California Nonfiction

A journalist's twenty-year fascination with the Manson murders leads to shocking new revelations about the FBI's involvement in this riveting reassessment of an infamous case in American history. Over two grim nights in Los Angeles, the young followers of Charles Manson murdered seven people...

A historical non-fiction book set in California during its transformation from indigenous tribes to American statehood. Discover the rich tapestry of California's past in "Tribes and Priests Early California." This captivating exploration takes you from the ancient traditions of indigenous tribes through the tumultuous changes brought by Spanish colonization and the American gold rush. Experience the vibrant history that shaped California's unique identity, filled with ambition, cultural clashes, and the relentless pursuit of economic prosperity. The narrative intricately weaves together ...

An Instant NY Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller Have you ever looked around and thought, There has to be more than this? You're not alone . . . and you're right. Heaven is your forever home. In The Promise of Heaven, Dr. David Jeremiah invites you to lift your eyes above the...

USA TODAY BESTSELLER “Utterly gripping. . . a transformative and immersive story so powerful and captivating that I could not put it down. . . . Truly one of the best books I’ve read.”—Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish “Lisa Barr's new historical fiction, The...

He didn’t conquer California. He named it—river by river, memory by memory. In the early 1800s, Spanish lieutenant Gabriel Moraga rode deep into the wild, unmapped heart of California. What he discovered would shape the future of the West—but what he left behind was something far more enduring than conquest: names that still ripple across maps, city signs, and courtrooms today. River-Maker is a breathtaking historical narrative that brings Moraga’s forgotten journey vividly to life—from the sweeping silence of the Central Valley to the tangled wetlands of the Delta, from ...

Acclaimed author, historian, and Guggenheim Fellow Kevin Starr is a professor at the University of Southern California. His extensive knowledge shines through this concise, yet comprehensive, depiction of the most fascinating aspects in California's history. From its colonial beginnings through Governor Schwarzenegger's administration, the Golden State has become a uniquely American phenomenon that has enchanted people with the possibility of a better life.

A hotshot firefighter’s gripping firsthand account of a record-setting fire season Eighteen of California’s largest wildfires on record have burned in the past two decades. Scientists recently invented the term “megafire” to describe wildfires that behave in ways that would have been...

Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believers that in order for a church to be healthy if must become a purpose-driven church by Jesus. Now the...

It was an explosion that reverberated across the country—and into the very heart of early-twentieth-century America. On the morning of October 1, 1910, the walls of the Los Angeles Times Building buckled as a thunderous detonation sent men, machinery, and mortar rocketing into the night air...

California’s transformation into the most populous state in America and the home of some of the country’s richest citizens spread amongst Silicon Valley and Hollywood, was certainly no accident. California has always been one of the most diverse and multicultural states in the United States, way before it was a state at all, and even before the arrival of the Europeans.

AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: INCLUDES GALAXIE 500’S SONG “ANOTHER DAY!” “The Hard Crowd is wild, wide-ranging, and unsparingly intelligent throughout.” —Taylor Antrim, Vogue From a writer celebrated for her “chops, ambition, and killer instinct” (John Powers, Fresh Air), a career-spanning...

California is the most multicultural state in the nation. As John Mack Faragher argues in this concise and lively history, that is nothing new. California's natural variety has always supported diversity, including Native peoples speaking dozens of distinct languages, Spanish and Mexican colonists, gold seekers from all corners of the globe, and successive migrant waves from the eastern states, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Beautifully crafted and elegantly written, Faragher tells the stories of a colorful cast of characters, some famous, others mostly unknown.

The Line Fire Arsonist: The True Story of Justin Halstenberg is a harrowing, meticulously researched exploration into one of California’s most chilling and destructive criminal minds. Written by investigative true crime author Elliot Christpher, this narrative delves deep into the life, crimes, and psychology of Justin Halstenberg—a man whose fires lit up the night sky and left behind charred landscapes, ruined lives, and a community scarred forever. From the smoldering ashes of the Keller Peak Line Fire to the quiet panic that gripped Southern California towns, Inferno Within ...

Will you finish the race strong? Dr. David Jeremiah offers biblically based keys to keeping your faith steadfast when life hits you hard. Regardless of the circumstances, God will hold you up to help you face whatever comes your way. Every day, everyone in the world faces challenging moments and...

From journalist and historian Richard Kreitner, a "powerful revisionist account"of the most persistent idea in American history: these supposedly United States should be broken up (Eric Foner). The novel and fiery thesis of Break It Up is simple: the United States has never lived up to its name...

This "utterly spectacular" book weighs the impact modern medical technology has had on the author's life against the social and environmental costs inevitably incurred by the mining that makes such innovation possible (Rachel Louise Snyder, author of No Visible Bruises). What if a lifesaving...

Includes an audiobook exclusive bonus chapter on how to gracefully set healthy boundaries in your relationships and leave unhealthy friendships! Why is it so challenging to create and keep meaningful friendships? Amanda Anderson provides the wise and witty answers, giving practical advice and...

An epic, mesmerizing oral history of Hollywood and Los Angeles from the author of the contemporary classic Edie Jean Stein transformed the art of oral history in her groundbreaking book Edie: American Girl, an indelible portrait of Andy Warhol “superstar” Edie Sedgwick, which was edited...

Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believers that in order for a church to be healthy if must become a purpose-driven church by Jesus. Now the...

The world Cal and Frida have always known is gone, and they've left the crumbling city of Los Angeles far behind them. They now live in a shack in the wilderness, working side-by-side to make their days tolerable in the face of hardship and isolation. Mourning a past they can't reclaim, they...