Palm Springs Holiday: A Vintage Tour from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea

Probably one of the best books taking me back to old Palm Springs where I spent much of my time as a child and a teenager..... I loved every page...bought it for a friend but keeping it for myself!!

My copy of Peter Moruzzi's last gem just arrived and come September I'll have a complete set!!While more moderate in scope than his book "Havana...", a bible for those interested in the socio-political construct that was Havana before the Cuvan Revolution, "Palm Springs Holiday" offers the subject matter the same in-depth treatment, absolutely saturating the reader in the culture and color of the time.This gorgeous tome BRIMS with fabulous images and stories, serving in many cases as the sole unifying historical record of a time and place that was such an incredibly massive part of the "American Experience" of the period.Moruzzi, an art historian and expert on mid-century 'modern' architecture, sprinkles architectural history throughout every chapter of the book, offering lively discussion on styles from Spanish Colonial Revival to Rustic Ranch, but his chapter dedicated to 'Desert Modern' styles and techniques, influences that would become so very prominent in much if the rest of the country in the third quarter of the century, provides the reader with a depth of understanding uncommon in what may initially be seen as a coffee-table book.Whether intentional or not, Mr. Moruzzi treats this subject with more personal input than his previous book. That is to say, one gets a sense, going from page-to-page, less of reading an historical analysis on the art and architecture of the times, and more like they are listening to an educational newsreel (possibly one produced by the Chamber of Commerce?) on the Coachella Valley area. If this rowdy, delicious book had been assembled by anyone else I don't think it would have come off as well as it did, but the author does such a splendid job of setting the stage and pulling the characters together (the hotels, the visionaries, the scenery) that it would almost seem academically-heavy if not for his occasional tongue-in-cheek observations. .Why not 5 stars? Simply put, while a terrifically interesting look at a colorful, sometimes pivotal, often kitschy period of sun, fun, and fashion, I don't personally see it as a 5-star subject, and that's okay. Mr. Moruzzi's presentation through photos and stories truly brings this corner of history to life. The book is just a joy, and makes me anxious for his next offering. (Which I've already per-ordered, by the way...)

I gave this 4 stars because I was hoping for more shots of downtown PS. This book focuses on personalities and the few key famous venues / hotels from primarily the 40's and 50's. A little bit on the tram, and the surrounding communities to the east and Desert Hot Springs to the N, including a brief discussion of Cabot's Old Indian Lodge. I liked the areas included, but would have preferred a greater variety of pictures of each of the areas' businesses.

Outstanding and well researched book that is both informative and fun to look at. The scores of these beautiful full-color postcards will make you travel back in time and feel nostalgic for the old Palm Springs, even if you're not old enough to remember those times! Thank you, Mr. Moruzzi - i truly admire ALL your publications! Can't wait to see more...

I am very happy with my purchase. I bought this book for my dad as a a gift for in his new house in palm springs and its so colorful and fun to look at. He really enjoyed the book and it goes perfectly on the coffee table.

This is a beautiful coffee table book with lovely pictures and great points of interest and history of Palm Springs. We love it.

I live in Palm Springs and this book makes an excellent addition to my collection of books on my coffee table. Friends and family seem to really enjoy it as well since it’s usually the first book they grab when they flop down on my couch.

Sorry, but this is a typical Chinese ('Made in China') product...looks almost pretty good. Kind of like the old saying "Food seemed filling 30 10 minutes ago, but I'm hungry already". I'd rather see many of the old photos without the help of not-so-good Chinese technology. At least it didn't have those laughable instructions on how to open the book and read the pages. The difference between me and Google is I stopped years ago doing business with and buying anything newly made in China. As to a "must" coffee table book on the desert, former mayor (deceased) Frank Bogart's 'Palm Springs' is much more suitable. Palm Springs Holiday is simply one additional book that can be added to the pile of published materials available but a bit lacking in substance or tales that could be told. For the detective minded, Palm Springs has a huge plethora interesting and intriguing aspects about it with a lot of "WOW, THAT is INCREDIBLE!" This book is not a key on that exclamation.

Probably a lot of photos available elsewhere, but a nice book to have them all in one place.

Gift for husband who absolutely loved it.