The rise of the American diner is the most savory of phenomenons, where classic architecture, a friendly face behind the counter, and some mean pie all combined to make these little roadside stops a treasured part of history. From the early days when Walter Scott brought his horse-drawn lunch wagons through the streets to the heyday of mass-produced chrome and neon diners in the 1950s, The American Diner offers a full blue-plate special of nostalgia for all those who loved the counter culture of these great eateries. More than 250 historical and bright colorful photographs help remind us of life before fast food, and generous helpings of classic advertisements, cool collectibles, and architectural highlights also highlight the era. Diners from coast to coast are featured, giving readers a trip to some of the best stainless-steel and neon diners that still dot the American roadways.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
The News Tribune (WA), Jan 5, 2007
“Now, there are a number of nice diner books around, but one new one worth getting is … American Diner. It’s lavishly illustrated with black-and-white photos and lots of color … Very readable text … Great bibliography for the aficionado.”
About the Author
Michael Karl Witzel is a writer, photographer, historian, and folklorist devoted to American roadside culture. An award-winning author, he has penned several books published by MBI Publishing Company, including The American Drive-In, Cruisin’, Route 66, Drive-In Deluxe, and The American Gas Station. He lives in Wemberley, Texas.
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Member, American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very beautiful, informative and entertaining.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The American Diner (Hardcover)
"The American Diner" is a delightful book that maintains the high standards Michael Witzel has always set for himself. Very beautiful, informative and entertaining. Chock-full of outstanding images from photographers like Pedar Ness, Ronald Saari and Howard Ande.There are many excellent sidebar stories, including one on Jerry Berta's DINERLAND in Rockford, Michigan. This man saved Rosie's Diner, built a miniature golf course and restored another 1947 diner into an art gallery. (I've gotta meet this guy.) Another delightful effort from Michael Karl Witzel. "The American Diner" entices me to Hit The Road and experience these wonderful greasy-spoons firsthand, especially those original East Coast joints!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The American Diner is eye candy for the diner enthusiast!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The American Diner (Hardcover)
Witzel has done it again! The diner images in this book are fantastic, both the vintage and current shots. Many are full page size and more, giving the reader a closeup look at some of America's greatest diners. Along with really informative historical text, each chapter contains a sidebar that highlights a particularly cool diner. It was fun to learn the history of and to see some of the greats like Pal's, Rosies, The Riverhead Grill, the Cutchogue, and Mel's "Googies" Diner in action.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great color photos!,
By dclarke246@aol.com (Maryland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The American Diner (Hardcover)
This is a wonderful book for we nostalgia nuts! The many photographs and descriptions of pre-fast food America will remind you of simpler times, or make you sad that you missed them.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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diner makers, diner exterior, diner operators, lunch car company, night lunch wagon, diner fans, diner interior, diner business, diner owners, lunch wagons Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pedar Ness, Preziosi Postcards, New York, New Jersey, Ronald Saari, Main Street, Silk City, Rhode Island, Jerry Berta, Ben Frank, Los Angeles, Riverhead Grill, Silver Diner, United States, Jerry O'Mahony, Barry Brown, Jonathan Yonan, Howard Ande, Long Island, New Rochelle, Walter Scott, Mountain View, Steven Weiss, New Mexico, Unicorn Stock Photos Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
diner makers, diner exterior, diner operators, lunch car company, night lunch wagon, diner fans, diner interior, diner business, diner owners, lunch wagons Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Pedar Ness, Preziosi Postcards, New York, New Jersey, Ronald Saari, Main Street, Silk City, Rhode Island, Jerry Berta, Ben Frank, Los Angeles, Riverhead Grill, Silver Diner, United States, Jerry O'Mahony, Barry Brown, Jonathan Yonan, Howard Ande, Long Island, New Rochelle, Walter Scott, Mountain View, Steven Weiss, New Mexico, Unicorn Stock Photos Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
6
books
cite this book:
See all 6 books citing this book
- Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age (The Road and American Culture) by Professor John A. Jakle on page 9, and Back Matter
- The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola: An Entertaining History Including Collectibles, Coke Lore, and Calendar Girls by Michael Karl Witzel in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Tales From the Coral Court: Photos & Stories from a Lost Route 66 Landmark by Shellee Graham on page 44, and Back Matter
- Diners of Pennsylvania by Brian Butko in Back Matter
- Diners of New England by Randy Garbin on page 6
See all 6 books citing this book
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