From the first known photograph taken in Los Angeles to its most recent
sweeping vistas, this photographic tribute to the City of Angels
provides a fascinating journey through the city's cultural, political,
industrial, and sociological history. It traces the city's development
from the 1880s real estate boom, through the early days of Hollywood and
the urban sprawl of the late 20th century, right up to the present day.
With over 500 images, L.A. is shown emerging from a desert wasteland to
become a vast palm-studded urban metropolis.
Events that made world news--including two Olympics, Bobby Kennedy's
assassination, and the Rodney King riots--reveal a city of many
dimensions. The entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood, and its
celebrities are showcased along with many other notable residents,
personalities, architects, artists, and musicians. The city's pop
cultural movements, its music, surfing, health food fads, gangs, and hot
rods are included, as are its notorious crimes and criminals. This book
depicts Los Angeles in all its glory and grit, via hundreds of freshly
discovered images including those of Julius Shulman, Garry Winogrand,
William Claxton and many other superb photographers, culled from major
historical archives, museums, private collectors, and universities.
These are given context and resonance through essays by renowned
California historian Kevin Starr and Los Angeles literature expert David
L. Ulin.
