West of Eden ― An American Place

The first book in thirty years from Jean Stein, author of the classic work of oral historyEdie: American Girl

West of Eden is an epic oral history depicting Hollywood and Los Angeles, told through the stories of several larger-than-life figures and their families. Each story is a portrait of an outsider coming to Los Angeles with an all-but-impossible dream, and the dark legacy of those illusions for their families, future generations, and the city itself. The book’s subjects include movie moguls, studio bosses, an oil tycoon, a legendary actress, and many others. As she did inEdie, Stein has woven together oral accounts by hundreds of people to create a mesmerizing tapestry of voices that tell the saga of a place like no other. Over four decades in the making,West of Eden is grand in scale, intimate in detail, and a cautionary tale about the dark side of Eden.

Jean Stein is the author of American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy,an oral narrative with interviews by Stein and edited by George Plimpton. She is also the author ofEdie: American Girl, which was edited with Plimpton. She served as the editor of the literary and visual art magazineGrand Street from 1990-2004. Stein lives in New York City.