Portuguese Books-Portuguese Heritage Publications of CA

Announcements, News and Current Information

Annual Meeting: The annual PHPC board meeting is set for January 16, 2010. Directors, please reserve the date.

Two New Books Announced

Two new books have been released. My Californian Friends, by Vasco Pereira da Costa, and The Portuguese Presence in California, by Mayone Dias. They were presented together at four locations in September.

Thank you, volunteers and participants!

All four presentations were well attended and a great success due to the efforts of the sponsoring organizations and all of the volunteers from those organizations and the PHPC. left: Author Vasco Pereira da Costa and PHPC president Jose Rodrigues at the book presentation at the UPEC Library, San Leandro, Wednesday, September 23.

PHPC Mission

The history of the Portuguese in California is an integral part of the state's history since the 1800s. As such, it is deserving of appropriate documentation for the benefit of current scholars and future generations.

Portuguese Heritage Publications of California was created as a non profit organization with the objective of capturing for posterity, not only the historical facts associated with the Portuguese immigration to California, but also the human drama that it encompasses.

PHPC therefore strives to collect, record, disseminate, and support research, projects and activities on the Portuguese presence in California.

More pictures and words about the presentations here.

"My Californian Friends" is priced at $12.00, "The Portuguese Presence in California", $15.00. Both books are available on Amazon.com or by mail order from PHPC. More information is available at: www.mycalifornianfriends.com.

The four presentations were held:

San Jose, Sunday, September 20, 7:00 PM, Portuguese Athletic Club, 1401 E. Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA

San Leandro, Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 PM, J.A.Freitas Library, UPEC Building, 1120 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA

Tulare, Thursday, September 24, 7:00 PM, Tulare Historical Museum, 444 West Tulare Avenue, Tulare, CA

Artesia, Saturday, September 26, 4 PM, Artesia D.E.S., 11903 East Ashworth Street, Artesia, CA

Recent Releases:

CAPELINHOS BOOK: AZOREAN IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA

Now available by mail order and on Amazon, the 482 page luxury edition, hard cover, full color, 9 x 12-inch format book includes an edited video clip of the Capelinhos volcano eruptions filmed by António Furtado in 1957-58 and narrated in Portuguese and English, provided on a DVD inside the back cover. The DVD is available separately at Furtado Imports.

O Cântico do Silêncio

"O Cântico do Silêncio" by José Luis Da Silva, book release event, held November 7, 2008 at the Portuguese Athletic Club, 1401 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose. The presentation was a tremendous success. We had a great turnout to support José and the launch of his new book. Most of the attendees had their book signed, which was quite an effort in itself. The PAC did a nice job with the dinner. Dr. Diniz Borges made the book presentation after opening remarks by PHPC President Jose Rodrigues (pictured at right). The author concluded the evening's presentation with some background and perspective on the book. "O Cântico do Silêncio" is now available on Amazon and by direct mail order from PHPC. Click to order.

Click for more pictures.

The Portuguese Shore Whalers

Now that we have seen and touched the actual book, all of us at PHPC are delighted and agree this book is done as just as well as "The Holy Ghost Festas" and Graves' "Portuguese Californians" books. This is another time frame, going back to 1850. The book presents a lot of information about California history and the impact of the Portuguese people and how they got here. NEWS RELEASE 10/16/06 - Read the book release announcement with downloadable files and pictures.

"Tradições Portuguesas/Portuguese Traditions", Edited by Prof. Francisco Cota Fagundes and Prof. Irene Maria Blayer. Book page.

"A Cow For The Holy Spirit" by Rose Silva King

"A Cow For The Holy Spirit" by Rose Silva King , a novel, is now in its second printing. It tells the story of an Azorean immigrant, his devotion to his family, the Holy Spirit, and the hard life of adapting to a new land.

"The Egg In The Water Glass" by Olivia Andrade-Lage

"The Egg In The Water Glass" by Olivia Andrade-Lage, is now available under the Pioneer collection. This autobiographical work tells the story of an Azorean family, their struggles and triumphs, over a period of several decades. It contains lots of important and very detailed information on daily life in a diary, including the struggle of the Portuguese dairymen and their families since the great depression thru the 1960s.

Also Note:

"I No Longer Like Chocolates" by Alamo Oliveira

In April 2006, we released the English translation of Ja Nao Gosto de Chocolates by Alamo Oliveira, a translation by Diniz Borges and Katherine Baker. This book as been very well received and has been a great seller. In addition, friends of Alamo promoted book presentations in Tipton, Sacramento, Gilroy and Turlock. A couple more presentations are planned. Order here.

"A Barrelful of Memories" by Pauline Stonehill

The second edition was released early this year and continues to sell well. Most of you are already familiar with this work. It sure deserves to be recommended to your family and acquaintances. It is easy reading.

"The Power of the Spirit"

This is the book telling the story of all the Portuguese founded churches in California. Lots of the research has been done, but lots more needs to get accomplished. This might be our major work for 2009.

Note: If you are a board member and are not receiving the minutes of the Executive Committee, please make sure you let Henrique know.

Thank you for your continued interest in our books and helping to preserve a piece of history.

Updated:11/20/09