Wilshire Boulevard is the unofficial Main Street of dreams that flows through Los Angeles history. Like Los Angeles itself, Wilshire is an accidental phenomenon created out of civic pride and the yearning of the masses to drive. Its fifteen-mile route to the sea has been called the Fifth Avenue of the West and the Champs Elysees of the Pacific. Wilshire's style, architecture and historic prominence are recorded in 175 photographs, so readers understand the fascinating cultural geography of the first auto-dependent metropolis.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By LA Explorer
Format:Hardcover
I was lucky enough to attend a signing for this book, and I was incredibly impressed and inspired by the two authors' enthusiasm for, knowledge of and devotion to Los Angeles, and to Wilshire Boulevard in particular. This is an absolutely gorgeous book - the photos alone could keep me engrossed all day. What a treat to see the City of Angels in all of its past glory, and to be able to celebrate with the authors the architectural gems that remain along Wilshire. I will definitely be buying this as a gift for fellow Angelenos with an interest in their city's history.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Kevin Roderick carries the torch for the City of the Angels in this magnificently written, illustrated, and produced paean to Los Angeles, and he comes to the finish line a complete winner. Whether you live in Los Angeles and long for a meaningful history of the city, or you live elsewhere and just wonder what all the glamour of the West is about, this book is one of the finest in publication.
Roderick, with the skilled help from researcher J. Eric Lynxwiler, puts forth the premise that the history of Wilshire Boulevard IS the history of the essence of LA. He approaches his history chronologically from the initial grand idea of a path of dignity and wealth simply hinted at by the trail through a barley field to a gradual expansion from downtown to the west all the way to the Pacific Ocean. With entertaining writing and a vast collection of photographs we are allowed to observe the transformation of a dream into the reality of the boulevard that became the Miracle Mile, boasted eclectic architectural icons such as the Ambassador Hotel with its infamous Coconut Grove, the Brown Derby and Perinos, the exclusive shops and buildings catering to the wealthy, the sumptuous neighborhoods of Hancock Park, MacArthur Park (yes, once it was elegant before it melted in the rain!), to Holmby Hills and the glories of living with a Pacific Ocean view.
Roderick sees the process of development of Wilshire Boulevard as the matrix for the growth of Los Angeles as an important cosmopolitan presence. With writing of this fine caliber and nostalgic photographs such as these he crosses the final line with a winner of a book. Highly recommended for a very broad audience. Grady Harp, December 05
Roderick, with the skilled help from researcher J. Eric Lynxwiler, puts forth the premise that the history of Wilshire Boulevard IS the history of the essence of LA. He approaches his history chronologically from the initial grand idea of a path of dignity and wealth simply hinted at by the trail through a barley field to a gradual expansion from downtown to the west all the way to the Pacific Ocean. With entertaining writing and a vast collection of photographs we are allowed to observe the transformation of a dream into the reality of the boulevard that became the Miracle Mile, boasted eclectic architectural icons such as the Ambassador Hotel with its infamous Coconut Grove, the Brown Derby and Perinos, the exclusive shops and buildings catering to the wealthy, the sumptuous neighborhoods of Hancock Park, MacArthur Park (yes, once it was elegant before it melted in the rain!), to Holmby Hills and the glories of living with a Pacific Ocean view.
Roderick sees the process of development of Wilshire Boulevard as the matrix for the growth of Los Angeles as an important cosmopolitan presence. With writing of this fine caliber and nostalgic photographs such as these he crosses the final line with a winner of a book. Highly recommended for a very broad audience. Grady Harp, December 05
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The authors have produced a grand tale about one of the great streets of Los Angeles. Replete with numerous photographs that capture its storied history. The narrative is comprehensive. Famous personages liberally walk across the pages. Gaylord Wilshire himself, of course and firstly. Then we later see General Otis, Tallulah Bankhead, Earle C Anthony, Hancock, Ansel Adams, Ralph Parsons, Morgan Hunt, Upton Sinclair, and many more.
You get a feel for how Los Angeles grew to a world class city. With Wilshire Blvd at its core. Ah, reading the book might inspire you to see the street for yourself. One easy way when you are in LA is to take the bus 20 (or the express bus 720) from downtown. It travels along much of Wilshire. Avoiding only a few blocks in downtown. Riding the bus will give you time to savour much of the architecture described in the book. Without having to worry about the driving, which can be pretty hectic. The street is often rather congested.
You get a feel for how Los Angeles grew to a world class city. With Wilshire Blvd at its core. Ah, reading the book might inspire you to see the street for yourself. One easy way when you are in LA is to take the bus 20 (or the express bus 720) from downtown. It travels along much of Wilshire. Avoiding only a few blocks in downtown. Riding the bus will give you time to savour much of the architecture described in the book. Without having to worry about the driving, which can be pretty hectic. The street is often rather congested.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book about LA
Very informative and well written. If you like this, take the Neon Cruise in Los Angeles with Eric Lynxwiler as the tour guide. He is amazing.
Published 4 months ago by Teri
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles
I purchased this book because I had seen one before. I have really enjoyed reading about the history of Wilshire Boulevard and Los Angeles, and have learned very interesting... Read more
Published 10 months ago by KatieB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wilshire - Emblem of Urban Sprawl?
This is a beautiful book with exquisite photographs and entertaining writing. I give the photographs and the book design five stars as each page is fresh and insightful in what is... Read more
Published on January 9, 2011 by Randall L. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent history of Wilshire
If you're interested in history, specifically of places you go everyday and you live in Los Angeles, this is a must read. Yes, it gets heavy with details, but that's the fun of it. Read more
Published on May 6, 2007 by Clyde
5.0 out of 5 stars
BOULEVARD TO THE CITY OF ANGELS
This is a well researched and perfectly realized tribute to one of the great American thoroughfairs. Read more
Published on September 23, 2006 by Shannon Deason
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book! A must for anyone interested in LA History!
Before I bought it, I did not expect this book to be worth the money. But this is SIMPLY one of the BEST LA history books I've EVER read! Read more
Published on August 1, 2006 by GMOVIES
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended for Fun or Study
While public and institutional collectors should already have placed this book on their shelves, local history enthusiasts may be excused for waiting until now to get their own... Read more
Published on July 10, 2006 by Jim A. Beardsley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book - a lot of history :-)
As a lover of all things Los Angeles, I scooped this book up because I love the drive along Wilshire Blvd from Miracle Mile all the way down to the beach. Read more
Published on April 22, 2006 by Little Miss Cutey
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