Gary Kamiya

Gary Kamiya is a prominent author, journalist, and historian based in San Francisco. He has a rich background in writing and publishing, having co-founded the influential website Salon.com, where he served as executive editor and wrote extensively on various topics, including politics, culture, and sports. His work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications such as the New York Times Book Review and Mother Jones.

Career Highlights

• Books: Kamiya is the author of several notable works:

  • Shadow Knights: The Secret War Against Hitler - a critically acclaimed narrative history.
  • Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco - awarded the 2013 Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction.
  • Spirits of San Francisco: Voyages Through the Unknown City - published in 2020 with illustrations by Paul Madonna.23

• Columnist: He writes an award-winning history column titled "Portals of the Past," which appears bi-weekly in the San Francisco Examiner.

• Substack: Kamiya recently launched a Substack newsletter called "Kamiya Unlimited," where he shares writings on a variety of subjects, including San Francisco history, politics, and personal essays.14

Background

Born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, Kamiya has lived in San Francisco since 1971. He holds both a BA and MA in English literature from UC Berkeley. Over his career, he has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism and literature, including the Ron Ross Founder's Award from the San Francisco History Association.23

Public Engagement

In addition to his writing, Kamiya offers walking tours in San Francisco and is available for public speaking engagements. His tours focus on historical sites and narratives related to the city.12

Overall, Gary Kamiya is recognized for his deep understanding of San Francisco's history and culture, making significant contributions through his writing and public engagement.