In the mythology of the West, the city was seen as a place of danger and corruption, but the "bad" city proved its mettle during the "Good War". Here, Roger W. Lotchin has written a study of California's urban home front. United by fear of totalitarianism, the diverse population of California's cities came together to protect their homes and to aid in the war effort. Whether it involved fighting in Europe or Asia, migrating to a defence centre, writing to service personnel at the front, building war machines in converted factories, giving pennies at school for war bonds, saving scrap material, or pounding a civil defence beat, urban California's participation was immediate, constant and unflagging. Although many people worked in offices, factories or barracks, the wartime community was also fed by a vast army of volunteers, which has been largely overlooked. This is a comprehensive local history of the California home front that restores a little-known part of the story of World War II.