Dreamers and Schemers: How an Improbable Bid for the 1932 Olympics Transformed Los Angeles from Dusty Outpost to Global Metropolis by Barry Siegel (review)

Barry Siegel's Dreamers and Schemers: How an Improbable Bid for the 1932 Olympics Transformed Los Angeles from Dusty Outpost to Global Metropolis examines the genesis of the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. The majority of this book focuses on the trials and tribulations of real estate mogul William May Garland in his efforts to bring the games to the city; indeed, Dreamers and Schemers could borderline be considered a biography of his life. For the most part, the author is critical about Garland's unyielding quest to bring the Olympics to Los Angeles only in a few chapters of the book. For those individuals who study sport, this becomes a glaring red flag.

Siegel admits that the games were "an unsurpassed example of boosterism" (185) but fails to acknowledge some of the costs that may have been associated with such a feat. Questions remain as to the detriments of hosting the Olympics and the effect on the general populous. Out of the twenty chapters of the book, questions on race and population growth in Los Angeles are not addressed until Chapter 7, a short chapter. Siegel recognizes that Garland avoided commenting on real estate policies that segregated the city and also on the 1921 National Origins Act that established immigrant quotas in America. To acquire the Olympics, Garland needed to protect the image of Southern California. Even after the 1932 games ended, stories emerged of discrimination and lack of access experienced by athletes from other countries. Members of the Japanese Olympics team were not allowed to enter a dance hall because "Mexicans are not permitted" (185). Siegel feels the need to make that story one of optimism, however, by claiming the Japanese athletes felt welcomed by spectators at the games in general without dissecting the racism that plagued the residents and visitors of Los Angeles alike. Garland had a grand vision for Los Angeles that included the creation of a stadium to attract the Olympics. Here, the notion arises that world-class cities invest in stadiums instead of people. At first, citizens voted down the bond measure to finance the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, Garland was insistent on its being built and showed the extent of his power by creating work that had the Community Development Association build and maintain the stadium on leased land from the city. The LA Coliseum would later be turned over to Los Angeles to be owned and operated. This was a precursor of how stadium deals would be done in the future.

Siegel does a good job of weaving stories about the Great Depression into the book, especially as it pertains to the athletes and the hardships they faced in traveling to and from Los Angeles. Still, "Billy Garland's creation, whatever else it did, deeply touched otherwise isolated children of the Depression" (184) is a slight overstatement. Not all children in America at the time would have been isolated from other cultures, as many cities had large immigrant populations. There is no denying, however, the powerful tales of athletes who had to make overwhelming efforts to be able to attend the Olympics because of the economic costs and sacrifices involved.

The author also points out some innovative aspects employed in the 1932 Olympics. It was the first games to have an Olympic village in the modern era. Garland made deals to be able to keep housing affordable for the athletes. However, it only housed male athletes, while female athletes were forced to stay at a hotel. Garland made sure that every part of the village was recycled in some form when the Olympics came to an end. The land of the village also was on loan, showing an ingenuity as far as finances were concerned. This was also the first Olympics to have medals...