Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

The Murders That Made Us

How Vigilantes, Hoodlums, Mob Bosses, Serial Killers, and Cult Leaders Built the San Francisco Bay Area

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

The 170-year history of the San Francisco Bay Area told through its crimes and how they intertwine with the city's art, music, and politics

In The Murders That Made Us, the story of the San Francisco Bay Area unfolds through its most violent and depraved acts. From its earliest days when vigilantes hung perps from downtown buildings to the Zodiac Killer and the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, murder and mayhem have shaped the city into the political and economic force that she is today.

The Great 1906 Earthquake shook a city that was already teetering on the brink of a massive prostitution scandal. The Summer of Love ended with a pair of ghastly drug dealer slayings that sent Charles Manson packing for Los Angeles. The 1970s come crashing down with the double tragedy of Jonestown and the assassination of Gay icon Harvey Milk by an ex-cop. And the 21st Century rise of California Governor Gavin Newsom, Trump insider Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Vice President Kamala Harris is told through a brutal dog-mauling case and the absurdity called Fajitagate. It's a 170-year saga of madness, corruption, and death revealed here one crime at a time.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      April 1, 2021

      Calhoun, crime columnist for SF Weekly, presents a fascinating time line of infamous denizens of San Francisco. He jumps from topic to topic, beginning with a 1959 murder in which his own mother was briefly a person of interest; he then doubles back to the early days of the city, and ends with the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the live music scene as many venues shutter for good. Along the way, he covers Al Capone (who served a prison sentence for tax evasion on Alcatraz Island), Patty Hearst, Charles Manson, and the Reverend Jim Jones, as well as attempts on President Gerald Ford's life and the murder of Harvey Milk. The profile of district attorney Terence Hallinan--who was succeeded by Vice President Kamala Harris--includes the story of a vicious dog-mauling case he assigned to ADA Kimberly Guilfoyle (now the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.). She won the case. Calhoun's style is irreverent and clever, and his affection for the city is clear. VERDICT Enjoy this book in short sips--there is much to savor here for both true crime fans and lovers of San Francisco. Hand this title to those who appreciated David Talbot's Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love.--Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle Sch., Topsham, ME

      Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Loading