Rebecca Schall
Books and Articles
In 2006, I wrote my first book, Historic Photos of San Francisco, published by . The book contains over 200 historical photographs of the City by the Bay from the mid-19th through late-20th centuries, accompanied by chapter introductions and captions which tell the story of the people, places, and events which together form the unique history of my hometown.
You can read about the book on Turner's page here. Turner publishes a wide variety of photography and history books about cities across the US. I am their youngest author ever.
You can buy the book directly from Turner, from your local bookstore, or online:
In 2007, after spending a year in Paris, I researched and wrote my second book, Historic Photos of Paris, also published by Turner. This books highlights photos of Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries which I collected from my research in international archives. You can read about the book on Turner's page here, and can purchase the book directly from Turner, from your local book store, or online:
I am currently conducting research for my third book, Historic Photos of the San Francisco Presidio.
I am also the author of an article soon to be published in the Encyclopedia of San Francisco on the Civil War in San Francisco: "Manufacturing Patriotism; How Union Loyalists Propogated Fear to Gain Support for San Francisco During the Civil War."
In the Press
My books have received a number of positive reviews in the mainstream, specialty, and online press.
Historic Photos of San Francisco
"Her captions contain colorful backstories of buildings and streets we pass by every day, as well as major and minor events of daily life in "the Paris of the West" from 1860 through the 1960s: union rallies, baseball games, downtown shopping and even traffic jams. It's a fresh look at the past, with fascinating details that add up to a vivid history."
-San Francisco Chronicle, February 15, 2007
"Last fall, graduate student Rebecca Schall accomplished a gargantuan task. She sifted through books and articles at the San Francisco Public Library, conducted interviews with longtime residents across the city, and published "Historic Photos of San Francisco" (Turner Publishing, '06), a book that takes readers on a tour of the City by the Bay from 1860 to the 1960s.
"Anyone who flips through this book can learn quite a bit," says Asssociate Professor Sarah Curtis. "Rebecca crammed as much history as possible into the text and captions."
Organization / Event |
Date/Time/Location |
| Paris Soirees (Parisian Dinner Salon), discussion about Historic Photos of Paris and book signing | 6/29/08, See website for location details |
| The Red Wheelbarrow (English language bookstore in Paris), discussion about Historic Photos of Paris and book signing | 7/5/08, 22 Rue St. Paul, Paris |
| Shakespeare and Company (English language bookstore in Paris), book reading and presentation on San Francisco, The Paris of the West | TBD in Summer 2008, Shakespeare and Company, 37 Rue de la Bucherie, Paris, 75005 |
| Barnes and Noble, Book signing and discussion | 6/14/08, 3 pm, 2550 Taylor St., San Francisco |
| Books Inc. book signing and discussion | 2/15/08, Books Inc., Mountain View, CA |
| Online radio interview on Southwest Blend magazine's Champagne Sundays program | 2/10/08, 11:00-11:30 am PST, Listen to archived recording. |
| NPR Interview about Historic Photos of San Francisco | TBD |
| L'Institut Catholique, Lecture on San Francisco to International students. Lecture delivered in French. | 4/5/07, 24 Rue Cassette, Paris, 75006 |
| Paris Soirees (networking group in Paris), discussion about Historic Photos of San Francisco and book signing | 2/25/07, See website for location details |
| Sorbonne, Paris, lecture and discussion about San Francisco During the Civil War, for graduate students | 3/19/07, La Sorbonne, Paris, 75005 |
| Borders, Book signing |
1/14/07, Stonetown Galleria, San Francisco |
| Barnes and Noble, Book signing and discussion | 1/7/07, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco |
Photos from Previous Events
Discussion and book signing at Barnes & Noble, Fishermans Wharf area, San Francisco, January 7, 2007
The event was advertised with signs and in the B&N Newsletter
A spirited crowd of San Francisco fans turned out for the discussion 
The crowd posed me with many excellent questions and discussion topics
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Ruthe Stein and San Francisco
Planning Director Dean Macris were in attendance at the event.
Book signing at Borders, Stonestown Galleria, San Francisco, January 14, 2007
Presentation of my book Historic Photos of San Francisco to the deputy mayor of Paris, Lyne Cohen-Solal. 
Book signing at Barnes & Noble, Fishermans Wharf area, San Francisco, June 14, 2008

Book signing and discussion at Books Inc., Mountain View, CA, February 15, 2008


Dinner and Discussion at Paris Soirees, February 25, 2007

Upcoming discussion and book signing at Shakespeare and Company, TBD Summer 2008
Lecture and Discussion at La Sorbonne, March 19, 2007
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