Big Alma: San Francisco's Alma Spreckels

by Bernice Scharlach

One of San Francisco's most vivid charactersBorn with an unshakeable belief that she was destined for greatness, Alma de Bretteville Spreckels (1881-1968) rose from poverty to become one of San Francisco's most powerful women. Alma's humble beginnings and scandalous lifestyle would alienate her from the cream of San Francisco she became an artists' model, befriended European royalty, married sugar magnate Adolph Spreckels, lived in the grandest mansion in San Francisco, and at age fifty-seven chartered a plane and eloped with a cowboy. But that same larger-than-life personality was a fruitful asset in the many pursuits that claimed her passions, the most notable of which still stands high on the Golden Gate headlands. Big Alma celebrates the woman who brought Rodin's works to America and built the Palace of the Legion of Honor to hold them.After six printings, this new edition features new photographs, an updated family tree, and an introduction that explores the intermingling of fact and controversy in the telling of Alma's story.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir

334 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I only knew two things about Alma Spreckels - she was the model for the statue on the top of the Dewey Memorial in Union Square, and her mansion was used in the movie Pal Joey. I enjoyed this book (and glad the S.F. Public Library still has a 27 year old local interest book on their shelves), and learned a lot about Alma and San Francisco in the first half of the 20th century. Ending up walking by the Spreckels Mansion (2080 Washington) yesterday - Mrs. Steel, cut down that hedge - and now I'll have to go see the Rodin's at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, then maybe a trip to Maryhill outside of Portland.

[Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad this book was written. Alma was an important person in San Francisco history and, amazingly, her story is not well known.

Though I grew up in the SF Bay Area and paid many visits to the Museums with the Palace of the Legion of Honor being my favorite and feeling so proud of having the Rodins in California--I had no idea about Alma's role.

Also, there is her friend Loie Fuller who was important to the whole Rodin undertaking--and appears to have been the person who invented modern dance! Isadora Duncan was but a dancer who came later and couldn't actually handle the original Loie.

And who knew there is a museum up in Maryhill, Washington helping to preserve Romanian history that is linked to the Legion of Honor?

Understanding what the author was doing here and appreciating it, its still a bit sad that Alma has not yet had a bio that puts her personality out there. This was a larger than life woman who was a mass of complexities--from having a sidgmoscopy done in her bedroom, in the presence of a male visitor!, to having a son who shared a wife with Clark Gable.

The next question, though, would be--would we really want to know Alma? One gets the feeling that living in SF when she did might have been quite exhausting and maddening and frustrating.

Feel a bit guilty suggesting this, that Alma is so off-putting to me, because I wonder if a man as obnoxious as she was would be as off-putting?

its sad, though, to see how, with her all her energy and efforts--e.g. to help raise money for Belgium during WWI--she is treated poorly, including by the Belgium royal family. (An example of how little we can control what we wish to accomplish for often there are others who determine that you will not succeed--even when you are working for free and trying to be helpful!)

One of my biggest peeves with her--she builds a beautiful historic mansion--but then, later, destroys its front door and turns it into apartments. Apparently, for a grand daughter's wedding, she even painted over some murals!

Yet it seems that Alma had a real problem connecting with people. Also, while she seems able to feel empathy for the poor, she had more trouble with the rich including her own family. Given this, it makes sense that she wants to turn her house into apartments because then she can have people close to her.

And it is sort of strange that, as I read about her life and think of that beautiful house being broken up into apartments--with the ball room's fireplace in a bathroom! At the same time, an array of people and couples and families are mentioned who are living in the apartments and were surely enriching her life in the process.

**
Also Alma's museum efforts further illustrate the fact that it is not enough to have the valuable and priceless stuff to go inside a museum, one must also have a museum building and a source of funding to maintain the museum. Debbie Reynolds with her Hollywood Museum, George Lucas with his Museum, the GAP people with their art collection faced this as well.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book proved very interesting, but the second half sort of trails off into a list of accomplishments and activities with little narrative flare. I was primarily reading this for information on Alma's stance towards the fashion world (as part of a possible research project). Sadly, she had little regard for the artistry of fashion and dismissed it as frivolous. Sad really, that one of the most influential women in San Francisco history missed out on an opportunity to document her own tastes and preferences.

Still, the biography was interesting and informative.

[Pietia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The legion of Honor in San FRancisco, donated to the city by Adolph and Alma Spreckels, has a very special collection of works of art. I wondered how this came about.
So I bought the biography of Alma Spreckels by Bernice Scharlach. What a fascinating life story! Not an easy character, this lady. This book may not be the best ever written but it tells you a lot about the history of San Francisco and the extraorinary woman that gave so much to the city.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every moment of this book! It brings the history of San Francisco’s arts and culture scene to life, while also taking us to Europe and New York and into the lives of kings, queens, artists, sculptors, and dancers.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and her attention to small details that made me feel as if I was in the mansion or down at the ranch with Alma and her clan.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, and the research is pretty thorough, but there is a little too much gossip and insinuation, including some speculation. It makes a lot of the people seem worse than necessary.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography of a fascinating San Francisco woman.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was FASCINATING! What a character! Not the best-written biography of all time, but what an interesting lady.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a San Francisco legend.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written, and an easy read. I am not sure how interesting the subject would be to someone not from San Francisco and not already familiar with some of the places and names.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book!! This woman did so much for the arts in San Francisco but was always considered an outsider in society.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

From an obscure French heritage that only sounded important, young Alma le Normand de Brettville vowed she would rise to the pinnacle of wealth someday and be important. Her family was dirt poor and struggled with a meager farm just outside the ‘fancy’ city of San Francisco.

Alma grew big and strong in body, beauty, courage and most of all, determination. She succeeded in her goal of ultimate wealth and power when she managed to marry the sugar magnate, Adolf B. Spreckels. Alma was a big lady in stature and used it to her advantage and end goal. She was bigger than life: extra-large and self-proclaimed In Charge. With her inhibition and power, she aimed to rule San Francisco…France…Europe...

I grew up with SF in easy driving distance. I had heard the Spreckels name, but had no idea the power and influence Alma’s mark left in the City. Generally, it was a fascinating, fun and head-shaking read for me having hit so close to home. Just about the time I thought Alma couldn’t crave any more notoriety, she pulled another rabbit out of her ample hat. Personally, I couldn't justify sacrificing my precious family for fame and wealth, but obviously it was an obsession for Alma. Quite a unique lady!

I read every page, but a couple times when long paragraphs listed names, or art pieces, or endless transactions, etc. I admit I scanned those parts. For anyone familiar with San Francisco, or who grew up in the Bay Area, this is a fun biography. 3 1/2 stars

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alma Spreckels left an indelible mark on San Francisco. She's everywhere, from the California Palace of the Legion of Honor to Union Square. This book tells her life story in excruciating detail, including some that was certainly made up. It reads like a fangirl's homage, even when the author talks about how her complete lack of maternal instinct permanently damaged her children. She was a very complicated, problematic person who left a complicated, uneven legacy.

I have a strong interest in San Francisco history, so I slogged through it, but this book could have been easily a third as long; it would have been just as informative and also enjoyable. Here's hoping there's an edited version, a new biography or a Cliff's Notes in the future. I advise people to skip it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this book and these people. I can't imagine why I was unfamiliar with them, considering their immense wealth and importance to the history of San Francisco. The only Spreckels I'd ever heard of was Kay, who married Clark Gable; imagine my surprise when I learned about the family connection. I was just in San Francisco two weeks ago and toured the outside of the Legion of Honor; now that I've read this book, I need to go back and visit inside and tour other places important to the family's history.
Alma was certainly a character. And while her contemporaries shunned her because of her upbringing and lack of education, her contributions to the city of San Francisco cannot be doubted.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun breezy read - loved learning about this impressively irreverent lady, but also found a lot of the writing frustrating. How do you know she was thinking this or that, exactly? And why make guesses as to why her kids said this or that at her funeral? Anyway, it was enjoyable, only mildly irritating. Loved having all the photographs sprinkled throughout the book.

[Jean Dory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, infuriating lady! So much energy, such passion to do good. Yet so rude, quick-tempered, and self-centered. This is a great history of San Francisco through the two World Wars, and of the drive for one woman to bring culture and comfort to many. By the end I couldn't stand Alma (especially for neglecting her children), but I am awed by all that she accomplished.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about Alma. Her and I would have been friends. She was crazy, kooky and everything that would have been appreciated now in this modern time, but was frowned upon once-upon-a-time. What she did for San Francisco and for the art world is truly amazing.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating women therefore an interesting account of her life, i.e., a biography of her. Perhaps people living in SF Bay Area will find the book to be of particular interest. Her work to establish the Legion of Honor museum in SF is very note-worthy.

[Irene Figari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting view of history in San Francisco. I knew Alma because of the statue at UnionSquare and the Palace of the Legion of Honor. But so much I didn’t know and the old photos are fascinating piece of history.

[Ziyanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story and character, a lot of guessing at her thoughts and reactions.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure i would have liked her but her life certainly makes for an interesting read. Love all the SF history

[John Rymer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book club selection. Disappointing: Too much Alma and her grievances. I wanted more of the context for Alma’s life.

[MNF · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5…very interesting San Francisco history lesson

[Carolyn Jarvis]

A bit of a hard read, as I enjoy a novel structure more; but learning about the main character and the locations of note in San Francisco were quite fascinating!

[Michael Howley · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, about halfway through. This is beyond hagiography and the sourcing is tabloid-level stuff at best.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look back at this larger than life figure in San Francisco's history. What a force of nature Alma Spreckels was!

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alma was a unholy terror. But she had money so they used other words, “Oh that’s just Alma. Buying a golf course on a whim.” But at the end of the day, she married a man of means and spent that money on things she liked. And yes, people benefited from her generosity, but Alma was never inconvenienced by this giving. Alma never sacrificed. Alma put a mink over her bathrobe and told people to get her what she wanted. Like a pitcher of martinis. A pitcher. She was a day drinking champion. She yelled a lot because she was hammered on pitchers full of martinis. She was an outstanding failure as a parent. My favorite part was any part where her son was mentioned because you knew it was going to be nuts. He was married 6 times and didn’t live to 50! His last wife was 18 when they married. He was 47. It lasted 8 weeks. How did he possibly think that was a good idea. Aren’t alcoholics sober some point in the day? Don’t they wake up and realize they met their fiancé at prep rally they drunkenly stumbled into and think. Oh this is a bad idea. This guy was so bad that he was probably murdered and the investigation into his death was pretty much a cop saying, “Screw this jerk. Case closed.” He was too drunk to walk his daughter down the aisle! That’s some next level alcoholic right there. Oh he had a son too. Wanna guess what happened to him? At least he surfed.

I don’t know why anyone not interested in San Francisco or museums would read it and I am not recommending it. The first part is interesting but once Mr. Spreckles dies it becomes a bunch of society page gossip.

[Rachel Rorper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Alma, a book about a wild, loud mouthed, individual who greatly influenced the art trade in San Francisco, California. She was born into a poor family and get father refused to work because he believed he was a descendent of royalty. In order to keep the family afloat her mother created a business that included a Danish bakery, a massage parlor, and a laundry service. At the start of high school Alma's dad forced her to quit so she could help her mother in the family business. Her job was to deliver the laundry her mother washed to the elite members of her town. Being poor, she was unable to walk through the front door of the houses she delivered to, so she vowed one day she would. During this time working for the family business she got extremely interested in art. She decide to take night classes at mark Hopkins institute of art where she worked part time as a model for extra cash. She became very popular around Town. She decided to go to Paris where she met a famous artist. He sculpted her for a statue in front of the Dewey monument. Through this time she met her husband Adolph spreckles. She eventually became very rich and dontated a museum she built to San Francisco, called the palace of the legion of honor.

[Graceinsf]

Breath taking and exciting. The live of a young girl of Danish and French decendence,born and raise in the outskirst of San Fracisco. This amazing woman of very humble beginnings became to be one of the most influential woman in the eiteenth century that with her undescribable charisma not only manage to affect tha hearts of common people like me,but manage to touch,shouck the wealthy,bourgeois as well.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this one because my dad thought I'd like it based on my interest in San Francisco history. There were chunks that I did find fascinating and I did learn a lot about SF, but there were big, fat chunks of this book that went into excessive detail about museums and art and it's a freaking miracle I made it through the whole thing. My dad's a museum buff though so if you're into that kind of thing, it's probably a page-turner.