Janice Stevens – författare

Landscapes and Landmarks of the Great Central Valley is a gorgeously illustrated tour of Californias heartland, lovingly depicted in over 150 original watercolor paintings by acclaimed California artist Pat Hunter. From Tejon Pass in the south to Mount Shasta in the north stretches one of Californias hidden gems, the heartland of the Great Central Valley. The most productive agricultural region anywhere in the world, the Central Valley is an entirely different California most tourists never see a rural land of farms and industry, stunning natural beauty, the greatest cultural and ethnic diversity of anywhere in the United States, and historic cities populated by friendly, hard-working people. Landscapes and Landmarks of the Great Central Valley is a loving tribute to the Valley created by two native daughters, the Fresno-based team of award-winning artist Pat Hunter and noted writer Janice Stevens. Hunter and Stevens take the reader on a personal tour of their home region, showcasing the charms of the Valleys agricultural heritage, natural scenery, history and architecture. Hunters magnificent watercolors, reproduced in full color in a beautifully designed coffee table edition, depict the natural and human-made beauty of the Valleys great landmarks: the General Grant tree, the Reedley Opera House, the Fresno Water Tower, Yosemites Half Dome, the American River, Sutters Fort and more. Landscapes and Landmarks of the Great Central Valley also affectionately portrays the rural and farm life that powers the Great Central Valley with a charm and freshness reminiscent of the French countryside. A joyous journey through some of the most picturesque landscapes and small towns anywhere in the world, Landscapes and Landmarks of the Great Central Valley is an exquisite art book for all lovers of Californias heartland.

Evoking the rich beauty of California's mission heritage in lush watercolours and insightful prose, this beautifully illustrated exploration follows the gorgeous path of El Camino Real, stretching from the San Joaquin and Salinas Valleys, through the rugged coastlines of Monterey and San Francisco, and inland to Sonoma. Delving into the enduring architectural, artistic, and cultural history of the Golden State, this study reveals founding hero Father Junipero Serra's pioneering labours, the conquest of the land's agricultural wealth, and California's painful transfers from the Indians to Spain, Mexico, and the United States. Remembering the labours of the early Spanish priests and Native Americans, this treasury of captivating artistry celebrates and preserves the masterworks of the state's founding era.

This compilation of 76 World War II veterans' stirring recollections presents a remarkable array of stories from all of the major theatres of the war, including the Pacific, Europe, and a saga of Japanese internment in the United States. Gleaned from a series of memoir-writing classes, veterans of the greater Fresno, California, region recorded their memories, thoughts, fears, and feelings on having played a role in World War II. Ranging from riveting to poignant, the stories capture the dramatic moments of epochal combat -- including the landings at Okinawa and the Battle of the Bulge -- while acutely expressing the difficulties and privations of life during wartime.