Summer Sale
2012 Hardback SALE Price $29.99 $25.00
+ Domestic Shipping &
handling for 1 hardback book $3.50
+ Domestic Shipping &
handling for 2 hardback books $4.50
Total for 1 Hardback = $28.50
(Shipping, handling and 2 Hardbacks costs
$54.50)
December 2011 Xmas Paperback
SALE Price $19.99 $17.00
+ Domestic Shipping &
handling for 1 book
$3.10
+ Domestic Shipping &
handling for 2 books
$4.10
Total for 1 Paperback = $20.10
Shipping, handling and 2 paperbacks costs
$38.10.
+
Domestic chipping & handling for 3-6 books)
$7.00
For autographed copy inscribed with some personal note
(MAYBE WITH BUYER'S HELP ;>) ) send gold-backed check & YOUR
RETURN ADDRESS to either:
Marlene Hunn, 1817 California St. Unit 201 San Francisco, CA. 94109,
415-673-0369 or
Dwayne Hunn, 359 Jean St. Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-383-7880.
Allow extra time or a couple weeks for delivery. Our stagecoaches are
old and they are still coming over hill and dale..
If interested in learning more or purchasing Dwayne's first book, Ordinary
People Doing the Extraordinary, click to :
Press Release
From Nader praise to a junkyard maze?
Nader
places author’s first book on 2009 Top Ten Books to Read List and second
book is about a junkyard?
Mill
Valley, CA – (Release Date TBD) –
If,
like the author, you’ve lived in Cleveland, Chicago, New York, Mumbai,
Claremont, St. John, Sacramento, or San Francisco, you’ve seen Knight
Nader attack political fortresses. So,
if Ralph praises your first public policy book, Ordinary
People Doing the Extraordinary: The Story of Ed and Joyce Koupal and the
Initiative Process (http://www.worldservicecorps.us/purchaseordinarypeopledoingt.htm)
why
do your second on Prince Philip’s favorite junkyard, California’s
Rubelian Castle, forged from junk piled 76’ high by a band of phunny
pharmers for no monetary gain in the midst of exclusive suburbia?
Every
Town Needs a Castle, Especially if Made of Recycled Junk and Spunk,
is filled with pictures and art (80+) depicting zany building that
baffles, amazes, and inspires; old-timers’
homespun wisdoms needed again today; and hands-on adventure tales that are
weakly replaced today with IPOD’d ventures.
This
is a book for kids, because Rubelia’s King was a kid who never grew up;
for builders, especially those who build differently; for story lovers,
for it presents several wonderful story tellers; for quixotic dreamers,
because this Don and his Sanchos tilt with everything while building
windmills and crazy stuff; for budding leaders, travelers, and doers,
because it reveals how the benevolent Rubelian Ruler developed his unique
public policy perspectives.
With
so much going wrong for so many, the grandfatherly spirit permeating this
book provides stories and pictures that elicit smiles while riding through
today’s dark tunnels. Its
Twainish escapades show readers how to build and scale TALL BARBED WALLS,
so Nader should like it too.
For
a requested autographed copy order here
www.dwaynehunn.biz/every_town_needs_a_castle.htm
or through an autographing event at Glendora’s Village Bookstore
(626-335-5720) or Glendora’s Historical Society (626)963-0419).
To order the book from Xlibris go
to go to www.xlibris.com and
type in the book title.
To
order from Amazon go to http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=every+town+needs+a+castle
You
local bookstore can also order it for you. On bookshelf at
Cleveland's Visible Voice Books, Corte Madera's Book Passages, Sausalito's
Habitat Books, Mill Valley's Book Depot, ... And ask your library to stock
it... Some already do...(CGU's Honhold, Glendora, Mill Valley, St.
Ignatius High, Tam High...)
For
MCR and Rubelian mementoes like
Rubelia’s
T-shirts and stuff
go to http://www.cafepress.com/dailygrill/3990918
.
Some comments and book
reviews...
Every Town
Needs a Castle, March 24, 2012 By Buster in
California. This review is from: EVERY TOWN NEEDS A CASTLE (Paperback) from Amazon
In
this wonderful book Dr. Hunn exposes to readers today what the old
fashioned values of Hard Work, tenacity, inventiveness and an can do
attitude yielded to turn a reservoir into a castle that led others to
become life long friends. This was all inspired by one man Michael Rubella
whom as a very unique individual inspired everyone from very different
backgrounds to come together and make this landmark become a reality. It
is a uniquely formatted book about the power of one and a group of great
volunteers! A must read and predecessor for habitat for humanity projects
currently happening thru out the world.
Book review for “EVERY-TOWN-NEEDS-A-CASTLE”
By Dwayne Hunn 3-9-2012 at Open Book Reviews.
I
have known Dwayne Hunn since high school. We played against each other in
sandlot ball. He was and always will be a man with a burning desire to
make this world a better place. Dwayne Hunn’s book
“EVERY-TOWN-NEEDS-CASTLE” is an example people helping each other in
good times and bad. We see individuals contributing, in their own way, for
a common goal. It becomes very clear that the Castle stands for much more
than a structure. The book is about the ability of people to create
something from nothing and the growth it brings not only to the mind, but
also to the soul. The book is a good read. I enjoyed it.
Anthony
D., Strongsville, Ohio
Scott
Rubel 2-23-2012 at Amazon & Open Book Review
The title
"Quintessential American" has been laid on quite a few deserving
souls, and Michael Rubel is right up there with them one hundred percent.
He carried in him the rugged do-it-yourself spirits the old time citrus
ranchers of Southern California bequeathed him, along with the
entertainment gene passed to him by his gregariously eccentric parents.
Michael spent his entire life building the quintessential American castle,
or at least the essential California version of it. A recently found
letter from old friend Ted Shepherd thanked him for building a place where
"older boys and girls (that is, you and me!) can again be young and
once more be charged with the energy of wonder and happiness that
accompany children..."
This is the type of tribute that comes across from everyone who knew him,
as Michael welcomed one and all. Whatever your station in life in the
outside world, you had a place at Rubel Castle.
Michael was even up to the challenge of entertaining true European
royalty. When Prince Philip visited Rubel Castle in the 1980s, Michael
proudly gave him a tour, but humbly offered, "I know my castle can
fit in one of your fire places." He could even make a prince laugh.
The title of the book was chosen deliberately. It is a remembrance of a
remarkable recent history, lived by the author, which carries forth his
passionate hope for what could be, if we but had a teacher and friend like
Michael Rubel in our lives.
In the words of friend Criswell Guldberg: "When Michael left the
planet, the world lost one of it's most unique people. He was the
unwilling recipient of the charismatic gene that attracted many people.
Those of us fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him were the
chosen ones. We got lucky. What we built was not a place: a bottle house,
a box factory, a tin palace, a tree house, a bird bath, a Castle. We got
to build our lives. We got to create ourselves and create a spot for
ourselves in the Universe. We don't hold you responsible, Michael. We just
thank you!"
When you visit Rubel Castle, you will not have the fortune of hearing
Michael's laughter and stories, but the Castle itself still offers up its
happy stories and, to some, its lessons. This book is a personal account
of universal lessons learned by one humble subject of the Kingdom of
Rubelia.
A hunk of mythic life has left us. Michael will live on for many of us for
the rest of our lives--the man and legend.
Buster ( no
country , no age ) Open Book Reviews 2-8-2012
Dwayne manages to expound on an undiscovered treasure which was built on a
unuque amalgimation of personalities, hard work ethic, positive attitude
and tithing from depression era mentality parents. This illustrates what
people can built with almost nothing invested when they put their mind to
it! Dwayne bounces around in the book but knowing him personally-this is
part of his perky personality! It's a rare find with a very unusual angle
of content.
I loved the book Dwayne, thanks
for writing it and for keeping the Pharm alive! All the
best, Jim L. (former
Pharmer) from Europe email 1-30-2012
Hi
Dwayne,
Greetings,
hope you got back to the USA ok from Dubai and are keeping well.
Just
to let you know I bought a copy of Every Town Needs a Castle yesterday and
have so far just read the Appendix about you ....enjoyed every bit of it!
.... Your school battles reminded me of the film "Dead Poets
Society" with Robin Williams playing the free spirited inspirational
teacher who helped his students to question and discover the true nature
of things and go on to reach their true potential in life.
I
also managed to find a used copy of The Story of Ed and Joyce Koupal and
the Initiative Process in a US bookshop, so am eagerly awaiting its
arrival here in the UK.
This
end, life is very full of teaching ....currently assessing student
presentations and planning for teaching in India (Bangalore and Mysore) in
January.
I
thought of you tonight when I watched a BBC TV program called 'Scrapheap
Orchestra' - an entire orchestra of 44 instruments made entirely from
scrap - analogous to the Castle built of recycled junk!
Professor
PS, United Kingdom, email 12-2011
I love my copy. Don't forget to
read the end where Dwayne wins a big one against an overly conservative
school district.
12-5-2011
Facebook post, Glendoran Author DAVID W. Facebook,
"I'm immensely enjoying the book too. What
great memories!" Classical musician JK, France 11-2011
“Half
way through the book. Really
enjoying it. Very anecdotal.
Very funny." Dr. KC California. 11-2011
"It's
a book to savor." DO, California.
Hi
Dwayne - I have to tell you that I am reading your book now and I'm on
page 89. I bought your book to be nice (at Cleveland's Visible Voice
Bookstore) and I really can't put this book down. I am really glad I had
the opportunity to meet you and thank you for putting such an amazing
story in your book. Can hardly wait to finish....it's a great read!! God
bless. KJ, Ohio
If you enjoy stimulating your mind and heart through
reading, you will enjoy "Every Town Needs A Castle". If you love
history, the excitement of current events, public policy and insights into
humantity, this book has the power to capture your imagination.
It
will transport you to exotic places and introduce you to unique people.
You can almost see, smell and hear the activities on the
"Pharm". This book reflects the "wisdom of grandfather
Deuele, Michael Rubel and other wise men and women. In this book, you will
share the "dreams of dreamers" mixed with the realities of
modern day life in the late twentieth century in Southern California. The
"Pharm" served as a meeting place for people from all walks of
life. The author has an outstanding ability to write with emotion, insight
and humor. So read, reflect, journey, laugh and cry. "Every Town
Needs A Castle" is a great read. CR, ILLINOIS
The Castle of Rubelia: Philosophy Becomes
Architecture
Never mind castles in Spain. How about one smack in the middle of the
‘burbs of California? And how about instead of quarried stone it’s
made with every dadblamed thing handy, including lots of tin cans and
junk, the whole mess assembled any which way but straight, clean high as
the turrets, riz up to a towering, beautiful extravaganza of cemented
wonder?
Reading this book, you’d be sure you had to be
reading sheer fiction if it weren’t for those brain-bumping photos
throughout, snapshots that make it undeniable that somewhere along the
Pacific side of America, as visitors the likes of Ike and Mamie, Jack
Benny, Henry Kissinger, Harry Reasoner, Barbara Walters could testify, the
Castle of Rubelia is as real as death and taxes. Even better than this,
though, is how the castle got built, and the assortment of unlikelihoods
who played their parts in its hard-to-believe history. Therein hangs a
tale.
This is a book that recovers something
lost—something as precious as a birthright. We all hear the lament that
what once was is now not: that what we once valued most, and called these
United States, has perished from the earth. What WAS that?
I think Mark Twain would have been able to tell you,
and show you. Great gallivanting galluses and golly Aunt Polly!, old Sam
Clemens would’ve loved this book. Imagine the arrival of Huck Finn to
this California craziness, this loony excuse for architecture that started
out as a ruin. “Seems to me, Jim, that we’ve got ourselves to thish
‘ere part a the country where folks ain’t ezackly in their right
minds. But it kinda grows on you, don’tcha find?”
“Reckon so, Huck.”
What grows on you, the reader, is not just a castle
that stands like a parody of the grand edifices of the Old World, but the
unique spirit of this book. It’s not easy to nail a spirit. The best I
can do is to point again in the direction of what we all feel has slipped
away from our sense of what it is to be Americans.
Have you noticed that going to college now is all
about so we can eventually make more money than the dropouts? It wasn’t
always like that. A liberal education, once upon a time, was supposed to
teach us what would allow the fullest awareness of just what being a human
being amounted to. To expose us to all the great minds and the great books
of the world, like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. And to make us see
that life, instead of a security blanket, is itself as wild an adventure
as we let it be.
Well, Dwayne Hunn, who’s a modest fellow, is not
one who’d claim to stand alongside the great humorist from Hannibal, Mo.
Nevertheless, Sam Clemens would be the first to clap him on the shoulder,
because he’d know a brother of the craft when he met one. Adventure? You
better believe it! Loveable characters? Bet your long johns on it in a
cold winter in Kansas.
Humor? Yep. Wager major with any tough teenager that
he can’t get through the read without cracking up, ‘cause this sucker
is FUNNY. Wait till you read how a defecating pig running wild in his
house turns out to be the making of Grandfather Deuel’s fortune. Read
about how he played strip poker with fan dancer Sally Rand. Stay calm and
solemn till you read how his charismatic grandson, Michael (one day
becoming the master architect of Rubelia Castle), at age 12 became the
hero who, singlehandedly, warded off the great invasion of Azusa Canyon.
You want wit and wisdom? Try to keep a straight face
while you soak up the endless epigrammatical sayings of Grandfather Deuel.
You like fascinating characters? Meet
Grandfather’s beloved bevy of loyal friends like Stanley Baird and Odo
Stade, or the good witch Mrs. Friezner. But the true harvest here is with
Michael and his grandfather, and everything that is represented in the way
they take hold of life and live it.
Grandfather Deuel, very much a Man of the People, grew up in the old
schoolroom of working class folk who believed that hard work was the
bedrock of character. But he also believed that making money had its
place, and that what could happen when volunteers building a castle, loyal
friends who gathered regularly to hear stories told while Gallo jug wine
was passed around in shrimp cocktail jars, took priority over rising up in
the world.
How much Michael Rubel loved his grandfather, no one can miss. Nor can
anyone miss how the man who wrote this tribute to them, Dwayne Hunn, loved
the both of them. Or why. Dr. TK,
California
-------
The perfect mix of reality, nostalgia, small town politics and the
pursuit of a personal vision embraced by a cacophony of personalities who
live with gusto day in and day out.
If you're not afraid to reduce the number of sleep hours, because you
simply can't put the book down and close it because you're falling asleep,
start reading it early Saturday morning. If you're one that squeezes the
feelings and lets your imagination run away, as if you're watching a 3D,
technicolor, stereophonic series of events that surrounds you, then you
will go a lot slower and you may have to call in sick rather than dislodge
yourself from the content of the pages in this wonderful
story.
I will have to read it again... JK, California
I have known Dwayne Hunn, the author since 1972 when he was my teacher in
High School. He lived at "The Castle" with Michael and the rest
of the gang. This book is an excellent memorial to Michael Rubel and was
equally a funny memoir to those who didn't know Michael well or even knew
of him. The end pages of Mr. Hunn's book were interesting because this was
the time I first met him and didn't quite understand what was happening in
his world. I am forever grateful for his teachings and of his patience
with everything in his life.
Kat P. California
Tucked close to the San Gabriel Mountains in an upscale
neighborhood in Glendora, California on 2.5 acres of land sits a pile of
junk rising 80 feet in the air. The junk pile has a clock tower that holds
a large old fashioned clock which chimes like Big Ben. For most people,
the junk would have been taken to a landfill to be covered by earth moving
equipment. Instead, it was recycled into an 80 foot tall edifice complete
with catwalks and battle mounts that today is seen as a magnificent
structure of historical significance. In building their edifice, the
workers followed two simple principles: One, There is nothing on this
planet that cannot be recycled. And Two, If we work together, we can
remain free individuals, and accomplish more than we ever dreamed was
possible.
The patriarch and owner was Michael Clark Rubel. Many people helped
Michael recycle the junk, but there were five principals who were
especially important. Dwayne Hunn was one of the principals. His book
chronicles their collective experience. In his book, Dwayne addresses
three questions: What was Michael's inspiration? How did the dream become
reality? And, why does every town need a castle?
Dwayne addresses the first and second questions in a wondrous tale that is
humorous and entertaining, and makes the reader eager to turn each page.
The third question is equally entertaining but is discussed more subtlety
than the first two questions.
Dwayne Hunn's work shows rather than tells the reader the story of young
Michael's dream. Dwayne shows the reader how Michael's dream not only
never went away but became Michael's life work. Dwayne is brilliant in
creating scenes that enable the reader to feel they are part of the story.
The result is the reader feels what the boy feels as the boy's dream
becomes transformed over a lifetime into the reality known as
"Rubelia."
What is especially gratifying about Dwayne's narrative is that the reader
feels what it means for a person to live with themselves, and in
community. As well, the reader feels that the process of achieving an
accomplishment is as fulfilling and sometimes greater than the
accomplishment.
In the end, the reader understands that the Castle is a metaphor for what
every town needs. As such, castle can be anything from a physical
structure, to an idea, or to something written. Perhaps, most of all, the
reader feels the passion Michael felt when he said about the process of
building the castle: "This is how people have to live when nothing in
their lives is working."
What Michael meant by this, Dwayne explains, is that people are eager to
help each other when the going gets tough. But Dwayne takes Michael's
passionate observation of the human condition to another level. Equally as
passionate as Michael, Dwayne says that people shouldn't wait for tough
times to help one another. Rather, we should all learn to live each day in
community. Indeed, Dwayne says, the process of building the castle is a
model for all of us to live by.
So, like the economic historian, R. H. Tawney who wrote about abstract
structures that hold together social edifices, Dwayne uses Castle as a
metaphor for the structure that holds together the social edifice known as
town, i.e., castle becomes the abstract structure that helps society
become a community. And what the reader sees and feels in Dwayne's
narrative is that community is about living with yourself, and living with
others. It's about rebellion and personal discovery. It's about process
and completion. It's about redemption. It's about "Woulda, Shoulda,
Coulda," becoming "We did it."
Dwayne shows that a community cannot develop without people demonstrating
courage, taking risks, and thinking and doing outside the box. Most
importantly, Dwayne shows that rugged and free individuals are stronger
and freer when they work together, when they share, and when they help one
another.
In conclusion, Dwayne Hunn shows the reader what "Green Sustainable
Construction" is, and how it's done. He explains that the Rubellian
Castle is filled with stuff from the 1920s and '30s. And all of it works!
One of the nicest touches is that Dwayne shows that the Castle was built
in a setting evoking earlier times and earlier feelings, and while the
book may not lead to a new career job offer, especially in an economically
depressing 2010 decade, it offers lots of old fashioned tips on how to
live a richer life, even when depressions try to get in the way. In the
end, Dwayne Hunn's book is an inspiration to all the community builders
and all the Do It Your Selfers who wonder if they can make it happen. To
this, Dwayne and Michael, and all the other Rubellians say, "Yes You
Can," and "Have Phun Doing It."
Dwayne Hunn's book is a story that will delight, entertain, and make you
cry with joy. It's a must read. It's an especially good end of summer
read.
Incidentally, Every Town Needs a Castle is the first of an “Every…”
series. Every Country Needs a World Service Corps is in its embryonic
stage.
Dr. James E, San Diego, California
