Los Angeles: A Guide to the City and Its Environs

New York: Hastings House. Very Good+. 1951 (c.1941). Second Edition. Hardcover. (lacking the original dust jacket, but encased in a professionally-made facsimile reproduction of same; see 2nd image posted with this listing) (American Guide Series) Series (B&W photographs, maps) This "Completely Revised Second Edition" of the WPA Guide to L.A. (originally published in 1941) is, like all the books in the American Guide series, a comprehensive and thoroughly readable guide to its subject. Sure, it's now almost 75 years "out of date," but as in most cities a lot of the history is still visible if you know how to look for it -- and these old books can still be helpful. (Plus they're just fun.) After some introductory matter (listings of hotels, night clubs, annual events, etc.), the bulk of the book is divided into three sections: "Los Angeles: A General Survey"; "Los Angeles Points of Interest"; and "Neighboring Cities." The "General Survey" section has chapters devoted to education, religion, the movies, radio, the arts, and (my favorite) "The Business of Pleasure." The neighboring cities that are given their own chapters (this book being about the "environs" as well as the city proper) are: Beverly Hills, Glendale, San Pedro & Wilmington, Hollywood, Long Beach & Signal Hill, Pasadena, and Santa Monica. And following all this -- an inevitable feature of the WPA American Guides -- are seven different auto tours (plus three sub-tours) to take in and around the city, some extending as far out as Palm Springs. Appendices: Populations of Cities and Towns; Chronology; Selective Bibliography; Index. NOTE again that this book bears a FACSIMILE dust jacket, to serve the dual purpose of protecting the book from further wear and enhancing its appearance on the shelf; its presence has not been factored in to our pricing. ****NOTE also that additional postage charges will be assessed for international shipping of this moderately heavy book; if this concerns you, please contact us for a shipping quote before placing your order. As always at ReadInk, domestic Media Mail shipping is free.**** .