The Library Book
3 journalers for this copy...
Picked this up as a present for my dad. I don't think he enjoyed it that much.
On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.’” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?
Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of the fire, award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean delivers a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling book that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before.
In The Library Book, Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from their humble beginnings as a metropolitan charitable initiative to their current status as a cornerstone of national identity; brings each department of the library to vivid life through on-the-ground reporting; studies arson and attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; reflects on her own experiences in libraries; and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the LAPL more than thirty years ago.
Along the way, Orlean introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters from libraries past and present—from Mary Foy, who in 1880 at eighteen years old was named the head of the Los Angeles Public Library at a time when men still dominated the role, to Dr. C.J.K. Jones, a pastor, citrus farmer, and polymath known as “The Human Encyclopedia” who roamed the library dispensing information; from Charles Lummis, a wildly eccentric journalist and adventurer who was determined to make the L.A. library one of the best in the world, to the current staff, who do heroic work every day to ensure that their institution remains a vital part of the city it serves.
Brimming with her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, The Library Book is Susan Orlean’s thrilling journey through the stacks that reveals how these beloved institutions provide much more than just books—and why they remain an essential part of the heart, mind, and soul of our country. It is also a master journalist’s reminder that, perhaps especially in the digital era, they are more necessary than ever.
On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.’” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?
Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of the fire, award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean delivers a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling book that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before.
In The Library Book, Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from their humble beginnings as a metropolitan charitable initiative to their current status as a cornerstone of national identity; brings each department of the library to vivid life through on-the-ground reporting; studies arson and attempts to burn a copy of a book herself; reflects on her own experiences in libraries; and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the blond-haired actor long suspected of setting fire to the LAPL more than thirty years ago.
Along the way, Orlean introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters from libraries past and present—from Mary Foy, who in 1880 at eighteen years old was named the head of the Los Angeles Public Library at a time when men still dominated the role, to Dr. C.J.K. Jones, a pastor, citrus farmer, and polymath known as “The Human Encyclopedia” who roamed the library dispensing information; from Charles Lummis, a wildly eccentric journalist and adventurer who was determined to make the L.A. library one of the best in the world, to the current staff, who do heroic work every day to ensure that their institution remains a vital part of the city it serves.
Brimming with her signature wit, insight, compassion, and talent for deep research, The Library Book is Susan Orlean’s thrilling journey through the stacks that reveals how these beloved institutions provide much more than just books—and why they remain an essential part of the heart, mind, and soul of our country. It is also a master journalist’s reminder that, perhaps especially in the digital era, they are more necessary than ever.
I get why my dad felt this book was average.
The most interesting part of the books are describing the fire of the LA Public Library, how it spread, how it was fought, and its impact. I also enjoyed learning about the day-to-day of library management and what kind of work goes in to keeping a library running.
The least interesting parts of the book was the investigation in to who set the fire (and the whole back history on the suspect). There were also some pieces of history from the library that were dull.
Passing off to Enza today at a book meetup.
The most interesting part of the books are describing the fire of the LA Public Library, how it spread, how it was fought, and its impact. I also enjoyed learning about the day-to-day of library management and what kind of work goes in to keeping a library running.
The least interesting parts of the book was the investigation in to who set the fire (and the whole back history on the suspect). There were also some pieces of history from the library that were dull.
Passing off to Enza today at a book meetup.
Another wishlist book! Thank you :) Picked up at a meetup today. It was so great to see our old Bookcrossing gang and some new faces.
This was a very interesting book. It starts and ends with a look at the fire at the LA Central Library in April 1986 but in between we get the history of the libary as an institution and of the building itself; all the Head Librarians, the shift from men to women leaders, the change in those allowed to use the library and the changing uses of the library in the community.
It is definitely interesting stuff but its very dry and I found myself unable to read more than a chapter at a time.
I do praise Orlean for the way she writes about the library as if it's a character onto itself; a living, breathing character with the soul being the books and the personality coming from the patrons.
The library is the hub of a neighbourhood. It's open to everyone and is a place to seek knowledge on any topic and these days, that includes information not found in books; health clinics, job and resume advice, literacy tutoring and a host of other services that are unique to each community.
I spent most of my spare time between the ages of 6 and 15 in a library, either inside reading or on the steps waiting for it to open and although I mostly went for books, I will never forget the sense of belonging and safety I felt within those doors.
It is definitely interesting stuff but its very dry and I found myself unable to read more than a chapter at a time.
I do praise Orlean for the way she writes about the library as if it's a character onto itself; a living, breathing character with the soul being the books and the personality coming from the patrons.
The library is the hub of a neighbourhood. It's open to everyone and is a place to seek knowledge on any topic and these days, that includes information not found in books; health clinics, job and resume advice, literacy tutoring and a host of other services that are unique to each community.
I spent most of my spare time between the ages of 6 and 15 in a library, either inside reading or on the steps waiting for it to open and although I mostly went for books, I will never forget the sense of belonging and safety I felt within those doors.
Sending to an HGG recipient.
Thank you, C'est Mo, for the wishlist book!!
