- Hardcover: 496 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 1990)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0195044878
- ISBN-13: 978-0195044874
- Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 16.1 x 3.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 921 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
Starr's excellent history of California here reaches a third volume (the earlier volumes are Americans and the California Dream: 1850-1915, LJ 7/73, and Inventing the Dream, LJ 5/1/85). Southern California--aka Los Angeles--has seized the floor. It's boosters are busy raiding land from the basin and water from the north, while Sister Aimee Semple McPherson soothes the crowds of new Californians. Colleges and culture begin to provide a sense of place and pride. Starr continues to employ social history and biography as a means of painting the greater picture. This method aptly suits the booming megalopolis, which is in large part the creation of idealists, visionaries, evangelicals, and eccentrics. Many of these stories have been told before, but they bear retelling by a writer with Starr's narrative gifts. Highly recommended.
-Timothy L. Zindel, Hastings Coll. of the Law, San Francisco
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
-Timothy L. Zindel, Hastings Coll. of the Law, San Francisco
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Kevin Starr is the foremost chronicler of the California dream. In Material Dreams, he turns to one of the most vibrant decades in the Golden State's history, the 1920's, when some two million Americans migrated to California, the vast majority settling in or around Los Angeles.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Vibrant and detailed analysis of the rise of institutions,
By msri@msn.com (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Material Dreams: Southern California Through the 1920s (Hardcover)
I was a student of Dr. Starr's in the USC Master of Real Estate Development program in the early 1990's. Dr. Starr's analysis of California during the period is both thorough and enlightening. Dr. Starr gives particular emphasis to the Los Angeles element of California growth, with particular analysis of the Department of Water and Power, the Los Angeles Police Department, and, perhaps not coincidentally, the University of Southern California and its training of careerist professionals rather than academics. I highly recommend this work, and by linkage, any of Dr. Starr's works
5.0 out of 5 stars
Starr Hits His Stride...,
By
This review is from: Material Dreams: Southern California Through the 1920s (Paperback)
Starr hits his stride in this, his third in his epic series on the history of California. At last, Starr is free to focus on the subject that any reader can tell is "near and dear" to his heart: The emergence of Los Angeles as a full blown titan of a city. Although the subtitle to this book is "Southern California Through the 1920's", once again, it would be be more appropriate to hone in on the main subject and retitle the book "Los Angeles and Two Chapters on Santa Barbara Through the 1920's".Again, not that I'm complaining. Perhaps because of Starr's intent focus on a single city, his talent really shines in this volume. This is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in the last year. The first section of the book deals with Southern California and Water. His sub chapter on the Imperial Valley is a real barn burner. I've never read such a complete account of the events in Imperial Valley in the early 20th century, and I would recommend the book for that reason alone. The second and third sections tackle the emergence of Los Angeles society. Here, Starr goes on the offensive, tackling the idea that L.A. is a cultural wasteland. You can almost hear the voice of a professor lecturing undergraduates. Starr starts at economic institutions, discusses the people of Los Angeles and ends with a discussion of cultural institutions. The end of the third section deals with the "Santa Barbara" alternative. For me, these two chapters were the least enjoyable in the book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews) 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Starr Hits His Stride...,
By S. Pactor "reader" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Material Dreams: Southern California Through the 1920s (Paperback)
Starr hits his stride in this, his third in his epic series on the history of California. At last, Starr is free to focus on the subject that any reader can tell is "near and dear" to his heart: The emergence of Los Angeles as a full blown titan of a city. Although the subtitle to this book is "Southern California Through the 1920's", once again, it would be be more appropriate to hone in on the main subject and retitle the book "Los Angeles and Two Chapters on Santa Barbara Through the 1920's".Again, not that I'm complaining. Perhaps because of Starr's intent focus on a single city, his talent really shines in this volume. This is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in the last year. The first section of the book deals with Southern California and Water. His sub chapter on the Imperial Valley is a real barn burner. I've never read such a complete account of the events in Imperial Valley in the early 20th century, and I would recommend the book for that reason alone. The second and third sections tackle the emergence of Los Angeles society. Here, Starr goes on the offensive, tackling the idea that L.A. is a cultural wasteland. You can almost hear the voice of a professor lecturing undergraduates. Starr starts at economic institutions, discusses the people of Los Angeles and ends with a discussion of cultural institutions. The end of the third section deals with the "Santa Barbara" alternative. For me, these two chapters were the least enjoyable in the book. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Material Dreams: Southern California through the 1920a,
By Bry "History Buff" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Material Dreams: Southern California Through the 1920s (Paperback)
Very well written. A must for those interested in early California history. Very accurate in fact.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Kevin Starr winner,
By Michael J. Colbruno - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Material Dreams: Southern California Through the 1920s (Paperback)
Any history book by Kevin Starr is worth reading. I'm working my way through all of them. He is the greatest California historian ever!
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