Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties

Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties chronicles the social movements and cultural upheaval that transformed Los Angeles during the 1960s. Authors Mike Davis and Jon Wiener draw from archives, interviews, and their personal involvement in the era's activism to document this pivotal period in the city's history. The book tracks the shift of power dynamics in Los Angeles, starting with the conservative establishment of the 1950s through the rise of diverse resistance movements. Key events include the Watts uprising, the growth of the Black Panthers, Chicano activism, feminist organizing, and anti-war protests that reshaped the city's political landscape. Davis and Wiener structure their account around specific neighborhoods, communities, and organizing spaces that served as focal points for change. The narrative follows both major historical moments and lesser-known grassroots campaigns that contributed to the decade's momentum. The work stands as a challenge to simplified narratives about 1960s Los Angeles, revealing how marginalized communities fought against systemic inequalities to create lasting social change. Through its examination of intersecting movements and conflicts, the book illustrates how local activism connected to broader national struggles for justice.

Readers value the detailed research and comprehensive coverage of 1960s Los Angeles social movements, from civil rights to anti-war protests. Many note the book reveals lesser-known aspects of LA activism and connects various movements that occurred simultaneously. Readers appreciate: - Extensive first-hand accounts and primary sources - Focus on marginalized communities' activism - Clear connections between different social movements - New information about familiar events Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style - Too much detail for casual readers - Narrative sometimes jumps between topics - Limited coverage of certain neighborhoods Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (150+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Documents LA history that's been deliberately forgotten" - Goodreads "Sometimes gets lost in minutiae" - Amazon "Changed my understanding of Los Angeles" - Goodreads "Important but not always engaging" - Amazon

City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles by Mike Davis Maps the power structures and social geography of Los Angeles from the 1960s through the 1990s, expanding the historical analysis of urban resistance movements.

Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America by Patrick Phillips Documents community resistance and racial struggle in the American South through detailed archival research and oral histories that parallel the LA documentation style.

Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination by Robin D. G. Kelley Chronicles social movements and radical political visions in black communities across multiple decades, connecting local activism to national liberation struggles.

Subversives: The FBI's War on Student Radicals by Seth Rosenfeld Examines the surveillance and suppression of 1960s activism through FBI files and interviews, revealing the state's response to social movements.

Chicano Movement for Beginners by Maceo Montoya Traces the development of Chicano activism in California and the Southwest, highlighting community organizing methods and resistance strategies that shaped urban politics.

🔥 The Watts Rebellion of 1965, covered extensively in the book, resulted in over $40 million in damage (equivalent to about $350 million today) and led to the creation of numerous community organizations focused on social justice. 🌟 Co-author Mike Davis began his career as a meat cutter and long-distance truck driver before becoming a renowned urban theorist and historian of Los Angeles. 🏛️ The book reveals that by 1960, Los Angeles had become the most segregated city on the West Coast, with restrictive housing covenants keeping 95% of the city's housing stock off-limits to Black residents. 🎬 The authors document how the LAPD under Chief William Parker actively monitored and harassed Hollywood figures suspected of leftist leanings, including maintaining files on over 300 entertainment industry professionals. 🗞️ The title "Set the Night on Fire" comes from a phrase used by The Doors' Jim Morrison, whose experiences in 1960s Los Angeles are woven into the broader narrative of countercultural resistance.