Customer Reviews

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

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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.

This book is really quite dull and outdated.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.

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.