In this extraordinary book, Kevin Starr–widely acknowledged as the premier historian of California, the scope of whose scholarship the Atl...
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reviews
Jun 01, 2011
Terry
rated it: 
Kevin Starr is a hero of mine and I've loved all his books to date. But not Coast of Dreams, which covers the 1990s up to the 2003 recall of Gray Davis. His other books (usually covering one decade each), had strong theses or themes and were rich in detail, but this one just seems to be random essays with chapters on specific topics -- and then on to the next. Starr is just going through the motions here. Some lazy writing, too (too much "As far as ---- was concerned....").
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Oct 19, 2009
Nicola
rated it: 
Kevin Starr offers an engaging, fast-paced look at California in the latter part of the twentieth century, covering all the major social and political issues, as well as delving into the state’s geography and culture.
It’s a solid and well-researched book. Though Starr is a historian, Coast of Dreams is more journalistic in style. Starr weaves individual’s stories (mainly gleaned from contemporary newspaper stories) into the wider narrative, giving crises and politick personal resonan More...
It’s a solid and well-researched book. Though Starr is a historian, Coast of Dreams is more journalistic in style. Starr weaves individual’s stories (mainly gleaned from contemporary newspaper stories) into the wider narrative, giving crises and politick personal resonan More...
Sep 01, 2010
carl
rated it:
If you've read any of the other of the 'Dream' series the first difference
you'll notice is the format, magazine style short chapters, often 4-5 pages.
Makes it handy for getting a chapter in at lunch or before bed, how else
to digest 60 some chapters spread over the 620 pages?
I think historians have a bit of trouble with the history they lived
through and participated in, Starr was 50 in 1990, and a political appointee
in California. Opinions a More...
Sep 24, 2007
Spiros
rated it: 
Whither, California? or perhaps, wither California?, is the question posed by Kevin Starr, California's State Librarian and un-official state historian, in this "History of Contemporary California". He chronicles a long series of seismic, climatic, social, and political upheavals, starting with the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, ending with the advent of Governator Arnold in 2003; he concludes that our gyre is widening at an alarming rate, and the center is showing no sign of holdin
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Mar 14, 2011
Anyone who loves California and wants to read the best perspectives on its history needs to pickup Ken Starr. He has composed so many volumes charting the growth of the State from the pre Gold Rush days until the Schwarzeneger era. A truly fascinating account. The man can tell a story and hook the reader. A great book to read on a quiet California hillside overlooking a beach.
Dec 19, 2007
Louis
rated it:
I felt a little decieved by this book, but maybe it was just me. If you a do a book on contemporary history, I pretty much assume you're doing a book of pop-history; which, for the ultimate pop-state, would have been a perfect fit.
Starr gets a little bit of that in the opening paragraphs of his opening chapters, but it quickly lapses - and what we're left with is a standard, solid, long history. Or histories: Starr goes by topic mostly - immigration, environment, economy. I'd have l More...
Starr gets a little bit of that in the opening paragraphs of his opening chapters, but it quickly lapses - and what we're left with is a standard, solid, long history. Or histories: Starr goes by topic mostly - immigration, environment, economy. I'd have l More...
Aug 11, 2009
Haven't started yet. As a native Californian, I took one look at this recommended book and knew I had to buy the decades leading up to it first. Next book order is going to look like a STarr extravaganza.
Jul 26, 2008
Margieh
rated it:
This is a gossipy and fun history of California in the 1990s. I think Starr is at his best when he sticks to the details, but that can be a problem from a narrative perspective. There's stuff in here about the hot restaurants in San Francisco during the dot com boom, Steve Peace and energy deregulation, and the amazing story of the LA subway. What's missing is a few people or places that you can follow through the decade.
That said, it is a really fun book (by a state historian). More...
That said, it is a really fun book (by a state historian). More...
Jun 08, 2010
Foster
rated it:
Starr put together a great review of recent California history, a great resource for a non-native newcomer like me.
However, he has a tendency for exaggeration and hyperbole, and as a result this volume is tough to read non-stop. Too often he suggests that California is facing a future of increased racial and socioeconomic disintegration, with all the resultant problems. I can see his point at times, but it is still tough to take.
I'll probably keep reading bits and piece More...
However, he has a tendency for exaggeration and hyperbole, and as a result this volume is tough to read non-stop. Too often he suggests that California is facing a future of increased racial and socioeconomic disintegration, with all the resultant problems. I can see his point at times, but it is still tough to take.
I'll probably keep reading bits and piece More...
Jul 17, 2008
Jlawrence
rated it:
Not always engaging, and sometimes Starr's conclusions seem off, but this is a good and fairly thorough overview of recent California history.
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