How long is the event?

The program runs about two hours, including the reading and photographic slideshow.

Meet at History Park | 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112—the event listing identifies the exact meeting point.

Are copies of the book available?

Yes, copies of St. James Park will be available for purchase at the presentation; bring a form of payment.

Is the event accessible?

Accessibility specifics are handled by the organizer—check the booking link for the most current accessibility information.

Are children allowed?

Age restrictions are not listed in the structured details; contact the event organizer via the booking link if you have questions about minors attending.

Can I photograph the slideshow?

Photography of archival images may be permitted for personal use, but avoid flash during the presentation and follow any guidance from the presenter.

St. James Park Book Talk with John Doll: San Jose’s 1933 Noir Revealed | History Tour | Events

St. James Park: A Book Talk with John Doll unfolds in History Park at Kelley Park, a sympathetic setting for a story rooted in the Great Depression. Meet at History Park | 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112 for a two‑hour presentation that pairs a cinematic reading with a photographic slideshow, drawing the past into sharp focus.

John Doll’s St. James Park is built from the brittle bones of local memory: the 1933 Brooke Hart kidnapping and the mob violence that followed. Doll, a third‑generation San Josean who grew up on family recollections, lays out a noir portrait of labor unrest, government corruption, anti‑immigrant sentiment, and media manipulation in Santa Clara Valley long before the orchards gave way to pavement. The event pairs excerpts from the novel with archival images that illustrate both crime scene and community response, giving readers context for why the case still echoes in civic life.

The venue itself enhances the experience. History Park’s collection of restored, early‑twentieth‑century structures and open lawns provides a tangible link to the era Doll describes; you can see the scale and style of buildings that framed everyday life in 1930s San Jose. There are no distinctive geological formations here—the attraction is cultural rather than natural—but the park’s wooden storefront facades, trolley artifacts, and interpretive signage make it a living classroom for local history.

Why come to this talk? For many visitors, it’s a chance to connect literary craft to place. If you’re touring the urban parks and museums of San Jose, this presentation is a concise way to absorb a pivotal, uncomfortable chapter of regional history. Doll’s slideshow and narration cut through myth, offering specific details about the Brooke Hart case and the social currents that fed it.

Expect a focused two‑hour program; copies of the novel will be available for purchase. Accessibility and ticketing details are handled by the event organizer—check the booking link for current information. The meeting point is explicit: History Park | 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose, CA 95112.

Bring a notebook if you want to track names and sources, and leave time afterward to wander History Park’s exhibits or visit nearby Kelley Park features. Whether you’re a history buff, a writer, or a visitor curious about the forces that shaped Silicon Valley’s predecessor landscape, St. James Park: A Book Talk with John Doll offers a sharp, evidence‑driven evening that translates archival material into compelling narrative.

Seating can fill quickly, so arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Street parking in the neighborhood is limited; plan on drop‑off or ride‑share if you require close access. Check the booking page for up‑to‑date event times, fees, and accessibility accommodations before you go. Bring ID for book purchase, please.