SKU: 88949015306

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

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

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.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Broadway Books
Published: 05/14/2019
ISBN: 9780451496393
Pages: 432
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.20w x 1.00d
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SKU: 88949015306

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Very cute
Color: 06-June-Lab Grown Alexandrite, Style: E
These are very nice quality and durable. I purchased this for my daughter's friend. it is really nice with birth stone and initial, perfect for gift. Perfect chain length and clasp nicely. It does not look cheap, but also affordable. It came with small card you can write, which is really nice touch. It also came with beautiful box. Again, it is super nice gift for any occasion. It is suitable for all ages. I highly recommend.
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Birthstone necklace
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Dainty and beautiful necklace. Nice gift
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2025
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Draper, US
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Color: 12-Dec-Lab Grown Tanzanite, Style: A.
Very cute but the purple looks blue.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2026
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Mychelle
New York, US
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Quality is Okay
Color: 11-Nov-Lab Grown Citrine, Style: H
I ordered this for a Christmas present and the pendents are very small. The price as good but didn't think the quality was great. It does come in a nice gift box.
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Ashlyn
Draper, US
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Super Cute & Well-Packaged
Style: M, Color: Gold, Style: M, Color: Gold
I bought this for my 6-year-old niece and it was super cute! I love how it was packaged and came with a notecard you could right on. I also love the message that it comes with and was something I wanted my niece to know and remember. It’s simple, the perfect size, and a great little gift!
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