Review by Mtibza eM -- San Francisco Values

[Mtibza eM]

[Following is a volunteer review of "San Francisco Values" by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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San Francisco Values is a collaborative nonfiction book between Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz. Gary is an investigate journalist and an award-winning author of the critical acclaimed, Taking Aim At The President, while Rick Kaplowitz holds a doctorate from Harvard University and has served as a senior executive in academia and in technology. Both these authors are different, but what they do have in common is the love for California, San Francisco, especially, and the United States of America as a whole. In this book, they have come together to show how San Francisco’s values have paved the way for itself, the United States, and the world. Once you start on it, you won’t put it down.

The book opens up with a beautiful introduction. The authors state how California receives 26 million visitors a year, 23 million from other parts of the US, and 3 million from abroad. They praise the vibrancy of California that continues to attract people from all over. They share how “San Francisco Values” have been branded by other people to be the three dirtiest words in politics. They continue to say that this book demonstrates how cherished San Francisco's values have much in common with the nation’s values; that they are indeed one nation with their strengths, their limitations, and their aspirations; and that they provide leadership on many issues.

In chapter one, titled “America’s Real Values,” the authors explain clearly what values mean in an American context. They, in detail, talk about health systems, reaching for the American Dream, and religion and faith in America. They then close the chapter by listing how you can take action, as an individual and as a collective, for your values.

Chapter 2, titled “The Evolution of Values, San Francisco style,” the authors go back and trace how San Francisco was established. They teach about the gold rush that drew people from all over. They again talk about higher education, how the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at San Francisco, and Stanford University were established. In chapter 2, going forward, they talk about how California has been leading in innovations and how it has created many successful businesses. They also talk about the history of Asians in California, immigration and its policies, and many other things that make San Francisco what it is today.

Before I read this book, I did not like reading books about politics. I preferred getting newspapers if I wanted to read about politics. But this book was more than politics. It was about the history of San Francisco, its culture, lifestyle, and much more. I never yawned while reading it. I was just flowing through the sentences, jumping from one paragraph to another, turning the pages from one chapter to another. It was such a fantastic experience. Both these authors worked well together. They blended well. I couldn’t tell that it was written by two people.

The authors’ research on this book was awesome. I could tell that they knew what they were talking about. I have read about the trials and tribulations of San Francisco. I have also read about the injustice that this city has inflicted upon other groups of people and how it is working to rectify that. The authors were telling the readers that usually, it is up to them as the mass in every city worldwide how they want their cities and countries to be shaped. That’s why at the end of every chapter, they wrote, in bullet forms, about four things that people could do to end injustices in their areas. Like not voting for people who don’t embody their common values that don’t discriminate against any individuals’ rights, and how they can ask people in power specific questions that they are facing and see if they have answers or solutions. This message was commendable. Because as much as the youth of today can think that their votes don’t count, the reality is actually the opposite. If they didn’t count, they wouldn’t be asking for them.

This book seemed to be professionally edited because I only came across two errors. They didn’t dilute the quality of the book, though. The book doesn’t discriminate in any form or shape. For that, I am happy to rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It deserves it. I recommend it to everyone. Even if you are not into politics, this book’s message is to be heard by everyone, including you. Immigration, homelessness, LGBTGIA+, drug addiction, and sex education are topics covered in this book.

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San Francisco Values
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[kdstrack]

The authors place the readers in the culture of the city by describing its history. The suggestions at the end of each chapter tie the past with the future. I enjoyed your description of the author's ability to write as one. Great review!

[SamaylaM]

This seems like an interesting non-fiction book that has been done with good research and writing. Thanks for putting up a greatly detailed review!

[Marcel Cantu]

I really enjoy non fiction books and this one seems very interesting. From the reviews I have read this book is generally very well like. Great review!

[Raluca_Mihaila]

This seems like a very documented book that might be interesting for people from San Francisco. It is interesting to imagine how 2 people could write a book Thank you for this amazing review, it was a pleasure reading it!

[smolbird]

It's interesting that the authors could collaborate so smoothly that the reader cant distinguish their voices. It would definitely be interesting to read about another place's culture, values, and more. As always, thank you for the detailed and insightful review!

[Rwill0988]

Your review was wonderful and thorough. It sounds like the two authors worked well together. I especially like that they include bullet points on what the readers can do about injustices they see and/or face. I'm wondering, does the book discuss Harvey Milk at all?

[Mtibza eM]

Your review was wonderful and thorough. It sounds like the two authors worked well together. I especially like that they include bullet points on what the readers can do about injustices they see and/or face. I'm wondering, does the book discuss Harvey Milk at all?

Thank you for such kind words. And yes, Harvey Milk is mentioned numerous times.

It's interesting that the authors could collaborate so smoothly that the reader cant distinguish their voices. It would definitely be interesting to read about another place's culture, values, and more. As always, thank you for the detailed and insightful review!

Thank you very much, Smolbird. Your words mean so much to me.

This seems like a very documented book that might be interesting for people from San Francisco. It is interesting to imagine how 2 people could write a book Thank you for this amazing review, it was a pleasure reading it!

Not only for people from San Francisco, but the rest of the world also. Issues discussed here are universal, and helps us to take what San Francisco has led on to make it ours in our unique countries.

I really enjoy non fiction books and this one seems very interesting. From the reviews I have read this book is generally very well like. Great review!

It is very interesting, I never got bored even once reading it. Thank you for stopping by!

This seems like an interesting non-fiction book that has been done with good research and writing. Thanks for putting up a greatly detailed review!

Thank you so much, SamaylaM.

[Mtibza eM]

The authors place the readers in the culture of the city by describing its history. The suggestions at the end of each chapter tie the past with the future. I enjoyed your description of the author's ability to write as one. Great review!

Thank you very much. Indeed their collaboration was superb and outstanding.

[Mariana Figueira]

Sounds cool; just like you, I don't read books about politics, so I had no intentions to pick this one up. Your amazing review intrigued me though.

[Sou Hi]

Thanks for your interesting review. I sampled this book before, and I like how San Francisco's government care for their residents. However, I don't really fancy the political details.

[TheMazeRunner]

What an interesting review! I think this book is not for me since I don't like the political aspects in the book.

[S P]

This is a really detailed review, I enjoyed reading it. I'm not usually interested in highly political books but this sounds like it contains a lot more than just frank politics. San Francisco is an amazing city as well, with so much history - maybe I'll give it a read to learn more!

[Mtibza eM]

This is a really detailed review, I enjoyed reading it. I'm not usually interested in highly political books but this sounds like it contains a lot more than just frank politics. San Francisco is an amazing city as well, with so much history - maybe I'll give it a read to learn more!

Me too. Political books I always shy away from them because they are always controversial, but this one was more than that. Please give it a try, you won't regret it. I promise.

What an interesting review! I think this book is not for me since I don't like the political aspects in the book.

Oh, I understand. Thank you for taking your time to read and comment. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for your interesting review. I sampled this book before, and I like how San Francisco's government care for their residents. However, I don't really fancy the political details.

Wow! That's amazing. Oh, I really understand.

Sounds cool; just like you, I don't read books about politics, so I had no intentions to pick this one up. Your amazing review intrigued me though.

Thank you very much for your kind words. Hope you give it a try.

[markodim721]

I like that the authors are proud of San Francisco and their state, but in a moderate and argumentative sense. Thanks for the great review.