The History of Forgetting: Los Angeles and the Erasure of Memory (Haymarket Series) Norman M. Klein Digital Life Books

The History of Forgetting: Los Angeles and the Erasure of Memory (Haymarket Series)
by: Norman M. Klein

Used Price: $7.60
Collectible Price: $29.95
Third Party New Price: $18.00

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 979.494053
EAN: 9781859841754
ISBN: 1859841759
Label: Verso
Manufacturer: Verso
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 330
Publication Date: 1997-06
Publisher: Verso
Sales Rank: 485991
Studio: Verso

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Product Description:
Analysis, photography, and fiction combine in a bracing portrait of LA. Los Angeles is a city which has long thrived on the continual re-creation of its own myth. In this extraordinary and original work, Norman Klein examines the process of memory erasure in LA. Using a provocative mixture of fact and fiction, the book takes us on an 'anti-tour' of LA, examines life for Vietnamese immigrants in the City of Dreams, imagines Walter Benjamin as a Los Angeleno, and finally looks at the way information technology has re-created the city, turning cyberspace into the last suburb.

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Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- One I won't forget
I read this book while waiting for delivery of the more well-known book `City of Quartz' by Mike Davis. I am glad I read this one first. It is a well-documented and scholarly book, yet full of passion and feeling about the City of the Angels. It focuses almost exclusively on `Downtown', whereas Davis's book ranges more widely.

I was left in no doubt about Klein's feeling for that part of LA - he lives in Anegelino Heights - the first suburb just north of Downtown. Klein brings to life through personal anecdote the vitality and multiculturalism (and problems) of his, and other neighbourhoods.

You get to boo and hiss at the villains who have alienated greater LA from its Downtown, but you also get a sense of Klein's affection, and sense of hope for the city.Davis's view is much bleaker and perhaps nihilistic - he rails against the racism upon which LA is foundered, and upon which the powerful ... Read More

Rating:

- Klein provides an essential vocabulary for understanding LA.
The the text is full of concepts that put LA into historical and theoretical perspective. The only part of this book that doesn't shine is the middle chapter, seven, where Klein attempts a novel set in LA. This should have stayed in his notebook.

Academic yet accessible, The History of Forgetting gives readers an essential vocabulary through which they can filter their understanding of LA.

"Social imaginary," "trace," "simultaneous distraction," and other ideas help reinforce the central idea that LA exists as a series of what the subtitle calls "erasure(s)."

I'm using this book with my college class, and while they occasionally struggle, they've gained a sense of power in their ability to take the ideas Klein puts forth and use them to interpret fiction set in LA.

The text is more compelling that Mike Davis's latest, book, and certainly of interest to anyone ... Read More

Rating:

- Almost City of Quartz
The History of Forgetting is among the best of the newly bourgeoning genre of LA urban history and theory. Much of the information within is presented in an engaging, if leftist style. This book fits well alongside Mike Davis' landmark City of Quartz, though it's rather self indulgent chapter of fiction (written from the point of view of a Vietnamese immigrant), is tiresome and ultimately incongruous with Klein's apparent desire to expose the rewriting of LA's various histories. A strong, if flawed book.

Rating:

- Dark, darker, darkest
If you love L.A. don't read this book. If you don't want people to come here -- have them read it. This book was really a good read and made me realize why I used to dream of fires and floods about this city. It can really give you nightmares and make you a little sad that this city is indeed void of soul. Why though? Why? It's in a prime location, has lots of promise, etc., but just can't equal up to other great cities. Maybe because it just tears down things over and over again? If this city becomes like Blade Runner I'm a'leavin' for sure. Yet, when I look at the palm fronds glisten in the sun and the ocean waves sparkle against a vivid blue sky, I feel as if my heart is stuck here. Los Angeles is like an orphan who gets shuttled around. "...Forgetting" is a haunting expose' that left me blue so I had to rent a gut-splitting comedy (filmed elsewhere USA) from my neighborhood video store which used to be ... Read More

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