TITLE: The Murders That Made Us
CHARACTERS: Various Murderers
AUTHOR: Bob Calhoun
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/04/21
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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 the city’s earliest days, where vigilantes hung perps from buildings and newspaper publishers shot it out on Market Street, to the kidnapping of Patty Hearst and the Zodiac Killer, crime has made the people of San Francisco who they are. Murder and mayhem are intertwined with the city’s art, music, and politics. The Great 1906 Earthquake that burned down the old Barbary Coast 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 acid dealer slayings that made the Haight too violent for even Charles Manson. The ’70s ground to a halt with San Francisco pastor Jim Jones forcing his followers to drink cyanide-laced punch in Guyana, and the assassination of gay icon Harvey Milk. With each tale of true crime, The Murders That Made Us will take you from the violence that began in the original Gold Rush into the brutal displacement of today’s techie ruination.
REVIEW:
I lived in San Francisco and the surrounding area for 20 or so years. So when I saw this book on NetGalley I wanted to pick it up. And I am glad I did.
I have heard of some of these murders but not all of them. But even the ones I heard of I was happy to read about to get more details or even correct info. We all know how stories get blown out of proportion as years go by. Some information gets changed or some omitted, so I was thrilled to read this.
And I am so glad I did. We have all heard about “drinking the kool-aid”. And who hasn’t heard of Charles Manson? And the assassination of Harvey Milk was heartbreaking for the gay community when it happened. And each story I was fascinated with. I did learn things I didn’t know, which I had really hoped I would.
This is a great read for anyone from the area or any fan of true crime. Maybe Miami will be next… hint hint!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4 Hearts
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