39 pages • 1 hour read
City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
441
Book • Nonfiction
Los Angeles • 1990s
1990
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In City of Quartz, Mike Davis examines the social, political, and economic forces shaping Los Angeles, exploring its evolution from a potential radical city to a fortress of inequality. Davis delves into the historical influence of East Coast WASPs, real estate speculation, immigration, racial tension, and the dynamics of urban design, ultimately portraying a city divided by wealth and race, concluding with the decayed promise of his hometown, Fontana. The book covers themes of racial violence and systemic discrimination.
Informative
Gritty
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
4,657 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mike Davis's City of Quartz presents a compelling, critical analysis of Los Angeles, praised for its detailed research and engaging narrative. Critics admire its depth and originality but note its dense prose and sometimes overwhelming pessimism. While its bleak tone may deter some, its insightful perspective on urban development remains impactful.
Who Should Read City of Quartz?
Readers interested in the sociopolitical landscape and urban history of Los Angeles, with a taste for critical theory and an affinity for works like The Power Broker by Robert Caro or Down, Out and Under Arrest by Forrest Stuart, will find City of Quartz by Mike Davis compelling. The text scrutinizes the city’s development and disparity through a Marxist lens.
4,657 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
441
Book • Nonfiction
Los Angeles • 1990s
1990
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.