Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (CA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE BUILDING IS UNDERWAY, DECEMBER 1921..." (more)
Key Phrases: recent photo, Los Angeles, Amateur Athletic Foundation, World Series (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Opened to the public in June of 1923, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum can arguably be called America's Most Historic Sports Stadium. In 1984 the Memorial Coliseum was declared a State and Federal Historic Landmark for its contributions to both the State of California and the United States. The history of this institution is captured here in over 200 vintage images. The Memorial Coliseumís history spans eight decades, playing host to two Olympiads, two Super Bowls, one World Series, a multitude of concerts and political rallies, a Papal mass, and one of the most famous Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speeches of the 20th century by John F. Kennedy. Using photographs culled from its archives, pictured here are never-before-seen photographs of the Coliseumís construction; rare images of political and religious rallies held at the Stadium and the Los Angeles Sports Arena, and home to famous speeches by Franklin Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela; and a myriad of other sporting and entertainment events hosted by the Memorial Coliseum, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, motocross racing, and the Rolling Stones.

About the Author

Chris Epting is an advertising executive with a keen interest in sports of all kinds. He is the best-selling author of another pictorial history with Arcadia Publishing, Huntington Beach, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (July 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738520659
• ISBN-13: 978-0738520650
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the world's great sports landmarks, April 10, 2005

By	Thomas L. Magness (Riverside, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

1923 was a signal year in American sports. Three famous sports venues opened that year. Besides the Los Angeles Coliseum, Rasadena's Rose Bowl and Yankee Stadium in New York also opened. While many books have been published about The House That Ruth Built and what took place there, this book fills a void. And even the stadium in the Bronx would be hard-pressed to match the variety of events that took place in LA's mammoth saucer (O. K., there were many more World Series, boxing matches, and masses conducted by TWO Popes). But the Los Angeles Coliseum has hosted two NFL teams, two Super Bowls, both historic in their own way, two Olympics, Evel Kneivel, an acceptance speech from a President-to-be, record-breaking attendance figures for the Dodgers and The Reverend Billy Graham, fireworks shows, rock concerts and one of the biggest rivalries in college football. Concerning the latter, I remember the days when both USC and UCLA played their home games here. And when they met in their annual clash, which often carried national championship and Rose Bowl implications, both teams wore their home jerseys (powder blue and gold for UCLA, cardinal and gold for USC). A separate section of this book is devoted to the nearby Sports Arena, which hosted the Lakers during the era of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. Some excellent archival photos are included, including pics of the original construction and 1932 expansion (these inner and outer rings were separated during the 1994 Northridge earthquake).

My main qualm about this book is the fact that I did not see any photos of the Mass that the late Pope John Paul II celebrated on his visit to California in 1987 (he also held Mass at Dodger Stadium). This was the first visit ever by a Pontiff to the Western United States.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN INCREDIBLE PLACE, December 23, 2002

By A Customer

This book provides an incredible amount of historical background and hundreds of pictures of the Los Angeles Coliseum. We grew up seeing fireworks, rodeos, baseball games (even a World Series), football, Olympics, motocross and more at this landmark. I especially liked all of the photos of the stadium being built. A wonderful book about one of the world's great stadiums.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book., April 4, 2007

By	T. Jones "tj" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of my favorite places on earth is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and this book nearly does it justice.

The first time I walked through the tunnel and out into the sunlight and saw the beautiful green playing field, I knew I was home. There are lots of great memories in the Coliseum and much rich tradition and history in the book.

It is a must-have.