This vibrant narrative chronicles the Italian Americans of Los Angeles, a group that, although integral to every facet of the Southern California megalopolis for two centuries, has largely been overlooked in both local and Italian American histories. Based on meticulous research, this multidisciplinary study by historian Marianna Gatto is the first extended account of Italian Americans in the City of Angels. Artists and agriculturalists, dreamers and outlaws, pioneers and powerbrokers come alive in this sweeping work and provide important points of comparison for understanding the American mosaic. Over one hundred images, including many never before published, help illustrate this impressive multi-layered history.