City Observed: Los Angeles [Paperback]

Charles Willard Moore (Author), Peter Becker (Author), Regula Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Series: California Architecture and Architects | Publication Date: January 1, 1998

Charles Moore's classic is in turn knowledgeable, warm, witty, and slightly irreverent. Moore's genius was his ability to tie the disparate built environments of Los Angeles into a coherent whole. We read with pleasure the miniature essays that comprise his entries on subjects as varied as Disneyland, Riverside's Mission Inn, the Gamble House, and downtown Los Angeles. While still a practical guide, Moore's work approaches literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 413 pages
• Publisher: Hennessey & Ingalls (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940512149
• ISBN-13: 978-0940512146
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,303,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible for the informed SoCal traveler, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: City Observed: Los Angeles (Paperback)

In 1994, I learned I would be living in Los Angeles for the following two years. A survey of guidebooks at the local library turned up this well-organized volume of Southern California's architectural points of interest by the late co-owner (with Frank Gehry) of the title of LA's finest architect.

The book was in my Mustang convertible for the next 24 months of exploring the "only-in-LA" landscape. The history of the Mayan Theater and other grand movie palaces, Los Angeles City Hall, unique residences in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Frank Lloyd Wright's Pasadena homes, UCLA, and so many other sites came to life through Moore's succinct, academic but accessible summaries. Maps were excellent, and photos were provided for almost half of the hundreds of entries. The chapter exclusively on Disneyland as an architectural metaphor for SoCal was particularly intriguing.

I forgot to mention: in 1994 this book had been out of print for 8 years and unavailable in stores. I "lost" the library's copy and paid the fine for it, it was so good. Presumably the edition on Amazon is new and revised, and I'll be ordering it for my frequent returns to Charles Moore's modern architectural sandbox.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, helpful guide to L.A. architecture., March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: City Observed: Los Angeles (Paperback)

I purchased this book before a recent trip to Los Angeles. We had a vehicle and were able, in a few days to get to many of the places described by Moore. The book is an excellent cross-section of many of the choice sites in Greater L.A. For this reason alone, the book is well worth purchasing if you are interested in architecture.

Moore is also a very entertaining writer. He is not afraid to express his opinions on anything and this makes his book both good reading and a helpful guide. If one has limited time, Moore's guide to the best places to visit is reliable.

The one "down side" to this book is that it is somewhat dated. It was published in 1984 and has not been revised. Accordingly, some of the places he describes have disappeared. Furthermore, his description of when certain buildings are open to the public is out-of-date.

In any event, if you are interested in architecture and wish to see some of what L.A. has to offer, this book is well worth getting.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Disneyland chapter is worth the price of the book., June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: City Observed: Los Angeles (Paperback)

This book is the first one to disagree with Postmodernists and seriously treat Disneyland as a humane rather than "simulated" space. Very much worth reading.