Santa Cruz Is in the Heart: Selected Writings on Local History, Culture, Politics & Ghosts

by Geoffrey Dunn

Geoffrey Dunn explores the diverse history of Santa Cruz County with the intensity and love that only a homeboy can. Dunn alternately embraces and slaps his hometown as he wanders its historic and contemporary by-ways, relating stories that have eluded previous writers. The figures that emerge from this book will linger long after you put it down. From Old Chepa, the "Californio" woman whose life spanned the entire 19th century, to African-American community activist, Helen Weston, Dunn tells their stories with affection. And, lest you think that all of his profiles come from the more progressive parts of Santa Cruz's tapestry, he also includes an illuminating biography and interview with Edith Manchester, one of the leaders of Santa Cruz's anti-abortion community. The book is punctuated with some previously unpublished photographs and drawings, as well as several original poems. This book is a perfect addition to the library of anyone wishing to understand the spirit and character of an ever-evolving California coastal community.

185 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Denele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful insight into the building of a town. Long a fisherman's town before the colleges and upscale residential areas that today attract so many people, the town originally attracted immigrants who cherished the unique waters of the wide bay. There's a second volume of this study by the same author, more detail on colorful personalities that made the town so special.

[Kathrine Holyoak · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Santa Cruz is in the Heart". 5 generations later, Santa Cruz is the aorta of our family's heart. It is the "happy place" we go to both mentally, and as often as possible, physically. My mother gave this book by a local author to my daughter for Christmas. Though I enjoyed the glimpses, it felt lopsided toward the Chinese, Hispanic, black & Italian subcultures of Santa Cruz. One of the most dynamic traits of Santa Cruz is it's diversity. However, entirely ignoring UCSC, middle class & tourist facets is not an accurate portrait. In fairness, only a psalm may adequately depict my worship of the sacred ground of my childhood, youth, my ancestors and my posterity.

[Terry Graap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geoffrey Dunn is a personal friend of mine. Santa Cruz Is In The Heart is an outstanding book of true stories over the years some of the stories are quite personal to Mr Dunn. He did an outstanding job putting the reader in the atmosphere of each story. Outstanding job. I recommend it.

[ninamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, heartfelt stories full of interesting characters that piece together bits of Santa Cruz history.