California, what makes this state so wonderful? Well, if you asked anyone in the east, they might say it's a party state filled with surfers and celebrities; where no one is poor and everyone drinks wine. However, if you read Mark Arax's book, West of the West, you would find the opposite. Arax goes beyond the clichés California is known for and shows you what's beyond the West. Showing the true nature of California and its people, if you think California is a happy state, then this would be the book to read to see the real California. In the book, Arax explores the diversity of the people and the agriculture of the Central Valley, for example in the chapter "The Last Valley", Arax comes across the Lam family with whom he befriends and develops a close relationship with Tai Lam not meeting his family's expectations. He then began writing and following the agricultural industry throughout the Central Valley. On the theme of agriculture, we meet Hilario, an immigrant winemaker and his family, in the chapter "The Summer of the Death of Hilario Guzman." This chapter talks about the conditions and pay of an immigrant field worker, how many people die and suffer just trying to provide for their families, and what they go through to give them a better life in America. Next, Arax ventures into northern California, here his explorer. the production of marijuana that supplies most of California for both medical and recreational purposes; and economically supports Humboldt County. He compares the differences between the modern industrial weed grower looking to make millions and the hippies of the 80s who considered marijuana a sacred part of nature. Another chapter focusing on the middle of the paper......it facilitates the simple beauty it declares. The way Arax makes a person see that California isn't all sunshine and smiles, it's the way he makes you feel. In portraying the immigrant workers in “The Summer of Hilario Guzman's Death,” Arax makes you feel compassion for them. As you let yourself into their reality and what it takes to survive in it, you realize that hard work sometimes doesn't pay off. He said: “They came off the field with every reason to bow their heads. The distance from their family, the travel debt, the shame of their salary, the smell of their work... all the reasons to be defeated except one. They came back the next day to do it again... they marched like conquerors of the land. A quick, clear look at their lives and how their pride is shattered, and even if it still isn't enough, they'll keep going because it's better than nothing..