 1970s, amidst the reflected horrors of Vietnam and a populace gone amok. (CAL103, $15.95)
 
Cowgirls: Women of the American West  •  Teresa Jordan
CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1992 •  PAPER  • 309 PAGES
The West is often portrayed as a land made by "Big Men" with big dreams. Ms. Jordan's delightful book is dedicated to those Bigger Women who were usually too busy running things to dream. The story of the western woman, past and present, is intimately recounted through the words of the women themselves. Rare photos of early frontierswomen help the reader to change long held images of the Old West, and interviews with contemporary cowgirls give insightful lessons into a woman's life on the range. (USW13, $19.95)
  Cowgirls: Women of the American West
Crossing the Next Meridian: Land, Water, and the Future of the West  •  Charles F. Wilkinson
HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES
A discussion of development and conservation in the West, centering on distribution and management of water supplies. Wilkinson, a professor and expert on environmental law, tackles these hotly debated issues with informed opinions and propositions for change. (USW361, $45.00)
 
Daughter of Fortune, A Novel  •  Isabel Allende
LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES
In this absorbing historical novel a young woman follows her lover from Valparaiso (then a British colony) to California at the height of the gold rush. (CHI63, $14.00)
 
Days of Gold, The California Gold Rush and the American Nation  •  Malcolm Rohrbough
HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 569 PAGES
This vivid, eyewitness history draws on diaries, letters, and other archival sources, letting the (mostly) men speak directly of the discovery of gold in California on the morning of January 24, 1848. Rohrbough shows, in vivid detail, the impact of the 49ers on the development of the west. (CAL155, $28.95)
 
Divisadero  •  Michael Ondaatje
LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 273 PAGES
Ondaatje weaves several stories into an interconnected, lushly depicted tale of family, desire and dislocation this this novel, which moves back-and-forth in time from San Francisco to Nevada's casinos and, eventually, to south-central France, where Ondaatje's Anna becomes immersed in the life and the world of a writer from an earlier time. (FRN665, $15.00)
  Divisadero
Down to a Soundless Sea  •  Thomas Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES
Son of John, Thomas Steinbeck mines the same terrain as his father, writing stories set in the Monterey Peninsula of the early 20th-century. This collection was his debut, featuring 7 tales in all. (CAL144, $13.95)
 
East of Eden  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 602 PAGES
Steinbeck's sprawling epic of two families -- the Trasks and Hamiltons -- living in the Salinas Valley of California. Covering the period from the Civil War to World War I, this is a retelling of the early chapters of Genesis, a story of connected families and their violent destinies. (USW152, $17.00)
  East of Eden
El Dorado, Adventures in the Path of Empire  •  Bayard Taylor
TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 432 PAGES
A wildly popular contemporary account of the California gold rush, originally published in 1849. Taylor's wonderful book includes his voyage to California, and life both in the frontier town of San Francisco and out in the mining camps. He traveled throughout the new American territory from San Francisco to the Sierras at the behest of Horace Greeley, attending the state constitutional convention and interviewing countless Californians. (USW367, $18.95)
 
Empire Express, Building the First Transcontinental Railroad  •  David Haward Bain
HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 816 PAGES
A magisterial history of the railroad that connected the East to the West -- and radically changed the face of America. It is quite a tale, featuring greed, corruption, disaster and many memorable characters. Based on exhaustive research, the detailed narrative jumps between Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad Company. With photographs and maps. (USW135, $30.00)
  Empire Express, Building the First Transcontinental Railroad
Exploring Point Reyes: A Guide to Point Reyes National Seashore  •  Phil Arnot  •  Elvira Monroe
GUIDEBOOK •  1998 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES
Now in its seventh edition, this guide to Point Reyes National Seashore is a compact introduction to the park, with natural history, geography and plenty of information on trails and hiking. Written by an avid hiker in the region, it is illustrated with maps and photographs. (CAL57, $10.95)
  Exploring Point Reyes: A Guide to Point Reyes National Seashore
Eyewitness Guide California  •  Eyewitness Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 660 PAGES
A literate, visually rich guide to the Golden State, featuring color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a region-by-region synopsis of California's attractions with a particular focus on San Francisco and Los Angeles. It includes a well chosen section on hotels and restaurant. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry. (USW146, $30.00)
  Eyewitness Guide California
Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide San Francisco  •  Jeffrey Kennedy
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions. (SFO51, $14.00)
  Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide San Francisco
Falcon Guide, Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks  •  Laurel Scheidt
GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 296 PAGES
In addition to useful descriptions of 86 trails, maps and safety techniques, this practical hiking guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon gives an overview of the area's natural history, and advice on navigating the rugged terrain. Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States, is included. (CAL123, $16.95)
  Falcon Guide, Hiking Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Falcon Guide, Hiking the Sierra Nevada  •  Barry Parr
GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 356 PAGES
A practical guide to hiking in the Sierra Nevada, including Yosemite, Sequoia and King's Canyon. It features descriptions of 96 hikes, maps, black-and-white photographs, and practical information. (CAL71, $19.95)
  Falcon Guide, Hiking the Sierra Nevada
A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes  •  William Eschmeyer  •  Earl Herald  •  Howard Hammann  •  Roger Tory Peterson
FIELD GUIDE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES
Recently updated, this field guide, part of the Peterson series, describes the many fishes, including sharks and rays, found in Pacific coast waters. Illustrated with black-and-white and color drawings. (FG45, $20.00)
  A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes
A Field Guide to Western Birds  •  Roger Tory Peterson
FIELD GUIDE •  2010 •  PAPER  • 512 PAGES
A field guide to the birds west of the Mississippi, featuring color plates of each species. (FG18, $19.95)
  A Field Guide to Western Birds
Fodor's Around San Francisco with Kids  •  Clark Norton
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES
This illustrated roundup highlights 68 things to do with kids in San Francisco and surroundings. (SFO31, $11.00)
 
Fodor's Family San Francisco With Kids  •  Fodor's Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES
Local parents cover a variety of interests and tastes for families with kids of all ages in these handy guides. With maps, family-friendly hotels and the five best things to see and do in every neighborhood. (SFO42, $10.95)
 
Fodor's San Francisco  •  Constance Jones  •  Paul Eisneberg
GUIDEBOOK •  2011 •  PAPER  • 520 PAGES
A popular, practical guide. (SFO28, $19.99)
 
The Free Speech Movement, Reflections on Berkeley in the 1960's  •  Robert Cohen  •  Reginald E. Zelnik
ANTHOLOGY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 672 PAGES
A compilation of essays by diverse contributors on the 1964 Free Speech Movement at Berkeley. Combining analysis, memoir and schoalrship, the book includes many points of view from students, clergy, faculty, administration and others who were present. (CAL185, $28.95)
 
The French Laundry Cookbook  •  Thomas Keller
FOOD •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 325 PAGES
This lavish volume collects 150 recipes from The French Laundry, Thomas Keller's four-star Napa Valley restaurant (considered by many to be the best restaurant in the U.S.). With 200 color photographs by Deborah Jones and a $50 price tag, it's the ultimate souvenir of a trip to Napa. The very brave returned tourist may actually attempt to cook from the book, which presents each recipe exactly as Keller himself prepares it in the restaurant's kitchen (right down to the fresh duck fat, imported truffles and 10-liter tureen). The rest will be satisfied to gaze and remember. (CAL76, $50.00)
  The French Laundry Cookbook
Frommer's Memorable Walks in San Francisco  •  Arthur Frommer
GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 180 PAGES • COMING IN
As one of the nation's most interesting and walkable cities, San Francisco was begging for a guidebook that mapped out its landmarks and neighborhoods. This edition of the Frommer's series does just that -- it contains 12 routes with detailed directions, handy maps, and historical info for well paced walks through scenic San Francisco. (CAL08, $12.99)
 
Frommer's San Francisco  •  Erika Lenkert
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 340 PAGES
A practical guide in the popular series, revised annually. With a foldout map. (SFO19, $16.99)
 
Frommer's San Francisco  •  Erika Lenkert
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER
A comprehensive, practical guide to the region with excellent recommendations for hotels, restaurants and excursions. With two-color maps throughout. (SFO50, $17.99)
 
Garlic is Life, A Memoir with Recipes  •  Chester Aaron
FOOD •  1996 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES
A man's obsession with garlic drives him into Sonoma County where he tries to make it as a garlic farmer. This humorous tribute to the pungent plant and life in Northern California is enhanced by a series of recipes, all teeming with garlic. (CUL02, $16.95)
 
Gold Dust and Gunsmoke, Tales of Gold Rush Outlaws, Gunfighters, Lawmen and Vigilantes  •  John Boessenecker
HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES
One of the most violent chapters of the American story is chronicled in this history of the California Gold Rush, as seen through the rampant criminal acts that characterized it. Through a series of anecdotes, historian and lawyer John Boessenecker explores the myths and truths behind this pivitol point in the history of California. (USW189, $21.95)
 
Golden Gate, The Life and Times of America's Greatest Bridge  •  Kevin Starr
HISTORY •  2010 •  HARD COVER  • 240 PAGES
In this lyrical and compact narrative, Starr relates the history and significance of one of the great American feats of engineering, the Golden Gate Bridge. Includes black and white pictures throughout and an eight page color insert. (SFO52, $23.00)
 
The Grapes of Wrath  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 612 PAGES
The epic tale of the Joad family and their journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a new life in the new promised land. It's a story of desperation, tragedy and spirit, wonderfully detailed in its portrayal of rural America in the 1930s. Considered one of the greatest works of literature on the Great Depression, it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940. (USW151, $16.00)
  The Grapes of Wrath
The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, How San Francisco Nearly Destroyed Itself  •  Philip Fradkin
HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES
In this well-researched history, Fradkin controversially argues that much of the destruction caused by the April 1906 San Francisco earthquake could have been avoided if the city had been better prepared. (SFO32, $18.95)
 
The Great Garlic Book, A Guide With Recipes  •  Chester Aaron
FIELD GUIDE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES
A garlic farmer's loving reference to the plant that has kept him fed over the years, featuring recipes, little-known garlic facts and color photographs, showing off some of the rarer varieties. (CUL03, $16.95)
 
The Happiest Man in the World, An Account of the Life of Poppa Neutrino  •  Alec Wilkinson
BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2007 •  HARD COVER
A biography of the eccentric Poppa Neutrino, a man who, after a near death experience, decided to be happy one must persue his desires relentlessly. He has been a beatnik, a football strategist, a preacher -- and the only man build a raft from garbage and sail it across the North Atlantic. (ATL25, $24.95)
 
Hill Guide Sonoma Valley, The Secret Wine Country  •  Kathleen Hill  •  Gerald Hill
GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES
A homegrown guide to the Sonoma Valley from two longtime residents of the area, both practical and personal in its delivery of travel information and regional background. (CAL84, $15.95)
 
A History of the Theater  •  Glynne Wickham
HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES
A comprehensive, chronological tour of 3,000 years of dramatic history (including opera and ballet). With color photos throughout. (TTR14, $27.95)
 
India: Land of Dreams and Fantasy  •  Doranne Jacobson
CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1995 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES • COMING IN
An introduction to India, this large-format hardbound volume, features both 300 color photographs and informative accompanying essays on India's history, religions, architecture, rural wonders, urban glories, handicrafts, rituals, festivals and daily life. (IDA32, $29.95)
  India: Land of Dreams and Fantasy
Infinite City, A San Francisco Atlas  •  Rebecca Solnit
REFERENCE •  2010 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES
This quirky book of artistic maps makes a nice gift for people who live in or love San Francisco. At times playful and at others scholarly, Solnit and her large team of cartographers, artists and researchers display seemingly endless significant and little-known spots in the city. They explore the idea of what characterizes a place by charting trends and often combining surprising subjects; for instance, the map "Dharma Wheels and Fish Ladders" pinpoints Zen Buddhism centers along with salmon hatcheries, streams and viewing sites. (SFO55, $24.95)
  Infinite City, A San Francisco Atlas
Insight City Guide San Francisco  •  Insight Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES
This eyecatching guidebook features beautiful full-color photographs, illuminating area maps, a street atlas and information about transport and accommodations. With a pullout restaurant map guide. (SFO36, $16.95)
  Insight City Guide San Francisco
Insight Guide U.S. National Parks West  •  Insight Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2011 •  PAPER  • 413 PAGES
A volume in the award-winning Insight series, this guide is noted for its wonderful photography, superb production and informative short essays. It is a thoroughly illustrated, comprehensive guide to the national parks of the western United States, including Arches, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest. (USW181, $24.99)
  Insight Guide U.S. National Parks West
An Island Called California, An Ecological Introduction to Its Natural Communities  •  Elna S. Bakker
NATURAL HISTORY •  1984 •  PAPER  • 484 PAGES
An introduction to the ecology and wildlife of the Golden State, this volume is filled with photographs illustrating a variety plants, animals and geological features found throughout the deserts, forests and coastline of California. (CAL11, $25.95)
  An Island Called California, An Ecological Introduction to Its Natural Communities
Karen Brown's California, Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries  •  Karen, Clare and June Brown
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 248 PAGES
A survey of inns, estates, and other lodging of character, along with suggested itineraries and highlights of each region. (CAL61, $19.95)
  Karen Brown's California, Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries
Kingbird Highway, The Story of a Natural Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand  •  Kenn Kaufman
BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES
Kaufman's absorbing account of coming-of-age as a Wichita teenager on the road in 1973 with a summer's pay in his pocket and the goal of seeing as many birds as he could in a year. He tallied 671, impressive by any account and extraordinary if you count birds per buck. He did it all for $1,000. This cult classic was originally published in 1973. (BRD27, $14.95)
  Kingbird Highway, The Story of a Natural Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand
The Klamath Knot  •  David Rains Wallace
NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER
The 20th-anniversary edition of Wallace's celebrated meditation on the natural history, myth and meaning of the Klamath mountains of northern California and southern Oregon. Winner of the John Burroughs Medal for Nature Writing, the Commonwealth Club Silver Medal for Literature 1984, and named one of the twentieth century's best nonfiction books by the San Francisco Chronicle, "The Klamath Knot," originally published by Sierra Club Books in 1983, is a personal vision of wilderness in the Klamath Mountains. (CAL251, $21.95)
 
Knopf City Map Guides San Francisco, The City in Section-by-Section Maps  •  Knopf Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER
A handy set of full color, ingeniously folded maps, each indicating favorite sites, shops, restaurants and attractions. (SFO34, $10.95)
 
Life in a California Mission  •  Jean Francois de la Perouse  •  Malcolm Margolin
CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1989 •  PAPER  • 112 PAGES
A remarkable extended essay on the nature and people of 18th-century California. La Perouse was the leader of a 1786 French expedition to California, which included scientists, cartographers, doctors and artists. While his two ships lay at anchor in Monterey Bay, de la Perouse took notes on his impressions of life at Junipero Serra's Monterey mission, as well as of flora, fauna, and native traditions. (USW366, $10.95)
 
The Literature of California, Vol. 1  •  Jack Hicks  •  Al Young  •  James D. Houston  •  Maxine Hong Kingston
ANTHOLOGY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 653 PAGES
A chorus of hurrahs greeted the publication of this book, the first in a planned two-volume survey of literature about the Golden State. The star-studded cast of editors selected Native American myths and songs, diaries and historical accounts, nature writing, poetry, fiction and much else for a tour of California's history up to 1945. (CAL102, $29.95)
  The Literature of California, Vol. 1
Lonely Planet Discover San Francisco  •  Lonely Planet Publications
GUIDEBOOK •  2011 •  PAPER  • 310 PAGES
Focusing on must-see and memorable places and experiences, this all color guide by the discerning editors at Lonely Planet, featuring hundreds of color photographs and maps, includes suggested tours and itineraries along with not-to-be-missed places to stay, eat, shop and see. (SFO57, $19.99)
  Lonely Planet Discover San Francisco
Lonely Planet San Francisco  •  Lonely Planet
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 312 PAGES
A practical guide in the popular series -- and excellent. Lonely Planet has its offices in Oakland and the local expertise shows. (CAL135, $18.99)
 
Lonely Planet San Francisco Encounter  •  Alison Bing
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES
With a section of not-to-missed highlights and a calendar of annual events, this lively pocket guide organized by neighborhood includes suggested side trips, along what to see and where to shop, eat, drink and play. With a double-sided pullout map. (CAL214, $12.99)
  Lonely Planet San Francisco Encounter
The Long Valley  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES
A collection of 13 of Steinbeck's greatest stories, including the celebrated "Red Pony." (USA91, $15.00)
  The Long Valley
Mammals of North America  •  Roland W. Kays  •  Don E. Wilson
FIELD GUIDE •  2009 •  PAPER  • 248 PAGES
A comprehensive guide by two noted mammalogists and featuring 108 color plates, illustrating 442 species. Range maps and descriptive text on ecology, habitat and behavior complement the wonderful paintings. (NAM11, $19.95)
  Mammals of North America
MapEasy's Guidemap to Napa & Sonoma  •  MapEasy
MAP
A handy, informative road map and guide to the wineries of Napa and Sonoma Valleys at a scale of 1:49,000. With detailed maps of Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Russia River, Alexander Valley and route from San Francisco to Napa. Two Sides. 27x18 inches. (CAL118, $7.95)
 
Marine Mammals of the Eastern North Pacific  •  Sea Grant Alaska  •  Pieter Folkens
FIELD GUIDE •  2010 •  PLASTIC CARD  • 8 PAGES
A convenient, 8-panel waterproof card illustrating 50 species of whales, dolphins, sea otters and pinnipeds found in the North Pacific from Alaska and the west coast of North America to Hawaii. It's handsomely illustrated, and includes full-color panels with typical behaviors, whalewatching guidelines and identification tips. Co-sponsored by the Alaska Whale Foundation and the University of Alaska Sea Grant Program, It's an excellent, weatherproof identification guide. (ALA143, $10.00)
  Marine Mammals of the Eastern North Pacific
Mario Botta, Light and Gravity: Architecture 1993-2003  •  Gabriele Cappellato
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2004 •  HARD COVER
A monograph on the prolific Swiss architect, whose buildings include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. (SFO26, $65.00)
 
Martin Eden  •  Jack London
LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 496 PAGES
Autobiographical in tone, London's of a young seaman struggling to make it as a writer is set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco is among the most personal of his books. (SFO16, $13.95)
 
Mendocino and Other Stories  •  Ann Packer
LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES
True to its title, the short story "Mendocino" opens with a young woman driving northward on Highway 1 along the Pacific. These ten memorable slice-of-life stories, which originally appeared in The New Yorker and Ploughshares, recount the lives of ordinary people in unusual situations in Northern California. (CAL192, $13.95)
 
Michelin Green Guide San Francisco  •  Michelin Travel Publications
GUIDEBOOK •  2011 •  PAPER
A straightfoward, practical guide to the city. (SFO35, $21.99)
  Michelin Green Guide San Francisco
Mobil Travel Guide City Guide San Francisco  •  Mobil Travel Guides
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES
Celebrating 50 years, these practical guides feature the same Mobil star rating system. (SFO43, $16.95)
 
Monterey Bay Map  •  AAA Publishing
2002 •  MAP
A road map of the Monterey Bay region at a scale of 1:200,000. It includes the Monterey Bay Peninsula, Carmel Valley, Big Sur coast, Salinas Valley, Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Cruz mountains. In a series of California Regional Maps by AAA. Two Sides. 36x25 inches. (CAL184, $4.95)
 
The Monterey Bay, Big Sur & Gold Coast Wine Country Book  •  Christina Waters  •  Buz Bezore
GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 301 PAGES
An excellent, locally produced travel guide mixing history, culture, nature and anecdote with a shipload of up-to-date practical information. (CAL182, $18.95)
 
Monterey Peninsula Map  •  AAA Publishing
2003 •  MAP
A detailed map and guide to Monterey Peninsula at a scale of 1:24,000 with a downtown map, suggested 17-mile scenic drive and information about the Monterey Bay Aquarium Two Sides. 28x21 inches. (CAL183, $4.95)
 
Moon Handbook Coastal California  •  Kim Weir
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 550 PAGES
A practical guide to the Californian coast by veteran Moon Handbook writer Kim Weir, which features information on food, accommodations and attractions. (CAL189, $19.95)
 
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees (Western Region)  •  Elbert L. Little  •  Angelo Lomeo
FIELD GUIDE •  1980 •  PAPER  • 862 PAGES
A comprehensive field guide to the trees of Western United States, this volume packs lots of photographs to aid in cataloging and identifying the wide array of rare, locally abundant, and widespread trees. (USW225, $19.95)
  National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees (Western Region)
Native Universe, Voices of Indian America  •  Clifford E. Trafzer
ANTHOLOGY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES
This anthology of personal and historical essays, as well as over 300 color illustrations of Native American art, is being published to accompany the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. It includes selections from several modern Native American writers, including Louise Erdrich and Sherman Alexie. (USA95, $22.00)
 
The Natural History of Big Sur  •  Paul Henson  •  Donald J. Usner  •  Valerie A. Kells
NATURAL HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER
A natural history and guide to Big Sur, California with detailed information on specific sites and trails. (CAL62, $29.95)
 
Natural History of the Islands of California  •  Allan A. Schoenherr  •  C. Robert Feldmeth  •  Michael J. Emerson  •  David Mooney
NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 502 PAGES
A comprehensive survey of the ecology, geology and human history of California's coastal islands, including the Channel Islands, the Farallons and the islands of the San Francisco Bay. (CAL111, $55.00)
 
Natural History of the Point Reyes Peninsula  •  Jules Evens
NATURAL HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 360 PAGES
Evens weaves history, science and personal anecdote into an absorbing chronicle of one of the most biologically diverse places in North America. (CAL239, $24.95)
 
A Natural History of Western Trees  •  Donald Culross Peattie
FIELD GUIDE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 751 PAGES
A handsome facsimile of the 1950 classic, including the original wood engravings and a new introduction by Robert Finch. Not exactly a field guide, Peattie's book is scattered with anecdotes and information on aboriginal use, folk names, and economic value of each species. He offers rich full-length portraits of his favorite trees, including loving essays on the sequoias, redwoods, sitka spruces, douglas firs and western red cedars. (USW191, $21.00)
  A Natural History of Western Trees
The New Encyclopedia of the American West  •  Howard R. Lamar
REFERENCE •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 1320 PAGES
A massive -- and entertaining -- reference to the West, featuring more than 2,400 entries and 600 illustrations. From prehistory to today, it includes historical and geographical overviews, trivial tidbits, biographical sketches of major figures, and commentary on art and literature. Compiled by Yale professor Howard R. Lamar, it's the most comprehensive single volume of its type. (USW416, $85.00)
 
Northern California and Southern Oregon Coast Map  •  Global Graphics
MAP
A recreational map of the coastal regions of Oregon and northern California at a scale of 1:500,000. Two Sides. 32x18 inches. (USW459, $4.95)
  Northern California and Southern Oregon Coast Map
Not for Tourists Guide San Francisco  •  Not for Tourists Inc.
GUIDEBOOK •  2011 •  PAPER  • 361 PAGES
The little black book of Philadelphia, organized by neighborhood, with adjacent maps and listings of everything from retaurants to post offices. Also includes a foldout transportation map, a street index, a listing of arts and entertainment, information on getting to the airport and much more. (SFO56, $16.99)
  Not for Tourists Guide San Francisco
Nothing Like it in the World, The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad, 1863-1869  •  Stephen Ambrose
HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES
Picking up where the award-winning story of Lewis and Clark (Undaunted Courage) left off, Ambrose tells how America, in the midst of the Civil War, built the Transcontinental Railroad. It took presidents, corporate giants, a work force roughly the size of the Civil War armies, and even Brigham Young to mount the most ambitious project of its age. Ambrose uses his considerable skill as a writer and his experience as a biographer to capture the energy, spirit and verve required to build the railroad. (USW224, $18.00)
 
Oaks of California  •  Bruce Pavlik  •  Pamela Muick  •  Sharon Johnson
NATURAL HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 184 PAGES
Northern California is known for its magnificent tree populations, most notably the giant sequoia. Oaks are also abundant in the Golden State, and this natural history, full of color photographs, is a thorough introduction to the tree. (CAL63, $22.95)
 
On the Road  •  Jack Kerouac
LITERATURE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES
Kerouac's now-classic account of his travels across 1950's America, famously presented to his publisher as one continuous 120-foot-long roll of paper in all its raw and unedited authenticity. (USA16, $17.00)
  On the Road
Opera 101, A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera  •  Fred Plotkin  •  Placido Domingo
MUSIC •  1994 •  PAPER  • 494 PAGES
A well-written introduction to opera, this volume includes a brief history of the art form, a guide to operatic terms and a review of 11 famous operas. With an introduction by Placido Domingo. (GEN175, $17.99)
  Opera 101, A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera
Our National Parks  •  John Muir  •  Richard F. Fleck
NATURAL HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 370 PAGES
A collection of ten essays on the national parks of the west, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequoia and General Grant. Six of the ten chapters are devoted to Yosemite National Park. Originally published in 1901. (USW272, $26.95)
 
The Oxford History of the American West  •  Clyde Milner  •  Carol A. O'Connor  •  Martha A. Sandweiss
HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER  • 872 PAGES
People the world over have a favorite image of the West. Created from grand landscapes, heroic deeds, ancient peoples and mythic outlaws, the immensity of the American West could fill volumes. The task of defining the West has been masterfully executed in this definitive book: a collection of wonderfully written essays by 25 contributors on the cultural and environmental history of the region. With color illustrations and period photographs. (USW02, $29.95)
 
Patricia Unterman's San Francisco Food Lover's Pocket Guide  •  Patricia Unterman
GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 221 PAGES
A pocket-sized guide to restaurants, markets and other food and drink destinations in the bay area by the San Francisco Examiner's restaurant critic. (SAF294, $12.95)
 
Pauline Frommer's San Francisco  •  Jason Cochran
GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES
A family-friendly, quirky, practical guide by the daughter of travel guru Arthur Frommer. Her motto: "Spend Less, See More." (SFO40, $17.99)
  Pauline Frommer's San Francisco
Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates  •  Paul Dallman
NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 210 PAGES
Richly illustrated, clearly written and engaging, this book is an ecological overview of the landscapes, plants and vegetation types found in Mediterranean climates. It's an eye-opening guide to California, Chile, South Africa, Australia and -- naturally -- the Mediterranean. (MED21, $35.95)
  Plant Life in the World's Mediterranean Climates
Point Reyes National Seashore  •  Tom Harrison Maps
MAP
A colorful, topographic map of Point Reyes National Seashore, at a scale of 1:48,000. One Side. 34x27 inches. (CAL58, $9.95)
 
Point Reyes, The Complete Guide to the National Seashore & Surrounding Area  •  Jessica Lage
GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 249 PAGES
A helpful guide to Point Reyes, featuring information about hiking and biking, kayaking, horesback riding and other activities. With an overview of the region's natural and cultural history. (CAL200, $19.95)
 
The Portable Beat Reader  •  Ann Charters
ANTHOLOGY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 645 PAGES
The biographer of Jack Kerouac and expert on the Beat generation compiles an anthology of poetry and prose from the era. Included are excerpts from Kerouac's "On the Road," Allen Ginsberg's "Howl," William S. Burroughs' "Naked Lunch" and works by Herbert Huncke, Ray Bremser, Bob Dylan, Diane Di Prima, and others. (GEN130, $20.00)
 
The Presidio, From Army Post to National Park  •  Lisa M. Benton
HISTORY •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 277 PAGES
The story of the Presidio and its transformation from military post to national park when it joined the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1994. Benton analyzes the military and cultural history of the park, and discusses the significance of the urban park to our national parks system. (CAL54, $29.95)
 
Quiet Odyssey, A Pioneer Korean Woman in America  •  Mary Paik Lee  •  Sucheng Chan
BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1990 •  PAPER
The autobiography of an inadvertent explorer -- Mary Paik Lee, who in 1905 became one of the first Korean-born children in America. Lee chronicles the early years of Korean immigration with insight, humor and dignity, neither underestimating her struggles or martyring herself. (USW397, $18.95)
 
Redwood National and State Parks, An Introduction to Familiars Plants and Animals  •  James Kavanagh
FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PLASTIC CARD  • 12 PAGES
A fold-out plastic card featuring illustrations of plants and animals, highlighting the most common species. (CAL228, $5.95)
  Redwood National and State Parks, An Introduction to Familiars Plants and Animals
Remember D-Day, Both Sides Tell Their Stories  •  Ronald J. Drez  •  David Eisenhower
HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS
An engaging and well-constructed history of the D-Day invasion for readers in grades 5 to 8, complete with anecdotes from soldiers, black-and-white photographs, plenty of historical information, and an introduction by David Eisenhower which paints a personal portrait of his grandfather, Dwight. (USA96, $17.95)
 
Return to Wild America, A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul  •  Scott Weidensaul
NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES
Weidensaul follows in the footsteps conservation pioneers Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher in this homage to their 1953 journey, modern travelogue and eye-opening report on wilderness in America. (USA123, $16.00)
  Return to Wild America, A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul
Roadside Geology, Northern and Central California  •  David D. Alt  •  Donald Hyndman
GUIDEBOOK •  2003 •  PAPER  • 369 PAGES
Designed for the roadside traveler, this series explains in detail the geologic history of each of the western states as seen through the window. These books are a great introduction to basic geomorphology and how the dramatic landscapes were formed. Each section is organized around a particular route, with black-and-white photographs complementing the amazingly detailed geologic maps. The highly readable text lets you know exactly how and when that butte on the horizon was formed and how it fits into the larger geologic picture. (USW188, $20.00)
 
Rough Guide San Francisco & the Bay Area  •  Nick Edwards
GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 464 PAGES
This comprehensive guide in the British series nicely balances a historical and cultural overview with practical travel information. (SFO48, $19.99)
 
San Francisco Architecture  •  Sally Byrne Woodbridge
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER
Subtitled, An Illustrated Guide to the Outstanding Buildings, Public Artworks, and Parks in the Bay Area of California. (SFO27, $24.95)
 
San Francisco Art Deco  •  Michael F. Crowe
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES
This volume of historic images looks at architecture, as well as life and society, in San Francisco's Jazz Age. (SFO46, $21.99)
 
The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market Cookbook, A Comprehensive Guide to Impeccable Produce Plus Seasonal Recipes  •  Peggy Knickerbocker  •  Christopher Hirsheimer
FOOD •  2006 •  PAPER  • 299 PAGES
An illustrated cookbook and guide to San Francisco's world famous market including tips and seasonal availability. (SAF295, $22.95)
 
San Francisco Then and Now  •  Dennis Evanovsky  •  Eric J. Kos
HISTORY •  2009 •  HARD COVER  • 144 PAGES
Filled with amazing then-and-now photographs, some previously unpublished, that include cable cars, the Ferry Building, Palace of Fine Arts, and the Transamerica Pyramid, all the city's most popular attractions. This unique book features a selection of dramatic photos taken before, during, and after the 1906 Earthquake and fire. See how the city rose from the ashes with a series of skyline photos. San Francisco's most beloved landmark gets the royal treatment. Compare a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge during its construction in 1934 to its current elegant grandeur. How did Lombard Street get to be the "crookedest street in the world?" See it in 1922 when it was under construction and what it looks like now. This new second edition is sure to make a great gift or souvenir for everyone who's ever visited "Babylon by the Bay." (SFO49, $19.95)
  San Francisco Then and Now
Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast, An Illustrated Guide to Northern California, Oregon, Washington & British Columb  •  Eugene Kozloff
FIELD GUIDE •  1983 •  PAPER  • 370 PAGES
A comprehensive handbook to the marine life found along the northern Pacific coasts of North America with 700 illustrations, many in color. Organized by habitat, it's an excellent reference to more than 650 species found on rocky shores, sandy beaches, marshes and around floating docks in Puget Sound and surrounding waters. Originally published in 1973 and often revised. (PNW60, $29.95)
 
Sequoia/King's Canyon Map  •  Trails Illustrated
MAP
A topographic map of Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon at a scale of 1:112,000. Published in conjunction with National Geographic. Two Sides. 38x26 inches. (CAL72, $11.95)
  Sequoia/King's Canyon Map
Song for the Blue Ocean, Encounters Along the World's Coasts and Beneath the Seas  •  Carl Safina
NATURAL HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 458 PAGES
A grand tour of our blue planet, divided geographically, this book is an excellent resource -- fascinating to read and full of hope. It combines a personal journey, hundreds of interviews with fisherman and scientists around the world, and a tour of important watery habitats. (OCE09, $18.99)
  Song for the Blue Ocean, Encounters Along the World's Coasts and Beneath the Seas
Stairway Walks in San Francisco  •  Adah Bakalinsky
GUIDEBOOK •  2010 •  PAPER  • 136 PAGES
Tour guide Bakalinsky leads 27 ascents (and descents) throughout the city, elucidating history and architecture en route, in this classic guide. (SFO07, $17.95)
  Stairway Walks in San Francisco
Stolen Continents, 500 Years of Conquest and Resistance in the Americas  •  Ronald Wright
HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 464 PAGES
A powerful history of imperialism and resistance in the Americas, with a focus on the Aztec, Maya, Inca, Cherokee and Iroquois. Wright's illuminating account, told largely from the point of view of the losers, details the rapid collapse of cultures and societies in the Americas following the arrival of the Europeans in 1492. Wright draws on an impressive range of archival material in reconstructing this classic account, originally published in 1993. Wright is also the author of Time Among the Maya. (NAM20, $24.95)
  Stolen Continents, 500 Years of Conquest and Resistance in the Americas
Sweet Thursday  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 260 PAGES
A sequel to "Cannery Row," Steinbeck's second ode to Monterey's flophouses sees the return of Doc and other memorable characters. (CAL141, $14.00)
  Sweet Thursday
The Symphony, A Listener's Guide  •  Michael Steinberg
MUSIC •  1998 •  PAPER  • 678 PAGES
A music-lovers handbook. Steinberg provides a well constructed, gracefully written overview of the development of the symphony form, combining biographical detail with helpful musical analysis. The companion work to his "The Concerto," which should also be in the library of every aficionado. (GEN162, $34.95)
  The Symphony, A Listener's Guide
Tales of the City  •  Armistead Maupin
LITERATURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES
The first of Maupin's six "Tales of the City" novels -- which began life as a newspaper serial and ultimately inspired a hit television series -- chronicles the lives of the residents of one fictitious apartment house in 1970s San Francisco. An observant portrait of an era, this comedy of manners is an excellent entertainment. (SFO05, $14.00)
 
The Theatre, A Concise History  •  Phyllis Hartnoll  •  Enoch Brater
ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES
A fully illustrated survey of the theater from the days of the ancient Greeks to today, part of the "World of Art" series. Theater historian Phyllis Hartnoll does an admirable job covering such a large subject with clarity and brevity. (GEN213, $21.95)
  The Theatre, A Concise History
Time Out San Francisco  •  Time Out
GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES
An up-to-date guide on what to do and where to go by the people who publish Time Out Magazine. (SFO30, $19.95)
  Time Out San Francisco
To See Every Bird On Earth: A Father, A Son, And A Lifelong Obsession  •  Dan Koeppel
NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES
Ostensibly about birds and birdwatching, this enormously appealing book is a memoir by a talented writer of his father, a father who happens to be in the elite cadre of major birders. Dan Koeppel chronicles his father's growing interest in birds in this enormously appealing memoir of a life devoted to birds. Richard is a member of an elite group who have tallied more than 7,000 species. Koeppel includes his own travels tagging along and brief profiles of other eccentric listers. (BRD28, $14.00)
  To See Every Bird On Earth: A Father, A Son, And  A Lifelong Obsession
Tortilla Flat  •  John Steinbeck
LITERATURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 174 PAGES
The first of Steinbeck's novels set in the Monterey Peninsula of California, a tale of Mexican-Americans in the run-down district of Tortilla Flat. Thematically based on Arthurian legend, this is a short, episodic story, filled with a colorful cast of characters. (USW149, $14.00)
  Tortilla Flat
Trains of Discovery, Railroads and the Legacy of the National Parks  •  Alfred Runte
HISTORY •  2011 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES
A thoroughly revised and expanded successor to Alfred Runte's Trains of Discovery: Western Railroads and the National Parks, the new edition now includes protected landscapes and historical sites east of the Mississippi made possible or influenced by railroads: the Hudson River Valley; Delaware Water Gap; Harpers Ferry; Indiana Dunes; Gettysburg; Steamtown; and Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains, and Acadia National Parks. An illustrated tribute to American railroads and national parks, featuring period advertisements, posters and memorabilia of Glacier, Grand Canyon and Denali National Parks. (USW56, $24.95)
  Trains of Discovery, Railroads and the Legacy of the National Parks
Twentieth Century Opera, A Guide  •  George Martin
MUSIC •  1999 •  PAPER  • 703 PAGES
First published in 1979, and now in it's fourth edition, this survey of 20th century opera contains thoughtful essays, as well as capsule descriptions of 90 of the century's best operas. (MUS02, $25.00)
 
The Verb to Bird, Sightings of an Avid Birder  •  Peter Cashwell
NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 269 PAGES
A memoir of the birding life, its pleasures, obsessions and pitfalls. Based in the Carolinas (where he teaches English), Cashwell recounts in these essays the birds he's encountered, the why and wherefores of the birding life and some very entertaining anecdotes. Along the way, Cashwell traces his own development from casual novice to life lister (with a desire to see all the birds of North America). (BRD26, $16.95)
  The Verb to Bird, Sightings of an Avid Birder
Verdi at the Golden Gate, Opera and San Francisco in the Gold Rush Years  •  George Whitney Martin  •  Lotfi Mansouri
MUSIC •  1993 •  HARD COVER  • 321 PAGES
A musical history of San Francisco in the 19th century, focusing on the popularity of opera (and especially Verdi) in the period following the gold rush. (SFO14, $55.00)
 
The Vineyard  •  Idwal Jones  •  Robert Mondavi
LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 285 PAGES
Evocative of the seasons in the Napa Valley, this novel traces the fate of Alda Pendle, a viticulturist's daughter who becomes a viticulturist herself. Along the way, the reader imbibes much of the early history of California winemaking. M.F.K. Fisher called the book "as heartening as wine to read". Robert Mondavi wrote the foreword. (CAL104, $24.95)
 
Virgil Thomson, Composer on the Aisle  •  Anthony Tommasini
BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 605 PAGES
A comprehensive biography of the American composer and critic. The author, a New York Times music critic, was also a personal friend of Thomson's. (MUS22, $30.00)
 
Western Coastal Birds  •  Raymond Leung  •  James Kavanaugh
FIELD GUIDE •  2001 •  PLASTIC CARD
A fold-out, laminated field guide featuring illustrations of almost 150 species commonly found along the Pacific coast of the U.S. This pocket-size guide is a handy tool for quick identification on the beach or on the trail. (USW390, $5.95)
 
Where San Francisco Cityguide  •  Where Magazine
GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES
A sturdy pocket guide to city neighborhoods, hotels, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural events and other top sights, helpfully keyed to overview maps and featuring a detailed downtown PopOut map. (SFO37, $9.95)
  Where San Francisco Cityguide
Wild God of the World, An Anthology of Robinson Jeffers  •  Robinson Jeffers
LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES
A collection of pieces from Carmel, California's Robinson Jeffers, the prolific poet from the first half of the 20th century. (CAL142, $20.95)
 
Wilderness Walking San Francisco, 30 Savvy Tours Exploring Steep Streets, Grand Hotels, Dive Bars, and Waterfront Parks  •  Tom Downs
GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 232 PAGES
Thirty walking tours take locals and visitors through San Francisco's distinctive neighborhoods, with insider tips, asides, route maps, transportation information and points of historical and cultural interest. (SFO54, $17.95)
 
The Winemaker's Dance, Exploring Terroir in the Napa Valley  •  Jonathan Swinchatt  •  David G. Howell
FOOD •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 229 PAGES
California-bound wine connoisseurs will appreciate the informative no-stone-left-unturned scientific approach to the analysis of Terroir (i.e. soil but much more than that) in the Napa Valley. This is the third book on wine in the Napa by Swinchatt and Howell. (CAL190, $45.00)
 
Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey  •  Lillian Schlissel
HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 278 PAGES
A fascinating, well researched selection of women's diaries and journals from the Wild West, including vivid accounts of buffalo hunts, Indian raids, childbirth under difficult circumstances, geological wonders and a telling amount of inward trepidation. With black-and-white photographs throughout. Schlissel collected hundreds of diaries and memoirs for this history of pioneer women's experiences, the thesis of which -- that women and men experienced westward expansion differently -- is less remarkable than the details which lead to that conclusion. Schlissel quotes generously from her primary-source documents (and appends a long section of more excerpts). It's compulsively readable stuff. (USW395, $16.95)
  Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey
The World Atlas of Wine  •  Hugh Johnson  •  Jancis Robinson
FOOD •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 352 PAGES
An invaluable, illustrated guide and atlas, covering wine-producing regions around the world. This revised fifth edition takes in new grapes, new wines and new wine-producing regions. Although France is given emphasis, California, Spain, Italy, South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other regions are also well covered. With hundreds of color photographs, illustrations and excellent full color maps (which vary in scale according to region). (GEN244, $50.00)
  The World Atlas of Wine
Zagat San Francisco/Bay Area Restaurants  •  Zagat Survey
GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 300 PAGES
An easy-to-use, well indexed guide to restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, part of the always-reliable, reader-rated Zagat series. (CAL209, $14.95)
 

 
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