Prof's examination of L.A. myths draws praise

In the 1930s, one of America's most famous writers described the villas of Los Angeles as "halfhidden in imported olive groves" and surrounded by "the sombre spaced columns of cypress. . . ."

Nearly 70 years after Mississippian William Faulkner wrote those words, a new book by a Mississippi State University English professor examines competing mythologies that shaped the City of Angels.

Dr. William A. McClung's "Landscapes of Desire: Anglo Mythologies of Los Angeles" recently was published by the University of California Press. Using a wealth of illustrations within its 297 pages, his study traces the city's development from the 1850s until the 1980s, focusing on the ways English-speaking settlers attempted to make sense of the place.

McClung argues that two approaches to landscape and architecture were at odds with each other in the city's development. While some perceived the Los Angeles area as a beautiful found paradise-an Arcadia-others saw it as an empty space inviting development-a Utopia. He maintains that the tension between those views can be seen in the city even today.

In addition to landscape and architecture, McClung also looks at literature, historiography, painting, and conceptual art, and even booster pamphlets, real estate promotions and citrus box labels. No less than Los Angeles's major newspaper applauds the success of his efforts.

At Mississippi State, McClung teaches courses in Milton, 17th century poetry and writing for architects. He previously authored "The Country House in English Renaissance Poetry" and "The Architecture of Paradise: Survivals of Eden and Jerusalem," both also published by the University of California Press.

He holds master's and doctoral degrees from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.