Its history filled with more larger-than-life characters and colorful stories than most cities twice its age, San Francisco has always gloried as much in the past as in the present. Published nearly 50 years ago and now available in paperback for the first time, This Is San Francisco is an affectionate, lively, carefully researched chronicle of the city from its inception to the end of World War II, as well as an unabashedly romantic portrait of its streets, neighborhoods, and people. Covering every part of the city, from the Embarcadero to Russian Hill, from Cow Hollow to Cliff House, this engaging, evocative volume opens the door for a new generation to San Francisco's rich and unforgettable past. This 1948 volume presents San Francisco through its history rather than the usual well-known landmarks. The chapters cover the waterfront, the old town, the hills, the sea, etc., via the most notable street in each area. For travel and history collections. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. Robert O'Brien was a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle from 1939 to 1953 and the author of a column on San Francisco history, from which much of the material for this book was culled. He has also written California Called Them, a history of Northern California's Gold Rush towns. He currently lives in Kahuku, Hawaii. Adair Lara was a long-time columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. She has written numerous books about families and friends. She lives in Northern California with her husband. first time in paperback, classic history of "old" San Francisco