Under the Perfect Sun

“Twenty years after its publication, Under the Perfect Sun makes a welcome return in this brilliant second edition. Bursting with vital insights and furious truths, this is a book that every San Diegan and Tijuanense should own. Davis, Miller and Mayhew show that the old city of venal politicians, corrupt contractors, and garrulous realtors is dead, but the new city of cultural vibrancy, multiracial democracy, and urban livability struggles to be born. As much as when it first appeared, Under the Perfect Sun points us toward a progressive urban movement capable of confronting the economic elites—and their enablers from both political parties.”—Daniel Widener, author of Third Worlds Within: Multiethnic Movements and Transnational Solidarity“These riveting accounts of the secret history of San Diego reveal how militarism insinuated itself into economic, education, media, and political institutions, producing hidden, enduring structures of racism and exploitation. But behind the luminous veneer of San Diego, there is also a powerful story of radical activism and resistance—vital inspiration for our times.”—Angela Y. Davis “Definitely not on the Approved Reading List of the Convention & Visitors Bureau… . A provocative, in-your-suntanned-face history of San Diego.” ―San Diego Union-Tribune“A left-leaning, fascinating history of San Diego that debunks the notion of America’s Finest City.” ―San Diego Magazine “An accessible, often moving, account of tragicomic events in a surreal city.” –Clamor

Mike Davis (1946-2022)

A legendary modern American historian, self-described urban theorist, and political activist. His notable works include:

• Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster (1998)
• The Monster at Our Door: The Global Threat of Avian Flu (2005)
• City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles (1990)
• Dead Cities and Other Tales (2002)
• Planet of Slums: Urban Involution and the Informal Working Class (2006)
• Set the Night on Fire: L.A. in the Sixties (2020) (with Jon Wiener)

Davis’s writing appeared regularly in The Nation, The New Left Review, and Jacobin. He was a distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside. He received a MacArthur “genius” grant in 1998 and won the Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction in 2007.

Jim Miller

Author of the novels Drift (2024), Flash (2010), and Last Days in Ocean Beach (2018). He is also the editor of:

• Sunshine/Noir: Writing from San Diego & Tijuana (2005)
• Sunshine/Noir II (2005) (with Kelly Mayhew)
• Democracy for Education; Education for Democracy: An Oral History of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931, 1969-2006 (2016) (with Kelly Mayhew)

Miller is a contributor to publications such as the San Diego Union-Tribune, The San Diego Free Press, American Book Review, and California Quarterly. He is a professor of English and Labor Studies at San Diego City College and vice president of political action and community outreach for the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931.

Kelly Mayhew

A founding member of the San Diego Writers Collective and Managing Editor of City Works Press. She is the co-author of:

• Better to Reign in Hell: Inside the Raiders Fan Empire (2005) (with Jim Miller)

Mayhew also co-edited:

• Mamas and Papas: On the Sublime and Heartbreaking Art of Parenting (2010) (with Alys Masek)
• Race, Class, and Gender in the United States: An Integrated Study (9th edition, 2013) (with Paula S. Rothenberg)
• Sunshine/Noir II: Writing from San Diego & Tijuana (2005) (with Jim Miller)

Mayhew is a professor of English, Humanities, Gender Studies, and Labor Studies at San Diego City College, where she also serves as vice president for the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931.

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