Benita Mattioli at Readers’ Books on Jan. 22

Author Benita Mattioli and her husband Pete will relive San Francisco’s racy history at Readers’ Books on Wednesday, Jan. 22. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation at 7 p.m.

“Three Nights at the Condor” tells the true tale of how the Condor, a tiny San Francisco bar, was transformed into the first – then the most famous – topless nightclub. Pete Mattoli was a partner in the Condor for 16 years, from 1958 to 1974. “Three Nights at the Condor” focuses on his relationships with the dancer Carol Doda, his partner, Gino Del Prete, promoter Big Davey Rosenberg, and more.

The book focuses on how the topless revolution changed San Francisco forever.

Benita Mattioli was determined to tell the story of the Condor after listening to her husband’s stories over the years. She interviewed some of the North Beach managers, characters, bartenders and entertainers, and dove into the newspaper archives of the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner and News Call Bulletin for articles and photographs.

Benita Mattioli grew up in a small Mormon town in Utah, moving to New York City in her 20s to become a flight attendant. She met Pete Mattoli while on vacation in Hawaii. At the time, he was a partner in or had managerial rights to seven San Francisco topless nightclubs.

Pete and Benita have been together since 1970, and they live in Sonoma County.