April 8, 2008

New book chronicles Silicon Valley

“Silicon Valley: Fact and Fiction” is written by Cousette Copeland, who explores the Santa Clara Valley from 1961 to the present, chronicling experiences about her life, family, friends, neighborhood, community, and the high-tech environment.

Co-owners Shuko Mine Copeland, also known as Sue and Harukiyo “Harry” Komatsu outside of Komatsu's as they close the doors for the last time in July 2004. Photo courtesy of Cousette Copeland

Copeland’s essays record the changes to the landscape, moving from fields and orchards to high-density housing and corporate buildings. She remembers when one could ride a horse from Highway 237 to Highway 101 without worrying about traffic. She celebrates the wealth of people in the valley—regular and famous people and who work in Silicon Valley who enriched the culture with their contributions. Copeland presents “The Scene” of downtown San Jose before the current development to the growth of the now hip downtown arts scene. 

Copeland’s microcosm includes a family from two races—Japanese and American. She includes a chapter with photographs of her family's restaurant Komatsu which opened in Campbell in 1976.

“Komatsu's was a piece of Silicon Valley history—one of the very first restaurants with a sushi bar,” said Copeland. “Remember when the center was called The Factory and was filled with bars and restaurants--The Parlor, The Black Kettle, etc.--? That's how I found the space, in a vacated waterbed store. We were there for 28 years before selling to the current owners.”

Copeland’s mother Shuko Mine Copeland and partner Harukiyo Komatsu opened Komatsu Japanese Cuisine. Sushi was a foreign dining experience at the time but did catch on with residents as well as serving Princess Shigeko, the daughter of a former Emperor of Japan, a Japanese prime minister and baseball players, Sumo wrestlers, San Francisco 49ers and even the Doobie Brothers.

“Silicon Valley: Fact and Fiction” is Copeland’s first book. She is currently working on a poetry and fiction volume titled “Love, Lust and other Lies” to be published later this year. “Silicon Valley: Fact and Fiction” is available at amazon.com.