Water to the Angels

William Mulholland, His Monumental Aqueduct, and the Rise of Los Angeles

By: Les Standiford

Narrated by: Robert Fass

The author of Last Train to Paradise tells the story of the largest public water project ever created - William Mulholland's Los Angeles aqueduct - a story of Gilded Age ambition, hubris, greed, and one determined man whose vision shaped the future and continues to impact us today.

In 1907 Irish immigrant William Mulholland conceived and built one of the greatest civil engineering feats in history: the aqueduct that carried water 223 miles from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Los Angeles - allowing this small, resource-challenged desert city to grow into a modern global metropolis. Drawing on new research, Les Standiford vividly captures the larger-than-life engineer and the breathtaking scope of his six-year, $23-million project that would transform a region, a state, and a nation at the dawn of its greatest century.

With energy and colorful detail, Water to the Angels brings to life the personalities, politics, and power - including bribery, deception, force, and bicoastal financial warfare - behind this dramatic event. At a time when the importance of water is being recognized as never before - considered by many experts to be the essential resource of the twenty-first century - Water to the Angels brings into focus the vigor of a fabled era, the might of a larger-than-life individual, and the scale of a priceless construction project and sheds critical light on a past that offers insights for our future.

©2015 Les Standiford (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"As he goes back into Mulholland's life and work, Fass delivers an understated but gripping narration." ( AudioFile)

Well Presented Concise Story

This book is a as great presentation of well known facts in a new volume. I initally thought I might learn something new. I didn't BUT this is is a FANTASTIC BOOK that combines the volumes of what I realized I knew from many sources. It's a GREAT read and listen and I will enjoy it many times over!

I should add I have been a student of Mulholland and the LA Aqueduct for decades. Listening to this book I could hear multiple familiar stories, facts, figures, etc. All of a sudden I realized this was the first complilation of those many, many sources of material in one read! All the facts and material all met with every other book, pamphlet, report, etc. I have read over the years.

A great addition to my visual and audible library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! It makes you realize this "When you touch water in the west you touch everything" as Colorado US Rep Wayne Aspinall said.

retelling of a failed dam evokes memories of the Hurricane Helena events in 2024

I just finished this book in the spirit of visiting LA…
Learned some interesting water history
There is a retelling of a failed damn… a pilot stated after flying above it: won’t need rescue but will need body retrievals

Broke my heart cause all I could think of was hurricane Helena

Great story of building of the aquaduct.

great story of William Mulholland's life and the building of Los Angeles aquaduct. Very compelling.

A must read for ALL Californians.

Great story and narration. The drama and finagling that took place to bring water to Southern California is a story all Californians should learn from. We need to have gratitude for the water we have and practice stewardship for the birthplace of this precious resource.

Should be required reading for every high schooler

A great follow up to the flood of 1927. I believe this book treats the story of Mr Mulholland with the respect and admiration due him. Everyone looks for a scapegoat when there is malfunction of anything. In this case he may have been correct when he suspected explosives by those angry about LA transferring water from NoCal. And then the theory of the east side giving way first also brings facts that the initial commissions were happy to avoid. Corruption in groups. But as for this man, he had a vision that no one believed could be undertaken. And he was not dissuaded no matter how impossible the challenge. He was made of grit. Wish i could have met him.

Most interesting look at a piece of history.

Loved it.
An excellent look at LA and the history of their water.
A refreshing insight into W. Mulholland.
Highly recommend it.

Great book

If you haven’t read the authors book about the Key West Railroad, be sure to read it. This is an awesome book that covers the water issues in Los Angeles Valley. Just enough in depth and enough coverage but not overbearing. Really good listen well written 

Mulholland - LA's Chief Water Engineer

Fascinating story of the history of Los Angeles and one man's plan to provide water for his adopted city. Intrigue, politics, and even violence could not stop Mulholland's mission to build the Los Angeles aquaduct.

fascinating historical biography

for anyone interested in the history behind the Los Angeles Aqueduct and its chief engineer designer and Creator, Mulholland, this is the book for you! the narration is captivating, and the story very interesting especially if you live in California.

Wonderful Informative Book

Must listen for those that are looking for a highly informative but non boring book.