Book news: burgers, book burning and more
The history of the hamburger is very long and very American, according to "The Hamburger: A History" by Josh Ozersky. The Weekly Standard finds the book "vastly entertaining" -- and full of tasty tidbits, like the fact that White Castle, first opened in 1916, "created the template for all fast-food restaurants in the world."
In L.A., an exhibit on book banning -- and book burning -- opens Friday at USC in the Doheny Library Treasure Room. Biblioclasm: The Assault on Ideas from Homer to Harry Potter traces censorship throughout history; the exhibit includes a 1761 edition of the Vatican's Index of Prohibited Books and writing by Nelson Mandela.
The phenomenally prolific Joyce Carol Oates has a new story, "Gargoyle" -- chilly, a little retro, and, as always, skilled -- in Narrative Magazine (free, but requires registration).
Moving from chilly to creepy, film director Guillermo del Toro has signed on to co-write a vampire trilogy: in the books, a vampire virus hits New York City. Will the spectacular, sometimes terrifying vision of the director of "Pan's Labyrinth" make the translation to the page?
Jacket Copy warmly welcomes Culture Monster, the new L.A. Times blog for opera and theater and classical music and fine art and design, to the blogosphere.
-- Carolyn Kellogg
Photo by Reinhard Schaffner via Flickr
Just for the record, White Castle first opened in March, 1921, not as recorded in this book. I believe if you check, that date is for the opening of Nathan's Hot dogs.
Kim Bartley,
Vice President, Marketing and Site Development,
White Castle System, Inc.
Columbus OH
Posted by: Kim Bartley | September 26, 2008 at 03:34 AM