Historic Bay Area Visionaries

by Robin Chapman

For centuries, California's environment has nurtured remarkable people. Ohlone Lope Inigo found a way to protect his family in troubled times on the shores of San Francisco Bay. Pioneer Juana Briones made a fortune from her rancho yet took the time to care for those in need. Innovator Thomas Foon Chew discovered a climate for success, in spite of the obstacles. Around the region that became Silicon Valley, filmmaker Charlie Chaplin found inspiration, poet Robert Louis Stevenson uncovered adventure and Sarah Winchester built a house that would intrigue people long after she was gone. Author Robin Chapman shares fascinating tales of those who exemplify the enterprising spirit of the Golden State.

Genres: History

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2018

Reviews

[Crystal Tai]

The nonfiction book features six past residents of the region around San Francisco Bay, and narrates historic events during their lives. Two of the six visionaries were born in California. One of them, Lope Inigo, was literally native. The Tamien Ohlone were his ancestors. The other one, Juana Briones, was a businesswoman "in the first generation of Spanish speaking people in California. The other four visionaries were all transplants, just like many of today's Silicon Valley residents, though they didn't come to work in the high tech industry. They are silent movie star Charlie Chaplin, Chinese-American entrepreneur Thomas Foon Chew, renowned writer Robert Louis Stevenson, and the legendary Sarah Winchester. Ms. Chapman's book depicts how they ended up here with vivid details.

The six visionaries Ms. Chapman picked represent as much diversity as seen in today's Bay Area. With extensive research and vivid details, Ms. Chapman shows how their legacy remains, and how history is still relevant. I highly recomend it to everyone interested in the history of Silicon Valley.

[Marianne Richmond]

Most enjoyable book....highly recommended!

Read this book and so much more will come to mind when you think of the Bay Area than Silicon Valley, Google and Steve Jobs. These stories are rich with the personalities of a diverse handful of historical entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries, some of whom you will know and others not. In either case, you will be fascinated by what you learn.

If you love this region of the county you will also appreciate the location descriptions from then to now. There is even a chapter that serves as a trail guide to experience for yourself the places, cities, towns and one crazy house that are entwined with the visionaries’ narratives.

Well researched and lovingly told with many amazing historical photographs.

[Caroline]

Really interesting stories of some of the early settlers in the California Bay Area. Especially Juana Briones, whose land I grew up on and Robert Louis Stephenson who followed love to Monterrey only to be told his teeth were gross and he should get fakes ones. :)

[Sandra]

I am in a book group that has a requirement to read a local book that can lead to a field trip each year. This book not only shares the history of several people that shaped the history of the SF Bay area but also gives field trip ideas to go with each. Enlightening and easy to read.

[Julia Crocodile]

Really enjoyed, particularly the stories about Lupe Inigo and Juana Briones