June 6, 2005
Think celebrity trials and sensationalist journalism were born yesterday? Think again.
The ongoing trial of Michael Jackson has put me in mind of the murder trial of international celebrity Fatty Arbuckle in 1921 — the sexual details printed in the daily press titillated a moralistic nation and ended in the ruin of one of the most talented comedians of the era.
A little food for thought as we suffer under the onslaught of contemporary sensationalism…
Sparkletack was the blog and podcast of a guy obsessed with diggin' up San Francisco history. The site is on permanent hiatus.» About Richard
The Barbary Coast
Herbert Asbury's mesmerizing survey of Francisco's dark, filthy & frantic underground history, whose denizens -- freaks, bullies, hookers, dandies, opium smokers, and loose nuts of every variety -- are absolutely unforgettable.
Roughing It
Samuel Clemen's wide-eyed account of his Western transformation into Mark Twain. It's half-autobiography, half-high-grade B.S., and 100% entertainment! Here's my review of Uncle Mark's work: »
River of Shadows
The subtitle -- "Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West" -- just hints at the depth of history and analysis in this beautifully written and meticulously researched work. Fascinating and gorgeous ... read my review: »
San Francisco Memoirs
1835-1851: Eyewitness Accounts of the Birth of a City
The sleepy village of Yerba Buena becomes the boomtown of San Francisco -- in the voices of its own residents.
More San Francisco Memoirs
1852-1899: The Ripening Years
In this sequel to Malcolm Barker's "San Francisco Memoirs", the saga continues; from the Gold Rush to the Gilded age, San Franciscans tell our story in their own words.
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June 6, 2005 at 7:11 pm
Thoroughly enjoying your podcasts.Keep up the great work. I am so inspired I am currently in the process of getting sorted to start my own. Any advice?
June 6, 2005 at 7:12 pm
thanks for the kind words, colin! greatly appreciated, believe me, and i couldn’t be happier to hear that you’re going to start your own. as far as advice goes, are you looking for the technical sort? the first thing that pops into my head is to check out my provider libsyn.com — “liberated syndication” — for just about the easiest podcast publishing solution there is. they make it irresistibly simple. good luck…