City Observed: Los Angeles

by Charles Willard Moore

Charles Moore's classic is in turn knowledgeable, warm, witty, and slightly irreverent. Moore's genius was his ability to tie the disparate built environments of Los Angeles into a coherent whole. We read with pleasure the miniature essays that comprise his entries on subjects as varied as Disneyland, Riverside's Mission Inn, the Gamble House, and downtown Los Angeles. While still a practical guide, Moore's work approaches literature.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

413 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 1984

About the author

Charles Willard Moore was an American architect, educator, writer, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and winner of the AIA Gold Medal in 1991.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...

Some books published as:
Charles Moore
Charles W. Moore

Reviews

[Matt]

This is my favorite book on architecture - period. Moore describes things in such a playful, curious yet informed manner that it's a total pleasure to read his thoughts on L.A.'s eclectic architecture as it was 1983 (the book never got updated and I believe Moore has passed away). The chapter on Disneyland is a gem.

[Jase]

even though charles is my favorite it started off on a bad note for me with some out of touch/low key racist things to say about olvera street and chinatown but other than that it was enjoyable. wish there were more pictures. i liked that the triforium was called grotesque and a waste of money because i agree. Also agree with "if you see one building in all of LA let it be the Mission Inn". i'm wondering if the detailed descriptions of the rides at magic mountain were paid for by six flags??