Susan Orlean investigates a mysterious library fire in her latest work of nonfiction
ON APRIL 29 , 1986, THE Central Library of Los Angeles, a landmark building in the heart of downtown, caught fire. Hundreds of thousands of books were destroyed, and the librarians and loyal patrons were left to pick up the pieces. To this day, it is the largest library fire in American history.
Susan Orlean—New Yorker staff writer and author of 10 works, including the bestseller The Orchid Thief—chronicles this tragedy in The Library Book, published by Simon & Schuster. The project was a labor of love for Orlean, who, as a child, spent many hours in the stacks of her local library in Cleveland. Despite a lifelong passion for reading and the arts (Orlean studied literature and history at the University of Michigan), she didn’t discover the story of the L.A. fire until 2011, after moving there with her husband and young son.
This story is from the October 2018 edition of CBS Watch! Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2018 edition of CBS Watch! Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Yasmine Al-Bustami's Dallas
Welcome to the Lone Star State and bring your appetite. The NCIS: Hawai’i actress shows us around her hometown.
What Happens In Vegas
Mandeep Dhillon, Jorja Fox, and Paula Newsome are solving crimes, changing the game, and kicking ass in CSI: Vegas.
Survivor – Carrying The Torch
After a 16-month COVID-induced hiatus, the groundbreaking reality series Survivor is finally ready to don its buffs again. For its 41st season, 18 brand-new contestants will be marooned on the island of Fiji and will attempt to outwit, outlast, and outplay each other forthe $1 million prize and, if they strategize correctly, the chance to etch their names in Survivor lore. But first: Let’s hear from host Jeff Probst, meet the new cast, and get up to speed with a highlight reel of memorable players, twists, romances, and more. In the words of Probst, come on in, guys!
Full Speed Ahead
When he’s not catching bad guys on Magnum P.I., actor Tim Kang enjoys his life in the fast lane.
The Boo Crew
This Ghosts story tells how the new CBS comedy came together brilliantly in spite of the ghastly pandemic.
24 Hours With... Debra Martin Chase
The first Black woman to produce a $100 million blockbuster (1996’s Courage Under Fire) and land an overall deal at a major studio (she currently has a deal with Universal Television), executive producer Debra Martin Chase is the powerhouse behind the Queen Latifah drama The Equalizer. Here’s a look inside the world of a Hollywood trailblazer.
Day Dreamer
Emmy-winning The Young and the Restless costume designer David Zyla spills his wardrobe secrets.
That's Entertainment
Happy 40th anniversary, Entertainment Tonight! The history-making news magazine didn’t just talk about the stars … they were right there with them.
Nate Expectations
As a former football star, an analyst on The NFL Today, and a new co-host of CBS’s morning show, Emmy Award–winning Nate Burleson shows his versatility every time he’s on camera. And he’s just getting started.
Street Smarts
Weights, a skateboard, and protein-packed meals keep S.W.A.T.’s Alex Russell feeling fine.
