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Informationsmittel für Bibliotheken (IFB) 7(1999) 1/4
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Los Angeles


99-1/4-430
Los Angeles : A to Z ; an encyclopedia of the city and county / Leonard Pitt and Dale Pitt. - Berkeley, Calif. ; London [u.a.] : University of California Press, 1997. - XIX, 605 S. : Ill., graph. Darst. ; 26 cm. - ISBN 0-520-20274-0 : $ 34.95, œ 29.95
[4253]

This entertaining and informative encyclopedia about Los Angeles goes a long way toward filling the void of ready-reference materials about this trend-setting American metropolis. Leonard Pitt, Professor Emeritus of History at California State University Northridge, and his brother, Dale Pitt, an independent scholar, combined their talents to create the first reference work of its kind for Los Angeles County.

The encyclopedia contains nearly 2,000 alphabetically-arranged entries, ranging in length from two sentences (Herman Herzog) to three pages in length (Murder Cases). As the Pitts explain in the preface, entries fall into one of three categories: 1) "comprehensive" - those that provide extensive information about general topics of relevance to Los Angeles (i.e. Oranges and Freeways); 2) more specific entries, such as ethnic groups, e.g. Koreans, including relevant population statistics, an overview of migration trends, and the group's impact on the culture and economy of Los Angeles. Specific entries cover a wide range of topics, from flora and fauna of the region (chaparral and coyotes), to independent cities and neighborhoods (Culver City and Palms), important streets, historic events, etc.; 3) biographies of people who substantially influenced the City of Angels. Included here are individuals important to the history of the city, as well as businessmen, community leaders, writers, sports figures and politicians (all mayors of the city are included). Sprinkled throughout the encyclopedia are some 335 illustrations, photographs, maps, tables, and charts - including both historical and contemporary images of the city, region, and personalities. The tables cover such topics as Museums in LA County, County Ethnic and Racial Population, and County Board of Supervisors, 1852-1996.

The Pitts have scattered dozens of historic and contemporary quotations about Los Angeles (some serious, some humorous) throughout the pages of the encyclopedia. These quotations - written by early citizens and visitors, and current historians, authors, journalists - all comment to some extent on Los Angeles' beginnings, its uniqueness, or its as yet unmet potential.

The authors have included four useful appendices: a nine page chronology of significant events affecting Los Angeles; 1990 LA County Census population data listed by city; Incorporation and Consolidation of cities listed by city with date of incorporation; and LA city and country government organizational charts. The encyclopedia concludes with a list of selected readings about the city, both nonfiction and fiction, and a chronological sampling of movies filmed in Los Angeles starting as early as 1920.

The Pitts have successfully met their challenging goal of synthesizing the history, facts, and statistics of this sprawling megalopolis. Overall this well-produced reference work deserves high praise and represents a tremendous resource for scholars and casual readers interested in Los Angeles history. However, the encyclopedia might benefit from some additional features in future editions. It would be helpful to cross reference using boldface type the words or concepts that have separate entries. For example, in the entry for California Eagle (a popular African-American newspaper from the early part of this century) the editor Charlotta Spears Bass, is mentioned yet there is no indication that the Pitts have provided an individual entry for her. Another helpful feature, albeit timeconsuming to construct, would be an index of names, places, and topics included with reference to the entry. For example, looking up personalities like Otto Klemperer or André Previn draws a blank under K or P, but both conductors are listed under Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. And equity-waiver rule is explained under Theater, since 1945. Some cross references, however, are included.

Perhaps the best way to access this wonderful source of information about Los Angeles would be electronically as a CD-ROM. This format would allow key word searching and make it possible to provide additional illustrations and supplemental multi-media material.

Marje Schuetze-Coburn (Los Angeles)


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