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The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth
(Creating the North American Landscape)
by
Three centuries ago, the Los Angeles River meandered through marshes and forests of willow and sycamore. Trout spawned in its waters and grizzly bears roamed its shores. The bountiful environment the river helped create supported one of the largest concentrations of Indians in North America. Today, the river is made almost entirely of concrete. Chain-link fence and barbed
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Paperback, 384 pages
Published
March 1st 2001
by Johns Hopkins University Press
(first published 1999)
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I found this a fascinating read.
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. As a small child I had no concept of "river." I don't know that it ever occurred to me that a river SHOULD flow freely. By the time I learned what a river is I had already forgotten that Los Angeles even had one. Reading the history of what had been a riparian haven for wildlife as well as the indigenous inhabitants, and how it devolved as a result of the river's popularity, is eye-opening. The Los Angeles River is the backdr ...more
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. As a small child I had no concept of "river." I don't know that it ever occurred to me that a river SHOULD flow freely. By the time I learned what a river is I had already forgotten that Los Angeles even had one. Reading the history of what had been a riparian haven for wildlife as well as the indigenous inhabitants, and how it devolved as a result of the river's popularity, is eye-opening. The Los Angeles River is the backdr ...more
Probably the most thorough and engaging environmental history of Los Angeles.
This is the incredible story of the settling of the Los Angeles basin as told through the sad history of the Los Angeles River. It turns out the river, which is off the radar of most Angelinos, is the key to understanding the history and geography of this spectacular place. Although the once noble stream, which was lined with willows and cottonwoods and was a home to abundant wildlife, is now nothing more than a deep, wide, concrete-lined ditch, there is always hope that the river can be reborn.
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Well written, and provides a very readable history of the Los Angeles river and the city's relationship to the river. I recommend this book for anyone looking to understand how the city developed and its odd relationship with water and the natural tendencies of the regions watershed. This book also give an interesting perspective on local and statewide politics, landuse, water rights and real estate.
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It can be a bit dry -- both the river and the book. BUT, once you get into, it's truly fascinating to learn how the Los Angeles River was the single most instrumental factor in shaping the city and how it looks today. The first half involving the history is the most interesting; as it looks forward it's a bit less relevant since the book is 15 years old.
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amazing chronicle of the los angeles river from it's rich history to present day efforts to restore it to it's natural beauty without flooding the modern day metropolis. If you live in LA or have any interest in it, you should read this book.
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More people in LA county have died from flooding than earthquakes.
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