Learn About the Man Who Put Hollywood on the Map

In "The Father of Hollywood," author Gaelyn Whitley Keith introduces the man who took a parcel of land and created one of the world's most recognizable places: Hollywood.

El Dorado Hills, CA (PRWEB) January 5, 2007 -- New book, "The Father of Hollywood: The True Story," by Gaelyn Whitley Keith, reveals the true life story of the man who put Hollywood on the map.

From the earliest silent films made by pioneering American filmmakers to the multimillion-dollar blockbusters of today, the movie industry of America has always had a home: Hollywood. Any mention of the word "Hollywood" brings to mind movies, film stars and magnificent homes perched on hillsides overlooking Los Angeles. But how did Hollywood itself get started? Who were the driving forces behind its creation and development? Who were the visionaries and kingmakers that built the infrastructure of a worldwide industry but only received a fraction of the credit that was heaped upon the stars of the silver screen? This celebrated city and its established place as the film capital of the world can be attributed to the vision and genius of Hobart Johnston (HJ) Whitley, the "Father of Hollywood."

Movie buffs nowadays know little about Hollywood's history. Few know that it was largely planned, designed and built by HJ Whitley, an extraordinary individual who is not nearly as well-known as he should be. "HJ" was the primary developer of Hollywood, a central figure in attracting and keeping the talent needed to make such an ambitious project successful and, in turn, is responsible for transforming a formerly sleepy part of California into a hugely profitable and exciting destination. What began as orange groves, quickly became the elegant neighborhood in which Ethel Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Charlie Chaplin, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland, Zsa Zsa Gabor and so many more called home.

However, the allure of "The Father of Hollywood" goes far beyond the glitter of stardom and glamor; it is also a riveting story of how one man used his genius to create communities that thrived ... and continue to thrive today. Film buffs, city planners, sociologists or anyone in search of a good read will find it all in "The Father of Hollywood: The True Story."

For more information, please contact the author through her website at www.TheFatherOfHollywood.com. "The Father of Hollywood: The True Story" is available for sale online at Amazon.com, Borders.com and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.

About the author
Gaelyn Whitley Keith is a California native and a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. A writer, she wrote for South Bay Magazine and was awarded top honors in a national writing competition. Ms. Keith is working on her second book, "The Father of Hollywood: After That."

About BookSurge
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