Spanning the history of modern California from its Gold Rush past to high-tech present, Transforming the Irvine Ranch chronicles a storied family's largely successful attempts to remakeits corner of the state in its own image.

Preface. Introduction. 1. A Decade of Determination. 2. A Planner's Path: Early Life, Education and Real Work. 3. Ray Arrives at a Company on the Brink of Change. 4. "We are not Gods." 5. Athalie. 6. Joan. 7. The Birth of UC Irvine. 8. Inclusions, Exclusions and the Campus that Never Was. 9. Pipes and Plans. 10. Defending the Borders. 11. The Campaign for Cityhood. 12. The New City: Partners of Antagonists, or a Little of Both? 13. The Magic of Planning. 14. From Plans to Reality: Eastbluff and Newport Center. 15. The Tax Reform Act of 1969. 16. Acceleration. 17. Conflicting Visions of the Upper Newport Bay. 18. Politics and media. 19. Low-Cost Housing: "A Problem from Day One." 20. The Jewel in the Crown. 21. The Best of All Possible Coasts. 22. Town and Gown. 23. Joan Redux. 24. Buying Time. 25. Schout's Honor. 26. Wise (and Rich) Men from the East. 27. Going All In. 28. Ray Departs. 29. Villains No More. 30. The Bigs Plans of William Pereira. 31. Reasons for Success. 32. Epilog - Follow the Money. Bibliography.