Cable Car Confidential: Outrageous, Absolutely True Stories from San Francisco Gripmen [Paperback]

Susan Holtzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1880192403 | ISBN-13: 978-1880192405

Tourists and local alike will delight in this irreverent account of life as it is really lived behind the gfrip of San Francisco's most beloved icon, the cable car.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Most of the time, I write mystery fiction, but this is a book that just sort of happened to me. I mean, I started riding the cable cars, and the guys started telling me these outrageous, hilarious stories, and after a while... well, what's an author to do when a book climbs up her leg demanding her attention?

Especially when it was the most fun I've ever had writing a book. Thanks, guys.

About the Author

Susan Holtzer is the author of seven mystery novels set at the University of Michigan, where she spent (or misspent) most of her time at the Michigan Daily. She currently lives in San Francisco, riding the cable cars and obsessing over the 49ers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Caddo Gap Pr (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880192403
• ISBN-13: 978-1880192405
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,170,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting and Humorous Look at San Francisco's Cable Car System, August 8, 2008

By 

Frederick S. Goethel "wildcatcreekbooks" (Central Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cable Car Confidential: Outrageous, Absolutely True Stories from San Francisco Gripmen (Paperback)

The cable cars of San Francisco are unique in the world of transportation, and so are the people who crew them. Part diplomat, part train operator and a lot of muscle are all needed to operate these antiquated beasts of the train world and this book looks at stories told by the cable car gripmen and conductors. Many of the stories are humorous, while informing the reader on the operations and dangers of the system.

This may not be to the liking of a native who rides the cars every day, but to anyone not familiar with the system or who rides only occasionally on a visit, this book is fun and interesting as well as entertaining. I would recommend it to anyone who is not a native of the city.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cable Car Confidential, December 5, 2002

By 

Mike Zibnack (Redmond, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cable Car Confidential: Outrageous, Absolutely True Stories from San Francisco Gripmen (Paperback)

Being a native of this area, I have ridden the cable cars many, many times.There is absolutly nothing outrageous about this book. It is not interesting nor funny. Most all stories most people would not bat an eye at. Overall = Boring. Recomendation = Don't waste your time. Honestly !!