Customer Reviews

Southern California in the '50s: Sun, Fun and Fantasy

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is, well, fun for anyone with a Los Angeles childhood, like me. However, for anyone who loves kitsch and Californiana, this book is well worth the price. Sun, Fun and Fantasy" takes an indulgent, loving look at a time and place that's largely been torn down and paved over. The author gets more than five stars from me for his accuracy--I couldn't find one error, based on my memory, my extensive reading about California, and yes, my picture postcard collection!

My hope is that this author will produce follow-up volumes from the '60s and '70s.

Our library just added this book to their collection and I began reading it out of curiousity. It's fabulous - filled with great pictures and chock full of unique facts. Reading it made me feel like I stepped back in time. Great coffee table or gift book.

Wow! If you've seen Charles Phoenix' slide shows, you know how dedicated he is to mid-century Southern California. He loves it, but he can also laugh at it. It's a perfect coffee table book, in fact it's on my coffee table right now. One-of-a-kind photos galore (many from discarded family slides found in thrift shops), along with fun, informative text. Buy this book. See his shows. Enjoy life!

Charles Phoenix has obviously spent countless hours researching this book. The amazing photos and memorabilia gathered here are priceless and worthy of more than a mere cursory examination. Where else could you see this stuff? His text evokes memories of innocent times we'll never see again. I'm giving this book to co-workers, family, and friends as holiday gifts. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't treasure this book - I want everything Charles Phoenix can dish out! More pleeeze!

I saw this book at a bookstore a few weeks ago. Today, I went back to buy it. This is a really cool book. Although this book is about the 50's, and I wasn't born until 1965, I remember visiting many of the places in this book that have since been torn down. I would recommend this book!

You don't need a team of NASA scientists or H.G. Wells to go back in time.All you need evidently is $22.05.That is what this gem cost at the time of this writing.For the price of a large pizza with everything you get a treat for the mind and heart.I defy anyone over 40 to read this and not feel as if their soul has not been dipped in chocolate and coated with sprinkles.I know that this world would be a better place if their were more people like the Master of Mid-century memories....Charles Phoenix.

For any one hooked on The Atomic Age this book is a "sun - fun" trip through Southern California - when Southern California was younger and more innocent. The book is filled Interesting bits of history and fabulous photos of an era long gone. Charles Phoenix obviously did his homework and researched the material extensively. The wonderful trip down memory lane takes you through some of Southern California's most famous attractions, including a brand new Disney Land, Knott's Berry Farm, and an Ocean themed amusement park that once stood at the Santa Monica Pier. Also on the trip are malls, housing developments, zoos, and themed restaurants. You won't be disappointed with this truly delightful journey.

I loved this book, I live in a 1952 built Southern California tract home and I grew up around Orange County, as did my mother, father and all my grandparents. I already knew so much about southern California from living here and listening to my family stories, but I didn't know details about certain cities, certain attractions and the many forgotten places. I have been reading about the history of Orange County starting before the Spanish came and I would consider this to be an integral part of its history.
I would reccomend this to anyone who is even mildly interested in California, Mid Century History, or city and county planning.
The pictures are great, my only critique is that I wish there was more.
I am a lover of the 40s and 50s and I live in California, so this was a perfect fit. I would also buy Populuxe Populuxe when you buy this, it has a more national interpretation of the early 50's through the early 60's and it partners well in content.

This book is: a great coffee table addition, an enlightening read, a little suprising considering how much things have changed in some areas mentioned.

Great read while learning about the past in a fun way, loaded with bright colorful real film pictures that were popular in the day. Perfect book for our coffee table seeing that were in the middle of Southern California.We also have used it to plan local day-trips. All in all "Southern California" was worth the money.

This book has really great pictures of things you've never seen before or will bring back so many memories. It is bright, quirky and playful. Information and backstories on some of California's forgotten gems are really interesting. I'm a Southern California native who recently moved to New York and I can't tell you how much I enjoy having this book out to remind me of home.