The King and Queen of Malibu

January 18, 2016
In this fascinating work, Randall (Dreamland), a senior reporter at Reuters, chronicles the rise and fall of the Rindge family as well as their fight to keep their Malibu, Calif., paradise private. Early in the 20th century, Malibu was an awe-inspiring coastal locale made nearly uninhabitable thanks to the Rindges. The family’s story begins with Frederick Rindge, a wealthy east coaster with chronic health problems and an adventurous spirit. When he and his wife, May, moved west to Los Angeles, he was struck by the beauty of Malibu. They bought a large ranch alongside the beach, but soon found themselves battling with the settlers living in the nearby hills over access to the beach and with tourists’ looking for beautiful hikes and scenic drives. When Frederick died, May grew obsessed with preserving her private lands and the beauty of Malibu. The building anger of Malibu homesteaders and other locals led to suspected arson, a ruined reputation, and the loss of May’s fortune and the majority of her lands. Well written and thoroughly researched, Randall’s exploration of land ownership in America and the American dream addresses issues of sexism, classism, love, and the preservation of natural beauty. Photos.

February 1, 2016

Journalist Randall (Dreamland) steps away from his usual brand of contemporary nonfiction to tackle a topic more historical in nature--that of the development of Malibu, CA. The son of a wealthy Massachusetts family, Frederick Rindge and his wife, May, moved to Los Angeles in 1887 to start their married life and soon carved out a place for themselves in the upper echelon of the not-quite-tamed Western city. They purchased Malibu Rancho as their private retreat and were steadfast in refusing to have the land used for railroads, highways, or real estate development. Even after Frederick's death, May fought all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve the natural coastal landscape--a battle she lost in Rindge Co. v. County of Los Angeles (1923) as the power of eminent domain granted the county the right to take land from private landowners for the growth of scenic highways. Well researched using primary source documents, this engaging book deftly weaves the story of a family whose choices shaped the progress of the California coast. VERDICT Readers interested in U.S. and California history, Western expansion, political science, or biography will find this an excellent addition to their collection.--Crystal Goldman, Univ. of California, San Diego Lib.

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