RSB Books

RSB Books

Richard Schwartz

Writer, Historian

Richard

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Click on the book title to be taken to its home page

RSB Books

The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty

Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley

Earthquake Exodus, 1906

Berkeley 1900

Circle of Stones



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SPEAKING SCHEDULE is BELOW these listed Lecture Reviews

"Richard Schwartz has an absolute genius for showing his readers what was going on behind the big headlines -- little-seen graphic images of what the average person saw and experienced and remembered forever."
"Richard Schwartz is living proof that there is no such thing as dull history...The past springs to life through his nimble mind with absolutely no sacrifice of authenticity."
-Mary-Ellen Jones, retired Bancroft Library archivist, UC Berkeley and current editor of the California Historian, the quarterly magazine of the Conference of California Historical Societies
 
"Besides being an extremely knowledgeable local historian, Richard has a rare gift as a storyteller. When he combines these two roles the result is a wonderful and entertaining evening for his audience. For me, attending one of Richard's lectures is like having a short course from the best possible history professor. You leave having learned a great deal, and having had a most enjoyable time in the process!"
-Arlene Baxter, President, Berkeley Association of Realtors

The History Guild of the Oakland Museum of CA had the good fortune of asking Richard Schwartz to be the speaker at the 2008 annual meeting in June.  One hundred and thirty members attended and were treated to a wonderful, informational presentation by Mr. Schwartz which brought the characters of early Berkeley to life. By the end of the presentation we felt like we  intimately knew the individuals in his book..."
-Yvonne S.  McCredie,  Immediate Past President of the History Guild of the Oakland Museum of California

"Everybody that night was delighted to meet [Richard] and hear his colorful stories full of characters with a Berkeley- San Francisco connection…  
The most impressive thing is this:  he told stories folks had never heard before.  And that says a lot about how deep his digging goes, because we had some veteran history-hounds sitting there in the room that night…Good going Richard!" 
-Lisa Dunseth,  Bernal Heights Branch Library Manager,  San Francisco Public Library

"The audience at this Arts and Culture Salon was enraptured by Richard's presentation, and his description of the heroic fire horses of San Francisco particularly entertained and moved me…my husband has been enjoying the book, Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley, which I purchased at the event."
-Elizabeth Thacker-Estrada, Excelsior Branch Library Manager, San Francisco Public Library

"Richard Schwartz is a fabulous storyteller of Berkeley's history. As a pertinent example, at the Berkeley Public Library, Richard presented stories and slides from Earthquake Exodus, 1906...He made that incredible time come vividly alive with unforgettable and carefully researched vignettes.  He tells unique stories about a unique city...'
-Allan Bern, Community Relations Librarian, Berkeley Public Library

"Richard Schwartz is an amazing speaker. I have seen four of his presentations, and all were excelant, and each featured unique content...Schwartz has clearly done substantial research in historical archives, but he has also  discovered much more through diligent legwork.  The history of Native American life in pre-European times is an area of his special expertise.  He has discovered a number of historic sites and he is working with local authorities to protect them from vandalism... My personal favorite of Richard's yarns is his account of finding a cannonball in Codornices Creek in North Berkeley.
 Our East Bay Regional Parks Volunteer Hiking Patrol was enthralled by Richard's lecture on Native American sites in the local park lands."
-Amellia Marshall, Co-Chair, East Bay Regional Parks Volunteer Hiking Patrol

An Audubon walk I led on a cold, quiet January morning at Redwood Regional Park was one of the more challenging in years; for finding and seeing birds that is. But 'challenging' turned to 'engaging' when Richard began a 30 minute talk about the astonishing history of our Redwoods. Everyone was riveted and many thanked me afterwards for adding this historical dimension to a nature walk. Richard saved the day. He really did. Anyone who has not heard his recounting should seek this out. You will never view the East Bay Redwoods the same way again.
-Rusty Scalf, Audubon Society Field Trip Leader

"Richard speaks with contagious enthusiasm about the history of Oakland's redwoods. The depth of his knowledge is impressive as he makes unique connections between Oakland's redwoods and California's history."
-Madeline Horn, Associate Director, Peralta Hacienda

"Richard, you are a Berkeley Treasure. Really enjoyed the talk and will see the neighborhood differently and with more open eyes from now on. My husband and I LOVED learning about Thousand Oaks. He said, "It's so good to see someone doing what they are supposed to be doing!"  Your love of local history is contagious. Thanks again."
-Nan Phelps, Nan Phelps Photography

"Thanks again for your wonderful talk to our CERT group--people still discuss the lessons learned from your presentation."
  -Member, Community Emergency Response Team, City of Walnut Creek, CA

"When we decided to offer a special event in October 2015 exploring the Emperor's "imperial diplomacy" in the East Bay and were considering whom to invite as our guest speaker, we quickly reached out to Richard Schwartz, whom we knew from his 2007 book, Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley — which includes an excellent chapter on Emperor Norton. Richard was an engaging speaker and a terrific storyteller. He also had done his homework — mining both the Oakland and Berkeley newspapers of the day and other contemporaneous accounts to present the kinds of details about Emperor Norton that one doesn't usually encounter.
Richard was able to marry all of these skills to create an empathetic portrait of the Emperor — a portrait through which Richard's evident love for the subject matter shone brightly."
-John Lumea, President, The emperor's bridge campaign

"The accolades keep coming in; people loved your discussion.  Thanks for your passion and dedication to the native peoples and keeping their memory alive... Schwartz' talk was informative and thought provoking about  a subject too little discussed today in Berkeley, pre-Columbian civilization in the East Bay.  For over two hours he captivated an audience of over 60  Berkeleyeans with tales of discovery and study of the people who lived in what is now Berkeley centuries ago.  Excellent job Richard!"
-Jef Findley, Berkeley History Room, Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch.

"On Saturday, September 24th, with a standing-room only crowd in attendance, the Contra Costa County Historical Society honored the culture and heritage of the County's first inhabitants.  Author/historian Richard Schwartz gave an excellent introduction to the earliest migrants into what is now California.  He also spoke of the weather and geography changes that gave rise to the landforms that we know today.  He spoke particularly about the imminent destruction of the remaining East Bay Shellmounds and their importance to understanding inhabitants there."
-Dean McLeod, Contra Costa Historical Society

Richard Schwartz held the audience in rapt attention when he spoke to the San Leandro Historical Society on June 17, 2017 about the remarkable story of M. B. Curtis. Schwartz knows how to tell a good story, and he is the kind of researcher who dives in to discover and follow the fascinating details and side trails of his subject.
-Cindy Simons, President, San Leandro Historical Society

"Richard Schwartz kept our Commonwealth Club audience entertained while informing them about a missing piece of history: the 19th century actor and entrepreneur M.B. Curtis's fascinating life on stage and off.  Schwartz rescues this once-famous man from the dustbin of history, where he did not belong.  Curtis hobnobbed with other celebrities of the time, but was a man of deep substance as well.  Schwartz makes it all clear with a storytelling style that matches his 19th century topic."
 -George Hammond, ‎Chairman of the Humanities Forum at The Commonwealth Club of California

Grammy award winner rap artist M. C. Hammer (Record of the Year; Album of the Year) approached Richard Schwartz after Richard delivered a private speech and shook his hand and said, "You did a really good job."

M
              C Hammer

M. C. Hammer, Rap Artist, 2-Time Grammy Award Winner

 

From the Commonwealth Club club talk on Native American culture of the Bay Area talk 10/14/2019

"I'm 11 minutes into the talk and the tears are flowing."
Upon completing listening to the talk:
"Oh my goodness. I think in the hands (or voices) of others, this would sound simply bleak and hopeless. Yet, at the end, I felt positive and hopeful. And I could relate very much. Thank you so "
-Norma Wallace, Ohlone.

https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/archive/podcast/cultures-bay-areas-indigenous-peoples

"What a great talk Sunday about Indian Life at the Hillside Festival. Eye opening. I love the way your storytelling skills make it possible for people to imagine that they are back in the 1700s and the early 1800s, to envision what things looked like, sounded like. And the way you imagine yourself into the minds of the Indians, how they saw the European arrivals, how their beliefs caused them to misunderstand what was happening. And how the Europeans were also blinded, to worse effect. It is clear you put a lot of work into this talk and I appreciate it. It seems like many people there were your fans…Your talk was the best attended of any event at the Hillside Festival."
-David Weinstein, President El Cerrito Trail Treckers

"Richard's talk and presentation at Mechanics' Institute was full of historical insights, moving and hilarious stories, and connections to our world today. The audience was engaged with rapt attention, not wanting to miss a detail in the historical photos and documents shared or Richard's seemingly endless depth of knowledge. A wonderful program all around!"
-Alyssa Stone, Senior Director of Programs and Community Engagement, Mechanics' Institute.

"I REALLY enjoyed your program last night. I can only begin to fathom the amount of research you put into the subject and it is remarkable how many details that you discovered and organized them in a manner that is a very interesting and entertaining program."

- Richard Torney, Board Member on the Kentfiled-Greenbrae Historical Society and the Jose Moya del Pino/Ross HIstorical Society


"The historical work you do is such a vitally important add to the community!"
- Deborah Durant, community member

 

  Richard Schwartz's Event Dates in 2025 - Speaking Events and Media Events

 

September 6, 2025 San Leandro Historical Society Presents1868 Earthquake! Historic Little Brown Church, 384 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro

The Alameda County Courthouse in San Leandro after the 1868 Earthquake

A panorama of the damage in Hayward after the 1868 Earthquake

On October 21,1868, one of the most destructive earthquakes in California history ruptured the Hayward Fault. Houses were thrown off their foundations, buildings collapsed, chimneys toppled, and walls fell. Fissures opened in the earth. Beds flew from one side of a room to the other and back. Thirty people died, including the Deputy County Clerk who was caught in the collapsing Alameda County Courthouse in San Leandro.

Bay Area historian Richard Schwartz, whose local history talks have enraptured Historical Society audiences many times, tells the story and shows historic photographs of the largest known earthquake on the Hayward Fault. He includes riveting, first-hand accounts of people who lived through this massive earthquake. Richard will illuminate Bay Area history  before and after the quake to reveal its impact on our local culture.

The USGS estimates that major eruptions occur on the Hayward Fault, on average, every 140 years. Are we ready now—157 years later—for the next “Big One”? Join us for a fascinating afternoon discovering the history of a major earthquake and the lessons it has for us today.

Refreshments served after the event. Richard's books will be available for purchase and author signing.

Register to ensure a seat — Richard’s talks sell out quickly.

This is a free event.

REGISTER

Contact the San Leandro Historical Society

sanleandrohistory@gmail.com

Voice Mail: 510-969-0975

San Leandro Historical Society Website

 

April 3, 2025 JOSE MOYA DEL PINO LIBRARY / ROSS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Marin County.

The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty and his ties to Marin County. Award-winning author Richard Schwartz shares the biography of M. B. Curtis, a 19th-century immigrant actor who funded the Statue of Liberty’s lighting, starred in America’s longest-running play, and faced fame, scandal, and reinvention. Curtis’ ties to Marin will surprise you Talk takes place in the Livermore Pavilion at the Marin Art & Garden Center. 30 Sir Francis Drake Bvd., Greenbrae, CA 94904. Doors open at 10am. Talk begins at 11am. 415-235-9162.

    

M. B. Curtis as Sam'l of Posen, the traveling salesman in the play Sam'l of Posen. (Both photos Harvard University, Houghton Library TCS 1)

                                                
    Champion boxer Joe Choynski, the first Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.                        Lightweight Champion Joe Gains.
   
Both boxers trained at Billy Shannon's in San Rafael, CA

               

        Boxers, including national champions, who trained at Billy Shannon's training facility in Marin County. (Alice T. Kent California Room, Marin County Library)

         
       
  Billy Shannon

 

March 16, 2025 Governor Pardee House Museum  672 11th St, Oakland, CA 94607. Exact date and time to be announced. Governor Pardee was the governor of California during the 1906 Earthquake, where M. B. Curtis visited soon thereafter to entertain the residents with his comic play and help them forget their problems. Curtis, too, had problems he wished to move on from. Richard will reveal Curtis, a world-famous immigrant actor, had a very deep connection to and effect on Oakland from the late nineteenth century into the 20th century. Richard will reveal them all in this entertaining Oakland-centric talk.

 

Sam Mustache

 

Sam Fabric

M. B. Curtis as his comic character Saml of Posen, the immigrant traveling saleman.   (TCS 1. Houghton Library, Harvard University)

 

Governor George Pardee House Museum

Refugees outside of Courthouse after 1906 Earthquake when Gov. Pardee rushed back to Oakland

 

The Novelty Theatre in Oakland where Curtis gave a vaudeville version of "Sam'l of Posen" months after the 1906 Earthquake.


Richard Schwartz delivers the fascinating life story of immigrant actor M.B. Curtis.

As the Statue of Liberty stood unlit and unloved by American politicians in 1886, one of her saviors was creating a theatrical sensation at New York's Fourteenth Street Theater. Actor M. B. Curtis, who had achieved overnight success in Sam'l of Posen, a groundbreaking play that transcended the common stereotypes of Jewish characters at the time, was basking in public accolades at every curtain call when he came to Lady Liberty's aid. Curtis, the immigrant, jumped up to become the only private citizen in our nation's history to pay for lighting the Statue of Liberty's torch while Congress dodged the funding issue and international embarrassment.

Curtis's rise to the top of his profession and his resulting fall from grace is a dramatic arc that rivals anything created for the stage. Actor, producer, real estate developer, promoter, hotelier, benefactor, and murder suspect, M. B. Curtis's life encompassed the highs of celebrity and fame as well as the lows of failure, illness, and a faltering career.

 The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty rescues M. B. Curtis's story from the silent archives of forgotten history and reexamines an actor whose creativity and cultural influence still resonate invisibly today.

"I came so close to passing on an opportunity to talk with Richard Schwartz.
It is one of the most phenomenal books I have ever read. Phenomenal story of
the guy who wrote it. Unbelievable story about the guy who is the subject of
the book.
And how can a guy be universally known in 1900 and unknown in probably 60
years later, certainly a century later nobody knows M. B. Curtis.
...It is written by a guy who is a construction worker. Who has such great
command of the English language that after reading this book I wouldn't
I don't even have the desire to challenge a book. I wouldn't even begin to
try and write a book."

   Dan Manly, Radio Broadcaster WMST, Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Richard Schwartz's Event Dates in 2000-2024 (click on the underlined text to the left to be taken to that page and information)- Speaking Events and Media Events



RSB Books

The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty

Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley

Earthquake Exodus, 1906

Berkeley 1900

Circle of Stones