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[BOOK 101] VINCE GARGIULO: PALISADES AMUSEMENT PARK - A CENTURY OF FOND MEMORIES. [1995] (22x29cm - 156 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). Palisades Amusement Park (Cliffside Park, New Jersey) will be remembered as one of the greatest amusement parks in the world with its perennial favourite, The Cyclone! Its attractions over the course of nearly 75 years of operation reflected the popular culture of a changing nation. A comprehensive history of the park. Chapter Points: The Early Years, 1898-1909; The Hollywood Connection, 1910-1935; Evolution, 1935-1959; The Later Years, 1960-1971. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 102] DAVID W. FRANCIS & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: CEDAR POINT - THE QUEEN OF AMERICAN WATERING PLACES. [1995] (22x28cm - 222 Pages - Many B&W photos). In 1995, Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio) celebrated its 125th anniversary - When a small bathhouse was built along the shores of Lake Erie in 1870, no one ever dreamed that it would someday evolve into one of the largest and most successful amusement parks in the world. Chapter Points: Cedar Point at its Best - The Summer of 1918; Before the Resort Era; The Early Resort Years; The Arrival of George A. Boeckling; Cedar Point's Golden Age; The Resort During The 1920s; Depression and War; On the Road to Recovery; The Renaissance of Cedar Point; The Amazement Park; America's Roller Coast. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 103] GIL CHANDLER: ROLLER COASTERS. [1995] (16x22cm - 48 Pages - Many colour photos). A charming little book to interest a teenage audience. Chapter Points: The First Drop; Steelies and Woodies (Coney Island Cyclone, Steel Phantom, Kings Dominion Avalanche, Loch Ness Monster, Elitch's Mr Twister, King Cobra, Le Monstre, Big Bad Wolf). Rolling in a Coaster; Coaster History (Russian Ice Slides, The Golden Age, Disneyland, Steel Coasters). Building a Roller Coaster; Rolling Into the Future (Virtual Reality); Useful addresses. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 104] SAM MARSHALL: LUNA PARK - JUST FOR FUN. [1995] (22x23cm - 152 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). A comprehensive and educational look at the various Luna Parks worldwide. Chapter Points: Opening; Luna Park Coney Island - The World's First; Luna Park St Kilda - Australia's First; Luna Park Glenelg - South Australia's First. Luna Park Milsons Point: Sydney's Own; Heyday; A Change of Ownership; The Fall & The Fight; Fantasy & The Future. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 105] JOHN HUTCHINSON: A DREAM CAME TRUE. [1995] (15x21cm - 74 Pages - Many B&W photos). Over the years many articles have been written about the Dreamland site (Margate, England) and its development. This book marks the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the New Dreamland Cinema and Entertainment Complex, which first opened on the 22nd March 1935. The building as we see it today, is a tribute to the vision and foresight of two men: John Henry Iles who today would have been considered an entrepreneur, and Julian Rudolph Leathart, the architect responsible for the design. Chapter Points: Foundation for a Dream; The Man Behind the Dream; The Birth of the Cinema; The Man Who Created the Dream; The Dream Came True; The Great Organ; Dreamland at War; How a Piano Saved Lives; The Dream Moves with the Times. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 106] AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS: GUIDE TO RIDE 1992-1995. [1995] (22x28cm - 24 Pages - Many B&W photos). A state -by- state update to the roller coasters of North America. Features ride descriptions and complete statistics: Cannonball; Arkansas Twister; Gadget's Go Coaster; Jaguar!; (Various Parks) Top Gun; (Santa Cruz) Hurricane; Scandia Screamer; (Various parks) Batman -The Ride; Flashback; Twister II; Kumba; (SFoG) Ninja; (Various parks) Viper; Hoosier Hurricane; The Raven; Outlaw; T2; Python; Mind Eraser; Wild One; Zach's Zoomer; Ripsaw; Thunderation; Desperado; Canyon Blaster; Lightning Bolt; The Great Nor'easter; (The Great Escape) Comet; Quantum Loop; Hurler; (Carowinds) Vortex; Raptor; Tornado; Diamond Back; Ripper; Sky Princess; Whirlwind; Swamp Fox; Hangman; Rattler; Pied Piper; Batman -The Escape; Mayan Mindbender; Drachen Fire; Windstorm; Cyclops; Le Cobra; Cascabel; Tornado; Serpiente de Fuego. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 107] TOM TIPTON: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA - A GREAT DAY AT THE MOVIES. [1995] (13x22cm - 184 Pages - Few B&W maps and charts). This is your ticket to the wonders and attractions of Orlando's fastest-growing theme park, over 400 acres of rides, restaurants, studio tours, and movie magic. Whether you are in the mood for Kongfrontation, a trip Back to the Future, or a Fourth of July celebration, complete with fireworks and toe-tapping music, this is your complete guide to a great day at the movies. Chapter Points: Foreword; Universal Studios and "Movie Magic;" Introduction; Before You Pack; Plan Your Day; The Basics; Let's Go to the Movies; Ride the Movies!; It's Show Time!; Extra Attractions; Let's Do Lunch; Shop 'Til You Drop!; Special Interests/Needs; Previews of Coming Attractions; Looking Back; (Transportation, Accommodation, Attractions); Index; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 108] FRED MAWER: DISNEYLAND AND THE THEME PARKS. [1995/6] (11x15cm - 146 Pages - Full colour). Whether you're planning a short trip or an extended visit to Disneyland and the Theme Parks of Southern California, this guide will make your stay more enjoyable, interesting and comfortable. Details the best rides, attractions, hotels, nightlife and restaurants. Chapter Points: Disneyland and the Theme Parks; Theme Park Histories (Disneyland, Knott's, Universal Studios, San Diego Animal Parks); Orange County Theme Parks (Disneyland, Knott's); Los Angeles Theme Parks (Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain); San Diego Vicinity (Sea World). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 109] PETER BENNETT: BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH - A HUNDRED YEARS OF FUN. [1996] (21x30cm - 58 Pages - Many colour photos). Celebrating 100 years of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England, UK). Chapter Points: Blackpool in the 1890s; The Sand Hills of South Shore; The Lad from London with "American Hustle;" The Growth of a New Partnership; The American Invasion; Bean, the "Napoleon of the Dunes;" The Flowering of the Pleasure Beach; Bean's Finest Hours; The Younger Generation Takes Control; The Fading of the American Dream; Leonard Thompson's Vision is Realised; The Pleasure Beach Achieves International Renown; The Second World War and its Aftermath; The Renewal of the Pleasure Beach; Leonard Thompson's Legacy; WGT and the New World of Entertainment; The Future. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 110] PETER BENNETT: BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH - A CENTURY OF FUN. [1996] (22x31cm - 152 Pages - Many colour photos). Celebrating 100 years of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England, UK). A "must read" for the Pleasure Beach enthusiast! Chapter Points: Foreword; Blackpool in the Nineteenth Century; W.G. Bean, Showman of Distinction; The Flowering of the Pleasure Beach 1914-1929; The Vision of Leonard Thompson; A Modernist Amusement Park; The Second World War and the Survival of the Pleasure Beach; Leonard Thompson's Final Flourish; Geoffrey Thompson Takes the Reins; The Big One and the Future. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 111] ROBERT E. PREEDY: ROLLER COASTERS - SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL! [1996] (20x21cm - 64 Pages - Many B&W photos). Chapter Points: Introduction; The L.A. Thompson Story In The UK; The Great Yarmouth, Blackpool and Huddersfield Connection; The Wembley Scandal; Aberdeen; Morecambe; The Isle of Man; Barry Island; Crystal Palace; Shooting The Chutes; Southend -On- Sea; Shipley Glen; Belle Vue, Manchester. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 112] MARK WYATT: WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE. [1996] (27x29cm - 112 Pages - Many colour photos). The illustrated guide to the world's biggest and best roller coaster and thrill rides. Gain admission to the amusement parks of the world, and hold on tight to experience the greatest thrills of all! Presented here are the finest of today's scream machines, presented in over 180 spectacular photographs. Chapter Points: A Ride Through the Years; The Coaster Files: USA West; USA Midwest; USA South; USA East; Mexico; Canada; Europe and Japan. White Knuckle, Wet Knuckle; The Park's Listing. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 113] TIM O'BRIEN & CARRIE O'BRIEN: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SIX FLAGS THEME PARKS. [1996] (18x25cm - 288 Pages - Colour photos and cartoons throughout) When Angus Wynne Jr. opened the gates of the first Six Flags park in Arlington, Texas, on 15 August 1961, the regional theme park concept was born. Now, more than 30 years later, it's easy to look back and see what a tremendous influence that first park -and the entire Six Flags organisation- has had on practically every theme park in existence. This publication is an essential guide offering in-depth descriptions of each park's rides, shows, midway games, gift shops, restaurants and guest services. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 114] DAVID W. FRANCIS & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: LUNA PARK - CLEVELAND'S FAIRYLAND OF PLEASURE. [1996] (22x28cm - 156 Pages - Many B&W photos). When Luna Park in Coney Island, New York, opened in 1903, outdoor entertainment was dramatically changed in America and the world. In 1905, another Luna Park opened on Cleveland's (Ohio) east side to rival Euclid Beach, which began operation 10 years earlier. Like its east coast namesake, Cleveland's Luna Park dazzled visitors with a fantastic display of electric illumination and eclectic architecture. Within these pages the story is told of Cleveland's other park, that was among the city's favourite summer spots from 1905 until the end of the 1929 season, when it closed forever. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 115] SHARON L.D. KRAYNEK: CHIPPEWA LAKE REVISITED. [1996] (22x28cm - 94 Pages - A few B&W prints) Chippewa Lake Park (Medina, Ohio). A compilation of newspaper articles that appeared in the Medina Town Square Post as a regular featured column, taken from memory, personal interviews and photographs. Chapters include: Back in Time 1875; The Flying Dutchman; Fezziwigs in 1911; The Roaring Twenties; Hotel Chippewa; Starlight Ballroom; The Swinging Forties; Big Dipper; Theatre; Penny Arcade; WHLO Day 1965; The Chippewa Mystery. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Poor.
[BOOK 116] THE IMAGINEERS: WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING - A BEHIND THE DREAMS LOOK AT MAKING THE MAGIC REAL. [1996] (25x33cm - 192 Pages - Full colour). How can you make dreams come true? Or transform a fantasy into a colourful, exciting world that visitors can move through, touch and enjoy? Such fabulous work is the daily business of Walt Disney's Imagineers, a core group of creative and highly skilled professional wizards who combine imagination with engineering to create the reality of dreams that is Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland - the world's most popular vacation kingdoms. From Space Mountain to Blizzard Beach, from Main Street, USA, to Epcot's Innoventions, this publication tells the complete story of the making of the magic, from the inside out. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 117] A.G. PRESTON: BRITAIN'S GREATEST COASTERS. [1996] (14x21cm - 232 Pages - Many B&W photos). There have been many books written on the history of roller coasters both in the States and in Europe, but none have put forward Britain's best. That is what this publication sets out to do. Also features an interesting introduction: a year -by- year look at roller coaster milestones, from the Russian ice slides of the 16th & 17th Centuries, to 1996 and Megafobia! Chapter Points/Contents: Introduction; How It All Began; PMBO; Nemesis; Shockwave; Ultimate; Grand National; Vampire; Big Dipper; Wild Mouse; Texas Tornado (Morecambe); Cyclone (Southport); The Woodies Fight Back!; Other Sparkling Coasters; European Coasters; The RCCGB; Coaster Manufacturers; My Record; The Future; Coaster Terminology. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 118] BLAKE LEDUC SR: EUCLID BEACH PARK - YEARBOOK. [1996] (21x28cm - 186 Pages - Many B&W photos). This publication is not meant to be a history of Euclid Beach, but another look at the park and its employees through rare and mostly unpublished material. Featuring the park's year -by- year employee rosters and interesting trivia: each ride's construction cost, ride counts, employee wage totals etc. Also features many drawings, photographs and postcards, in fact everything you wanted to know about Euclid Beach Park (Cleveland, Ohio) is here to quench your thirst for knowledge. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 119] PILOT BOOKS: THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF THEME & AMUSEMENT PARKS. [1996] (14x22cm - 74 Pages). Whether you're planning a day's outing or a cross-country trip, if you've got children - you'll want to know where to find theme and amusement parks wherever you travel. This book lists over 400 parks in virtually every state of the USA - from petting zoos to Disney World. One thing they all have in common is a healthy, fun-filled outing for friends and family, so pick your park, get your group together and have a great time! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 120] MIKE FILEY: I REMEMBER SUNNYSIDE - THE RISE & FALL OF A MAGICAL ERA. [1996] (21x28cm - 144 Pages - Many B&W photos). From 1922 until 1955, Toronto's Sunnyside Amusement Park (Canada), complete with its rides, stage shows and dance halls, was the "Disney World" of its day. By the mid-1950s however, Toronto was experiencing a change. It wanted to be like New York City, and if that was to happen, Sunnyside would have to go. An expanded Lake Shore Boulevard and a new Frederick G. Gardiner Expressway ripped the heart out of Sunnyside. Chapter Points: Early Toronto Amusement Parks; John George Howard's Sunnyside; The Birth of Sunnyside Amusement Park; The Golden Years; The Death of Sunnyside; As Others Pictured Sunnyside. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 121] BAY BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK - A PICTORIAL HISTORY. [1996] (21x28cm - 24 Pages - Many B&W photos) An affectionate look back at Bay Beach Amusement Park (Green Bay, Wisconsin). Chapter Points: Mitchell Nejedlo; Captain John Cusick; Street Car; Pavilion; Roller Coasters (Roller Coaster 1901-1922 & Grey Hound 1928-1936); Tercentennial; Swimming; Dances; Other Attractions; Myths; Amusement Rides; Bay Beach of Today; Postcards of the Past; Future of Bay Beach. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 122] DOUGLAS W. SEED & KATHERINE KHALIFE: SALEM NH - TROLLEYS, CANOBIE LAKE AND ROCKINGHAM PARK. [1996] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). The clang of the first trolley bell in 1902 signalled the beginning of a century of excitement and celebrity that would transform the tiny town of Salem, New Hampshire, into a recreation destination for millions. With the trolley company's opening of Canobie Lake Park in August 1902 and the "big gamble" on Rockingham Park in 1906, New Englanders, regardless of age, ethnicity, or social status now shared a recreational common denominator. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 123] JEFF KURTTI: SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN - WALT DISNEY WORLD THE FIRST 25 YEARS. [1996] (24x28cm - 196 Pages - Full colour) The first and only concise, authorized history of "The Vacation Kingdom of the World." This lavish, entertaining, and absolutely unique history of Walt Disney's city of dreams tells the story of America's most popular tourist attraction, beginning with the success of Disneyland and Walt Disney's personal vision of a futuristic planned city in central Florida. Includes original concept drawings and rarely seen photographs of the park's construction, and details the opening of the Magic Kingdom in 1971, to the creation of Epcot and Disney MGM Studios. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 124] RON GUSTAFSON: MIDWAY PARK "A CENTURY OF FUN" (1898-1998). [1996] (22x28cm - 62 Pages - Many B&W photos). Midway Park, located in Maple Springs (New York, USA) was established in 1898 by the Jamestown & Lake Erie Railway as a picnic grove, and quickly grew to a full-fledged family fun centre. Discover much about the history of Midway Park and the amusement ride manufacturing industry, which once thrived in New York State. Chapter Points: Forward; Survivor Among "Trolley Parks"; Walsh Brothers Turned Park Into "Family Affair"; History of the Midway Park Carousels; History of the Allan Herschell Co, Inc.; History of the Smith & Smith Company; History of the W.F. Mangels Co.; Midway Park Rebounded From Tragedy On Several Occasions; Into The Next Century; Midway Park Memories. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 125] WALT DISNEY COMPANY: DISNEYLAND PARIS. [1996] (19x28cm - 66 Pages - Full colour). A lavish portfolio with text describing everything Disneyland Paris (France) has to offer. Chapter Points: Introduction - Disneyland 1955; Main Street USA; Parades; Frontierland (Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor etc...); Adventureland (Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones' Temple du Péril etc...); Fantasyland (Le Carrousel de Lancelot, It's a Small World. Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Dumbo the Flying Elephant etc...); Discoveryland (Les Mystères du Nautilus, Orbitron, Space Mountain, Autopia, CinéMagique etc...) Disney Village; Disneyland Hotels; Disneyland Golf. (Text is in English and French). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 126] PETER BENNETT: UNRIVALLED EXCELLENCE - HOT ICE. [1997] (21x30cm - 124 Pages - Many colour photos). This publication tells the history of the famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England, UK) Ice Show. Chapter Points: Foreword, by Betty Callaway - Olympic Coach; The Dawning of an Ice Age; The Opening Night; 1939-1945 Those Battling Years; Post 1945 A New Spectacle is Created; The Scene Changes; The End of the Ice Parade; It's Showtime!; Creation of Hot Ice; Stage Works International. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 127] ROBERT REYNOLDS: ARE YOU CHICKEN? A COWARD'S GUIDE TO ROLLER COASTERS. [1997] (14x22cm - 64 Pages - Many colour photos and cartoons). Chapter Points: Looking for the Chicken Exit; Coaster Archaeology; America's first Coaster; What makes a Great Coaster? Design, the Mad Science; Arrow Dynamics; Morgan Manufacturing; Premier Rides; Togo International; Using the Shoehorn at Knott's; Theming; The Beauty of Coasters; Suspended; Inverted; But I am Chicken; Mean Streak; The Corkscrew; The Vertical Loop; Indoor Coasters; The Batwing etc...; How do we stop this thing; Night Riding; Not for the Acrophobic; Ninja SFoG; Kumba; Transportable Coasters; Giant Dipper; The Coaster Wars; Steel; Raptor; Wood; The Future. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 128] CHARLES J. JACQUES: HERSHEYPARK - THE SWEETNESS OF SUCCESS. [1997] (21x28cm - 224 Pages - Many B&W photos). Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania). Chapter Points: 1857-1907 Managing the Ice Cream; 1908 Bill Murrie and the Lancaster Gang; 1909-1912 Lions and Tigers and Mares, Oh My; 1913-1915 A Time to Celebrate; 1916-1922 Tomorrow We Get Our Town Back; 1923-1929 The Philadelphia Connection; 1930-1939 Building Prosperity; 1940-1945 Rationing Fun; 1946-1954 Hershey's Comet; 1955-1964 A New Standard; 1964-1970 Troubled Times; 1971-1974 Hersheypark; 1975-1979 Getting Looped - The Superdooper Looper; 1980-1985 A Shortage of Capital; 1986-1989 Turning Things Around; 1990-1995 Accelerated Growth; 1996 The Cat is Back! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 129] DAVID KOENIG: MOUSE UNDER GLASS - THE STORY OF DISNEY ANIMATION AND THEME PARKS. [1997] (15x22cm - 288 Pages). Both in feature animation and theme parks, Disney is in a class by itself. But why? What separates The Little Mermaid from The Swan Princess, and the Magic Kingdom from Magic Mountain? This publication takes a whimsical unauthorized look at the unknown and the unusual, from animated classics Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, plus theme parks Disneyland and Disney World. Details theme park attractions that never made it, such as rides based on Robin Hood, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and other classics. You'll be amazed and amused by a side of Disney you've never seen before. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 130] STEVEN. J. URBANOWICZ: THE ROLLER COASTER LOVER'S COMPANION. [1997] (17x25cm - 164 Pages - Few B&W photos and diagrams). A Thrill-Seeker's Guide to the World's Best Coasters. Chapter Points: From Russia With Love; Thrill Machines, Thrill Makers; Getting the Most When You Coast; Types of Roller Coasters; The World's Best Wood Coasters; The World's Best Steel Coasters; The Parks With the Best Collection of Coasters; The Guide to Roller Coasters Worldwide; The Best Roller Coaster Trips; The World's Major Wood Coasters; The World's Major Steel Coasters; The Top Five Roller Coaster Lists; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 131] JUDY ALTER: AMUSEMENT PARKS. [1997] (19x22cm - 64 Pages - Many colour photos). Roller coasters, Ferris wheels and cotton candy. An educational resource which charts the history of the amusement park and theme park. Chapter Points: Long Before Disneyland; The Great Columbian Exposition; Trolleys and Roller Coasters; Coney Island; New Entertainments; The Disney Concept; Theme Parks; The Future. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 132] TIM O'BRIEN: THE AMUSEMENT PARK GUIDE (SECOND EDITION). [1997] (12x23cm - 262 Pages - Few B&W photos). Look no further. Here's the guidebook to the most thrilling and exciting amusement parks in North America and Canada. With more than 275 locations, this guide promises to deliver the ride of your life. CHECK IT OUT! The Hydroblaster - rumble through an enclosed water chute - and stay dry - at Whitewater Country in Minnesota. The Giant Dipper - brave the twists and turns on this wooden roller coaster that wouldn't die, at Belmont Park in San Diego. The Viper - encounter zero-gravity on Six Flags Great America's roller coaster in Illinois. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 133] (VARIOUS AUTHORS): DESIGNING DISNEY'S THEME PARKS - THE ARCHITECTURE OF REASSURANCE. [1997] (26x29cm - 224 Pages - Many colour photos and artists' impressions). From the day it opened in July 1955, in an event given live TV coverage, Disneyland has been a key symbol of contemporary American culture. It has been both celebrated and attacked as the ultimate embodiment of consumer society, a harbinger of shopping-mall culture, a symbol of American hegemony in entertainment, the epitome of fantasy, simulation, pastiche, and the blurring of distinctions between reality and mass-media imagery. This book discusses the making of this unique place, with its far-flung colonies in Florida, Japan and France. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 134] DONALD W. WYATT: ROCKY POINT - A RHODE ISLAND TREASURE. [1997] (20x27cm - 78 Pages - Few B&W photos). Rocky Point offered recreation, entertainment and rest for city dwellers from all parts of New England. Things were not always easy for the park: natural disasters, economic downturns, new competition and changing tastes forced the facility to close several times in its history and finally to declare bankruptcy on 17 July 1997. Chapter Points: Rocky Point - Part of Rhode Island History; The Rocky Point Saga; Rocky Point and the First Presidential Phone Call; The Visit of President Bush; The Great Fire of 1883; The Bankruptcy Drama; Mr Rocky Point; A Photograph Spurs Memories; Rocky Point Was Rhode Island's Own Disneyland; Where Else Would I See A Water Spout? ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 135] AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION: THE GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICA'S THEME PARKS. [1997] (18x25cm - 250 Pages - Full colour). Explores over 100 of the most popular theme parks. Features complete descriptions of rides, as well as information about restaurants, shows, operating hours, admission fees, and tips on how to get the most from your visit. Parks featured include: Old Tucson Studios; Knott's Berry Farm; Santa Cruz; Elitch Gardens; Kennedy Space Centre; Splendid China; Disney; Weeki Wachee Spring; Water Parks; Valleyfair; Silver Dollar City; Canobie Lake Park; Six Flags Parks; Darien Lake; Seabreeze; Carowinds; Cedar Point; Kings Island; Dorney Park; Hersheypark; Idlewild; Kennywood; Knoebels; Dollywood; Opryland; Schlitterbahn; Lagoon; Busch Gardens; Kings Dominion; Calaway Park; Paramount's Canada's Wonderland, and more. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 136] FRANCISCO ASENSIO CERVER: THEME & AMUSEMENT PARKS; RECREATION PARKS, ZOOS & WATERWORLDS. [1997] (23x30cm - 192 Pages - Full colour). A look at worldwide recreation facilities from an architectural viewpoint (Including Nasu Highland Park and Port Aventura). In an era when the virtual and the fictitious are an ever-growing presence, reality is being continually divided. It is nothing strange that the areas which produce adventures and fantasies have ended up overflowing the minds of the dreamers, and have crystallised into real cities. Thus, a network of places destined for the sole purpose of leisure and fun is beginning to be woven over these areas. So, when one finally manages to get some long-awaited holidays, the city-dweller no longer journeys through the real areas, but turns to travelling through the geography of leisure. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 137] DONNA FISHER BRAIG: MY BUCKEYE LAKE STORY. [1997] (14x22cm - 194 Pages - Few grainy B&W photos). A memorable and historical review of Buckeye Lake, "The Playground of Ohio." Chapter Points: Introduction; The Beginning (1800s); The Beginning of Prosperity (1900s); The Community (1920s); The "Crystal" Days (the Park, Dips roller coaster, and other rides, 1930s); People of Buckeye Lake; 1930s, 1940s and 1950s - Bands, People, and Park; 1950s Changes; Businesses Past and Present - Historical Houses and Farms; Islands, History and Updates - 'Headlines' from the Past; The 1960s the Decline; The 1970s and 1980s Celebration and Controversy; The 1980s and 1990s Progress and Development; Epilogue. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 138] ROB LEWIS & RYAN YOUNG: RHODE ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARKS. [1998] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Rhode Islanders were once able to enjoy amusement parks without travelling far; the state was home to several ocean front parks as early as the mid 18th Century with some of them surviving into the late 19th Century. View the parks that provided a recreational outlet for so many Rhode Island families and the visitors who frequented them. Chapter Points: Introduction; Crescent Park; Vanity Fair; Aquidneck Island Park; Rocky Point; Boyden Heights and Oakland Beach; Nearby Massachusetts Parks (Lincoln Park and Jolly Cholly's Funland). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 139] BENNETT W. DORMAN: SAVIN ROCK - AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. [1998] (22x28cm - 256 Pages - Many B&W photos). To those of us who remember the Rock (West Haven, Connecticut), it was a very special and wonderful place, full of gaiety, hoarse-voiced barkers, refreshment stands filled with the aroma of French fries and popcorn and, best of all, the rides, when we could afford them. This volume should take you along Beach St. with its beautiful views of Long Island Sound, through the Upper and Lower Groves to the Trolley Waiting Stations and, across the tracks, the beloved section called White City. Transport yourself back in time... Chapter Points: Introduction; The Way We Were; The Way We Remember; The Way We Are; Among Our Souvenirs. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 140] DAVID BENNETT: ROLLER COASTER. WOODEN AND STEEL, TWISTERS AND CORKSCREWS. [1998] (23x30cm - 194 Pages - Many colour photos). The great rides of the past and present across the world are brilliantly pictured and discussed - even the dynamics of the thrill factor are explained. Anyone who is fascinated by the ultimate dream-machine will love this book. Chapter Points: Foreword; Origins of the Roller Coaster; Legendary Designers; How a Roller Coaster Works; The Greatest White Knuckle Rides of Today; An Insight into the Amusement Park Industry; Gazetter; Coaster World Records; Coaster History at a Glance and Useful Sources of Information/Useful Reading. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 141] NICK COOK: ROLLER COASTERS - OR I HAD SO MUCH FUN, I ALMOST PUKED. [1998] (21x24cm - 56 Pages - Many colour photos). The thrill of a roller coaster has attracted people of all ages for over 500 years. Learn how coasters developed and changed throughout the decades until they became the exciting and scary ride found in many amusement parks throughout the world. Chapter Points: Fear Rules the Rails; Scream Machines; These Dogs Don't Bark; Curves, Corkscrews, and a Few G's; Engineering, Psychology, plus a Little Courage; A Coaster Spotter's Guide. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 142] MIKE SCHAFER AND SCOTT RUTHERFORD: ROLLER COASTERS. [1998] (21x23cm - 96 Pages - Many colour photos) Chapter Points: Introduction; Our Roller Coaster Heritage; Roller Coasters of the Northeast, Coney Island's Cyclone to Pittsburgh's Thunderbolt; Roller Coasters of the Southland, Atlanta's Georgia Cyclone to Arlington's Texas Giant; Roller Coasters of the Heartland, Kansas City's Timber Wolf to Cincinnati's Beast; Roller Coasters of the Wild West, Santa Cruz's Giant Dipper to Denver's Cyclone; Thrill Guide to America's Best Roller Coasters; Coaster Glossary. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 143] CHARLES J. JACQUES: MORE KENNYWOOD MEMORIES. [1998] (21x28cm - 216 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania) has become a local icon. The historic amusement facility is part of the fabric of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and if anything would happen to it, the park would be sorely missed. Kennywood is a survivor, almost an anachronism, a successful urban amusement park in the 1990s. Chapter Points: 1898-1939 The Early Years; 1940-1979 The Park Faces New Challenges; 1980-1982 The Laser Loop; 1983-1984 Idlewild and More; 1985-1986 The Raging Rapids; 1987 Historic Kennywood; 1988 Kennywood Memories; 1989-1990 Sandcastle; 1991-1994 The Steel Phantom; 1995 Lost Kennywood; 1996-1997 Noah's Ark and the Pit Fall. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 144] DAVID W. FRANCES, DIANE DEMALI FRANCES & ROBERT J. SCULLY SR: WILDWOOD BY THE SEA. [1998] (22x28cm - 258 Pages - Many B&W some colour photos). The scent of sunscreen, the spray of the ocean, the caw of seagulls, the thrill of amusement rides, the taste of salt water taffy, the chatter of children on the boardwalk - summer in the Wildwoods (New Jersey) captures the Jersey Shore experience that has been treasured by millions of Americans. Chapter Points: The Jersey Shore; Resort Beginnings; The Coming of Age of a Resort; The 1920s, Blending the Old with the New; A Summer Resort During Depression and War; Post War Prosperity and Resort Growth; The Turbulent '60s; Decline and Renaissance. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 145] WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS: WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT - A MAGICAL YEAR-BY-YEAR JOURNEY. [1998] (22x28cm - 224 Pages - Colour photos throughout). Hop aboard as we take a nostalgic year -by- year trip into the past, as far back as 1971. The delightful text is accompanied by colour photographs of rides and attractions, some of which are long gone. The magical qualities unique to Disney are brought to life within these pages...; a must see and must read publication for the Disney enthusiast. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 146] HARVEY STEIN: CONEY ISLAND. [1998] (22x23cm - 128 Pages - Colour photos throughout). A pictorial look at Coney Island, New York. See the various rides, including the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone roller coaster. Also features a chronological look at Coney Island milestones, from 1609-1997. An excellent reference tool for anyone researching the amazing amusement parks: Sea Lion Park (1895-1902), Steeplechase (1897-1965), Luna Park (1903-1946) and Dreamland (1904-1911). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 147] THE NEWS-ITEM: AMUSEMENT PARKS PICTORIAL HISTORY. [1998] (22x29cm - 96 Pages - B&W photos throughout). Visit some of Pennsylvania's most treasured amusement parks. See Edgewood Park in its beautiful setting with patrons aboard the Junior Coaster and the Scenic Railway. Next up is Doodlebug Park, a park created by someone young at heart (Mode Foieri) for the very young, marvel at the Little Dipper roller coaster and the Miniature Railroad. Catch the trolley to Maysville Park; the park was opened and maintained by the Shamokin and Mount Carmel Transit Company. Island Park was located on Packer Island and was a popular destination for picnickers and pleasure seekers. Pay a brief visit to Lithia Springs (1922-1965), and Rolling Green Park. Finally it's off to Knoebels with their Strato-ship, Big Wheel, High Speed Thrill Coaster and more. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 148] CARRIE PAPA: THE CAROUSEL KEEPERS - AN ORAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN CAROUSELS. [1998] (15x23cm - 152 Pages - Many B&W photos). Records the voices of the people who manufactured, crafted, owned, operated, and cared for carousels during the golden age of American amusement history, and of those who have studied, preserved, and revitalized interest in this beloved part of our national heritage. Selected Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Introduction; The Carousel Keepers; The Charm of the Past; The Biggest Problem We Have; Buying and Selling; A Magical Transformation; Friends of Our Carousels; A Tremendous Quality and Charm; The End of an Era; To Bring Joy to People; Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 149] BO SIGVARD NILSSON & BO JOHANSSON: LISEBERG - FRÅN KOMARK TILL NÖJESPARK. [1998] (22x24cm - 208 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). Celebrating 75 years (1923-1998) of Liseberg (Gothenburg, Sweden). An historical piece charting the park's founding through to the present day. Chapters detail rides and attractions past and present, musical events and celebrations, the landscaping and statuary, and of the millions who have enjoyed Liseberg and all it has to offer. (Swedish script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 150] HENNIE VAN OERS, HENRI WASSENAAR & KAREL LOEFF: DE RUPSBAAN - HISTORISCH OVERZICHT KERMIS-ATTRACTIES. [1998] (15x21cm - 30 Pages - Many B&W photos). [1 of 8]. The Caterpillar ride can still be found at various village fairs. It was invented in 1925 and is a true classic, and many fair-goers have stolen their first kiss under its cover. Selected Chapter Points: Ups and Downs; The Beginning Years; Success for Spillmann; Premiere in the Netherlands; A Third Caterpillar Ride; Developments After 1945; The Kiss; The End of the American Caterpillar; Competition for Speed; The Original Caterpillar - Still Twisting; Design, Thematics and Names; Where do Caterpillars Travel?; The Ball; Manufacturers; Caterpillars Abroad; The Future...; Bibliography. (Dutch script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.