(pb; 2004: nonfiction)
From the back cover:
"When driving into San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, the sweeping vistas and greenery gradually give way to the city's charming and inviting Marina District. This area is. . . one of San Francisco's most picturesque and best-known neighborhoods and is famous for its aesthetic and historic appeal. Adjacent to the Presidio, the Golden Gate, and Chrissy Fields, the Marina hosts a large number of Art Deco structures and the famed Palace of Fine Arts, a resplendent collection of buildings originally designed for the Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915 [a.k.a. PPIE]. The exposition was held to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal, but also to show the world that San Francisco had recovered from the 1906 earthquake. The Marina rose from the site of the Pan Pacific to become one of the city's most desirable and recognizable districts, known for its architecture, culture and dramatic waterfront settings.
"Only a short time ago, much of the Marina was again damaged by the 1989 earthquake. This. . . collection of 200 vintage photos and other visual memorabilia celebrates the district's history, beauty and resilience. Compiled by city historian Dr. William Lipsky, these images show a neighborhood that is worthy of the recognition it has garnered through the years as a unique showcase of San Francisco."
Review:
When I checked Marina out from my local library, I was going to read it, not read and review it. It was meant as a quick-break read from my usual itinerary of fiction and more serious-minded books. However, Marina's historical facts, previously unseen images, to-the-point-not-tourist-guide-giddy writing and my love of this city made me want to share this with fellow readers and fellow Californians. This is a worthwhile book to read - and own, if purchased used - if you especially appreciate San Francisco or like books of this genre.
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