L A Lost & Found: An Architectural History of Los Angeles (California Architecture & Architects) [Paperback]

Sam Hall Kaplan (Author), Julius Shulman (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: California Architecture & Architects | Publication Date: June 2000

LA: Lost & Found is a classic study of the landmarks of the odd and the sublime that make up the built environment of Los Angeles. Kaplan's 1987 classic of urban historicism is reprinted with all the illustrations from the original edition, including many photographs by famed architectural photographer Julius Shulman. Kaplan traces the architectural history of this city from its founding to today, pausing to mourn the lost treasures and celebrate the unique visions that have made Los Angeles the brash and energetic place it is today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A fully illustrated evocation of the rich architectural history that has given Los Angeles its unique character. A loving, provocative appeal to the rising pride and design consciousness of Angelenos, and anyone who has ever been entranced by the City of Angels. Full-color and black-and-white photographs. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hennessey & Ingalls (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940512238
• ISBN-13: 978-0940512238
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The L.A. You Didn't Know, March 13, 2002

By 

John Yacoub (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L A Lost & Found: An Architectural History of Los Angeles (California Architecture & Architects) (Paperback)

Sam Hall Kaplan does a great job of telling us about the city we live in but know very little about. The book is very informative, and it is surprising to find out about the history of this great city of ours. As a resident of the city of Los Angeles, I find this book encouraging me to go out and discover a place that I have live in for my whole love and know very little about. All time periods are covered, and it is very educational to find out about our local museums and historical sites. This book is inciteful and I recommend it to anyone who has time to read it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrating the rich legacy of architecture in Los Angeles, August 27, 2000

By 

Doug Duke (Sausalito, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L A Lost & Found: An Architectural History of Los Angeles (California Architecture & Architects) (Paperback)

This is an extraordinary collection of images and information that effectively chronicles Los Angeles' ongoing architectural legacy.

The title refers to the achievements already lost (in a physical sense), such as the famous Dodge House, to those that should be or must be recognized as landmarks, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House and Ennis-Brown House, as well as the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Greenacres mansion, to The Crystal Cathedral and Union Station. Structures encompassed by a liberal extension of Los Angeles' metro area throughout southern California are also included.

Hopefully, future editions of this book will include larger photographs, more color photographs, and a full index for easier reference to the specific contents.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Kaplan's Architectural Review, March 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: L A Lost & Found: An Architectural History of Los Angeles (California Architecture & Architects) (Paperback)

In LA Lost and Found, Sam Kaplan not only provides a cover to cover pictorial history of Los Angeles, but also tells the story of how Los Angeles came to become a unique city. Kaplan starts his narrative in the early 1800's when Los Angeles' population was beginning to grow and continues into the late 1990's when there were not enough buildings to hold its population. Kaplan describes how Los Angeles developed architecturally over the years. Starting as a coastal desert, Los Angeles began as a mission and slowly expanded with adobe houses, and did not even resemble a town until the first church was built. Today, Los Angeles can be considered nothing short of a large, sprawling city. Buildings may be made of brick or wood or glass, and have arches or stilts or windmills. They may be built at the ocean side, on a mountainside or along a lake, or next to stores, museums, or parks, and still be located in the city of Los Angeles. Los Angeles began as small adobe houses and grew into a "gazpacho" of architectural styles. Kaplan shows how Los Angeles' vast array of architectural styles provides visible evidence of the history and development of the city.