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[BOOK 201] JIM FUTRELL: AMUSEMENT PARKS OF PENNSYLVANIA. [2002] (15x23cm - 212 Pages - Many B&W photos). Chapter Points: Introduction; A History of the Amusement Park Industry; A History of the Amusement Park in Pennsylvania; Williams Grove; Idlewild and Soak Zone; Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom; Conneaut Lake; Lakemont Park; Waldameer Park and Water World; Kennywood; Bushkill Park; Hersheypark; DelGrosso's; Knoebels; Dutch Wonderland; Sesame Place; Pennsylvania's Smaller Parks; Index of Major Rides in Operation in Pennsylvania. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 202] BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH - A PALETTE OF LIFE. [2002] (21x21cm - 42 Pages - Many colour sketches). A chronological portfolio of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England, UK) images (2000-2002) brought to life by Julia Midgley, artist in residence at BPB. Chapter Points: Introduction by Geoffrey Thompson; Launch of the Dipperthon; Valhalla; Summer Days; Summing Up; The Artist, Julia Midgley. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Poor.
[BOOK 203] CHARLES DENSON: CONEY ISLAND LOST AND FOUND. [2002] (20x25cm - 296 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). A ride on the legendary Cyclone roller coaster, a bite of a Nathan's hot dog, an afternoon spent at New York City's most beautiful beach - these have long been iconic experiences for Coney Island visitors. Chapter Points: Introduction; Coney Island 1646-1955, (plus five sub-chapters); Coming of Age in Coney Island, (plus eleven sub-chapters); Decline and Comeback, (plus nine sub-chapters); Amusement Milestones. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 204] CHARLES J. JACQUES: CINCINNATI'S CONEY ISLAND. [2002] (21x28cm - 234 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). Chapter Points: Parker's Grove 1867-85; Ohio Grove 1886-95; The First Island Queen: A Floating Palace 1896-1912; Fire, Flood, Ice and War 1913-23; New Owners Take Control 1924-29; The Great Depression and Big Bands 1930-39; World War II and Its Aftermath 1940-47; Baby Boomers, Television and Integration 1948-61; America's Finest Amusement Park 1962-71; Yesterday's Memories and Tomorrow's Dreams 1972-today. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 205] DAVID W. & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: OHIO'S AMUSEMENT PARKS IN VINTAGE POSTCARDS. [2002] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W postcards). By 1912, there were 54 amusement parks in Ohio. They came in all sizes, and some, like Cleveland's White City, seemed to be courted by bad luck from the beginning, and folded after a few disappointing seasons. Others, like Youngstown's Idora Park, enjoyed long lives and fostered beloved memories but eventually closed in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. A few, like Sandusky's Cedar Point, have grown to be considered among the greatest amusement parks in the world. But most are now forgotten. Chapter Points: The Golden Age of Ohio Amusement Parks: 1895-1919; The Uneven Prosperity of the 1920s and the End of the Golden Age; Depression, War and Partial Recovery: The 1930s and '40s; The Demise of the Traditional Amusement Park and the Rise of the Super Park: 1950s and '60s. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 206] MICHAEL IMMERSO: CONEY ISLAND - THE PEOPLE'S PLAYGROUND. [2002] (22x28cm - 200 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). At the beginning of the twentieth century, Coney Island (New York) was the uncontested epicentre of America's emerging mass culture. It was the quintessential American resort: the birthplace of the amusement park, hot dog and the roller coaster. Chapter Points: Coney (1824-1911); Carousels, Coasters and Amusements; The Nickel Empire (1920-1933); The Mermaid Parade (1965-2001). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 207] LEAH A. SCHMIDT: REVERE BEACH. [2002] (16x23cm - 98 Pages - Many B&W photos). Revere Beach Reservation (Boston, Massachusetts) was created by the Metropolitan Park Commission in 1895. A successful amusement industry flourished here through much of the twentieth century, while later years witnessed the damage wrought by severe devastating storms, including the blizzard of 1978. This publication takes the reader on an unsurpassed pictorial journey detailing nine pivotal decades of a premier metropolitan seaside destination. Chapter Points: Revere Beach Reservation; The Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad; Wonderland Amusement Park; Beach Scenes; Rides and Attractions; Along the Boulevard; Entertainment and Lodging; Destructive Forces of Nature. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 208] LYNN M. STONE: HOW ARE THEY BUILT? ROLLER COASTERS. [2002] (19x26cm - 48 Pages - Many colour photos). Very few people can afford to hitch a rocket ride into outer space. And the military doesn't offer passenger rides in their jets. But no one has to miss a chance for a thrill ride. For a safe and affordable thrill, a roller coaster is the answer for most. It's a chance to take 200ft plunges at 90mph with a few barrel rolls and heart-stopping twists tossed in. Chapter Points: Roller Coasters; History of Roller Coaster; Who Builds Roller Coasters?; Kinds of Roller Coasters; Taming Nature; Building a Roller Coaster; Great North American Roller Coasters; Glossary; Index; Further Reading / Websites. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 209] AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS: 2002 WORLDWIDE ROLLER COASTER CENSUS. (21x28cm - 82 Pages). The complete catalogue of all operating coasters worldwide. A comprehensive list detailing: coaster type, manufacturer, year debuted, park, statistics, location (state/country) etc... ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 210] ROBERT J. WIMBERG: AMUSEMENT PARKS OF GREATER CINCINNATI & NORTHERN KENTUCKY. [2002] (22x28cm - 212 Pages - Many B&W photos). The book opens with a large chapter on long-gone Chester Park, see the $31,000 "Scenic Railway" and the Tickler (The forerunner to the Virginia Reel) and more. Continuing with a look at Rainbow Park and Coney Island (Cincinnati) with the Shooting Star wooden roller coaster taking pride of place! LeSourdsville Lake is next up with its unique mix of rides and entertainment. There's also sections covering: Ludlow Lagoon; Fantasy Farm; Highland Grove (Winslow Park, Meyer's Grove); Hillsdale Park (Inwood Park); Kings Island; Latonia Springs; Martz's Playground (Riverview); Meadowbrook Park; Monarch Park (Oakley Grove); Parlor Grove; Pee Wee Valley; Queen City Beach; Stricker's Grove; Tacoma Park; Wonderland Park; Woodsdale Island Park. It's a wonderful and nostalgic look at amusement parks before the Golden Age. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 211] ALAIN LITTAYE & DIDIER GHEZ: DISNEYLAND PARIS - FROM SKETCH TO REALITY. [2002] (24x31cm - 324 Pages - Full colour). This book presents a unique opportunity to discover how one of the most beautiful theme parks in the world came to being. From magnificent preliminary concept renderings to completion of the project, this book presents information about the various stages that governed the creation of Disneyland Paris. Readers will also become familiar with the legends that provided the foundation for each land, the prolific number of details that give them life, and the origin of high-tech Audio Animatronics characters, such as those seen in Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 212] ADAM SANDY: ROLLER COASTER - AN AMERICAN THRILLER. [2002] (23x30cm - 74 Pages - Few B&W images & photos). Probably the most "artsy" book in the Media Library collection, an interesting and informative read. Chapter Points: The Birth of a Thrill; The Roaring Twenties; Coney Island; The Great Depression; Designers: Harry Guy Traver, Walter Elias Disney, Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Thomas Prior and Frederick Church, National Amusement Device; Sixties Amusement Parks; The Late Seventies; The Eighties; Nineties Steel Coasters; Revival of the Wooden Coasters; Bibliography. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 213] (VARIOUS AUTHORS): THEME PARK LANDSCAPES, ANTECEDANTS AND VARIATIONS. [2002] (18x26cm - 300 Pages - Few B&W photos). The prevalence and influence of "Theming" increased so dramatically during the 1990s that theme parks have become a metaphor for postmodern urban life. In particular, critics apply the term "Disneyfication" to any landscape developed to communicate with several audiences, especially when that communication is an attempt to stimulate and direct consumption. The origins, divergence and significance of theme parks are only beginning to be understood. Most scholars agree that sixteenth - nineteenth century European gardens were their major progenitors. How did they enter into mass culture? Why are they so popular? How are they connected to the social order? What functions do they serve? This book examines current and past, private and public, obviously and subtly themed landscapes in Asia, Europe, and North America, in response to these and other questions. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 214] KESTER RATTENBURY: THE ESSENTIAL EYE. [2002] (20x21cm - 50 Pages - Full colour). The British Airways London Eye (London, England), also previously known as the Millennium Wheel, was successfully lifted off its temporary islands in the River Thames to provide a publicly accessible vantage point from which to appreciate one of the best cityscapes in the world. Chapter Points: Foreword (by David Marks and Julia Barfield); The Concept; The Challenge; The Components; The Capsules; Raising the Eye; Facts and Figures; Awards. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 215] JOHN KRULL: EMILY'S WALK - THE INDIANA AMUSEMENT PARK TRAGEDY AND A FAMILY'S QUEST FOR JUSTICE. [2002] (15x22cm - 200 Pages). Emily Hunt was a lively four-year-old girl who dreamed of being a ballerina. One summer day, on an outing with her sisters, cousins and grandparents at a nearby amusement park, the miniature train they rode went out of control. The accident killed Emily's grandmother and broke Emily's neck, leaving her paralysed. The local sheriff's department discovered that the miniature train was a disaster waiting to happen. Moreover, the train's state inspection was a farce, the amusement park was negligent and the state could not be sued. This is a true story about a father, driven by the love for his daughter, taking on the state legislature and the governor's office seeking justice for his family and assurance that nobody else would have to face his family's tribulations. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 216] MAVIS TOFTE: BEYOND THE CASTLE - THE ENCHANTED FOREST. [2002] (14x22cm - 194 Pages - Many colour photos). Nestled in the hills south of Salem, Oregon, is a unique tourist attraction called the Enchanted Forest. It has a quaint charm not often seen in most large conglomerate theme parks. This is the oldest family owned theme park in Oregon, and travellers are in for a special treat when they visit this gem found in the hills south of the State's Capitol City. Chapter Points: Foreword (Roger Tofte); Discovering the Lower Trail; Tofteville; The Haunted House; Fairweather Theater; Big Timber Log Ride; Ice Mountain; The Old World Village; The Moods of Fantasy Fountains; Mother Nature; Rides For the Young & More; Looking Back; New Visions. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 217] STEVEN. J. URBANOWICZ: THE ROLLER COASTER LOVER'S COMPANION. [REVISED 2002] (17x25cm - 146 Pages - Quite a 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 Top Five Roller Coaster Lists. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 218] JOHN M.W. HAYEK & ELLEN COVODE KUCK: REMEMBERING TOLEDO'S AMUSEMENT PARKS. [2002] (22x28cm - 100 Pages - Many B&W photos). Chapter Points: "Old Walbridge Park:" The Early Years; On a Roll; Life in the Park; The Great Fire of 1938; To Rebuild or Not to Rebuild; The "New" Walbridge Park; The Final Years. "Toledo's Other Amusement Parks:" By Horse, Boat, Trolley or Just a Long Walk; Presque Isle Park; Lake Erie Park & Casino; White City; Forest Park; Toledo Beach; Willow Beach Park; Vollmar's Park; Cedar Point; Boblo. Epilogue. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 219] NICK EVANS: DREAMLAND REMEMBERED. [2003] (21x27cm - 112 Pages - Many B&W photos). Dreamland amusement park has been synonymous with Margate (UK) since it first opened in 1920. Its origins go back further, to a time when rival railway companies vied to bring Victorian trippers to the seaside. This book charts the park's attractions over the years, from the renowned Scenic Railway to the Big Wheel, along with Beanfeast outings and the birth of the "super cinema" in the 1930s. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Early Days 1863-1920; A Time of Prosperity 1920-1940; Post War Revival 1945-1968; New Brooms Herald a New Era 1969-1981; To the Millennium and Beyond 1981-2003; A Leisurely Life at the Lido 1920-2003. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 220] KEN CROWE: KURSAAL MEMORIES. [2003] (20x26cm - 108 Pages - Many B&W photos). The Kursaal (Essex, UK) was the largest amusement park in the south of England for much of the twentieth century. This book tells the story of the Kursaal, from its origins in the late nineteenth century, to its closure in the 1980s, and re-opening in the 1990s. Chapter Points: In the Beginning, Early Fairgrounds; Grand Openings, The Kursaal and Luna Park; The First C.J. Morehouse; The David de Forest Morehouse Years 1921-1934; The Kursaal under Trustees 1935-1947; C.J. Morehouse 1948-1973; An Era Ends, Another Begins 1973-1998. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 221] ROBERT COKER: ROLLER COASTERS - A THRILLSEEKER'S GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE SCREAM MACHINES. [2003] (28x30cm - 144 Pages - Many colour photos). With thousands of gravity-defying examples across the United States -and more continuously cropping up all over the world- roller coasters are the driving force behind the phenomenal success of amusement parks everywhere. An amusement park without a roller coaster is like a sports car without an engine. Chapter Points: I Scream Therefore I Am; Laying Down the Tracks - Roller Coaster History; Everybody Loves a Woodie - Wooden Coaster Rides; Hot Wheels on Steel Coasters; Extreme Machines; Aftershock; Appendix; Glossary. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 222] DAVID W. & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: THE GOLDEN AGE OF ROLLER COASTERS IN VINTAGE POSTCARDS. [2003] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W postcards). A fascinating read! The roller coaster is the icon of the midway, capable of reducing even the strongest of grown men to screaming, white-knuckled hysterics. During the early decades of the twentieth century, daring designers pushed the limits of these high-speed thrillers, reaching hundreds of feet in height and thousands of feet in length. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Roller Coaster's Early Years 1884-1909; The Coasters of Coney Island; The Evolution of the Modern High-Speed Roller Coaster; The Golden Age of the Roller Coaster; The Twilight of the Golden Age. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 223] SHARON L.D. KRAYNEK & ELI R. BEACHY: CHIPPEWA LAKE AMUSEMENT PARK - IN THE BEGINNING (VOL 1). [2003] (22x28cm - 296 Pages - Some B&W and colour photos). Tracing the history of the Grand Old Lady of amusement parks - Chippewa Lake Park (Medina, Ohio), from its beginnings in 1847 to the entry into the Twentieth Century. Dozens of photos and hundreds of reports. (As printed in The Medina Mirror, The Medina Examiner, The Medina County Gazette, The Wadsworth Enterprise, Tuscarawas Chronicle, The Cleveland Leader, Elyria Weekly Republican, and The Akron Beacon Journal). This collection of newspaper reports is for everyone who enjoyed the good times at Chipp', once upon a time. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 224] RON GUSTAFSON: QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK - A HISTORY. [2003] (21x28cm - 50 Pages - Many B&W photos). The history of Quassapaug Amusement Park (Middlebury, Connecticut). Chapter Points: Early Views of Lake Quassapaug; Surviving the Test of Time; Quassy's Carousels; Allan Herschell Rides Form a Foundation at Quassy; Saturn Six is a Unique Ride; Other Tummy Ticklers (Tilt -A- Whirl, The Trabant, Big Flush water coaster, Frog Hopper; Quassy trains, Paratrooper, and the Music Fest); A Quassy Amusement Park Chronology. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 225] MACK: CAROUSEL AND VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION - THEME PARK EQUIPMENT. [2003] (21x28cm - 52 Pages - Colour photos and diagrams throughout). The history of the Mack Company, and their amusement park rides and attractions. The Mack Company has remained true to itself since 1780 when the company was founded. The motto of that time - "Only what's good can blaze a trail and stay on top" still applies for us today. The company has survived for many generations. It has continually expanded and has successfully coped with changes. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 226] TIM O'BRIEN: THE AMUSEMENT PARK GUIDE (FIFTH EDITION). [2003] (12x21cm - 326 Pages - Few B&W photos). This new edition includes updated listings for all new parks, new photographs and trivia items, and sidebars with information on the author's favourite parks, as well as the latest details about new rides at each park. The latest in the series of comprehensive guides to the parks in the USA and Canadian provinces by an amusement park connoisseur. CHECK 'EM OUT! (1) Top Thrill Dragster: Get launched from 0 to 120 in 4 seconds on this brand-new coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It's the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. (2) Shrek 4-D: New at the Universal parks in Orlando and Hollywood, this attraction was filmed in "all-new Ogrevision" - can't you just hear, see, feel, and smell the fun? (3) Celebration City: This brand-new night-time theme park in Branson, Missouri, features a 95-foot-tall Ferris wheel and the Ozark WildCat, an 80-foot-tall twisting wood coaster. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 227] CHANDRA BEAL & RICHARD BEAL: SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK - THE EARLY YEARS - NEVER A DULL MOMENT. [2003] (15x23cm - 262 Pages - Many B&W photos). A stroll through the early history of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (California). Visit the Boardwalk through historical photographs, personal interviews, and extensively researched records. Rekindle memories and meet the colourful characters who shaped the town's image as a world-class resort. Features a chronological, year -by- year timeline... including the inception of Thompson's Scenic Railway in 1908 (-1924), the building of the Giant Dipper in 1924 (-present), the Wild Mouse 1955/8 (-1977) and the 1977 introduction of the Jet Star modern steel coaster to the present day. Thoroughly researched and an educational read. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 228] JOHN S. BERMAN: PORTRAITS OF AMERICA - CONEY ISLAND. [2003] (17x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). As the ultimate summertime destination for tens of thousands of New Yorkers during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Coney Island is famous for its historical amusement parks and attractions: The Cyclone, The Bobs; Virginia Reel; Wonder Wheel; Grand Canyon Toboggan Railway and the Thunderbolt roller coaster. Coney Island was the place to get a Nathan's Famous hot dog, enjoy the penny arcades and dance pavilions. The boardwalk bustled with excitement and was the scene for many first kisses. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 229] KNOTT'S BERRY FARM: THE OFFICIAL SOUVENIR ALBUM. [2003] (21x28cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, California). Read a brief history of how Walter and Cordelia Knott founded their berry stand, and how their small enterprise grew into the massive resort it is today. Read about the Ghost Town area of the park and its rides and attractions. Move on into the Old West and read about one of the world's longest and tallest wooden roller coasters - Ghostrider. Visit Wild Water Wilderness and brave the geysers and exploding waves aboard the Bigfoot Rapids ride. Moving on into The Boardwalk, Knott's challenge you to step aboard the Xcelerator - the high-energy '50s-themed launched coaster that screeches from 0-82mph in 2.3 seconds! Make a big splash on Perilous Plunge, the tallest and wettest ride, and test your nerve on the Montezooma's Revenge steel coaster, and more. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 230] BETTY LYNNE HULL: DENVER'S ELITCH GARDENS - SPINNING A CENTURY OF DREAMS. [2003] (15x19cm - 144 Pages - Many B&W photos). "To not see Elitch's is to not see Denver," ran an advertising slogan for Elitch Gardens (Denver, Colorado), and it was true. For more than one hundred years, Denverites have gone to Elitch's to relax, to play, and to be entertained. Opened in 1890 by John and Mary Elitch, Elitch Gardens was always much more than just an amusement park. Chapter Points: Into the Gay Nineties; A Dream Is Born; The Promise of a New Century; The Beginning of a Dynasty; The Golden Era of the Park; The Sixties and Beyond; The End of an Era; Into a Second Century; The Legend of Mary Elitch's Ghost. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 231] JASON SURRELL: THE HAUNTED MANSION - FROM THE MAGIC KINGDOM TO THE MOVIES. [2003] (22x28cm - 134 Pages - Many conceptual drawings and colour photos). Welcome foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion, one of the most popular attractions in the history of Disney theme parks. This publication fleshes out how the Mansion's 999 grim grinning ghosts were brought to life. Rare early concept sketches, never -before- published original story synopses and stunning architectural drawings, illustrate the Mansion's evolution as it was constructed at each Magic Kingdom Park around the globe. This is one book you'll simply be dying to have on your shelf! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 232] MARLA L. HYDER & DONALD L. JOHNSON: DEAR OLD NAT... SPOKANE'S PLAYGROUND. [2003] (21x28cm - 144 Pages - Many B&W photos). If you can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Natatorium Park (Washington, USA), you have really lived. See and read about the rides and attractions, including: the Dragon Slide; Octopus/Spider; Dodgems; Joy Wheel; Circle Swing; Shoot the Chutes; and the Jack Rabbit coaster. Selected Chapter Points: A History of Spokane to 1889; From Trolley Park to Amusement Park (1895-1907); Audley Ingersoll's Coney Island (1907-08); Louis Vogel Guides the Nat Through Depression and War (1929-52); Trains, Tricks, and Trouble for Lloyd Vogel (1952-62); Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend (1962-68); Nat's Genuine Looff Carousel; The Ride of Your Life; The Legacy of Natatorium Park; Dear Old Nat Song. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 233] ANDREAS THEVE, MATS WICKMAN, OVE HAHN: FOLKETS GRÖNA LUND. [2003] (25x28cm - 204 Pages - Many B&W, some colour photos). Charting the rich history of Gröna Lund amusement park (Stockholm, Sweden). Beginning in 1883 with a simple Carousel, read how this park survived through difficult times and prospered to become the amusement park and entertainment destination it is today. Featuring many photos of rides and attractions both past and present, including the Fun House; Stage Shows; Dodgems; Spin rides, and the various roller coasters. (Swedish script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 234] JOHN HENCH: DESIGNING DISNEY - IMAGINEERING AND THE ART OF THE SHOW. [2003] (23x28cm - 156 Pages - Full colour photos and sketches). Illustrated with images from the vaults of Walt Disney Imagineering, this publication details the author's personal journey during 60 (and counting) years with the Walt Disney Company. The story, character, and colour are all key elements in a successful design; whether the medium is architecture, animation, live-action film, theme parks, stage plays, costumes, restaurants, or shops. Here we take a look at them all and find out what makes a design successful, and why. Chapter Points: Preface by Frank Gehry; Foreword by Martin A. Sklar; The Art of the Show; The Art of Visual Storytelling; The Art of Character; The Art of Colour; Afterword: Mickey and Me; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 235] CYNDY HENNIG HANKS: BOULDER AMUSEMENT PARK - THE BIOGRAPHY OF A CARROUSEL. [2003] (22x28cm - 114 Pages - Many B&W photos). For more than 20 years, the community of Indian Falls, New York, wondered where the vanished carrousel went that whirled at Boulder Amusement Park. In the 1980s, several unique, magnificently carved carousel figures were put up for auction. They created a stir. Collectors asked, what ride had the figures come from? When were they carved? This is the true story of a one-of-a-kind carrousel designed by Emilie Morrot Bourgard - and of her brother, Theophilus John Morrot, who brought it to Boulder Park. Chapter Points: A Boy at Sea; Glass Works; Epiphany; Reims; Emilie's Carrousel; Departures; Indian Falls; Boulder Amusement Park; Quietus; Epilogue. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 236] BILL RAUHAUSER: BOB-LO REVISITED. [2003] (21x25cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). A photographic look back at Boblo Island (Ontario, Canada). Photography is the art of our time and, when used with skill and integrity, its impact is enormous. The camera produces images that record our most cherished moments and our most important events. In so doing, the photograph acquires a dignity that is unique to the medium. Chapter Points: Introduction; On The Boats; The Island (Including the stalls, rides and roller coasters); Going Home. Boblo Island: Detroit's Canadian Jewel (A History by Martin Magid). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 237] BRET WITTER'S CARNIVAL UNDERCOVER. [2003] (14x20cm - 210 Pages - Few B&W illustrations). Step right up, ladies and germs! You're about to enter the secret world of amusement parks, carnivals and fairs. Discover the skills, thrills, and chills that carnies don't want you to know! Learn how to win the prize every time, how to choose the best seat on the roller coaster, and how to make a carnival-quality funnel cake at home. Cringe at the worst -and most hilarious- accidents in amusement park history; uncover the secrets of sword-swallowing and ride design; and thumb through the "Field Guide to Roller Coasters" to discover the fastest, steepest, wildest and deadliest rides in America. WARNING! Contains spoilers, tips, and inside information that reveal for the first time the secrets of the amusement park. Enter at your own risk. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 238] GARRETT SODEN: FALLING - HOW OUR GREATEST FEAR BECAME OUR GREATEST THRILL... A HISTORY. [2003] (16x22cm - 344 Pages). Anyone who has gone over the crest of a roller coaster should wonder why that terror is so much fun. Read the astonishing story of how taking a fall has evolved from an experience that the ancients used as a metaphor for damnation to one so prized that today millions crave its intense rush. Discover why some people love falling, while others hate it (blame it on our genes). Selected Chapter Points: Introduction (Birth of the Bungee Jump); The Gravity Century; Terrified Imagination; Troubles in the Theatres of Gravity; Fall of the Noble Daredevil; Got Air?; Falling for All; Sensation Seekers; The Metaphor of Falling; Falling Today and Tomorrow; Acknowledgments; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 239] CHARLES INFOSINO: THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK TO PARAMOUNT'S KINGS ISLAND. [2003] (10x20cm - 146 Pages - Few B&W photos). Paramount's Kings Island (Kings Mills, Ohio) is one of the most popular amusement parks in the U.S. The 364-acre park has 12 roller coasters including The Beast and Son of Beast. The park offers 8 themed areas with over 80 rides, shows, and attractions. Includes information on which rides might suit you best and which to avoid. Includes detailed descriptions of the park's eight areas, and independent evaluations and technical information on every ride. Also recommends the best places to eat, shop, stay, and ways to optimise your time. Chapter Points: Introduction; History; Planning Your Trip; Directions; Lodging; Guest Services; Admission Fees; Dining at PKI; International Street; Paramount Action Zone; Oktoberfest; Coney Mall; Rivertown; Hanna-Barbera Land; Nickelodeon Central; WaterWorks; Touring Plans; Shows; Halloween at PKI; Index; Park Map; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 240] KAREL LOEFF, HENNIE VAN OERS & M.M.V. RONNIE DE BRUIJN: KERMISTRANSPORT - HISTORISCH OVERZICHT KERMIS-ATTRACTIES. [2003] (15x21cm - 50 Pages - Many B&W photos). [5 of 8]. Exploring the wonderful and varied life of fairground transportation - from early shipping and rail transport to road transportation and power generators. Selected Chapter Points: Introduction; Horse and Carriage; Ship; Train; Motor Tractors; Larger Trucks; DAF; Other Makers; Living Carriages; Bus Homes; Trailers and Rides' Transportation; Energy; Getting Stuck...; Transport on Transport! (Dutch script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 241] SCOTT RUTHERFORD: ROLLER COASTERS. [2003] (26x26cm - 160 Pages - Full colour). Was your first coaster experience in the 1940s when rattling woodies were hotter than the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra? Maybe it was in the 1970s when steel corkscrews assaulted questionable hairstyles. Whenever it was, millions fondly recall their first lump-in-the-throat ride...; Chapter Points: Foreword; Introduction; Humble Beginning 1880s-1920; The Golden Years 1920-1940; Nuts and Bolts - How Coasters Work; Postwar Coastering 1945-1972; The Coaster Renaissance; New Age Coastering - Now and Beyond. [Originally published in 2000 as "The American Roller Coaster"] ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 242] KATHLEEN MANNING & JIM DICKSON: SAN FRANCISCO'S OCEAN BEACH. [2003/4] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Where the waves of the Pacific Ocean wash up against the quiet neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Ocean Beach has endured as a popular destination for tourists and San Francisco residents alike. Captured here is the history and beauty of Ocean Beach. Selected Chapter Points: History of Ocean Beach; Sutro and Sutro Heights; Other Attractions at Ocean Beach; Playland at the Beach (Amusement Park); Fleishhacker Pool, Playfield, and Zoo. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 243] WALLY ELY & BOB OTT: DORNEY PARK. [2003/4] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Dorney Park (Allentown, Pennsylvania) was founded by Solomon Dorney in 1884. The park was owned by Dorney until the early 1900s, when Jacob Plarr assumed ownership. The Plarr family operated the park until 1985. Today it is known as Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom and illustrates the development of one of America's greatest historic amusement parks. Pictures of the Allentown amusement park from the 1880s to the 1900s, including the roller coaster, carousel and other important rides in the park. Chapter Points: In the Beginning; Castle Garden; Merry-Go-Rounds; Roller Coasters; Swimming Pool and Zoorama; Trains; Racetrack; Everything Else. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 244] DOUG HIGLEY: SCARY DARK RIDES. [2004] (15x23cm - 104 Pages - A few B&W pictures and photos). The first book of its kind to be published on the subject of dark rides! From the carnival midways to Disneyland, 100 years of spooks, fantasy and adventure... the book that turns the lights on. Scary Dark Rides is the story of the dark ride from the inside out! It is not a where-to list of rides but is a why-to and gets inside the rides and why we love them! Read at your own risk and watch for a few surprises along the way! (Revised and reprinted in 2007). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 245] JIM FUTRELL: AMUSEMENT PARKS OF NEW JERSEY. [2004] (15x23cm - 228 Pages - Frequent B&W photos). Chapter Points: A History of the Amusement Park Industry; A History of the Amusement Park in New Jersey; Steel Pier; Keansburg Park; Clementon Park; Jenkinson's Boardwalk; Casino Pier; Playland's Castaway Cove; Bowcraft Park; Land of Make Believe; Storybook Land; Funtown Pier; Wild West City; Gillian's Wonderland Pier; Morey Piers; Six Flags Great Adventure; Fantasy Island; Blackbeard's Cave; Other Amusement Facilities; Index of Major Rides in Operation in New Jersey; Bibliography; Index; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 246] DAVID HAHNER: KENNYWOOD. [2004] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Founded in 1898 at the terminus of the Monongahela Street Railway trolley line, Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania) quickly grew into a favourite summertime destination. In 1987, Kennywood was designated a National Historic Landmark and is known today as America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park. Chapter Points: Foreword; The End of the Line; Flowers, Trees, and Neon; Picnics and Entertainment - Kennywood Traditions; Riding the Painted Ponies; The Scream Makers - Roller Coasters; The Dark Side of Kennywood; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Ponies, Too!); Making a Splash at Kennywood; Pint-Sized Thrills - Kiddieland Memories; Rounding It All Up. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 247] DAVID W. & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: CEDAR POINT. [2004] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). In 1870, Louis Zistel began ferrying passengers from Sandusky to the Cedar Point (Ohio) Peninsula's beer garden and sandy beaches. In 1888, the Grand Pavilion was built, housing a massive theatre, bowling alley, photographic studio, and kitchen, and shortly thereafter, the resort's first roller coaster was installed. George Boeckling transformed the resort into a self-sufficient city and amusement park, but the park suffered badly in the 1930s economic depression. However, after Cedar Point changed hands several times in the 1950s, it became one of America's leading amusement parks. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 248] DAVID W. & DIANE DEMALI FRANCIS: CHIPPEWA LAKE PARK. [2004] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). In the 1880s, Oscar Townsend and the Cleveland, Lorain, & Wheeling Railroad developed a prosperous vacation resort, eventually called "Chippewa Lake Park" (Medina, Ohio) on the banks of Ohio's largest natural lake. In 1937, Parker Beach purchased the resort, and it enjoyed a swinging Golden Age through 1969. In 1978, after more than 100 years of operation, Chippewa Lake Park joined the ghostly ranks of the last traditional amusement parks. Chapter Points: The Emergence of an Amusement Park; Depression, War, and Survival; The Post War Boom; Chippewa Lake Park at its Zenith; Chippewa's Final Years. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 249] JEFFREY S. CROUSHORE: IDLEWILD. [2004] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). America's third oldest amusement park, Idlewild (Ligonier, Pennsylvania), was founded in 1878 as a picnic ground along the Ligonier Valley Rail Road. Idlewild added amusements and facilities as its crowds continued to grow, but it always strove to maintain the picturesque landscape of the site. Soon a full-fledged amusement park was in operation, with throngs of visitors. Home to unique attractions like Story Book Forest, the Rollo Coaster, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make Believe, and the Soak Zone, Idlewild has been the backdrop for generations of fond memories. Chapter Points: A Mountain Playground 1878-1930; The Park Beautiful 1931-1952; You Can't Beat Fun 1953-1982; The Finest in Family Fun 1983 and After. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 250] ROSE ANN JANKOWIAK-HIRSCH: CRYSTAL MEMORIES - 101 YEARS OF FUN AT CRYSTAL BEACH PARK. [2004] (21x27cm - 206 Pages - Many B&W photos). For generations of Southern Ontario and Western New York residents Crystal Beach Park (Ontario, Canada) was the place to be. The closing of the park in 1989 was a blow to all who went there. This publication evokes warm summer evenings aboard the spine-tingling rides. Take one more ride on the terrifying twists and turns of the Cyclone or the intimidating hills of the lakeside Comet, two of the world's finest roller coasters. Recall the animated chortle of Laffing Sal, the frightful fun of the Laff in the Dark and the Big Bands in the Ballroom. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.