Description
Book Synopsis: This new edition of the visionary social history of Los Angeles is “as central to the L.A. canon as anything that . . . Joan Didion wrote in the seventies” (New Yorker). No metropolis has been more loved or more hated. To its official boosters, “Los Angeles brings it all together.” To detractors, L.A. is a sunlit mortuary where “you can rot without feeling it.” To Mike Davis, the author of this fiercely elegant and wide-ranging work of social history, Los Angeles is both utopia and dystopia, a place where the last Joshua trees are being plowed under to make room for model communities in the desert, where the rich have hired their own police to fend off street gangs, as well as armed Beirut militias.
In City of Quartz, Davis reconstructs L.A.’s shadow history and dissects its ethereal economy. He tells us who has the power and how they hold on to it. He gives us a city of Dickensian extremes, Pynchonesque conspiracies, and a desperation straight out of Nathaniel West—a city in which we may glimpse our own future mirrored with terrifying clarity. In this new edition, Davis provides a dazzling update on the city’s current status.
Details
Discover the mesmerizing social history of Los Angeles with the essential book, City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles. This visionary work by Mike Davis is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the contradictory nature of this beloved yet despised metropolis. With its fiercely elegant prose and wide-ranging analysis, this book unravels the hidden layers of Los Angeles, exposing its dystopian reality as well as its utopian aspirations.
Uncover the city's shadow history as Mike Davis reconstructs the intricate tapestry of power and influence that has shaped Los Angeles. From the ruthless model communities that replace ancient Joshua trees to the privatized police forces guarding the wealthy from street gangs, Davis delves deep into the ethereal economy that defines the city. Brace yourself for a journey through the extremes of Dickensian tales and Pynchonesque conspiracies, all mirroring a future that is both fascinating and unsettlingly real.
City of Quartz has earned its place in the L.A. canon alongside renowned works by authors like Joan Didion. With this new edition, Mike Davis provides a dazzling update on the city's current status, ensuring readers are equipped with the most up-to-date insights. Whether you're a history enthusiast, urban explorer, or simply curious about the enigmatic allure of Los Angeles, this book will captivate your imagination and leave you pondering the future of this iconic city.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to delve into the profound depths of City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles. Gain a fresh perspective on the city that has captured the imagination of millions. Get your copy now!
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