The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles

From bestselling author Gary Krist, the story of the metropolis that never should have been and the visionaries who dreamed it into reality Little more than a century ago, the southern coast of California—bone-dry, harbor-less, isolated by deserts and mountain ranges—seemed destined to remain scrappy farmland. Then, as if overnight, one of the world’s iconic cities emerged. At the heart of Los Angeles’ meteoric rise were three flawed visionaries: William Mulholland, an immigrant ditch-digger turned self-taught engineer, designed the massive aqueduct that would make urban life here possible. D. W. Griffith, who transformed the motion picture from a vaudeville-house novelty into a cornerstone of American culture, gave L. A. its signature industry. And Aimee Semple McPherson, a charismatic evangelist who founded a religion, cemented the city’s identity as a center for spiritual exploration. All were masters of their craft, but also illusionists, of a kind. The images they conjured up—of a blossoming city in the desert, of a factory of celluloid dreamworks, of a community of seekers finding personal salvation under the California sun—were like mirages liable to evaporate on closer inspection. All three would pay a steep price to realize these dreams, in a crescendo of hubris, scandal, and catastrophic failure of design that threatened to topple each of their personal empires. Yet when the dust settled, the mirage that was LA remained. Spanning the years from 1900 to 1930, The Mirage Factory is the enthralling tale of an improbable city and the people who willed it into existence by pushing the limits of human engineering and imagination.

Details e-book The Mirage Factory

🗸 Author(s): Gary Krist
🗸 Title: The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles
🗸 Rating : 4.5 from 5 stars (319 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about The Mirage Factory by Gary Krist

Kinsee Lamb
This captivating memoir offers a deeply personal glimpse into the life of a remarkable individual, whose journey from hardship to triumph serves as an inspiration to us all. From humble beginnings to extraordinary achievements, the author's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. With its raw honesty and heartfelt emotion, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope.

Miya Yates
This captivating novel weaves together history and romance in a sweeping saga of love and loss set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe. As the world is torn apart by conflict, the lives of the protagonists are forever changed by the tumultuous events of the time. With its vivid imagery and poignant storytelling, this book is a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

Trisa Ali
Explore the depths of human emotion with this powerful collection of poetry, where words dance off the page and into the heart. From love and longing to despair and redemption, each poem offers a glimpse into the human experience in all its complexity. With its evocative imagery and lyrical prose, this book is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire.

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