San Francisco: Building the dream city [Hardcover]

James B Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2002

Narrative and anecdotal history of San Francisco architecture with 455 archival photographs, including many that have never been published before, of interiors of houses destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire, and 140 color illustrations of surviving houses. Begins with the arrival of the Spaniards in California in 1776 and continues until the 1960s. Index and bibliography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 402 pages
• Publisher: Scottwall Associates (2002)
• ISBN-10: 0942087135
• ISBN-13: 978-0942087130
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,290,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Architecture and History of San Francisco, July 25, 2005

By 

James Leigh "Grandpa" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: San Francisco: Building the dream city (Hardcover)

This book has justifiably been called the best book now available on San Francisco history and architecture. Beginning with the arrival of Spanish missionaries and soldiers in 1776, and going through the Spanish/Mexican periods, the conquest by U.S. in 1846, the Gold Rush, the Belle Epoque, the 1906 Earthquake & Fire, the rebuilding of the city, the very lively and readable narrative includes most residential areas of the city, various architectural styles and eras. Includes history of Mission Dolores and the Presidio, from their establishment up to the present. B&W illustrations include 455 maps and never-before-published archival photos, and 140 superb color photos of surviving Victorian and 20th century houses, all make this book a feast for the reader and for everyone who loves Sann Francisco. Based on many years of research, design and production, this book is unique, incomparable, fascinating. It is also superbly bound and printed, with the highest possible production standards.