Paul R. Williams, Hardcover

Master Architects of Southern California 1920-1940, a twelve-volume series produced by Marc Appleton and Bret Parsons showcases the work of the Golden Era's most important residential architects as originally featured in the earliest issues of The Architectural Digest. Featuring some of the earliest known photographs of the work of legendary architects, the series is devoted to the era when oil titans, film industry moguls, bankers, and successful entrepreneurs who were new to the region hired the most accomplished and talented architects they could find.

In ths fourth volume of the series, Paul R. Williams, the authors, in collaboration with writer Stephen Gee, focus on an architect whose trailblazing career defied the odds. The orphan son of an African-American fruit and vegetable merchant, Williams overcame widespread discrimination in early to mid 20thcentury America to become one of the most significant architects of his time. Working in a variety of styles, his mastery of harmonious proportions and signature undulating lines helped define a golden era in Southern California architecture. The more than 3,000 structures that carry his architectural imprimatur ranged from modest, affordable homes to extravagant mansions for Hollywood's elite, as well as important civic and commercial projects.

About author(s):Marc Appleton is the principal of Appleton Partners LLP, an architectural firm in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. He has written, published, or contributed to many books including: George Washington Smith: An Architect's Scrapbook (2001), Robert Winter's Myron Hunt at Occidental College (2012), and Ranches: Home on the Range in California (2016). Marc lives in Santa Barbara.

Bret Parsons has written five books, including Colcord Home (2008), the biography of the beloved Southern California architect Gerard Colcord. A residential Realtor, he founded Bret Parsons Real Estate in 2008. He is associate manager of the Hancock Park office of Compass, specializing in architectural properties. Bret resides in Los Angeles.

Stephen Gee is a writer and television producer based in Los Angeles. He is the author of Iconic Vision: John Parkinson, Architect of Los Angeles. Gee has worked on numerous award-winning television productions and has directed and produced live coverage of high-profile news stories, including U.S. presidential elections, important court cases, Hollywood events, as well as disasters--including the 9/11 tragedy. A graduate of London's City University, he began his career as a newspaper reporter in Norfolk, England. He has lived in Los Angeles since 1995.