The Old Docks at the Port of Los Angeles. Photo by Shane Smith
under Creative Commons
Author Geraldine Knatz, who was Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles from 2006 to 2014, will present her book, “Port of Los Angeles: Conflict, Commerce, and the Fight for Control,” in a virtual event hosted by the Pasadena Public Library on Thursday, November 12, 5 to 6 p.m.
In the book, published by Angel City Press in 2008, Knatz shapes an insightful story of the Port of Los Angeles, from its early entrepreneurs to the city’s business and political leadership, and the inevitable conflicts that arose between them. With years of research and more than 200 maps and images, Knatz digs into the back stories of the key players in a hardcore, well-documented piece of storytelling.
The book matches the history of Los Angeles Harbor with someone of unquestionable authority to tackle the subject. Knatz worked nearly four decades at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, her last eight years as Executive Director at Los Angeles.
Knatz was the first woman to serve as Executive Director and made a significant impact through the creation and implementation of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, an aggressive plan that reduced air emissions by combined port operations of over 70 percent over five years. The Clean Air Action Plan is recognized around the world for its innovation and success.
She is now Professor of the Practice of Policy and Engineering, a joint appointment between the USC Price School of Public Policy and the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
Knatz’s expertise shows in “Port of Los Angeles,” which reads like a script for another Chinatown, only this time it’s about saltwater and controlling the waterfront, not drinking water and controlling the land. Knatz takes readers on a journey that will educate and inspire, and fills these pages with real-life intrigue, masterminds, and politics extraordinaire.
“Port of Los Angeles” is a must-read for anyone who treasures the history of Los Angeles, and will leave the world’s maritime aficionados spellbound and historians in awe.
The online event is recommended for adults ages 18 and above.
To register for the webinar, go to the Pasadena Public Library calendar page, www.cityofpasadena.net/
The webinar is free to attend. For more information, call (626) 744-4066.
