{"product_id":"inventing-the-dream-california-through-the-progressive-era-americans-the-california-dream-9780195034899","title":"Inventing the Dream: California through the Progressive Era (Americans \u0026 the California Dream)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis second volume in Kevin Starrs passionate and ambitious cultural history of the Golden State focuses on the turn-of-the-century years and the emergence of Southern California as a regional culture in its own right. \"How hauntingly beautiful  how replete with lost possibilities  seems that Southern California of two and three generations ago  now that a dramatically diferent society has emerged in its place \" writes Starr.  As he recreates the \"lost California \" Starr examines the rich variety of elements that figured in the growth of the Southern California way of life: the Spanish\/Mexican roots  the fertile land  the Mediterranean-like climate  the special styles in architecture  the rise of Hollywood. He ives us a broad array of engaging (and often eccentric) characters: from Harrision Gray Otis to Helen Hunt Jackson to Cecil B. DeMille. Whether discussing the growth of winemaking or the burgeoning of reform movements  Starr keeps his central theme in sharp focus: how Californians defined their identity to themselves and to the nation.  \"A delightful and extremely thorough chronicle of a state that is almost a mythical kingdom.\"--St. Louis Post-Dispatch  \"An excellent book...vividly written  thoroughly researched  rich in details and alive with interesting  and sometimes incredible people.\"--Los Angeles Times\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45279867371573,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195034899","price":28.81,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195034899.jpg?v=1780614677","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/inventing-the-dream-california-through-the-progressive-era-americans-the-california-dream-9780195034899","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}