The Next Los Angeles The Struggle for a Livable City [Paperback]

While most historians, journalists, and filmmakers have focused on Los Angeles as a bastion of corporate greed, business boosterism, political corruption, cheap labor, exploited immigrants, and unregulated sprawl,The Next Los Angelestells a different story: that of the reformers and radicals who have struggled for alternative visions of social and economic justice. In a new preface, the authors reflect on the gathering momentum of L.A.'s progressive movement, including the 2005 landslide victory of Antonio Villaraigosa as mayor.

Robert Gottliebis Henry R. Luce Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College.Mark Vallianatosis Research Coordinator at the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College.Regina M. Freeris Associate Professor of Politics at Occidental College.Peter Dreieris E. P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics and Director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Program at Occidental College.

With this rich account of its community and labor struggles, the city of angelsand apocalypsebecomes the city of hope. Barbara Ehrenreich, author ofNickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

This wonderful book, with its evocations of LA's alternative histories, and its bold templates for social and environmental justice, is proof that the American Left is alive and well, especially in Southern California. Mike Davis, author ofDead Cities

A rare book combining history, analysis, strategy and a platform  and it may well be carried out in this decade. Tom Hayden, former State Senator, Los Angeles