Cool book from the early '50s. I realize when people hear Monsters of Los Angeles, they think it's referring to casting directors, but it's slice of life at the La Brea Tar Pits, seen thru the eyes of a slightly anthropomorphic raccoon. The savvy raccoon watches from the edge of the pits, as other animals sink in to the tar, and are subsequently eaten by prehistoric scavengers. 

The depictions of the Pleistocene cast were illustrated by Herb Rayburn, really cool black & white stuff, that I'm sure captivated readers back in the '50s.

A lot of the book catalogs predator & prey. 

This style is similar to what I aspired to create in the black & white days of Natrrain. In the top center, you can see the tree-bound raccoon, who is recounting all the events.

The author weaved a lot of 20th century LA geographical references in to the book. I assume he was based out of Los Angeles, or spent time driving around town as he authored it.

At one point, I was working within walking distance of the Tar Pits, and used to loiter around there on my lunch break. Even after tens of thousands of years, it's still cool for spectators.

contact- nat.rain@gmail.com