For forty years, Zev Yaroslavsky was a major force in Los Angeles politics. As a member of the City Council and then the Board of Supervisors, Zev played a leading role in civic affairs at a time of dramatic change. He wasn’t just a witness to LA history, he was a shaper of it.

If there was a major issue in Los Angeles, he was in the thick of it. Police reform. Mass transit. Health care. Budget crises. The Olympics. Homelessness. Development issues. Fighting Big Oil. Whether you agree with what he did or not, there is no denying that he left a huge impact on Los Angeles, defining the place it is today.

Nearly a decade after leaving office, Zev has published his autobiography, titled  “Zev’s Los Angeles: From Boyle Heights to the Halls of Power.” It is a great read -- a  vital, colorful, textured history of the past half century.  In this episode, Mike talks at length with Zev about the book, and gets him to share some of the book's best stories.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.