About this item
Discover one of the world’s most unique and fascinating cities through 28 dramatic true stories spanning the colorful history of San Francisco. Author Gael Chandler takes readers through more than 250 years of American history with exciting essays on topics such as the city’s origins to the founding of the Presidio of San Francisco and the Mission San Francisco de Asis to its modern role as the progressive and innovative heart of a nation. Along the way you’ll meet characters like the city’s foremother Juana Briones, Gold Rush entrepreneur Levi Strauss, confectioner Domenico Ghirardelli, gangster Al Capone, the rock legends of Haight-Ashbury, activist politician Harvey Milk, the pioneers of today’s techno boom, and many others who changed the face of the city—plus lesser-known tales, like those of the children of Alcatraz and the story of John McLaren, the architect of Golden Gate Park.
About the Author
I spent 30 years in Los Angeles working as a film editor in Hollywood, teaching editing software, history, and theory, and creating eLearning and classroom training as instructional designer. My latest book, Chronicles of Old San Francisco, personifies history in 28 chapters - each centering on a colorful character who shaped the city - and provides eight walking tours for readers to roam and discover SF on their own. Currently I am creating book trailers for authors via my company, , and contemplating my next book. I also wrote three books on editing: Film Editing: Great Cuts Every Filmmaker and Movie Lover Must Know and two editions of Cut by Cut: Editing Your Film or Video. For more information visit
