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You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on
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Building the Getty
by Richard Meier
An account of the construction of the Getty Center, written by its architect.
Water to the Angels, William Mulholland, His Monumental Aqueduct, and the Rise of Los Angeles
by Les Standiford
In this powerful, beautifully-told biography, Standiford narrates William Mulholland’s drive to bring water from the Sierra Nevadas to Los Angeles, one of the greatest civil engineering feats in history.
William Mulholland and the Rise of Los Angeles
by Catherine Mulholland
A biography of William Mulholland, the man who led the project of bringing water to Los Angeles. Written by his granddaughter, who seeks to dispel what she believes are common misconceptions about him.
Sidewalking, Coming to Terms With Los Angeles
by David L. Ulin
Growing out of a series of strolls, this smart, deeply affectionate portrait peels back the many layers of L.A., revealing a great city that's much more interesting than its sunny beaches, gridlock and movie stars.
Creating the Future: Art and Los Angeles in the 1970s
by Michael Fallon
Fallon contests the standard assumption that art in LA declined after the 1960s through this cultural and social history that highlights the innovative and independent voices and interesting, sometimes bizarre artwork that came out of the 1970s.
Where I Was From
by Joan Didion
Supreme essayist Didion's personal history of California spanning the 18th to 21st centuries. More than a family chronicle, it's also a provocative cultural critique that attacks the myth of the Sunshine State.
The Getty Center: Richard Meier & Partners
by Richard Meier, Michael Brawn
A photographic tour of the Getty Center.
The Art Book, Mini Edition
by Phaidon Press
A mini edition of the Phaidon classic. Marching through all periods and schools, the editors at Phaidon juxtapose salient examples of paintings, photographs, sculptures, video, installations and performance art with brief explanatory text.
As I See It: The Autobiography of J. Paul Getty
by J. Paul Getty
The famous L.A. tycoon recounts his life in his own words in this timely autobiography: it was published right before his death in 1976.
L.A. Confidential
by James Ellroy
James Ellroy's modern noir thriller, a densely plotted yarn in the style of Raymond Chandler. Made into a critically acclaimed film.
California, A History
by Kevin Starr
A lively short history in the excellent Modern Library Chronicles series, written by a renowned historian.
Ways of Seeing
by John Berger
Art critic, painter, essayist and Booker Prize-winning novelist Berger concentrates on how we look at art in this eye-opening and influential classic.
The Story of Art
by E. H. Gombrich
Comprehensive and introductory without being elementary, this celebrated work is essential reading for anyone with any interest in art, architecture or aesthetics.