Review of San Francisco Values
-
Antonio Bayucan 1
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 12 Jul 2021, 15:20
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 6
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-antonio-bayucan-1.html
- Latest Review: San Francisco Values by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz
Review of San Francisco Values
[Following is a volunteer review of "San Francisco Values" by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz.]
San Francisco is a storied city: from every corner of the world, it has attracted many people hoping to experience its legendary diversity as well as its celebration of the unconventional. In San Francisco Values by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz, the two authors explore how the city’s revolutionary ideals have influenced the rest of the United States in its sluggish trudge towards progress. The organization of the book is straightforward. The authors begin with an overview of the specific values that San Franciscans hold, some of which include education, healthcare, and veteran hospitality. Each chapter then proceeds to analyze the nature of each value; a mix of historical evidence, personal anecdotes, and authorial commentary is included. Towards the end, the authors reflect on the current issues facing San Francisco and describe how its leaders––acting at the local, state, and national levels––plan to form solutions.
This book has many features that contribute to its excellence. First, when mentioning statistical trends, qualitative data, and other term-heavy jargon, the authors use a simple writing style to make the book’s content digestible for the average reader. I find that the immigration chapter best demonstrates the effect of this writing style: it conveys extensive data on the asylum situation without overwhelming the reader. Second, I appreciate the variety of evidence used in the analysis of San Francisco. Alongside the anecdotes detailing the city’s chaotic history, the book includes commentary about modern political trends and their connection to San Francisco’s development over several decades. Lastly, the list of steps at the end of each chapter is a clever tool that compels readers to apply those ideas and take political action.
The one negative quality that may affect some readers exists in the balance of bias in this piece. While the authors do include an even number of conservative and liberal viewpoints, the reporting and narrative style still skew heavily liberal. For example, I notice a more positive spin regarding liberal politicians and their vision for San Francisco. At the same time, the threats to San Francisco that the authors describe lie heavily on the conservative end. This doesn’t detract from the stellar quality of the content, though, so such an issue is subjective and depends on the preferences of the reader.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because, while the content about San Francisco is multifaceted and eye-opening, the presence of several grammar errors frustrates the reading experience. In many sections of the book, there are improper state abbreviations as well as incomplete English phrases, all of which can easily confuse readers. I suggest a final, more thorough revision of the book to add a more professional touch. Additionally, because the authors cite several quotes and statistics, they should include a formal bibliography to catalog their sources. Such a feature ensures credibility on their part.
I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn more about the rich history and culture surrounding San Francisco. It is a memorable read about a city whose innovations in everything from technology to government continue to influence the entire nation. Given the absence of profanity and other graphic elements, this book is suitable for both younger and older readers.
******
San Francisco Values
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
San Francisco is a storied city: from every corner of the world, it has attracted many people hoping to experience its legendary diversity as well as its celebration of the unconventional. In San Francisco Values by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz, the two authors explore how the city’s revolutionary ideals have influenced the rest of the United States in its sluggish trudge towards progress. The organization of the book is straightforward. The authors begin with an overview of the specific values that San Franciscans hold, some of which include education, healthcare, and veteran hospitality. Each chapter then proceeds to analyze the nature of each value; a mix of historical evidence, personal anecdotes, and authorial commentary is included. Towards the end, the authors reflect on the current issues facing San Francisco and describe how its leaders––acting at the local, state, and national levels––plan to form solutions.
This book has many features that contribute to its excellence. First, when mentioning statistical trends, qualitative data, and other term-heavy jargon, the authors use a simple writing style to make the book’s content digestible for the average reader. I find that the immigration chapter best demonstrates the effect of this writing style: it conveys extensive data on the asylum situation without overwhelming the reader. Second, I appreciate the variety of evidence used in the analysis of San Francisco. Alongside the anecdotes detailing the city’s chaotic history, the book includes commentary about modern political trends and their connection to San Francisco’s development over several decades. Lastly, the list of steps at the end of each chapter is a clever tool that compels readers to apply those ideas and take political action.
The one negative quality that may affect some readers exists in the balance of bias in this piece. While the authors do include an even number of conservative and liberal viewpoints, the reporting and narrative style still skew heavily liberal. For example, I notice a more positive spin regarding liberal politicians and their vision for San Francisco. At the same time, the threats to San Francisco that the authors describe lie heavily on the conservative end. This doesn’t detract from the stellar quality of the content, though, so such an issue is subjective and depends on the preferences of the reader.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because, while the content about San Francisco is multifaceted and eye-opening, the presence of several grammar errors frustrates the reading experience. In many sections of the book, there are improper state abbreviations as well as incomplete English phrases, all of which can easily confuse readers. I suggest a final, more thorough revision of the book to add a more professional touch. Additionally, because the authors cite several quotes and statistics, they should include a formal bibliography to catalog their sources. Such a feature ensures credibility on their part.
I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn more about the rich history and culture surrounding San Francisco. It is a memorable read about a city whose innovations in everything from technology to government continue to influence the entire nation. Given the absence of profanity and other graphic elements, this book is suitable for both younger and older readers.
******
San Francisco Values
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: San Francisco Values by Geri Spieler and Rick Kaplowitz
