"Simon's Place: Stories of the Benson Hotel."

UPDATE: Don’s book is now available at the active link here…

Whether it was President Ronald Reagan, a Portland mayor who drank too much or an obese repeat panhandler, Don DuPay never knew who would be entering Portland’s iconic Benson Hotel next.  As head of hotel security, the former Portland cop was stunned by the hotel’s outdated security policies, and by thefts of bed linen, silver serving trays and even foodstuffs from the chef’s kitchen.  While attacking multiple security problems, DuPay's duties included interactions with famous musicians, athletes and rock stars – not all of which were pleasant.  The clear writing in "Simon's Place: Stories of the Benson Hotel,” takes you on a fascinating trip deep inside this historic Portland institution.  

~Fred Leeson, author of Rose City Justice: A Legal History of Portland

Simon’s Place: Stories of the Benson Hotel, by Don DuPay, is a memorial to the Olde Portland everyone loves to believe they know. People remember a Stumptown of art and creativity going back decades and DuPay does an amazing job of painting that picture, but he also makes sure we see the cracks and the seams. The pages of this book almost turn themselves as we follow the lone security supervisor as he deals with drug dealers, arrogant chefs, aloof celebrities like Bob Dylan, or Ronald Reagan, and immature rock bands, (someone from JOURNEY coldcocked him because DuPay wouldn’t let them make sandwiches in the basement kitchen at 4 in the morning). This book is filled with rich histories we should never forget, and it’s just a blast to follow in this gum-shoe, Portland pulp narrative.

~Sean Davis, author of The Wax Bullet War and Oregon Wildland Firefighting: A History

What I enjoy most about this book and Don DuPay’s writing is that he has great skill in bringing you back to a specific time and place in Portland’s history. Simon’s Place: Stories of the Benson Hotel has a great flow that introduces you to interesting characters as it tells the stories of Don’s life and the Benson Hotel. 

~Bruce Haney, author of Oregon Moonshine

Master storyteller Don DuPay takes the reader on a no-holds-barred excursion - from the roof to the basement - of a major hotel - Portland, Oregon's The Benson - in this exquisitely presented piece of reportage. As the head of security for the hundred-year-old temporary home of celebrities, presidents, athletes and the well-to-do, DuPay experiences violence, theft, drugs, alcohol, out-of-control rock musicians and the ash fallout from an erupting volcano. Previously, DuPay has written about his decades-long service as a Portland cop and detective. With the same beautifully-crafted sense of time and environment, the reader follows DuPay's post-police adventures serving and dealing with the guests and staff of one of the major lodgings in the U.S. Not as scary as The Shining but close.

Robert Crane, author of My UnHollywood Family

Through his signature story-telling style, Dupay-head of security at the Benson Hotel during the last quarter of the previous century-offers a hilarious first-person account of the colorful characters, visiting celebrities, and inside operations inside Portland's most iconic hotel. If you crave historical nonfiction accounts told with wit and wisdom, put this book on your list.

Suzy Vitello, author of Faultland and Bitterroot

• Unfortunately, we were unable to get blurbs from Kathy Smith or Francine Raften, who were both busy with family obligations. They have provided past blurbs for Don’s books and we’re very grateful for that.

During Don’s last couple of years at the Benson, he published an informative pamphlet on hotel safety and “reasonable care” required of all hotels.

~Theresa Griffin Kennedy