The Barbary Coast : An Informal History of the San Francisco Underworld (Paperback)

from EricCostello

This book, which originally came out in 1933, is a companion to Asbury's famous books on New York City, as well as his surveys of the underworlds of New Orleans and Chicago. This one, as the title indicates, is on San Francisco's legendary den of vice and ill-repute, the Barbary Coast (the origin...

from bostonbibliophile

Originally written in the 1930s, this book is interesting for someone who wants to know about the origins of San Francisco and the seedier side of the city. There is a lot of language and description that would be considered outmoded now and overall Asbury presents a relatively judgement-free acc...

from MrsLee

This is a history of the worst elements in the beginnings of the city of San Francisco. The author had access to people who had lived through these events, as well as many articles and other resources. He covers the political underpinnings of the vice, along with the culture and moment in time wh...