Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-244) and index.

Coming to California -- Lemon Grove gamble, La Mirada dreams -- Pasadena rites -- The Grand Tour and back -- Santa Barbara interlude -- Building on ballyhoo -- Public notice -- The search for the style of wealth -- Tuscan Pasadena -- Louise -- Adobe days -- Architect to the stars -- Pickfair -- Putting it together -- Going Hollywood on a shoestring -- Costarring the European Provincial and the American Colonial Revivals -- Fighting back -- The diva, the car dealer, and the Doheny Library -- The bubble house -- We moved there because you could smell orange blossoms -- Father of the showcase house.

This significant architect was raised as Southern California aristocracy, as an heir to one of the founders of Rand McNally & Company, and grew up to influence the course of architectural history in California. Illustrated with archival photographs that document Neff's family life and professional accomplishments, journalist Diane Kanner's narrative offers a behind-the-scenes look at the development of residential architecture in Southern California.--From publisher description.