In “Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World,” author and Palo Alto native Malcolm Harris tells tales of the city’s founding, highlighting how some grew rich through technology and science while others were left out of the growth and prosperity.

Ex-City Manager Debra Figone, who fought for years to cut the sick leave payout employees claimed upon retiring, cashed out $109,166 in unused hours when she left last December.