Customer Reviews

Last Days of the Late, Great State of California

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The fisrt three quarters of the book is a historical insight to the State of California and what makes it so special and unique. It offers a look into the Reagan political era. The remainder of the book is a "what if". What if California didn't exist?

Gentry's novel is the account of the events surrounding California's cataclysmic slide into the Pacific Ocean in the 1970s. In pseudo-documentary style, the daily lives of individuals among the multitude are sketched in brief vignettes that give the flavor of California living in the Seventies. Cultists, topless waitresses, Ronald Reagan and enviromentalists are depicted with an affectionate touch. Humor and pathos are mixed in generous parts as the disaster unfolds. I would recommend this book for anyone who ever laughed at the nuts out west while secretly wishing to be one

I read this book in the early 70's and loved it! I found it funny, tragic and obviously, memorable. I've thought about it often and am now trying to find a copy to re-read. I'd like to see if it is as good as my memory thinks it was and if it is as good, share it with some California "Johnny come lately" friends!

A friend recently turned me on to this book. I was amazed at how much of California history is left out of the texts they give you in grade school. I was born about the time Mr. Gentry wrote this book and it's an amazing insight into my home state's history up to the time of my birth. Irreverent, well written, just an all around good read.

I'd love him to do an updated version.

In the wake of Kristina and Rita, this is a book whose time has come again. We humans so fear 'natural' disasters, yet we lack the political will and moral fortitude to make the life we do have on this earth worthwhile for all. Gentry was uncannily far-seeing (especially for one writing in pre-Reagan America).

Wonderful irony, eloquent mix of fiction and history.

I first read this a few years after it came out, maybe 1971, and I have to say, while it was fascinating, it also made me a lifelong convert to the "I'm never moving to California" camp. If even half the outrageous, rich narrative is true (and in the first 3/4 of the book I have every reason to believe it is) it's reason enough to be leery of moving out there. Never even been there, but Gentry's book showed the stranger, darker side of cultists, Ronald Reagan, Los Angeles and Kalifornia Kulture. Haven't seen my copy of the book in probably 20 years now -- they should definitely consider reprinting it!

I have owned several copies of this book over the last 40 years. I've lost all but one by loaning them out. In February of 1969, a self-styled seer predicted the "Big One" on the San Andreas and that everything west of the San Andreas would fall in the ocean. A church around the corner from me in Port Hueneme believed it, and sold everything, church, homes and all at fire sale prices and moved to TN. The earthquake happened in TN. This book is about that kind of event. The first half is a running history and commentary on CA. Curt has done a tremendous amount of research on this. Some of it is exceptionally funny. The last half is the earthquake and the aftermath and there is an appendix showing what the world would be like without that area west of the San Andreas. It is unreal just how much the world depends on the food from there and how many companies and banks are headquartered there. The book has a surprise ending that I didn't expect, but loved it. It could all come true. I highly recommend it. I left CA 32 years ago, but I just ordered several copies and got a friend in CA to order one. It is fantastic.

Like others here I've recommended this book, and given copies of it to friends, for years. Having just re-read it, I find my opinion holds up.
I wish someone would do a Reagan expose that includes all the stuff Gentry writes about, only more in depth. The Reagan in these pages scared me so much that I registered Republican to vote against him in the primaries.
The history of the Jackson bordellos alone is almost worth the price of the book, as are the statistics of what California meant to the rest of the country and the world in 1968--statistics which I suppose are still fairly accurate in the aggregate.
If you can find it, do yourself a favor and read it.

I bought this book after I came to CA in 1967 and man, was I ever ready for "The Big One" after reading this book. Many facts are in this book as well as a fictionalized account of the earthquake we WILL get one day!
What is happening right today with the economy here in CA is covered as this state has today, 10% of the nation's population but 30% of the nation's welfare recipients. No wonder we are going broke!
An excellent book for both the facts and yes, the fiction as well. HIGHLY recommended!

A macrame of essays covering the importance of California to the popular culture and material prosperity of the world. "What if California slid into the ocean..." plot knits the essays together. Best parts- Dick Tuck, Ronald Reagan, E Clampus Vitus/Jackson, Watts Riots, Cults, Redwoods. Worst parts- occasional name-dropping and unexplained topical references and inside jokes. This is pre- "Helter Skelter" Gentry; thus the book only patchily closes the '60's decade. Ideal book project for hypertext; or read it by your favorite search engine.