Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Images of Los Angeles' Past, November 24, 2005
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.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Go West, Young Man!, December 29, 2005
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
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
take the #20 bus along Wilshire Blvd, September 27, 2006
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.
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