A devoted chronicler of pop culture and baseball history, Chris Epting possesses a lifelong fascination with pinpointing the exact sites where significant events have unfolded. His literary endeavor centers on the challenge of unearthing and documenting 'hidden' locations, transforming an inquisitive hobby into a substantial body of work. Epting's extensive writing and photography explore the geography of American pop culture, revealing the tangible connections between places and iconic moments.
The book showcases a remarkable journey through the life of a rock legend, enriched with numerous photographs and contributions from notable friends and family, including Bonnie Bramlett, Mick Fleetwood, and Graham Nash. It highlights the vibrant and triumphant experiences of a musician who has left a significant mark on the industry, offering readers an intimate look at both personal and professional milestones.
Bingo!: Reflections On Over 40 Years in the NBA is the autobiography of legendary Los Angeles Clippers and sports broadcaster Ralph Lawler. The book covers Lawler's extraordinary life and career, from his childhood in Peoria, Illinois; through his time at Bradley University; to the beginning of his sports announcing career at the Riverside International Raceway; his years spent in Philadelphia with the Flyers, Phillies, and 76ers; his years in San Diego with the Conquistadors and the Chargers; and culminating in his 40-year career with the Clippers. Along the way, basketball and the NBA is the focus of the book, with Lawler's observations and stories about players, coaches, and teams from the 1940s through his retirement at the close of the 2019 season forming the core of the book. Included among the myriad stories and reflections will be his relationships with NBA legend Bill Walton, infamous Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Clippers GM and NBA great Elgin Baylor, and a variety of famous players and coaches from throughout the NBA. As Lawler used to famously say from behind the microphone, "Fasten your seatbelts!" Bingo! is a fun-filled journey through professional basketball, with plenty of "Oh me, Oh my!" moments, and the definitive answer to the burning question all NBA fans want to know: Is there any truth to "Lawler's Law"?
Dona Speir tells her story, from high school gymnast and track star to model, Playboy centerfold, B-movie icon, rape survivor, recovering addict, and recovery counselor and mentor. There was the rarified world of international modeling and global jet-setting, being photographed by the world-famous Arny Freytag for a Playboy centerfold and starring in seven Andy Sidaris action adventure films. But there was also abuse by predatory and powerful men including Bill Cosby and struggles with drugs and alcohol. And then there was her journey toward recovery and helping others. This study of Dona's survival is a provocative, powerful blueprint of how to do more than just survive -- to recover and thrive. Dona is 32 years sober and CEO of Recovery Coaching Experts. She has mentored hundreds of women with substance abuse and behavioral issues and she has founded women's recovery homes. Her book can help others learn how to identify the traits of sexual predators and protect yourself and your children, even from those who use charm and persuasion. Dona's experiences can help women understand and survive the social, physical and emotional aspects of substance abuse and lead a peaceful, complete, whole and safe family life. It's a cautionary tale to be sure, but it's also a triumphant one, an uplifting, exciting story of perseverance with an unforgettable heroine that is both timely and timeless.
In her extraordinary swimming career, Shirley Babashoff set thirty-nine national records and eleven world records. Prior to the 1990s, she was the most successful U.S. female Olympian and, in her prime, was widely considered to be the greatest female swimmer in the world. Heading into the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Babashoff was pictured on the cover ofSports Illustrated and followed closely by the media. Hopes were high that she would become "the female Mark Spitz." All of that changed once Babashoff questioned the shocking masculinity of the swimmers on the East German women's team. Once celebrated as America's golden girl, Babashoff was accused of poor sportsmanship and vilified by the press with a new nickname: "Surly Shirley." Making Waves displays the remarkable strength and resilience that made Babashoff such a dynamic champion. From her difficult childhood and beginnings as a determined young athlete growing up in Southern California in the 1960s, through her triumphs as the greatest female amateur swimmer in the world, Babashoff tells her story in the same unflinching manner that made her both the most dominant female swimmer of her time and one of the most controversial athletes in Olympic history.
During his whirlwind 1903 tour of the western states, President Theodore Roosevelt paid his first visit to California. In between the appearances and pageantry, he embarked on three days of epic adventure in the wilderness of Yosemite with the famous and influential naturalist John Muir. A lover of the rugged outdoors, Roosevelt was humbled and impressed by the camping trip, which proved to be one of the most important sojourns in presidential history. Through firsthand accounts, speeches and rare photographs, author Chris Epting tells the story of a great and profound journey that had a lasting effect on conservation history and the National Park System
The Orange County Fair is one of Southern California's most anticipated summer events. From its first year in 1890 with a few livestock exhibits and horse races, the fair evolved into what is now a month-long extravaganza of rides, games and entertainment that still celebrates the importance of local agriculture. Millions of visitors have crowded the grounds over the years to enjoy the spectacle of everything from ostrich races and demolition derbies to its unique Centennial Farm and the time-honored All-Alaskan pig race. Author Chris Epting recounts more than a century of community history and revelry at the OC Fair.
Exploring the vibrant rock 'n' roll history of Orange County, this book highlights iconic venues like the Golden Bear and the Anaheim Convention Center, where legendary acts from Hendrix to Joplin performed. It delves into the region's musical roots, including Leo Fender's guitar factory and the origins of the garage-band anthem "Louie Louie." The narrative also showcases influential local bands such as Social Distortion and Avenged Sevenfold, while reflecting on the legacies of artists like Eddie Cochran and Bobby Hatfield.
The history of baseball in Orange County traces its roots back to the late 1880s with community teams formed by oil workers. Walter Johnson, a future Hall of Fame pitcher, emerged as a local star in the early 1900s. The sport's popularity surged, leading to the establishment of numerous teams and leagues throughout the region. Iconic players like Connie Mack, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson made significant contributions to the local baseball scene. The California Angels, now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, began their legacy in 1966, highlighting the area's vibrant baseball heritage.