California Characters

by Charles Hillinger, Otis Chandler (Foreword by)

[Audio Cassette Library Edition in vinyl case]

[Read by Dennis McKee]

For forty-six years, Charles Hillinger journeyed around the world writing human-interest stories for the Los Angeles Times. He also helped to create and produce special features for the popular NBC television show, Real People.

From this work comes California Characters, a collection of stories of intriguing, eccentric, or simply amazing individuals profiled by Hillinger. Many of these people have strange occupations, live solitary lives in remote locations, or collect, build, or design an assortment of odd things. Characters like Down the Road Dugan, Sweetwater Clyde, Dr. Tinkerpaw, Spaceship Ruthie, and Warmly Ormly will delight, amuse, and perhaps inspire the listener with their tales and reasons why they've chosen to live the lives they do.

Genres: Nonfiction

275 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Sarah Bodaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating and enjoyable. Charles Hillinger was a journalist for the Los Angeles Times for almost 50 years, and wrote hundreds of articles about some of California’s unique characters during that time. With the span of time covered, there were elderly gold miners, eccentric recluses, quirky hippies, fabulously rich homeless folks, quack doctors, and so many others. The character sketches are brief yet insightful into the people that fill California’s history. I enjoyed learning more about the areas where I’ve now lived and visited, and have a couple things close by that we want to see. The author himself was a fascinating character, having traveled to every state, the North and South Poles, and dozens of foreign countries. All in all, a light, enjoyable, and intriguing read.

[M]

Dr. Tinkerpaw is the best goddamn name I ever heard. Thanks for this book, Charles Hillinger!

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, snappy profiles of interesting characters around California whom Hillinger interviewed from the 1960s to the 1980s for the Los Angeles Times. A few too many may hail from the Mojave Desert. Hillinger has an affection for loners, individualists, hobbyists and misfits, figures out what makes them tick and doesn't judge them. Inessential, but still moderately fun reading even years later.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written. Did not like the choice by the reader to use accents.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less than riveting narration but the stories were wonderful

[Nicole Marble · Rating 4 out of 5]

For everyone who thinks the know all abut California - you don't. This book contains interviews with loners, miners, a cactus groomer and people with unusual jobs. Or no jobs.
California is big enough to absorb people from other places who want to 'do their own thing'.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a long time ago, but remember truly enjoying these stories about everyday people in California.