‘Inventing Paradise’: the creature that ate its neighbors

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

Ever wonder how Los Angeles has so many “cities” in its sprawling embrace? And how is it that it has a harbor when its original footprint is located 27 miles from the water?

The answer is told in great detail in “Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles,” by Paul Haddad. 

The story of how “L.A.” grew from a dusty one-square mile pueblo to the second largest – by population – city in the United States is recounted in this book by following the “big wheels” – the L.A. Times’ Harry Chandler, Henry Huntington’s “Red Car” transit system, Phineas Banning’s harbor and William Mulholland’s water – who made Southern California what it is, for better or worse.

As a general rule, these civic boosters are shown generally as a self-serving bunch who gobbled up smaller cities and communities and their resources for private enrichment and public glory.

It’s tough to a find a hero in all of this. Haddad makes the case in great detail that the “founding fathers” of this metropolis were – if not outright rascals – getting richer as the city got bigger. Considering the appetite for expansion it’s a wonder that Santa Monica and Long Beach escaped and remained independent.

There are sub themes here of race, class and geography that help flesh out the story, told with admirable research.

At 382 pages – including photos, index, etc. – this is not a beach read. But if you’d really like to know how “LA Etc.” went from Wild West to what it is today, this is the book for you.

“Inventing Paradise” is published by Santa Monica Press. Hardcover price is $29.95.