Customer Reviews

San Antonio: Past, Present, & Always

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

Lots of good memories, but some pictures reminded me of places not included in the book.