There is no one who understands Los Angeles better than Charles Moore.  (Foreword)

This book is part of a series of cities observed: it describes a spread-out city, mostly new, altogether different from the compact old centers of Manhattan and Boston, and in need of an altogether different plan of attack.  (Introduction, Rides in Ramonaland)

Many descriptions of Los Angeles would leave you believing that it doesn't have a downtown bt is a cluster of suburbs engaged in a forlorn search for a center.  (I, Downtown)