San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always [Paperback]

Mel Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2008

Archival postcard views and modern photos are combined to show what has changed to the buildings and locations of San Antonio. The Alamo is prominently featured. While appreciating the city's past, the author includes his memories of the old town in an effort to entertain, and educate, new residents and tourists. These include the present-day San Antonio Zoo and Sunken Gardens and the gone-but-not-forgotten Coney Island Hot Dog and the Empire and Prince movie house.

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (November 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764330403
• ISBN-13: 978-0764330407
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,032,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book of discovery, December 15, 2008

By 

Frank Thompson - See all my reviews

This review is from: San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always (Paperback)

San Antonio is one of my favorite cities and I've amassed a pretty good collection of books, pictures, postcards and other ephemera that celebrate its history. But Mel Brown's book is chock full of images that I've never seen -- wonderful, rare pictures. And even when he reprints photographs with which I'm familiar, the excellent quality of the printing, as well as Mel's knowledgable and readable captions, make each one worthy of revisiting.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who already loves San Antonio or those who just wish to know more about it. It's a terrific volume and I'm delighted to have it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Altogether a delightful book., December 2, 2008

By 

Rosanne White (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always (Paperback)

San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always
San Antonio, Past, Present, & Always by Mel Brown is a charming pictorial of San Antonio. San Antonio is a city that revels in its past and in remaking the old into new. The downtown area and older neighborhoods of San Antonio are presently exploding with revitalization. Some buildings are completely new, but many buildings have been wonderfully restored for new use, bringing San Antonio's rich past into the present.

This book beautifully captures this revitalization. We see familiar scenes as they are now and as they used to be. Some of us will recognize photos, saying, "I remember that!" Or even, "So that's what my parents told me about!"

Some of the photos made me smile (little train in Brackenridge Park, "Kiddie Park" on Broadway); some made me nostalgic (shopping on Houston Street, drive-in theaters); some made me proud (the Riverwalk, the Pearl Brewery). The 90-year-old photos of the blimp at Brooks Field just blew me away!

The text is chocked full of information, but Brown's folksy and personal narrative adds to the overall fun. The design and graphics are outstanding. The size and color format add to the package. Altogether, a delightful book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A full spectrum of memories, November 28, 2008

By 

B. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always (Paperback)

Mel Brown's latest book about San Antonio is the best one yet. It is dynamically colorful and informative. It is hard to pick out a favorite view or caption amongst so many great ones! As a native of San Antonio, this is a treasured gift for my family. Larry B.