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Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles
The smog beast wafted into downtown Los Angeles on July 26, 1943. Nobody knew what it was. Secretaries rubbed their eyes. Traffic cops seemed to disappear in the mysterious haze. Were Japanese saboteurs responsible? A reckless factory? The truth was much worse—it came from within, from Southern California's burgeoning car-addicted, suburban lifestyle. Smogtown is the story of pollution, progress, and how an optimistic people confronted the epic struggle against airborne poisons barraging their hometowns. With wit, verve, and a fresh look at history, California based journalists Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly highlight the bold personalities involved, the corporate-tainted science, the terrifying health costs, the attempts at cleanup, and how the smog battle helped mold the modern-day culture of Los Angeles. There are scofflaws aplenty and dirty deals, plus murders, suicides, spiritual despair, and an ever-present paranoia about mass disaster. Brimming with forgotten anecdotes and new revelations about our environmentally precarious present, Smogtown is a journalistic classic for the modern age.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Chip Jacobs
14 books48 followersChip Jacobs is an acclaimed author and prize-winning journalist, praised by Publisher Weekly as "an exceptional storyteller." His forthcoming novel, "Later Days," the follow-up to his Los Angeles Times bestselling "Arroyo," will be published in 2025. On the narrative, nonfiction side, Jacobs wrote the riveting, true-crime book, "The Darkest Glare," and the biography "Strange As It Seems," an Indies Book of the Year finalist. He is also the co-author, with William J. Kelly, of two environmental social histories: the international bestselling "Smogtown" and its sequel, "The People's Republic of Chemicals." He has contributed pieces to anthologies, as well, among them "Los Angeles in the 1970s: Weird Scenes Inside the Goldmine." Jacobs' reporting, meantime, has appeared in the L.A. Times, the L.A. Daily News, CNN, The New York Times, the Southern California News Group, L.A Weekly, and elsewhere. He has won seven Los Angeles Press Club Awards and multiple literary honors, including from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, Booklist and Foreword magazine's best books in genre, and the Shanghai Book Awards. He is currently at work on the story of the Long Beach Freeway (710) fight, the longest, fiercest highway battle in US history, and several Hollywood projects. Jacobs, a graduate of the University of Southern California, garage-band guitarist, and Beatles fanatic, lives in the L.A. area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 4, 2009
A panorama of the Los Angeles skyline used to often resemble a poorly developed roll of film, cut through the middle with a view-obscuring brown smudge. Welcome to "Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles," in which Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly demonstrate that our current air quality is a free-breathing dream compared to the nightmare that enveloped the city for a good portion of the last century.
The authors trace smog's invasion back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low that Angelenos -- fearing chemical attack -- rushed from their jobs and crashed their cars in the haze. Thus began a series of epic battles in the fight against air pollution: urban growth vs. nature, weather vs. industry, home rule vs. federal regulation, and the automobile vs. the health of the citizenry. The very attractions that lured people to Los Angeles in the 1940s and 1950s -- picturesque mountains, warm winters, thriving commerce and development -- were the same things that made their eyes tear up and forced their children to play inside. As scientists struggled to identify the causes of the toxic air, politicians and bureaucrats tried to regulate without causing too much trouble for local manufacturing. City officials grew so desperate that they accepted suggestions by mail from anyone with an idea to stop the noxious assault.
"Smogtown" is a regional history for the layperson, focusing slightly more on civic drama and scandal than hard science and legislative details. The cover promises "A Cautionary Tale of Environmental Crisis," and the archival photos show "smog suits" for sale on downtown streets and children clutching dolls in their own miniature gas masks. Jacobs and Kelly bring a combination of alt-weekly sensibility and public service gravitas to their account. Evidenced by chapter titles like "Bouffants & Stethoscopes" and "The Wizard of Ozone," the authors apply humor to a grave subject, though entertaining thematic organization sometimes trumps clear chronology. However, the book is not lacking in historical heft. Instead, style delivers substance in true Hollywood fashion, with character-driven plots draped in glamour and sensation. Whether we learn about photochemical pollution via a renegade Caltech scientist or travel with a group of Beverly Hills socialites as they embrace environmental activism, the history of smog has never been so sexy.
We see moments of hope in the struggle against smog, L.A.'s "unofficial billboard": prohibition of trash burning, the requirement that automakers revamp their engines to reduce emissions, carpool lanes, mass transit funding and the electric car. Unfortunately, triumphs are often offset by new villains -- in what nature writer Jenny Price calls the "social geography of air" -- pollution generators who target low-income neighborhoods lacking political clout. While there has been real progress -- cars now emit 1% of the exhaust seen in the 1960s -- global warming is the new threat. Jacobs and Kelly place blame on our reluctance to sacrifice public enemy No. 1: the automobile.
- Originally appeared in the LA Times on 11/2/08
The authors trace smog's invasion back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low that Angelenos -- fearing chemical attack -- rushed from their jobs and crashed their cars in the haze. Thus began a series of epic battles in the fight against air pollution: urban growth vs. nature, weather vs. industry, home rule vs. federal regulation, and the automobile vs. the health of the citizenry. The very attractions that lured people to Los Angeles in the 1940s and 1950s -- picturesque mountains, warm winters, thriving commerce and development -- were the same things that made their eyes tear up and forced their children to play inside. As scientists struggled to identify the causes of the toxic air, politicians and bureaucrats tried to regulate without causing too much trouble for local manufacturing. City officials grew so desperate that they accepted suggestions by mail from anyone with an idea to stop the noxious assault.
"Smogtown" is a regional history for the layperson, focusing slightly more on civic drama and scandal than hard science and legislative details. The cover promises "A Cautionary Tale of Environmental Crisis," and the archival photos show "smog suits" for sale on downtown streets and children clutching dolls in their own miniature gas masks. Jacobs and Kelly bring a combination of alt-weekly sensibility and public service gravitas to their account. Evidenced by chapter titles like "Bouffants & Stethoscopes" and "The Wizard of Ozone," the authors apply humor to a grave subject, though entertaining thematic organization sometimes trumps clear chronology. However, the book is not lacking in historical heft. Instead, style delivers substance in true Hollywood fashion, with character-driven plots draped in glamour and sensation. Whether we learn about photochemical pollution via a renegade Caltech scientist or travel with a group of Beverly Hills socialites as they embrace environmental activism, the history of smog has never been so sexy.
We see moments of hope in the struggle against smog, L.A.'s "unofficial billboard": prohibition of trash burning, the requirement that automakers revamp their engines to reduce emissions, carpool lanes, mass transit funding and the electric car. Unfortunately, triumphs are often offset by new villains -- in what nature writer Jenny Price calls the "social geography of air" -- pollution generators who target low-income neighborhoods lacking political clout. While there has been real progress -- cars now emit 1% of the exhaust seen in the 1960s -- global warming is the new threat. Jacobs and Kelly place blame on our reluctance to sacrifice public enemy No. 1: the automobile.
- Originally appeared in the LA Times on 11/2/08
May 31, 2022
Strong overview of environmental pollution in southern California.
April 25, 2015
Smogtown lasers in on July 8, 1943. I was 1 1/2 years old living in an apartment in North Long Beach, just a few miles from downtown L. A. I don't remember much that day, but I'm sure the smashed carrots were great. Mom, with sensitive skin and sensitive eyes, must have felt differently.
As Jacobs and Kelley describe the smog that particular day: "The Beast you couldn't stab fanned its poison across waking downtown [Los Angeles]."
She hated the smog--so did dad--and, in six years, we would move to start a new life in clean Cathedral City, a desolate spot just north of Indio in the Colorado Desert.
Smogtown painfully justifies my folks' life-altering move and goes to show that bungled public policy can have profound effects on the private lives of public citizens.
Reading Smogtown was like opening a door I thought closed, sort of like travelling through time and forgetting history. Shame on me. .
A fascinating book--and a language-lovers dream. As you read, be aware of the rhetoric. The authors have more literary tricks up their sleeves (or should I say "tics") than a dog has fleas.
The opening monster metaphor uses what I call the Nag Nag Approach to Persuasion. The authors attack with so tiny, irritating bites from so many directions that the beleaguered reader may end his first stint at the book suffering from mental exhaustion or running for the shelter of a comic book. Not a bad state if you are history-blind and need redemption.
If you are over 55 (1960 born) and lived in or around Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley or the Inland Empire, get this book. It's your environment, described in exquisite, sometimes angry, rhetoric. Owning it will enhance your life, because it owns you--during that time.
And if you want to leave a legacy of the Old Days, you can point to this on the bookshelf. You will not find a piece that so clearly resonates with you and the daily life you suffered with that blanket of chemicals you slept under for at least 10 years. If you are none of the above, read Smogtown anyway, knowing that none of us are safe from the air, if you forget it's there.
And, I swear, the woman on the cover is my mom--at 30. Could be.
As Jacobs and Kelley describe the smog that particular day: "The Beast you couldn't stab fanned its poison across waking downtown [Los Angeles]."
She hated the smog--so did dad--and, in six years, we would move to start a new life in clean Cathedral City, a desolate spot just north of Indio in the Colorado Desert.
Smogtown painfully justifies my folks' life-altering move and goes to show that bungled public policy can have profound effects on the private lives of public citizens.
Reading Smogtown was like opening a door I thought closed, sort of like travelling through time and forgetting history. Shame on me. .
A fascinating book--and a language-lovers dream. As you read, be aware of the rhetoric. The authors have more literary tricks up their sleeves (or should I say "tics") than a dog has fleas.
The opening monster metaphor uses what I call the Nag Nag Approach to Persuasion. The authors attack with so tiny, irritating bites from so many directions that the beleaguered reader may end his first stint at the book suffering from mental exhaustion or running for the shelter of a comic book. Not a bad state if you are history-blind and need redemption.
If you are over 55 (1960 born) and lived in or around Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley or the Inland Empire, get this book. It's your environment, described in exquisite, sometimes angry, rhetoric. Owning it will enhance your life, because it owns you--during that time.
And if you want to leave a legacy of the Old Days, you can point to this on the bookshelf. You will not find a piece that so clearly resonates with you and the daily life you suffered with that blanket of chemicals you slept under for at least 10 years. If you are none of the above, read Smogtown anyway, knowing that none of us are safe from the air, if you forget it's there.
And, I swear, the woman on the cover is my mom--at 30. Could be.
January 28, 2017
There is a lot of good material in this book, at least for those interested in the subject. I am, as I came to the area for college in 1973 and never left. Hence, four stars from me despite its limitations.
One reviewer noted he would have preferred twice the science and less other stuff. It would be better with more data and more science, although I understand that is outside the scope of the authors' expertise. On the other hand they interviewed many of the principals of this tale, maybe they could have gotten help at a local university.
This was published by a minor publisher and is certainly not slickly packaged. I do not find that a problem in itself, and may be an advantage because the majors can be constraining. But the editing of the writing was sometimes poor. "It'd" for "it would " twice in several pags I found grating. Marquis was used for marquee a couple of times. And there was a lot of other little stuff along those lines. In addition the geography was often sloppy too, at least one of these guys should have double checked with a map, and they should know better being locals. On the other hand, this book might not get published without some tolerance for error.
One reviewer noted he would have preferred twice the science and less other stuff. It would be better with more data and more science, although I understand that is outside the scope of the authors' expertise. On the other hand they interviewed many of the principals of this tale, maybe they could have gotten help at a local university.
This was published by a minor publisher and is certainly not slickly packaged. I do not find that a problem in itself, and may be an advantage because the majors can be constraining. But the editing of the writing was sometimes poor. "It'd" for "it would " twice in several pags I found grating. Marquis was used for marquee a couple of times. And there was a lot of other little stuff along those lines. In addition the geography was often sloppy too, at least one of these guys should have double checked with a map, and they should know better being locals. On the other hand, this book might not get published without some tolerance for error.
May 26, 2016
An important piece of American environmental history. The air pollution crisis is a precursor and counterpart to the global warming crisis, as both are driven by the same behaviours and auto emissions, for example. The book gets stars for its insights, in spite of the editorial rough edges (some repetitions throughout that could have been slimmed down).
March 28, 2015
Super interesting especially since I lived through this as a kid in Orange County. I remember smog days. Also frustrating how difficult it is to do the right thing for our environment given competing interests.
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July 14, 2022SMOGTOWN: THE LUNG-BURNING HISTORY OF POLLUTION IN LOS ANGELES was published October 2, 2008, written by award-winning Los Angeles-born journalists Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly.
This book does an excellent job of calling attention to the smog in L.A. that first began in 1943 and details how it was dealt with for about 60 years. I appreciate this well-documented book and the many historical photographs throughout the book that show the Los Angeles smog.
SMOGTOWN accomplishes what it sets out to do because the authors show how smog was dealt with, how it wasn’t dealt with, and how it should have been dealt with through their in-depth research. These authors are uniquely qualified to write on this topic because not only are they award-winning journalists but also both experienced smog firsthand since they were born and lived in L.A.
I found the book easy to relate to because I was born in L.A. in the 1940s and lived here when smog was at its worst. I also liked their writing style and appreciated the humor they used throughout the book.
SMOGTOWN Is an important book that needed to be written. I experienced smog firsthand, too, and remember my eyes burning and being unable to play outside in school because the smog was so bad and the smog alerts we had.
However, until reading SMOGTOWN, I didn’t know much about how the government, corporations, and automakers dealt with the smog. I learned they cared more about money and power than the health of people including children and future generations all of which added to the seriousness of the smog problem.
This was written in a way I could easily relate to and understand what happened. My favorite part of the book was how Jacobs and Kelly exposed the automakers, corporations, and the local government. An equally favorite part of the book was to be reminded that in 1982 legislation was passed that required car smog checks every two years. I like that the authors exposed the “tale of underhanded deals, gritty politics, community organizing, and burgeoning environmentalism. The corruption is plentiful and the subplots replete with intrigue.”
People interested in the history of smog and why it happened will want to read SMOGTOWN. They not only will learn about the history of smog but also will be motivated to take action today and do what is necessary to deal with the smog. SMOGTOWN will encourage people to consider our environmental issues and buy a smaller car, consider a hybrid or electric car. According to a November 13, 2021 article in Forbes, with the proper management, the electricity grid handles electric vehicles. Also, people can consider, using public transportation such as the Metrolink or the bus.
I strongly recommend people read SMOGTOWN. It will motivate them to be actively involved in dealing with smog today because, as I mentioned, it still exists. When You fly over Los Angeles when landing at LAX and you’ll see SMOG. In fact, “The Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area has the worst smog pollution in the nation — and among the worst pollution overall — according to a new report from the American Lung Association.” Published April 23, 2022”
I highly recommend SMOGTOWN to not only learn about the history of smog but reading this book will motivate all to be more involved in making our environment better for us and future generations.
This book does an excellent job of calling attention to the smog in L.A. that first began in 1943 and details how it was dealt with for about 60 years. I appreciate this well-documented book and the many historical photographs throughout the book that show the Los Angeles smog.
SMOGTOWN accomplishes what it sets out to do because the authors show how smog was dealt with, how it wasn’t dealt with, and how it should have been dealt with through their in-depth research. These authors are uniquely qualified to write on this topic because not only are they award-winning journalists but also both experienced smog firsthand since they were born and lived in L.A.
I found the book easy to relate to because I was born in L.A. in the 1940s and lived here when smog was at its worst. I also liked their writing style and appreciated the humor they used throughout the book.
SMOGTOWN Is an important book that needed to be written. I experienced smog firsthand, too, and remember my eyes burning and being unable to play outside in school because the smog was so bad and the smog alerts we had.
However, until reading SMOGTOWN, I didn’t know much about how the government, corporations, and automakers dealt with the smog. I learned they cared more about money and power than the health of people including children and future generations all of which added to the seriousness of the smog problem.
This was written in a way I could easily relate to and understand what happened. My favorite part of the book was how Jacobs and Kelly exposed the automakers, corporations, and the local government. An equally favorite part of the book was to be reminded that in 1982 legislation was passed that required car smog checks every two years. I like that the authors exposed the “tale of underhanded deals, gritty politics, community organizing, and burgeoning environmentalism. The corruption is plentiful and the subplots replete with intrigue.”
People interested in the history of smog and why it happened will want to read SMOGTOWN. They not only will learn about the history of smog but also will be motivated to take action today and do what is necessary to deal with the smog. SMOGTOWN will encourage people to consider our environmental issues and buy a smaller car, consider a hybrid or electric car. According to a November 13, 2021 article in Forbes, with the proper management, the electricity grid handles electric vehicles. Also, people can consider, using public transportation such as the Metrolink or the bus.
I strongly recommend people read SMOGTOWN. It will motivate them to be actively involved in dealing with smog today because, as I mentioned, it still exists. When You fly over Los Angeles when landing at LAX and you’ll see SMOG. In fact, “The Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area has the worst smog pollution in the nation — and among the worst pollution overall — according to a new report from the American Lung Association.” Published April 23, 2022”
I highly recommend SMOGTOWN to not only learn about the history of smog but reading this book will motivate all to be more involved in making our environment better for us and future generations.
November 16, 2020
SMOGTOWN : The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles!
AUTHOR : Chip Jacobs
BOOK RATINGS : 4.5/5
MY REVIEW : This book is one of those which depicts the bad reality of the side effects of the industrialization; when it goes miserably wrong and creates havoc for the citizens staying around.
This book is a long- overdue history of air pollution in Los Angeles. People who grew up in Los Angeles during that period are surely familiar with the series of
incidences captured in the book. The strongest area of the book is its treatment of the action plot between town, state, country and the civic bodies.
The book clearly follows the dawn of activism on the issue of air pollution disaster and takes a dig at many personalities in the quirkier manner, feels they get more space the books indirectly and grudgingly highlights the points about air pollution in Los Angeles which caused as a result of industrialization and corporate was reluctant to care about this engrossing issue.
All - in - all the book tries to uncover the acts of negligence by the civic bodies during the growth years and how it impacted the living hood and life of a normal citizen on their health. It at times appears very dismaying but factual depictions are more strongly shown.
For those who want to know the history of Los Angeles industrialization, health play and politics associated, i would mention to give it a read.An intresting & ideal read afterall for a lazy diwali weekend afternoon!!
AUTHOR : Chip Jacobs
BOOK RATINGS : 4.5/5
MY REVIEW : This book is one of those which depicts the bad reality of the side effects of the industrialization; when it goes miserably wrong and creates havoc for the citizens staying around.
This book is a long- overdue history of air pollution in Los Angeles. People who grew up in Los Angeles during that period are surely familiar with the series of
incidences captured in the book. The strongest area of the book is its treatment of the action plot between town, state, country and the civic bodies.
The book clearly follows the dawn of activism on the issue of air pollution disaster and takes a dig at many personalities in the quirkier manner, feels they get more space the books indirectly and grudgingly highlights the points about air pollution in Los Angeles which caused as a result of industrialization and corporate was reluctant to care about this engrossing issue.
All - in - all the book tries to uncover the acts of negligence by the civic bodies during the growth years and how it impacted the living hood and life of a normal citizen on their health. It at times appears very dismaying but factual depictions are more strongly shown.
For those who want to know the history of Los Angeles industrialization, health play and politics associated, i would mention to give it a read.An intresting & ideal read afterall for a lazy diwali weekend afternoon!!
October 26, 2020
✍️: Smog- Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air due to its opacity and odor.
Chip Jacobs & William J. Kelly's book 'Smogtown- The lung burning history of pollution in Los Angeles' is also based on Smog, it take us back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low.
✍️: Both the writers remember their childhood in the clotted skies that drapped their hometowns in a midst of hydrocarbons, soot(a deep black powdery substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon), acidic gases and particles. Through these memories, both writers bring to us L.A.'s greatest crisis as survivors of it.
✍️: For many reasons, you'll find that air pollution was a devil and I think still it is. Because hundreds of people died from it. You will learn cons of air pollution from this book.
Authors use many literary tricks and metaphors to create a deeper impact.
✍️: While this book is carefully written, with enough anecdotes among the science & politics to keep it engaging. If anyone has interest in environmental issues, then I would definitely recommend this book. It shows you how bad air pollution is for us. I have read Chip Jacobs work before too, he is a great author.🌸
Chip Jacobs & William J. Kelly's book 'Smogtown- The lung burning history of pollution in Los Angeles' is also based on Smog, it take us back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low.
✍️: Both the writers remember their childhood in the clotted skies that drapped their hometowns in a midst of hydrocarbons, soot(a deep black powdery substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon), acidic gases and particles. Through these memories, both writers bring to us L.A.'s greatest crisis as survivors of it.
✍️: For many reasons, you'll find that air pollution was a devil and I think still it is. Because hundreds of people died from it. You will learn cons of air pollution from this book.
Authors use many literary tricks and metaphors to create a deeper impact.
✍️: While this book is carefully written, with enough anecdotes among the science & politics to keep it engaging. If anyone has interest in environmental issues, then I would definitely recommend this book. It shows you how bad air pollution is for us. I have read Chip Jacobs work before too, he is a great author.🌸
October 28, 2020
This is my second book authored by Chip Jacobs and I can tell you that his books are simply amazing and well-researched.
In "Smog Town", the authors Chip Jacobs and William J Kelly, throw light on a very important environmental issue - the Smog.
Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air. It reduces visibility, causes health issues and also inhibits plant growth.
This small word has the potential to create havoc in the atmosphere. Smog has been a dangerous issue to this day.
Chip Jacobs and William J Kelly remember their childhood spent in L.A, with the smog-covered skies that masked the entire mountain ranges.
L.A.'s biggest problem was to first find out the composition of smog, how it was formed and then ways of addressing it.
The smog was a result of Southern California's expanding car-addicted, suburban lifestyle.
This is a great book for anyone interested to learn about air pollution, harmful effects and causes, how mankind can help to reduce it.
The authors describe all of these in great detail and when you complete reading it, you are bound to become more conscious to save the environment.
In "Smog Town", the authors Chip Jacobs and William J Kelly, throw light on a very important environmental issue - the Smog.
Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air. It reduces visibility, causes health issues and also inhibits plant growth.
This small word has the potential to create havoc in the atmosphere. Smog has been a dangerous issue to this day.
Chip Jacobs and William J Kelly remember their childhood spent in L.A, with the smog-covered skies that masked the entire mountain ranges.
L.A.'s biggest problem was to first find out the composition of smog, how it was formed and then ways of addressing it.
The smog was a result of Southern California's expanding car-addicted, suburban lifestyle.
This is a great book for anyone interested to learn about air pollution, harmful effects and causes, how mankind can help to reduce it.
The authors describe all of these in great detail and when you complete reading it, you are bound to become more conscious to save the environment.
October 26, 2020
This colorful history of smog in Los Angeles begins in the 1940s and ends with a warning call for action, in which the city was going through a very horrible situation.
Smogtown provides a compelling case history of one city’s experience with its self-created scourge that, in turn, reveals much about modern society at large. It all began on July 8, 1943, when a blinding, confounding haze spread around unsuspecting Angelenos, birthing a decades-long battle against a toxic, shape-shifting monster.
The side effects were horrible and wide-reaching: increased car accidents and cancer rates, ruined crops, suicides and even smog-induced mental conditions, the formation of an imaginary lump that aroused the need to swallow constantly.
Awareness increased in the early ’70s when doctors compared inhaling air on the most smog-ridden days as “two of cigarettes a day.”
Jacobs and Kelly cover many familiar events and figures. They are clearly passionate about the subject and give a very thorough history.I personally love this book and and feel really engaging while reading this.
Smogtown provides a compelling case history of one city’s experience with its self-created scourge that, in turn, reveals much about modern society at large. It all began on July 8, 1943, when a blinding, confounding haze spread around unsuspecting Angelenos, birthing a decades-long battle against a toxic, shape-shifting monster.
The side effects were horrible and wide-reaching: increased car accidents and cancer rates, ruined crops, suicides and even smog-induced mental conditions, the formation of an imaginary lump that aroused the need to swallow constantly.
Awareness increased in the early ’70s when doctors compared inhaling air on the most smog-ridden days as “two of cigarettes a day.”
Jacobs and Kelly cover many familiar events and figures. They are clearly passionate about the subject and give a very thorough history.I personally love this book and and feel really engaging while reading this.
October 27, 2020
Smog town: The Lung - Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles
The titles itself speaks about the topic which the book takes you through. The book talks about the Los Anglese Smog phenomenon that happened in 1943 and the side effects that came with this hazardous condition.
The authors, Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly have narrated their own experience with the smog and the chaos. It was a real life experience that happened to the city they were living.
Southern California witnessed the arrival of the beast that destroyed the city The city was shattered and people were definitely scared due to the effects of smog both mentally and physically. It was indeed a battle with the nature.
While reading the book, it definitely gives you a similar feeling as the authors are sharing the memories from their childhood. It is alarming as well thinking about the current environment crisis we are facing. I highway recommend this book for its detailing and writing based on life experiences.
The titles itself speaks about the topic which the book takes you through. The book talks about the Los Anglese Smog phenomenon that happened in 1943 and the side effects that came with this hazardous condition.
The authors, Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly have narrated their own experience with the smog and the chaos. It was a real life experience that happened to the city they were living.
Southern California witnessed the arrival of the beast that destroyed the city The city was shattered and people were definitely scared due to the effects of smog both mentally and physically. It was indeed a battle with the nature.
While reading the book, it definitely gives you a similar feeling as the authors are sharing the memories from their childhood. It is alarming as well thinking about the current environment crisis we are facing. I highway recommend this book for its detailing and writing based on life experiences.
October 29, 2020
Book- SMOGTOWN
Author- CHIPJACOBS & WILLIAM J. KELLY
I have been staying in Los Angeles California since past 15 years and I had heard stories about the smog throb once at this place.
Since my parents used to live in Delhi India this was not a big thing for me but through
CHIP JACOBS & WILLIAM J. KELLY’s book I received a lot of information smoky skies and the harmful effect of hydrocarbons, soot, lead.
This book named “SMOGTOWN :THE LUNG BURNING HISTORY OF POLLUTION IN LOS ANGELES” is well narrated by the author. Their experience in the form of story is too good to read.
Why they named it orange city is now best known to me. It’s a very knowledgeable book and I like such type of books. Effort behind writing this book by the author can be seen very clearly. It’s a must read book.
The Book was quiet lengthy to read but as i’m always interested in knowing about history, i completed this book read in 2 days and I must say this book definitely deserves a five star fir the detailed content.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to the author and the book.
Author- CHIPJACOBS & WILLIAM J. KELLY
I have been staying in Los Angeles California since past 15 years and I had heard stories about the smog throb once at this place.
Since my parents used to live in Delhi India this was not a big thing for me but through
CHIP JACOBS & WILLIAM J. KELLY’s book I received a lot of information smoky skies and the harmful effect of hydrocarbons, soot, lead.
This book named “SMOGTOWN :THE LUNG BURNING HISTORY OF POLLUTION IN LOS ANGELES” is well narrated by the author. Their experience in the form of story is too good to read.
Why they named it orange city is now best known to me. It’s a very knowledgeable book and I like such type of books. Effort behind writing this book by the author can be seen very clearly. It’s a must read book.
The Book was quiet lengthy to read but as i’m always interested in knowing about history, i completed this book read in 2 days and I must say this book definitely deserves a five star fir the detailed content.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to the author and the book.
November 9, 2020
Smogtown is without a doubt the definitive book on L.A.'s long struggle with air pollution. Not only that, it's also a real page-turner. The story Chip Jacobs and William Kelly tell in such gripping fashion starts on the day in 1943 when a strange yellow-brown cloud rolled into town, prompting mystified Angelenos to wonder whether Japan might have launched a gas attack. Needless to say, it hadn't, and Smogtown traces the yearslong detective story of the scientist who finally figured out where that cloud, and the many that followed it, had come from. The tale continues through decades of politics and activism, explores the impact California's fight against pollution has had on the rest of the country, and shows us why clean air and a stable climate are now inextricably linked priorities. Smogtown is not only deeply informative, it's also a great read. I highly recommend it! -- Beth Gardiner, author of Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution
November 14, 2020
Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air due to its opacity, and odor.
Chip Jacobs & William J. Kelly's book 'Smogtown- The lung burning history of pollution in Los Angeles' is take us back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low.
Both the writers remember their childhood in the clotted skies that drapped their hometowns in a midst of hydrocarbons, soot(a deep black powdery substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon), acidic gases and particles. Through these memories, both writers bring to us L.A.'s greatest crisis as survivors of it.
For many reasons, you'll find that air pollution was a devil and I think still it is. Because hundreds of people died from it. You will learn cons of air pollution from this book.
Authors use many literary tricks and metaphors to create a deeper impact.
This book is carefully written, with enough anecdotes among the science and politics to keep it engaging.
Chip Jacobs & William J. Kelly's book 'Smogtown- The lung burning history of pollution in Los Angeles' is take us back to a gray day in 1943 when visibility was so low.
Both the writers remember their childhood in the clotted skies that drapped their hometowns in a midst of hydrocarbons, soot(a deep black powdery substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon), acidic gases and particles. Through these memories, both writers bring to us L.A.'s greatest crisis as survivors of it.
For many reasons, you'll find that air pollution was a devil and I think still it is. Because hundreds of people died from it. You will learn cons of air pollution from this book.
Authors use many literary tricks and metaphors to create a deeper impact.
This book is carefully written, with enough anecdotes among the science and politics to keep it engaging.
November 14, 2020
I am staying in LA since last 3 years but I never heard about the bad history about Smog and then my friend suggested me this book and as the cover says it all, I decided to read this.
Honestly, in the start, it was boring and not that gripping but as soon as i read to 50-60 pages, I was involved in this book completely.
Before shifting to LA, I lived in India and I know how pollution is affecting the environment in India. I am always concerned about nature and this book was a perfect choice for me.
There is everything about LA and the Smog beast and how it created a havoc in the city.
There is a little disappointment with the grammatical mistakes but the content is superb. It looks like authors have worked hard for the research work.
There are pictures in th book which may tear you down but its the real life incident. Through this book, authors are conveying the message to prevent environment from air pollution and smog. Great work!
Honestly, in the start, it was boring and not that gripping but as soon as i read to 50-60 pages, I was involved in this book completely.
Before shifting to LA, I lived in India and I know how pollution is affecting the environment in India. I am always concerned about nature and this book was a perfect choice for me.
There is everything about LA and the Smog beast and how it created a havoc in the city.
There is a little disappointment with the grammatical mistakes but the content is superb. It looks like authors have worked hard for the research work.
There are pictures in th book which may tear you down but its the real life incident. Through this book, authors are conveying the message to prevent environment from air pollution and smog. Great work!
October 25, 2020
CHIP JACOBS & WILLIAM J. KELLY remember their childhood in the clotted skies that draped their hometowns among the mist of hydrocarbons, soot, lead, acidic gases, and particles that made entire mountain ranges disappear before them because of the L.A. smog phenomenon. They penned down their life experiences in a book and named it “SMOGTOWN :THE LUNG BURNING HISTORY OF POLLUTION IN LOS ANGELES”.
Currently being from a similar situation in Delhi I can relate myself to their story. They called it
Orange County because of its color of its atmosphere and we call it grey city. Nature suffers and are not only sufferers but also the culprits.
Air pollution is a devil and you will learn its cons through this book. The authors have put in a lot of effort in penning down their memories. It’s a great book and I have read Chip Jacobs work before too and I know he is a great author.
Currently being from a similar situation in Delhi I can relate myself to their story. They called it
Orange County because of its color of its atmosphere and we call it grey city. Nature suffers and are not only sufferers but also the culprits.
Air pollution is a devil and you will learn its cons through this book. The authors have put in a lot of effort in penning down their memories. It’s a great book and I have read Chip Jacobs work before too and I know he is a great author.
October 26, 2020
It’s really interesting to see that author has given light to one of the most crucial concerns that pertains in the world- environmental issue.
It takes us back to history of California which had it’s worse battle against air pollution.It also focuses on the lifestyle that was much more automobiles oriented.
Concept of Smog has been so engaging and awakening.
For Indians,the story is quite contemporary as it clearly depicts how air pollution has made our life so terrible and given rise to numerous health problems.
I like how Chip Jacobs and William J jelly have given practical approach to the book.
After reading the book,I felt really lucky to be living in this fortunate life that is giving us fresh air to breathe inspire of our reckless misuse of environment resources.
We all really need to read the book as it is true eye opener towards our responsibilities as humans.
It takes us back to history of California which had it’s worse battle against air pollution.It also focuses on the lifestyle that was much more automobiles oriented.
Concept of Smog has been so engaging and awakening.
For Indians,the story is quite contemporary as it clearly depicts how air pollution has made our life so terrible and given rise to numerous health problems.
I like how Chip Jacobs and William J jelly have given practical approach to the book.
After reading the book,I felt really lucky to be living in this fortunate life that is giving us fresh air to breathe inspire of our reckless misuse of environment resources.
We all really need to read the book as it is true eye opener towards our responsibilities as humans.
October 29, 2020
🔸 "Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles" by Chip Jacobs and William K. Jelly is a book based on a very important issue, air pollution in 1943 which made a very drastic change in the lives of the people living in Los Angeles.
🔸 The authors highlight a gray day in 1943 when the visibility in the city was very low. There were many car accidents, increasing cancer rates, crops getting ruined in the haze due to the chemicals and thus the fight against the air pollution began.
🔸 People were forced to stay inside their homes and scientists struggled to identify the causes of the toxic air. The situation became so desperate that people accepted mail suggestions from anyone who had an idea to stop the noxious assault.
🔸 People in the late 70s had awareness about the smog when doctors compared the air with the cigarettes. There were many other events described in the book by Jacob and Kelly.
🔸 The book, at once is alarming and encouraging. And is highly recommended to all the book lovers.
November 14, 2020
This book provides a well-documented and detailed information about the Smog that happened in Los Angeles.
The authors highlight a grey day in 1943 when the visibility in the city was very low. There were many car accidents, increasing cancer rates, crops getting ruined in the haze due to the chemicals and thus the fight against the air pollution began.
People were forced to stay inside their homes and scientists struggled to identify the causes of the toxic air. The situation became so desperate that people accepted mail suggestions from anyone who had an idea to stop the noxious assault.
People in the late 70's had awareness about the smog when doctors compared the air with the cigarettes. There were many other events described in the book by Jacob and Kelly.
The book, at once is alarming and encouraging. And is highly recommended to all the book lovers.
The authors highlight a grey day in 1943 when the visibility in the city was very low. There were many car accidents, increasing cancer rates, crops getting ruined in the haze due to the chemicals and thus the fight against the air pollution began.
People were forced to stay inside their homes and scientists struggled to identify the causes of the toxic air. The situation became so desperate that people accepted mail suggestions from anyone who had an idea to stop the noxious assault.
People in the late 70's had awareness about the smog when doctors compared the air with the cigarettes. There were many other events described in the book by Jacob and Kelly.
The book, at once is alarming and encouraging. And is highly recommended to all the book lovers.
December 25, 2020
If you love history then you'll love this book. The smog beast wafted into downtown Los Angeles on July 26, 1943 and covered the whole city. Nobody knew what it was. People seemed to disappear in the mysterious haze.
Who all were responsible for this? Could it be the Japanese?
Maybe a reckless factory?
Was it the automobile industry?
The truth was much worse because it came from within. It came from Southern California's burgeoning car-addicted, suburban lifestyle.
Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly highlight every detail so amazingly. The book describes the bold personalities involved, the involvement of science, the bad politics game,
the terrifying health costs, the attempts at cleanup, and how the smog battle helped mold the modern-day culture of Los Angeles.
It deserves a five star for detailed content and hard research.
Who all were responsible for this? Could it be the Japanese?
Maybe a reckless factory?
Was it the automobile industry?
The truth was much worse because it came from within. It came from Southern California's burgeoning car-addicted, suburban lifestyle.
Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly highlight every detail so amazingly. The book describes the bold personalities involved, the involvement of science, the bad politics game,
the terrifying health costs, the attempts at cleanup, and how the smog battle helped mold the modern-day culture of Los Angeles.
It deserves a five star for detailed content and hard research.
November 5, 2020
📚Book Review 📚
Book Name: Smogtown
Author: Chip Jacobs and William J jelly
Book tour by @shiny.1997,
In Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles, Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly provided a well detailed story about smog.
This book covers long overdue history of pollution making and pollution fighting in Los Angeles,the book starts when the smog first appears, in 1943.
The writer's memories remain clear, drawing on their own experience, many people lost their lives in accidents, it also caused health issues and many crops were ruined because of haze.
I really appreciate that I'm living in a relatively clean and fresh air-filled. I came to know the importance of clean air while reading this book. It is well written,and well researched.
Book Name: Smogtown
Author: Chip Jacobs and William J jelly
Book tour by @shiny.1997,
In Smogtown: The Lung-Burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles, Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly provided a well detailed story about smog.
This book covers long overdue history of pollution making and pollution fighting in Los Angeles,the book starts when the smog first appears, in 1943.
The writer's memories remain clear, drawing on their own experience, many people lost their lives in accidents, it also caused health issues and many crops were ruined because of haze.
I really appreciate that I'm living in a relatively clean and fresh air-filled. I came to know the importance of clean air while reading this book. It is well written,and well researched.
November 14, 2020
This book is simply amazing, it provides a well-documented and detailed picture about the Los Angeles Smog that took place in 1943.
The authors highlighted a grey day in 1943 when the visibility in the city was very low.
The cloud with toxicity surrounded the city very badly. People were forced to stay inside their homes. This book mentioned everything -
How smog took place?
How the scientists tried to find out the cause? How politics played their role and everything?
The book is very long and have some grammatical mistakes but the research work and the content is superb. This book is alarming and encouraging and is highly recommended to all those who are interested in reading the history work.
The authors highlighted a grey day in 1943 when the visibility in the city was very low.
The cloud with toxicity surrounded the city very badly. People were forced to stay inside their homes. This book mentioned everything -
How smog took place?
How the scientists tried to find out the cause? How politics played their role and everything?
The book is very long and have some grammatical mistakes but the research work and the content is superb. This book is alarming and encouraging and is highly recommended to all those who are interested in reading the history work.
November 14, 2020
Wow, what a masterpiece. This book is just amazing. Well documented and highly engaging. This book is based on one of the environmental issue - Smog, which took place in Los Angeles in 1943 and destroyed everything so badly.
This book will take you back to that time and it has described everything so well. Honestly the book is very lengthy but if you will read it with Interest, it will keep you engaged till the end.
Its a fascinating piece of California history.
It is such an amazing book and It is clear that the writers really did the deep research regarding this subject. Great to learn a little bit of LA history. We all should learn something from this book because if we continue to harm the nature, we may face these type of disasters again.
This book will take you back to that time and it has described everything so well. Honestly the book is very lengthy but if you will read it with Interest, it will keep you engaged till the end.
Its a fascinating piece of California history.
It is such an amazing book and It is clear that the writers really did the deep research regarding this subject. Great to learn a little bit of LA history. We all should learn something from this book because if we continue to harm the nature, we may face these type of disasters again.
November 23, 2020
Smogtown is such a fantastic book on L.A.'s fight with air pollution. The story Chip Jacobs and William Kelly tell in such an engaging way is really good, it starts on the day in 1943 when the Angelenos felt something strange that covered the clouds making them wonder.
At first, they though Japan have launched a gas attack but the truth was different.
Smogtown further describe the story of the scientist who finally figured out the reason behind the Smog.
The tale throws a light on politics too, what role politics play in such situations. Writing a book on history of LA is really a good message because this havoc impacted the rest of the country too and made everyone realised why clean air and a good climate should be the top priority. Well written and detailed book.
At first, they though Japan have launched a gas attack but the truth was different.
Smogtown further describe the story of the scientist who finally figured out the reason behind the Smog.
The tale throws a light on politics too, what role politics play in such situations. Writing a book on history of LA is really a good message because this havoc impacted the rest of the country too and made everyone realised why clean air and a good climate should be the top priority. Well written and detailed book.
November 14, 2020
First of all, I would like to appreciate the work done by authors. Its a great book to share an important message about the Nature.
Well documented and well researched.
I born in LA in 1997 and I have heard a lot about this Smog and pollution problem in LA but no one actually know the detailed history about it and when i saw this book, I just picked it up and i am glad i read this. Its amazing and once you start reading it, you won't be able to take a break.
Its like a movie running on the screen, step by step, the author described everything very well.
Commendable work done by authors. If you are staying in LA, its a recommended book for you.
Well documented and well researched.
I born in LA in 1997 and I have heard a lot about this Smog and pollution problem in LA but no one actually know the detailed history about it and when i saw this book, I just picked it up and i am glad i read this. Its amazing and once you start reading it, you won't be able to take a break.
Its like a movie running on the screen, step by step, the author described everything very well.
Commendable work done by authors. If you are staying in LA, its a recommended book for you.
May 14, 2019
This is definitely a niche book — you have to have an unusually high level of interest in Southern California air quality to make it worth your while. While the history of the fight against smog in LA can be interesting, the authors felt the need to try to jazz it up with florid prose and silly terminology (Smognoscenti? Get it? It’s a combination of “smog” and “cognoscenti!”). The book also suffers with age, which is not the authors’ fault, but simply the danger of writing about such a topical and ever-evolving subject matter.
November 14, 2020
This book is just fantastic because of the detailed information and the research. I don't usually read such books which are based on the history but this just blow my mind, from the beginning I was curious to know more and more about the Smog and itw effects.
Such a great work done by the authors, We must learn from this as if we continue to harm the Nature, any other city like Los Angeles will have to face this again.
Highly recommended to those who are from LA and to those who loves nature and history
Such a great work done by the authors, We must learn from this as if we continue to harm the Nature, any other city like Los Angeles will have to face this again.
Highly recommended to those who are from LA and to those who loves nature and history
November 14, 2020
This book deserve a 5 star for the content, the deep research and collective information is commendable.
This is a book which is about the history of Los Angeles, a phase where the city had turned upside down where the LA was covered with Smog and everything and everyone at that time faced unexpected things.
Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly, did an outstanding job by describing the reality of that incident, exposing the heroes and villains behind this Smog. This book is very detailed and that's why it is quite lengthy but as i love to read about history, I loved this book so much.
This is a book which is about the history of Los Angeles, a phase where the city had turned upside down where the LA was covered with Smog and everything and everyone at that time faced unexpected things.
Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly, did an outstanding job by describing the reality of that incident, exposing the heroes and villains behind this Smog. This book is very detailed and that's why it is quite lengthy but as i love to read about history, I loved this book so much.
January 27, 2022
An exhaustive (pun kind of intended) history of one of Los Angeles' defining characteristics--as iconic as Hollywood and all it represents--its smoggy sky. Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelley make the convincing case that environmental justice is racial and socioeconomic justice and that capitalism is often just as nefarious as its made out to be. They manage to make the chronology of choices regarding the health of its citizenry and the earth across political administrations at various levels read like the most nail-biting true-crime saga, which, let's be honest, it is.
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