Los Altos Hills - The Colorful Story
About The Author and Origins of The Book
Florence Fava's Book did not appear spontaneously out of a vacuum. It was the side-product of a wider saga that involved a fair amount of friction and acrimony between the author (a volunteer historian) and other members of the community, as well as the staff of Town of Los Altos Hills. The book played just one role within a wider story.

Below are just a few contemporary newspaper clippings where the book plays a large role in the narrative. Many other news reports from that time documented the stormy relationship between Florence and other members of the community.

Also on this web-page are a few other pieces of information that provide further background on this book

 

  The Valley Journal, December 15, 1971.   Fava's first attempt at publishing a book fails....

 

  San Jose Mercury News, April 14 1976.  The book is finaly published, but not without controversy.

 

  Peninsula Living, December 11, 1976.  After the book is published, a background article about the author..

 

  Founder's Night, May 26, 11, 1977.  A "Founder's Night" gathering was held at Town Hall Council Chambers, where a copy of the book was autographed by some of those present.
  1. Wallace Stegner.  Professor of Literature st Stanford, Novelist, Environmentalist and Historian. Winner Pulitzer Prize (1972) and the U.S. National Book Award in 1977.
  2. Don T. Hibner.  Member of the Town's "Road Committee" set up when the town was founded
  3. Melvin L. Hawley. Sheriff of Santa Clara County - and Los Altos Hills resident (Robleda Rd)
  4. Gardner Bullis.  Acted as Legal Counsel to the Town's founding committee as well as the first Town Council. One of the first Planning Commissioners of Los Altos Hills
  5. Leighton Bledsoe.  One of the original founding Council Members
  6. Jack Fowle.  Son of Arthur Fowle (One of the original founding Council Members and who donated the land on which Town Hall was built) and later council member in his own right
  7. Dr C Easton Rothwell  Director of the Hoover Institution, Secratary General US delegation to the UN 1946 and city councilman
  8. T.A. (Theodore) Dungan  Chief Engineer Permanente Magnesiun Plant WWII, later worked for Bechtel Corp. petroleum division and one of the original founding Council Members
  9. Ray Hoefler.  One of the first Planning Commissioners of Los Altos Hills
  10. Hart Tantau.  One of the first Planning Commissioners of Los Altos Hills
  11. James H Stedman.  One of the first Planning Commissioners of Los Altos Hills
  12. Katherine B Treat.  Spouse of Sidney Treat, one of the original founding Council Members and the first Mayor of Los Altos Hills.
"Founders Night"
May 26, 1977
Town Hall Council Chambers
1Wallace Stegner
2Don T. Hibner
3Melvin L. Hawley
4Gardner Bullis
5Leighton Bledsoe
6Jack Fowle
7Easton Rothwell
8T.A. (Theodore) Dungan
9Ray Hoefler
10Hart Tantau
11James H Stedman
12Katherine B Treat

 

  A copy of the Errata sheets for the book has survived. (The suggested corrections did not make it into the final published product.)

 

Current availability of Hard Copies

Around half-a-dozen used copies are usually available on the used-book market at any given time (Available via the Internet at e.g.   Amazon,   EBay,   Abe Books, ...)

Prices range from around $4,500 (!) down to around $50.

 

Screenshot of a copy of the book for sale, on Amazon at an amazing price. Note that in the bottom right corner, it also notes there are four more copies available starting at $48 plus shipping

 

 

 

Table of
Contents 		The Book
Itself