San Francisco Stories, edited by John Miller, is an anthology of stories about or set in the city. One thing to note is the variety; most of these stories have little in common other than the fact that they document the city of San Francisco in some way. The works span the 20th as well as the second half of 19th century. The selection contains both fiction and nonfiction, both prose and poetry (mostly prose), and a variety of written forms -- from excerpts of novels and biographies to letters and journalistic articles. The selection also documents many different perpectives: foreign tourists, inhabitants, people from other parts of the country, and immigrants. The subject matter is also varied also but there are some themes, such as the physical beauty of the city, variety of its people, capitalism (service, commerce & trade), and change.
I liked the variety of the stories. Some were enjoyable and others less enjoyable, but overall it was good. I would recommend it to people who like variety and are interested in the life of cities.
A recurring theme is change how San Francisco is the leader of some movements: the Beat generation in the sixties and the gay liberation in the eighties. The article on gay liberation reminded me of the film Milk (2008). The film was about Harvey Milk, a gay right activists. In the article there were several gay liberation groups, one of which is the Harvey Milk club. ]]>
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bookshelves: non-fiction
Like the title implies, this book is the author's opinion on controversial topics in American history. Stephen E. Ambrose provides insight into such topics as the Battle of New Orleans, the construction of the 1st transcontinental railroad, racism, the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant (and other Presidents), the Vietnam War, WWI, & WWII. He provides arguments for his opinions & changes from previously held views on these topics. Issues discussed include war & capitalism. I would recommend this book to those who want another opinion on American history.
On the chapter for Native Americans, he talks about how his experiences with them impacted his view on them. I loved the anecdote of Eve, the white expert on the Apache, and Ice; in it, Ice proposes a raid on "the white man's heaven" to get books. I think such anecdotes not only provide amusement, but also provides insight into a completely different way of life. ]]>
bookshelves: currently-reading, non-fiction
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Jamie
added a quote:
"It has been observed in all ages that the advantages of nature or of fortune have contributed very little to the promotion of happiness; and that those whom the splendour of their rank, or the extent of their capacity, have placed upon the summits of human life, have not often given any just occasion to envy in those who look up to them from a lower station; whether it be that apparent superiority incites great designs, and great designs are naturally liable to fatal miscarriages; or that the general lot of mankind is misery, and the misfortunes of those whose eminence drew upon them an universal attention, have been more carefully recorded, because they were more generally observed, and have in reality only been more conspicuous than others, not more frequent, or more severe." — Samuel Johnson
"It has been observed in all ages that the advantages of nature or of fortune have contributed very little to the promotion of happiness; and that those whom the splendour of their rank, or the extent of their capacity, have placed upon the summits of human life, have not often given any just occasion to envy in those who look up to them from a lower station; whether it be that apparent superiority incites great designs, and great designs are naturally liable to fatal miscarriages; or that the general lot of mankind is misery, and the misfortunes of those whose eminence drew upon them an universal attention, have been more carefully recorded, because they were more generally observed, and have in reality only been more conspicuous than others, not more frequent, or more severe." — Samuel Johnson
bookshelves: non-fiction
Convenience of our modern lifestyle comes at a great cost. This book discusses the detrimental effects of environmental toxins on our health. The book is the author makes a case on how chemicals are destructive to your health and the role the government plays to our understanding of these substances. His views are backed up by a lot of evidence, some of which may be disturbing. You might like this book if you like Fast Food Nation and An Inconvenient Truth. However, be warned, this book can be very depressing. ]]>
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