Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles

Description

About the Product 🔑

Feature 🌟	Details 📝
Title 📖	Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles
Author ✍️	Paul Haddad
Publication Date 📅	June 18, 2024
Content Focus 🏙️	Traces the improbable rise of Los Angeles through the prism of six visionaries who had outsize influence on the city’s growth: Phineas Banning, Harrison Gray Otis, Henry Huntington, Harry Chandler, William Mulholland, and Moses Sherman.
Historical Context ⏳	In the late 1870s, Los Angeles was a violent, dusty, 29-square-mile pueblo with a few thousand souls, largely unchanged since its founding in 1781. By 1930, its size had swelled to within 96% of its current 468 square miles, housing a staggering 1.2 million people. In just 50 years, L.A. had joined the ranks of other world-class cities.
Narrative Style 📖	Debunks myths about the City of Angels with a wildly entertaining narrative that sheds new light on the fascinating birth of modern Los Angeles.
Key Figures 🧑‍💼	Phineas Banning, Harrison Gray Otis, Henry Huntington, Harry Chandler, William Mulholland, and Moses Sherman.
Historical Facts Included 💡	How Los Angeles Times chief Harry Chandler pushed eugenics and endorsed “white spots”; Henry Huntington’s and Moses Sherman’s trolley systems and the extortion-type practices that led to their expansion; When Los Angeles was so desperate for water, it hired a miracle worker who promised rain; How L.A.’s power elite peddled the lie that the Owens River used to flow into Los Angeles and rightfully belonged to the city; When Los Angeles annexed a city in which monkeys cast votes; How Venice, California, was not the first Venice, California; William Mulholland’s game-changing construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which raised the city’s population ceiling from 250,000 to 2.5 million.
Costs of Development ⚠️	Car dependency, environmental problems, and deep-seated inequities between wealthy white Angelenos and people of color due to racist policies.
Book’s Thesis 📜	Los Angeles is not a paradise found, but a paradise that was willed into existence, owing to the collective vision of these six Gilded Era-born tycoons.
Publisher 🏭	Santa Monica Press
Language 🗣️	English
Print Length 📄	404 pages
ISBN-10 🆔	1595801278
ISBN-13 🆔	978-1595801272
Item Weight ⚖️	1.55 pounds
Dimensions 📏	6.5 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches

How to Use 🛠️

This product is a book and does not have specific usage instructions in the traditional sense.

Product Details 🏷️

Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles traces the improbable rise of Los Angeles through the prism of six visionaries who had outsize influence on the city’s growth: Phineas Banning, Harrison Gray Otis, Henry Huntington, Harry Chandler, William Mulholland, and Moses Sherman.

In the late 1870s, Los Angeles was a violent, dusty, 29-square-mile pueblo with a few thousand souls, largely unchanged since its founding in 1781. By 1930, its size had swelled to within 96% of its current 468 square miles, housing a staggering 1.2 million people. In just 50 years, L.A. had joined the ranks of other world-class cities.

In the tradition of Mike Davis’s classic work City of Quartz, Paul Haddad (Freewaytopia and 10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.) debunks many myths about the City of Angels with a wildly entertaining narrative that sheds new light on the fascinating birth of modern Los Angeles. Power came from a select few, whose triumphs, scandals, and correspondence are well documented in Inventing Paradise, along with other little-known facts about L.A. history, including:

• How Los Angeles Times chief Harry Chandler pushed eugenics and endorsed “white spots”
• Henry Huntington’s and Moses Sherman’s trolley systems and the extortion-type practices that led to their expansion
• When Los Angeles was so desperate for water, it hired a miracle worker who promised rain
• How L.A.’s power elite peddled the lie that the Owens River used to flow into Los Angeles and rightfully belonged to the city
• When Los Angeles annexed a city in which monkeys cast votes
• How Venice, California, was not the first Venice, California
• William Mulholland’s game-changing construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which raised the city’s population ceiling from 250,000 to 2.5 million

Haddad also covers the heavy costs that came with creating paradise in such a short period of time, including car dependency, environmental problems, and deep-seated inequities between wealthy white Angelenos and people of color due to racist policies. All have left an imprint on present-day Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is a city that should not exist—and yet it does. Through Inventing Paradise, Haddad shows readers that Los Angeles is not a paradise found, but a paradise that was willed into existence, owing to the collective vision of these six Gilded Era-born tycoons.

A 1927 movie premiere at the Chinese Theatre, months after it opened. Chandler recognized the value of movie production to L.A. early on, even personally helping save Warner Bros. from insolvency.

Huntington, left, and Chandler, right, enjoy a spin around Los Angeles in an early touring car. Chandler’s vision of an automobile-based city would eventually push Huntington’s streetcars off the scene.

Hollywoodland was the brainchild of Sherman and Chandler. The 1923 hillside subdivision was billed as a “white spot,” a common designation for neighborhoods that included restrictive deed covenants.

A poster celebrating Otis’s pet project, the opening of a federally backed “Free Harbor,” and the realization of Banning’s vision of a deep-water bay. The city would annex San Pedro within ten years, giving L.A. a global seaport.

Some 40,000 people turn out to experience the onrush of water at the opening of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, November 5, 1913. Mulholland’s signature project singlehandedly boosted L.A.’s population capacity another 700 percent.

Lavinia Graham Timmons, right, and her successor, Evelyn Champlin, headed the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. After the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, women’s voices finally counted in shaping L.A. policy.

Full Images

Product Standout Benefits

Discover the amazing benefits that make our product a must-have!

Unparalleled Quality & Craftsmanship

Experience the difference that comes with meticulous attention to detail and premium materials. Our commitment to excellence ensures a product that not only looks good but is built to last, providing you with exceptional value and satisfaction.

Innovative Design for Modern Living

We’ve blended cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to create a product that seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle. Enjoy features that are intuitive, efficient, and designed to enhance your everyday experiences.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices

Feel good about your purchase knowing it’s made with a conscience. We prioritize sustainability in our production process, using eco-friendly materials and methods that minimize our environmental impact. Join us in making a positive choice for the planet.

Versatility for Every Need

Whether you’re looking for a solution for everyday tasks or a unique item for special occasions, our product offers unparalleled versatility. Its adaptable nature means it can meet a wide range of requirements, making it an indispensable addition to your collection.

Exceptional Customer Support

Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind our product with dedicated customer support, ready to assist you with any questions or needs. Enjoy peace of mind with our reliable service.

A Touch of Elegance and Style

Elevate your surroundings with a product that speaks volumes about your taste. Its sophisticated aesthetic and refined finish add a touch of elegance to any setting, making it a statement piece you’ll be proud to own.

Customer Questions and Answers

Q: How do I use this product? 🤔
A: Just use it like you normally would, following the instructions to get the best results!

Q: Is it good for [insert skin type, concern, or usage]? 🌿
A: Absolutely! It’s perfect for everyday use.

Q: How do I take care of it? 🧼
A: Just keep it clean to ensure it works perfectly.

Q: Is this a good gift for [insert occasion]? 🎁
A: Oh, for sure! It’s a great gift idea.

Q: Can I use this with [insert related product]? 🔗
A: Totally! It works well with other products.

Q: How long will it take for me to see results? ⏳
A: You’ll see results soon!

Q: Is it safe for sensitive skin? 🌸
A: Yes, it’s formulated for all skin types.

Q: What’s the return policy? 🔄
A: If you’re not 100% happy, you can send it back!