Los Angeles: City Portrait

Explore the City of Angels, La La Land, from beaches to barrios, from tiny frontier town to glittering urban metropolis and entertainment capital of the world in this sun-drenched tribute to Los Angeles. Packed with stunning photographs capturing the life and reinventions of L.A. from the 1880s to the present day, this book provides a fascinating journey through the city’s cultural, political, industrial, and sociological history.

Tracing Los Angeles' development from the 1880s real estate boom to the early days of Hollywood and the urban sprawl of the late 20th century, this photographic tribute showcases over 500 images of L.A.'s transformation from a desert wasteland to a vast palm-studded urban metropolis. It explores key events that made world news, such as two Olympics, Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, and the Rodney King riots, revealing the city’s multifaceted nature.

In addition to the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood, and its celebrities, this book also showcases notable residents, personalities, architects, artists, and musicians, as well as the pop cultural movements, music, surfing, health food fads, gangs, and hot rods that have shaped the city. Notorious crimes and criminals are also included, depicting Los Angeles in all its glory and grit.

Featuring newly discovered images from photographers such as Julius Shulman, Garry Winogrand, and William Claxton, sourced from major historical archives, museums, private collectors, and universities, this book provides context and resonance through essays by renowned California historian Kevin Starr and Los Angeles literature expert David L. Ulin. With its comprehensive look at the history and evolution of Los Angeles, "La La Land" offers a captivating and enlightening exploration of the City of Angels.

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