American Diner Then and Now [Paperback]

Richard J. S. Gutman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2000

From the first diner in 1872 to the "rediscovery" of diners in the 1990s, Richard J. S. Gutman's American Diner Then and Now covers the history, architecture, menus, and the appeal of this uniquely American creation. With 275 photographs in color and black and white, this book is the landmark work on its subject, a revised and expanded edition of Gutman's classic American Diner—the book, published in 1979, that inspired people to buy, restore, and reopen diners across the country. This edition includes a state-by-state directory, "Where the Diners Are," listing locations for currently operating diners.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The next time you eat in a diner, thank Richard J. S. Gutman for the experience.

(Wall Street Journal )

Stuffed with facts and photos, including pictures of old menus, advertising and blueprints. Two directories in the back provide information on diner manufacturers and list, state by state, 1,400 operating diners.

(Chicago Tribune )

A great guide.

(Los Angeles Times )

Diners are quintessential Americana, and Mr. Gutman offers a comprehensive view from their humble beginning to their heyday, decline, and revival.

(Baltimore Sun )

The Bible, the Torah, and the Koran of diner lore, all in one handy volume.

(Hartford Courant )

A welcome revised and expanded edition of Richard Gutman's now classic American Diner..

(SCA Journal )

Beautifully illustrated, generously designed, and very well written.

(The Flying Lady )

Book Description

A tour de force of American diners, including a comprehensive list of diners across the country

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (October 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801865360
• ISBN-13: 978-0801865367
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.6 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.9 stars December 10, 2000

By bruce horner

Format:Paperback

This is actually the third edition of this work. In 1979, Gutman took the plunge with the simply titled "American Diner" published in hardback by Harper & Row. Done in collaboration with Elliott Kaufman and David Slovic, it was shorter and more loosely organized than the later edition, but a nice and welcome diner book at a time when there still weren't many such books around. In 1993 Gutman came out with "American Diner, Then and Now" which sported revised and substantially enlarged text and better-integrated photos (the Kaufman photo portfolios had also been dropped). This revamped '93 version was a high-water mark for diner books, a now numerous field. With it's perfect balance between individual diner stories ("dinerlore"), photos, and history, and great attention to detail which bespeaks a real love of the subject, this has been an unofficial bible for diner afficionados for the last 7 years.

Now here is the 2000 edition, published in paperback by Johns Hopkins (apparently Barry Levinson's hometown has more interest in diners than the folks at Harper). This is basically just a reprint of the 1993 edition, with a different cover, a new introduction, and a few names added to the diner index at the end. While on the one hand it's great that this modern classic is available again (it had been out of print for several years) I had hoped that there would be some new material in it. To be sure, this book still teaches you how to tell a Paramount from a Mountain View, or a Fodero from a Worcester Lunch Car, and makes a fine gift (Christmas or otherwise) for someone who doesn't have the '93 edition. Nevertheless, at the risk of sounding like an ingrate, I would have to say I slightly prefer the '93 edition, mainly because the cover photo, an interior shot of a restored Worcester Lunch Car, with all that luscious wood, is more attractive than the rather bland shot of Ford's Diner that graces the cover of the 2000 edition. But make no mistake, if you don't have any diner books and are looking for a good one, this is THE one to get----and if you've already got five other diner books, you should still get this, as it has the clearest explication of American diner history you're ever likely to read.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Diner Bible November 17, 2000

By Lynn

Format:Paperback

Gutman did it again - his updated study of Diners is the cornerstone of any roadside fan's book collection. If you only have room for one book on Diners, THIS IS THE BOOK. Lots of great pictures and stories from the early lunch wagons to the new super diners.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars best history of an american icon i have read! August 23, 1996

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

gutman has updated his earlier book to make this one more interesting to the casual reader. Those of us who have
an intrest in the history find this to be the consumate
source of information. all he could do to improve this
is add more pictures both interior and exterior. Gutman
has preserved an American ICON forever