Kevin W. Ford

Awesome book, great detail and narrator

Revisado: 04-30-20

my only complaint is that I wish it was longer. that's how good it was

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Great book, but slight overkill on religion imo

Revisado: 10-12-19

It was very clear and thorough just like the rest of this series. I enjoyed it very much. My only complaint on this one is the sheer amount of time spent on all the religious stuff. I personally got tired of hearing about all the similarities and differences of the endless branches of religions popping up everywhere. I know it was important for the time though, so perhaps it needed to be discussed as much

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Really well researched and enjoyable to read

Revisado: 03-14-19

I absolutely loved this book. It should be so much more well known then it is, but I guess it's kind of a niche product. I've also read the Hidden Lives of Trees book which has gained so much press, and I have to say this one is much better in my opinion.
Incredibly well researched but easily approachable and interesting. It never comes off as too dry or academic. Will give you a great sense of the ways that trees have influenced both California and the larger society.
Hope to read more by this author in the future

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Well written but too one-sided

Revisado: 03-09-19

Pros: Well written, nice background on many different interesting developments around the country, approachable writing style

Cons: Doesn't deliver too much on what it's title says, but is rather just a profile of different developers. I think focusing on the absolute most high end of the market (related, aqua, 1111 Lincoln) is going to come off as a bit out of touch for the average citizen wanting to learn more about working productively with the average developer. The book also asks everything of the community member, to understand the developer, but asks almost nothing of the developer. Lastly, the narrator mispronounced quite a few words which just sounds unprofessional

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Hard getting through this one

Revisado: 01-08-19

I have to beat up on this book since I was very much looking forward to reading it, but I simply don't know how someone can be so cynical about, and hateful of, where they live....and then write a freaking book about it. If you hate Los Angeles so much, then move for God's sake.
This book does have some good nuggets of history in it, and it seems like he (sort of) knows his subject well, but I couldn't help feeling like I was being bludgeoned to death with hyperbolic stories of the coming apocalypse of Los Angeles. I feel sorry for this guy if this is the way he really feels about his home town.
And the overly dramatic, and again, very apocalyptic writing style just gets so old sooo quickly.
And lastly, what's up with all of the obscure references thrown around all over the place? Every other sentence has to be filled with overly complicated language and endless isms for good measure.
If this is one of the best histories that's been written about LA, as some reviews have said, then my gosh, we need to step our game up. I would honestly recommend staying away from this book and finding something a bit more balanced to read

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Not the right narrator for this book

Revisado: 08-16-18

For all of the voices at Audible's disposal, and for a book that won the Pulitzer, I don't know why they can't find someone with a more engaging voice to read this book. His dry, nasally delivery kept much of the story from really coming to life, which is really sad because I was super excited to read this book.

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Absolute top-notch book and narration

Revisado: 04-30-18

Robertson Dean I think is really just the best narrator I've heard on Audible. His skill and voice, combined with Mann's electrifying accounts of histories across the world, makes for a potent combo. Listened to this one 2x in a row

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Wonderful, thought provoking well researched book!

Revisado: 02-25-17

I am an architect. I was also taught, and for awhile was quite taken with, the idolization of the starchitect and the idea that the ultimate pursuit in architecture was to either have a strong theoretical concept and/or a bold architectural language. Every time I thought to myself quietly though, I began to really question if this is what makes attractive cities.
Fast forward a few years and I have for the most part dumped this idea and it's wonderful to have books which lend credence and weight to the argument that a quality city is made from a large collection of very small moves. This book illustrates this beautifully and I really hope more people in the building profession come to their senses and stop scarring our streets with oversized sculptural objects. Well done, Mr. Speck

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