PRICE: 14.00, + Tax: 1.09, + Shipping: 5.00(USPS Media Mail)

TOTAL: 20.09

The story of life in a small California town during 1944, the pivotal year of World War II, told through the articles published in the local newspaper, The Weekly Calistogan.

6” x 9” Paperback

240 pp., includes index of Servicemen/Women, and historical b/w photos.

PRICE: 23.99; + Tax: 1.86, + Shipping: 5.00 (USPS Media Mail)

TOTAL: 30.85

How the Judgement of Paris Put California Wine on the Map

This is a great one! History begins and ends in Calistoga. Starting with our Wappo History, this book flows forward to the Judgement of Paris in favor of Chateau Montelena. The Sharpsteen was in early contact with the author. Dr. Gudgel had many questions and felt that he could not author a book about Calistoga History without first honoring the Wappo. Chapter after chapter, this is your history, with more to learn with every page you turn.

About author Dr. Mark Gudgel, we can’t say enough. An 18-year veteran of teaching English, Humanities, and Genocide Studies in public schools, presently serving as Professor of Education at the College of St. Mary in Omaha, a Fellow of US Holocaust Memorial Museum, a Fulbright Distinguished Award Winner as Teaching Recipient, his credentials are endless.

What others are saying:

“What an incredible book, my head is spinning with histories and lives of those pioneers.” Bella Spurrier

“Mark Gudgel’s book is the story of pioneers, farmers, and winemakers that landed north of San Francisco in the mid-1800’s and persevered with grit, passion, and a vision for over a hundred years to make wine to rival France”¦” Barry Waitte, Oakville Winegrowers Assoc.

“Mark Gudgel’s one-of-a-kind, careful, brilliant and historical reconstruction”¦” Francesco Saverio Russo, Wine Blogger, Wine Educator & Creator of Arche 2020 by F.S.R.

“The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries” is a real page turner. I’ve read it three times and plan on a fourth. Well-written, the passion for the author’s subject reflects in every word.” K.D. Bazzoli, Sharpsteen Museum, Calistoga

“Mark Gudgel has captured the essence of Napa Valley’s storied history and eventual renaissance through game-changing historical events”¦” Laura Larson, Editor, Napa Valley Life Magazine

PRICE: 20.00; + Tax: 1.55, + Shipping: 5.00 (USPS Media Mail)
TOTAL: 26.55

Paperback; 320 pages with photos.

This story is one that our author grew up hearing, and learning from his mother, Fela. More than a story, this is a revelation of faith and survival during a time when life itself was questionable every day.

 At one point in the beginning of the war, Fela and her brother Kuba, were living in the Polish town of Gostynin, fled Poland on foot, evaded the Nazis, were arrested trying to enter the Soviet Union, and were imprisoned. At the same time, Fela’s husband, Joska, was in a Russian POW Camp. Fela found herself on a remote island in Siberia where for years she worked as free labor. One winter she fell through some ice and her legs froze solid. Rescued by comrades, she developed gangrene and surgery was scheduled to amputate both legs. She fought hard refusing the operation. Overnight, the blood in her legs miraculously began to flow and she recovered.

Fela and Joska were ultimately released from their respective imprisonments, found their way back to the village in Kazakhstan, where they were married.Fela then suffered two bouts of typhus and a tapeworm that depleted her remaining strength. Even so, in this condition she bore two healthy sons.

All of this, and more, happened before Fela turned 28.The tale author Henry Michalski’s parents, through faith and strength of character, soars above the accounts of the depravity and cruelty they suffered.

“Torn Lilacs” opens with a quotation by Israel’s founding Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, “A Jew who does not believe in miracles is not a realist.”

PRICE: 23.99, + Tax: 1.86, + Shipping: 5.00 (USPS Media Mail)

TOTAL: 30.85

“Lost California Treasure: Lost Mines, Sunken Ships and Hidden Loot” by W. Craig Gaines. Treasures, sunken cargo, and lost mines span the state from the Pacific Ocean to the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lore tells us that outlaws the likes of Three Finger Jack and Joaquin Murrieta stashed their loot while evading the law. Sir Francis Drake’s English pirates buried treasures all along the Pacific Coast. A bounty awaits, legendary and historic treasures yet to be found. 160 pgs.