Kennedy Marr ist ein Autor der alten Schule. Irisch, zynisch bis zum Anschlag, ein Borderline-Alkoholiker und Sex-Süchtiger. Sein Mantra lautet: hart trinken, gut essen und jede Frau flachlegen, die bei drei nicht auf den Bäumen ist. Mittlerweile als Drehbuchautor in L. A. ansässig, flucht er sich durch die kalifornische Literatur- und Filmszene. Doch sein verschwenderischer Lebensstil bringt ihn an den Rand des Bankrotts, bis sich unverhofft eine Lösung anbietet. In England wird er für einen hoch dotierten Literaturpreis vorgeschlagen. Um an das Geld zu kommen, gilt es allerdings, mehrere konfliktbeladene Auflagen zu erfüllen.
This evocative book by Stephen Johnson, Gerald Haslam, and Robert Dawson explores the rich natural and social history of California's Great Central Valley. Haslam's text highlights the tenacious spirit of the Valley's people, who rely on hard work and ingenuity for survival and success. The land, though demanding, yields to innovative agricultural practices. Johnson's and Dawson's stunning photographs capture the region's beauty and the intricate relationship between the land and its inhabitants.
Spanning 430 miles and up to 75 miles wide, the Central Valley is California's economic heart, covering nearly fifteen million acres—comparable to England. It is the world's richest farming region, producing over 25% of the U.S. table food. Kern County, the southernmost area, generates more oil than some OPEC nations. The Valley's cultural diversity is reflected in its multilingual population, including Tagalog, Hmong, Spanish, and English speakers, alongside a mix of farm laborers, small family farms, and agribusinesses.
However, the Valley faces significant threats. Over the past 150 years, agricultural expansion and population growth have devastated much of its original wildlife, leading to critical issues like chemical pollution, soil erosion, and economic inequities. The photographs, alongside historical engravings and paintings, emphasize the urgent need to protect this endangered region and reclaim its lost grandeur.
