The Fragmented Metropolis: Los Angeles, 1850-1930 (Classics in Urban History) [Paperback]

Robert M. Fogelson (Author), Robert Fishman (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520082303 | ISBN-13: 978-0520082304 | Publication Date: June 9, 1993 | Edition: 1st paperback edition

Here with a new preface, a new foreword, and an updated bibliography is the definitive history of Los Angeles from its beginnings as an agricultural village of fewer than 2,000 people to its emergence as a metropolis of more than 2 million in 1930--a city whose distinctive structure, character, and culture foreshadowed much of the development of urban America after World War II.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A contribution of inestimable value for all of us." -- Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"An excellent addition to the small but growing shelf of serious urban historical studies. . . . Fogelson's scholarly work at last makes it possible to place Los Angeles with some confidence in the framework of American urban history." -- Sam Bass Warner, Jr., American Historical Review

"Urban history has rapidly become one of the most popular fields for scholarly inquiry and also one of the most confused. Helping to supply an intelligent method is this book by Robert Fogelson, who eschews the traditional approach to the history of Los Angeles, with its emphasis on isolated dramatic personalities and events, and focuses instead on the process of urbanization." -- Norris Hundley, Journal of American History

From the Inside Flap

"The most detailed study ever published of Los Angeles' most critical period. . . . An invaluable aid to my understanding of this city."--David Brodsly, author of L.A. Freeway

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Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1st paperback edition edition (June 9, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520082303
• ISBN-13: 978-0520082304
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 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: #129,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey! It's a Classic in Urban History!, April 8, 2004

By 

S. Pactor "reader" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fragmented Metropolis: Los Angeles, 1850-1930 (Classics in Urban History) (Paperback)

Yes, this certainly is a classic in urban history. Fogelson succicently tells the story of Los Angeles, from it's beginnings as a Mexican backwater berg to the enormous Metropolis it became. Fogelson includes chapters on all of the important subjects: L.A. and its Mexican roots, the quest for water, the signifigance of new modes of transportation, the failure of the light water system, the development of the board, the conflict with San Diego, the public utility movement and, of course, the progressive movement.

Fogelson's history is academic in tone, but it's just such concise and well documented writing that you have to love it. A must for readers of Southern California history. I might add that although this was a book about L.A., the chapter on the L.A./SD conflict for Southern California supremacy was actually the best thing I've been able to dig up thus far on San Diego history! How about that, huh?

I might also add that you might want to track down a first edition hardback of this book, rather then paying for this overpriced reprint. The original hardback is handsomely designed and makes a fine edition to your book shelve.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for first-time readers of L.A. history, February 5, 2007

By 

J. C. Dixon "Chris" (Arden, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fragmented Metropolis: Los Angeles, 1850-1930 (Classics in Urban History) (Paperback)

This book is really quite dull and outdated. It's a must-read only for die-hard enthusiasts of L.A. history who want to pick up a few more tidbits. For those with a budding interest, I recommend Blake Gumprect's highly readible and fascinating "The Los Angeles River" or Carey McWilliams' enjoyable "Southern California." If you add William McCawley's "The First Angelinos," Horace Bell's "Reminiscences of a Ranger," and John and LaRee Caughey's "Los Angeles: Biography of a City," you will have a much more well-rounded perspective on L.A. than you will get from Fogelson's book alone. Fogelson's book reads like a cross between popular history and a city planning textbook, yet with none of the interesting aspects of either style.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great look at a pivotal time in Los Angeles History, December 23, 2009

By 

Lehigh History Student (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fragmented Metropolis: Los Angeles, 1850-1930 (Classics in Urban History) (Paperback)

Fragmented metropolis provides an excellent look at how Los Angeles rose from a Pueblo town to be the predominant West Coast city and one of the largest cities in the country. The development of the railroads and the municipal struggles that prevented centralized mass transit leading to the rise of the automobile are all covered here. The author is one the distinct noted urban historians in the country and despite this being his earliest work it is still a masterpiece. What has been defined as a classic of urban history showing how a city can be broken into pieces and still remain unified provides insight into the Los Angeles we know today. As an interesting side bar in this story is the comparison of San Diego to LA and how each battled it out from dominance of southern California during the time period of 1850-1930. Overall this book provides an excellent comparison of industry, demographics, local politics and business history to show how Los Angeles developed in the modern city that it would become following World War II through the actions taken in this time period. Well worth the time for those who want to take a look at an earlier yet pivotal part of Los Angeles development.