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[BOOK 301] JEFF KURTTI & BRUCE GORDON: THE ART OF DISNEYLAND. [2006] (27x34cm - 132 Pages - Full colour). [1 of 2]. Showcasing 50 years of the rich, varied, and vivid artistic inspiration behind the development of the landmarks, attractions, architecture and shows that constitute Disneyland (Anaheim, California). Chapter Points: The Artist as Storyteller (By Martin A. Sklar); A Magical Little Park; Main Street USA; Adventureland; Frontierland; New Orleans Square; Bear Country and Critter Country; Fantasyland; Mickey's Toontown; Tomorrowland; Biographies of the Principal Artists: (Ken Anderson, Mary Blair, Marc Davis, Harper Goff, John Hench, Sam McKim, Dorothea Redmond, Herbert Ryman); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 302] MIRIAM BARDSWICH & JULIE FLANNERY: AMUSEMENT PARKS. [2006] (23x31cm - 50 Pages - Full colour). Chapter Points: Introduction; Long Before Disney (Bakken, Tivoli Gardens, World's Columbian Exposition, Trolleys, Ice Slides); The History of Amusement Parks (1843-2005); Disneyland Opens; Palisades Park; Parks Around the World: ((Alton Towers (England), Disneyland & DisneySea (Japan), Dreamworld (Australia), Gardaland (Italy), Marineland (Canada), Ratanga Junction (South Africa)). Fabulous Food; Carnival Games; Wonderland (story); Roller Coaster Science; Kingda Ka - The King; Scaring Ourselves; Roller Coaster (poem); Haunted Castle (short story). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent for children.
[BOOK 303] KAREL LOEFF & HENNIE VAN OERS: DE BERG- EN DALBAAN - HISTORISCH OVERZICHT KERMIS-ATTRACTIES. [2006] (15x21cm - 50 Pages - Many B&W photos). [8 of 8]. Exploring the history and development of the fairground ride commonly known as: Himalaya, Matterhorn, Jet Bob, Mont Blanc, Musik Express and Bayern Kurve. Selected Chapter Points: Introduction; United Kingdom; Prohibited in the Netherlands; The Car Carrousel; Spillmann's Innovations; From Tunnels to Rockets; Demon Whirl to Cortina Bob; Snow Valley; A New Generation; Reverchon; Speed Without Rails; Sobema Hits Back; Snow Jet and Nautilus; Fixed Gondolas; The Waltzer; Musik Express; Bayern Kurve; Bibliography. (Dutch script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 304] MARY M. FLEKKE, SARAH E. MACDONALD & RANDALL M. MACDONALD: CYPRESS GARDENS. [2006] (16x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Florida's first theme park, Cypress Gardens (Winter Haven, Florida) was the brainchild of Richard Downing "Dick" Pope Sr. With his wife, Julie Downing Pope; he transformed a marshy, lakeside property in into a magnificent garden. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Building the Park; Promoting Cypress Gardens; The Gardens; Water-Ski Capital of the World; Boating at Cypress Gardens; Movies and Television; Celebrity Visitors; Park Expansion; Cypress Gardens Adventure Park [a short chapter featuring select rides]; Sources Consulted. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 305] PAUL MASON: ROLLER COASTER! MOTION AND ACCELERATION. [2007] (19x24cm - 34 Pages - Many colour photos). This piece of juvenile literature delivers curriculum concepts with a high-interest twist. Key science concepts are clearly explained, and expertly levelled text ensures accessibility. With fun facts about some of the world's best coasters it is sure to generate interest in physics, and maybe coaster designing (!) at an early age. Selected Chapter Points: Design Your Own Roller Coaster; Newton's First Law of Motion; What Goes Up; On Track for Thrills; Losing Speed; Friction; Air Resistance; The Best Seat on the Train; Roller Coasting Around the World; Coaster Glossary. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 306] H. KOLL, S. MILLS, K. KIEPERT: USING MATHEMATICS TO DESIGN A ROLLER COASTER. [2007] (20x26cm - 32 Pages - Full colour). How much airtime can you build into a four-minute ride? How many loops and corkscrews? Mathematics is important in the daily lives of people everywhere. You may not realize it, but engineers use mathematics for everything from drawing up plans to inspecting structures for safety. In this book, students will be able to try lots of exciting mathematics activities, using real-life data and facts about roller coasters. If you can work with numbers, measurements, shapes, charts, and diagrams, then you could design a roller coaster! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 307] THE SANTA CRUZ SEASIDE COMPANY: THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK - A CENTURY BY THE SEA. [2007] (26x26cm - 168 Pages - Full colour). Warm sand and cool surf, the sweet smell of cotton candy, and the thrill of your first roller coaster ride. These are the kinds of memories the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (California) has inspired over its first one hundred years. Chapter Points: Foreword; Introduction; 1866-1906 Never a Dull Moment; 1907-1914 The Second Casino and the Birth of the Boardwalk; 1915-1938 The Santa Cruz Seaside Company; 1939-1951 A Time Like No Other; 1952-1983 The Vacation Parade; 1984-2007 Warm Sand, Cool Surf, Hot Rides; Employees and Concessionaires; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 308] SALVADOR ANTON CLAVÉ: THE GLOBAL THEME PARK INDUSTRY. [2007] (17x24cm - 460 Pages). Since the 1980s, the theme park industry has developed into a global phenomenon, with everything from large, worldwide theme parks to countless smaller ventures. From the first pleasure gardens to the global theme park companies, this book provides an understanding of the nature and function of theme parks as spaces of entertainment, with comprehensive analyses of their operation, strategies, finance and marketing. This publication portrays the impacts of theme parks as global competitive actors, agents of global development and cultural symbols, particularly in the context of their role in the developing experience economy. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 309] TIM O'BRIEN: RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! AMUSEMENT PARK ODDITIES & TRIVIA! [2007] (15x23cm - 112 Pages - Many B&W illustrations). A journey through more than 350 Believe It Or Nots! Explore the weird, wacky, and absolutely true world of parks, rides and attractions. Chapter Points: Introduction; Magical Midway; Roller Coasters; Entertainers; Disney; Carousels; Ferris Wheels; Amusement Park Food. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 310] SUSAN K. MITCHELL: MEGASTRUCTURES - THE BIGGEST THRILL RIDES. [2007] (17x23cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). An item of juvenile literature investigating some of the tallest, longest, and largest thrill rides in the world. Read about the challenges, dangers, and successes in building these colossal structures. Explore how roller coasters reach top speeds and how they stop. Find out how a roller coaster stays on the track. Read about the newest and scariest thrill rides, and how gravity and high speeds affect riders. Chapter Points: The Earliest Coasters; Too Dangerous? (Son of Beast malfunction); Higher and Scarier Than Ever; Super Thrills; The Ultimate Scream Machine; Coaster Time Line; Glossary; Further Reading. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 311] JOHN K. WALTON: RIDING ON RAINBOWS. [2007] (15x23cm - 164 Pages - Few B&W photos). An explorative piece about Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Blackpool, England). Read about this spectacular national and international phenomenon, and why, since the 1890s, it has been so successful over such a long period, while rival seaside amusement parks have faltered and fallen by the wayside. This publication offers new interpretations of the changes in leisure, amusement, technology and consumption that helped to transform popular culture and society in twentieth century Britain. Chapter Points: Blackpool and the Pleasure Beach; Creating the Pleasure Beach; A Modern Amusement Park, (The Pleasure Beach between the Wars); The Post-War Pleasure Beach, New Challenges, New Initiatives; Customers and Workers; The Pleasure Beach and the Wider World; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 312] DAVID KOENIG: REALITYLAND - TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD. [2007] (16x23cm - 340 Pages - Very few B&W photos). This book follows Walt and his hand-picked successors as they first surreptitiously acquire enough land to hold his ambitious dreams, then go about trying to make them come true - all the while battling thieving contractors, unlike-minded executives, unscrupulous corporate raiders, uncontrollable economic forces, and public-relations nightmares. Based on a decade of research and interviews with 100 Disney insiders, this publication also reveals what it is like to work for The Mouse, what lies in the Magic Kingdom's subterranean tunnels, and how - despite extraordinary efforts to control every aspect of "the show" - not everything goes according to plan. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 313] LYNDA HOTRA & SHERMAN FARNHAM: GREETINGS FROM ROSELAND PARK - PLAYGROUND OF THE FINGER LAKES 1925-1985. [2007] (29x36cm - 158 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). Roseland Amusement Park (Canandaigua, New York) was a cheery place where children tried all the rides, where teenagers dated and roamed with friends, and where grandparents remembered swinging to the dance-hall bands and reaching for the carousel's brass ring. Selected Chapter Points: Introduction; From Farmland to Funland; An Amusement Park for the Automobile Age; Roseland Park Dodges the Depression; Weathering the War Years; Catch the Brass Ring - Roseland's Carousel; Thrilling Delights from Daring Heights - The Skyliner; New Management and Old Values; Adaptation and Innovation; Going, Going, Gone; New Lives for Old Rides; Recalling the Fun. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 314] HARRY BENSON: TIVOLI GARDENS. [2007] (26x31cm - 244 Pages - Full colour). Nestled in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark, Tivoli is one of the world's most spectacular and popular amusement parks. Comprised of a lush green public garden, theme park, food, shopping, and performing arts centre, Tivoli has captured the hearts and imaginations of its visitors since it first opened its gates in 1843. This book contains stunning photographs, which capture the essence of Tivoli's countless attractions - its performers, performances, and its visitors. (Danish script with English translation). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 315] STEVE ROSE & MARCUS ROBINSON: EYE - THE STORY BEHIND THE LONDON EYE. [2007] (24x29cm - 192 Pages - Full colour). This is the story of what happens when a couple of idealistic, young architects, backed by the Chief Executive Officer of one of Britain's biggest corporations, challenges the status quo. Beautifully written and with stunning photographs, this is a must read for the Ferris wheel enthusiast. Chapter Points: Foreword; Pure Form; Revolutions in the Sky; Factory Plates (Photos); Seeing and Believing; Construction Plates; Full Circle; Landmark Plates; Descriptions of the Plates; Biographies. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 316] ED GAIDA: JUST FOR FUN! JIMMY JOHNSON'S PLAYLAND PARK. [2007] (22x29cm - 152 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). The property at the intersection of Broadway and Alamo Streets in San Antonio (Texas) stands vacant today. It was not always so. Between 1943 and 1980 the site was occupied by one of San Antonio's best-remembered places of amusement, Playland Park. Like a giant magnet its "Forty Rides and Attractions" drew thousands of San Antonians and South Texans through its gates to savour the thrills, chills, and delights it had to offer. Step back in history and take one more ride on the giant wooden roller coaster (The Rocket, before it was moved to Knoebels and renamed Phoenix) or gallop upon a hand carved wooden carousel horse. It's all here and forms yet another addition to Playland Park's motto: "Just for Fun." ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 317] DOUG GARNER: FOREST PARK HIGHLANDS. [2007] (16x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Forest Park Highlands was once St. Louis (Missouri) largest and best-known amusement park. In its earliest years, the Highlands boasted a fine theatre and one of the largest public swimming pools in the United States. Roller coasters are the lifeline of every good amusement park, and the Highlands always had two. The end came in a spectacular fire that decimated almost the entire park on 19 July 1963. Only the Comet roller coaster, the Ferris wheel, the Dodgems, the Carousel, and the Aero Jets survived. This book covers other historic St. Louis amusement parks too: Suburban Gardens, West End Heights, Delmar Gardens, Westlake Park, Chain of Rocks Park, and Holiday Hill. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 318] SANDRA CALVERT MUELLER, MARLENE CALVERT FELDKAMP & TOM RYAN: MEMORIES OF CRYSTAL BEACH PARK - VERMILION, OHIO. [2007] (15x23cm - 124 Pages - Many B&W photos). Crystal Beach Park closed its doors for the last time in 1965. But for the people who enjoyed all that it had to offer, sweet memories linger on. This book offers the nostalgic reader photos and tales of the amusement park rides, the buildings, and -most importantly- the people who were part of the Crystal Beach family. Whether you worked at the park, rode all the rides, or simply love to learn about what life was like in days past, this publication will take you on a most enjoyable trip down Memory Lane. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Founding Family; The Early Years; The Golden Years; After the Fire; Picnics and Other Attractions; The Sunset Years; Epilogue. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 319] ZHANG PINGGONG: CULTURE AND IDEOLOGY AT AN INVENTED PLACE. [2007] (15x22cm - 250 Pages - Few B&W photos). The theme park is an extraordinary cultural landscape and extraordinary cultural experience. Academic analysis of theme parks has grown and diversified, as have the parks themselves, so we have the luxury of many and varied "variations on a theme park" to help us think about them. Too often an easy target for dismissive cultural critique, its landscape labelled as a simulacrum, its visitors as bearers of false consciousness as they explore cultural dupes. However, we need to move beyond such a dead-end approach as we explore China's best theme park, Overseas Chinese Town. Theme parks are incredible lenses to explore issues such as national and cultural identity, popular culture, globalisation, mediatisation, and post modernisation. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 320] JASON SURRELL: THE DISNEY MOUNTAINS - IMAGINEERING AT ITS PEAK. [2007] (22x28cm - 130 Pages - Full colour). Read how Disney's Mountains challenged those who built them. Chapter Points: Forewords (By Martin A. Sklar & Tom Fitzgerald); Introduction; First Man on the Mountain (Matterhorn Bobsleds); The Disneyland That Never Was (Candy Mountain); Launching a Legend (Space Mountain); The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad); Just Add Water (Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach); You May Get Wet (Splash Mountain); A Bear of an Icon (Grizzly Peak); The Jewel of Tokyo DisneySea (Mount Prometheus); Imagineering at its Peak (Expedition Everest...); Afterword (By Tony Baxter). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 321] CHARLES PETRILLO: HARVEY'S LAKE. [2007] (21x28cm - 202 Pages - Many B&W photos). Documenting the rich history of Harvey's Lake (Harvey's Lake, Pennsylvania). Chapter Points: Benjamin Harvey, Frontier Years and Discovery; The Early Years 1792-1886; Early Hotels; The Golden Years 1887-1919; Hotel Oneonta; Alderson; Sunset; The Picnic Grounds, including the Speed Hound Roller Coaster; West Corner; The Harvey's Steamboat Era; Between the Wars 1920-1940, and Hanson's Amusement Park; The Modern Era 1941-1981; Afterword; Index; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 322] ANDREW HYDE: EXPERIENCE THE POINT - UNOFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK TO CEDAR POINT (THIRD EDITION). [2007] (14x21cm - 110 Pages - Few B&W photos). Cedar Point Amusement Resort (Sandusky, Ohio) is quickly becoming one of the Midwest's most popular destinations. With nearly 100 rides, shows and attractions, two waterparks, four hotels, and a campground, the park is not an average amusement park anymore. This guide provides every little detail needed in planning (and enjoying!) a successful trip to Cedar Point. Completely updated and redesigned, this edition features money-saving secrets, and information on every ride and attraction in the park. Chapter Points: Introduction; History; Planning a Trip; Park Information; Main Midway; Wicked Twister Midway; Frontier Trail/Town; Top Thrill Dragster Midway; Kiddie Areas; Challenge Park; Soak City; Outside the Park. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Poor / Fair.
[BOOK 323] SUZANNE BUTLER: WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT ROLLER COASTERS. [2007] (14x22cm - 150 Pages). A true story with other disclosures, revealing the extent of suffering a roller coaster ride is capable of inflicting. Many roller coasters have sustained G-forces that our delicate brains were not meant to withstand. Chapter Points: Roller Coaster Problems; G-Forces & Inertial Injuries; The Roller Coaster Loophole; Safety Standards; Injury Recording & Reporting; Partial List of US Roller Coasters Exceeding 4G; Soaring Injury Rates in Our Parks; The List (of injuries sustained from which roller coasters); References; Did You Know? ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 324] LAWRENCE R. SAMUEL: THE END OF THE INNOCENCE - THE 1964-1965 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR. [2007] (18x26cm - 55 B&W photos and illustrations). On the eve of opening day, a 12 billion-candlepower beam of light was turned on over the fairgrounds. Soon the world's biggest fountain would be turned on and a 610-bell carillon would ring out "There's No Business Like Show Business." From 22 April to 17 October in 1964 and 1965, some 52 million people from around the world flocked to the New York World's Fair. Already a highly contentious political battleground and social phenomenon, 'the single greatest event in history' was finally about to begin. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Greatest Event in History; Heigh Ho, Ho Hum; Second Time Around; The House of Good Taste (Including Walt Disney's "It's A Small World"); Global Holiday; Sermons from Science; Conclusion. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 325] JEFF SAVAGE: THRILL RIDES! ALL ABOUT ROLLER COASTERS. [2007] (21x27cm - 50 Pages - Full colour). Roller coasters have been thrilling riders for more than a hundred years. How are they built? How do they work? Which is the fastest? The tallest? The longest? Discover all you need to know - from early woodies to today's gigacoasters. Chapter Points: Introduction; Early Roller Coasters; Walt Disney - Theme Park Pioneer; Roller Coaster Design; Stan Checketts - Master Designer; Types of Roller Coasters & Construction; The Making of The Beast; Roller Coaster Science; Who Likes Roller Coasters?; Anthony "Coaster Tony" Reynolds; Conclusion; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent for children.
[BOOK 326] MARK SHULMAN: THRILL RIDES - TOP 10 ROLLER COASTERS IN AMERICA. [2007] (25x31cm) - 50 Pages - Full colour). Buckle your straps and keep your feet and arms inside the car! Let's explore the wild and freaky world of rockin' roller coasters! Chapter Points: Introduction; How Roller Coasters Work; The Science Behind the Scare; Safer Than Your Bathtub; Types of Roller Coaster; Rolling Through History; Top 10 Roller Coasters: (10)The Cyclone 1927; (9)The Beast 1979; (8)Dueling Dragons 1999; (7)Son of Beast 2000; (6)Millennium Force 2000; (5)Superman Ride of Steel 2000; (4)Boulder Dash 2000; (3)X 2002; (2)Top Thrill Dragster 2003; (1)Kingda Ka 2005. Who's Who Behind Every Ride; Amazing and True Stories; Complete List of USA Amusement Parks; Roller Coaster Records; Glossary. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 327] CLAUDIA PUTTKAMMER & SACHA SZABO: GRUß AUS DEM LUNA PARK - EINE ARCHÄOLOGIE DES VERGNÜGENS. [2007] (15x21cm - 96 Pages - Many B&W postcards). Greetings from Luna Park - An Archaeology of Fun. You're invited on an entertaining visit to historic amusement parks. Selected Chapter Points: "Bakken" (Klampenborg, Denmark); "Prater" (Vienna, Austria); "Tivoli" (Copenhagen, Denmark); "Coney Island" (Brooklyn, New York); The "New World" (Berlin, Germany); "Luna Park" (Berlin, Germany); "Luna Park" (Leipzig, Germany); "Luna Park" (Altona, Germany); "Hugo Hasse Park" (Hamburg, Germany); The Smaller Destinations and Exhibition Parks; "Luna Park Fredenbaum" (Dortmund, Germany); "Join the Joyrider" by Dr. Gereon Uerz. (German script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 328] DALE PIERCE: WHEN THE LAUGHTER DIES AWAY. [2007] (15x23cm - 84 Pages). A personal recollection of lost amusement destinations. Chapter Points: Introduction; Legend City (Phoenix, Arizona); Mother Goose Land (Canton, Ohio); Fallon's Play Land (Akron, Ohio); Jantzen Beach (Portland, Oregon); Railroads of America (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio); Santa Fair Mall (Federal Way, Washington); Chippewa Lake Park (Medina, Ohio); Meyers Lake Park (Canton, Ohio); Jesse James Territory (Sullivan, Missouri); Frontier Village (San Jose, California); The Cleveland Zoo Kiddie Land (Ohio); Euclid Beach Park (Cleveland, Ohio); Apacheland (Apache Junction, California); Fontaine Ferry Park (Louiseville, Kentucky); The Seattle Zoo Train (Seattle); The Ross Allen Reptile Farm (Silver Springs, Florida); Story Land (Pompano Beach, Florida); Idora Park (Youngstown, Ohio); Pioneer City (Davie, Florida); Six Gun Territory (Florida); Rocky Point Park (Warwick, Rhode Island); Summit Beach Park (Akron, Ohio). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 329] JIM FUTRELL: AMUSEMENT PARKS OF VIRGINIA, MARYLAND & DELAWARE. [2008] (15x23cm - 214 Pages - Few B&W photos). A unique reference source detailing park locations, operating schedules, admission policy, food, rides, special features, and useful tips on how to make the most of your visit. Chapter Points: Foreword (By Dennis Spiegel); Introduction; A History of the Amusement Park Industry; Trimper's Rides and Amusements; Jolly Roger at the Pier; Funland; Frontier Town Western Theme Park; Kings Dominion; Six Flags America; Busch Gardens Europe; Baja Amusements; Motor World; Go-Karts Plus; Virginia Beach Amusement Park; Blue Diamond Amusement Park; Adventure Park USA; Other Amusement Facilities; List of Major Rides in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware; Index; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 330] NATHAN LEPORA: TWISTS AND TURNS - FORCES IN MOTION. [2008] (21x28cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). 1 of 4: Theme park science has never been so interesting. A fun and informative book packed with amazing photos, facts, and figures about theme park rides. Discover how theme parks use science to create thrilling, white-knuckle rides. Chapter Points: Rotational Movement; Rotational Energy; Centripetal Force; Cornering; Looping; Spinning; Swings and Pendulums; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 331] NATHAN LEPORA: FALLING FOR FUN - GRAVITY IN MOTION. [2008] (21x28cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). 2 of 4: Theme park science has never been so interesting. A fun and informative book packed with amazing photos, facts, and figures about theme park rides. Discover how theme parks use science to create thrilling, white-knuckle rides. Chapter Points: Gravity; Weight; G-Forces and Free Fall; Centre of Gravity; Energy; Kinetic Energy; Potential Energy; Energy Conservation; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 332] NATHAN LEPORA: MARVELLOUS MACHINERY - GEARS, LEVERS AND MORE. [2008] (21x28cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). 3 of 4: Theme park science has never been so interesting. A fun and informative book packed with amazing photos, facts, and figures about theme park rides. Discover how theme parks use science to create thrilling, white-knuckle rides. Chapter Points: Machines; Wheels and Ramps; Pulleys and Levers; Propulsion; Materials; Strong Structures; Design; New Technology; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 333] NATHAN LEPORA: HIGH SPEED THRILLS - ACCELERATION AND VELOCITY. [2008] (21x28cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). 4 of 4: Theme park science has never been so interesting. A fun and informative book packed with amazing photos, facts, and figures about theme park rides. Discover how theme parks use science to create thrilling, white-knuckle rides. Chapter Points: Force; Speed and Velocity; Acceleration; Mass and Inertia; Wheels and Tracks; Friction; Air Resistance; Braking; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 334] JAY DUCHARME: MOUNTAIN PARK. [2008] (16x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Following Mountain Park's (Holyoke, Massachusetts) opening in 1894 as a picturesque retreat on the side of Mount Tom, Mountain Park expanded and evolved into one of the most beloved amusement parks in New England. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Holyoke was the most prosperous community in the state, and the first planned industrial city in the United States. The city's progress drew crowds of visitors to the park, and it gradually developed into a bustling destination. Although Mountain Park closed its gates in 1987, the echoes of laughter from generations of visitors still reverberate throughout the Pioneer Valley. Chapter Points: Introduction; Cow Pastures with Scenery; The Phoenix on the Mountain; The Valley Players; Soldiers Return; A Place for Families; Riding into the Sunset. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 335] JEFFREY P. STONEKING: THEME PARK SAFETY FAILURE$. [2008] (15x23cm - 102 Pages). This book sheds a glaring beacon on issues and incidents that riders and attendees should be made fully aware of - that their lives are at an even greater risk than ever before. Since theme parks are constantly competing against one another with higher, bigger, and faster installations, safety issues are being totally disregarded with virtually no time for error. Warning: ride - and read at your own risk, as thrill rides are becoming kill rides. Chapter Points: Twist and Shout; Never!; Splat; Mousetrap; Identified Flying Objects; It Shouldn't Do That!; What Goes Up...; Riff Raft; It Happens In 3's; The "Marvellous" Son of Beast; Too High, Too Fast, Too Soon; A Cursed Name; A Ticket to Die. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 336] AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS: 2008 WORLDWIDE ROLLER COASTER CENSUS. (21x28cm - 110 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 337] KATHRYN W. BURKE: PLAYLAND. [2008] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Recalling the early days of Playland (Rye, New York), a national historic landmark and America's only publicly owned amusement park. Opened in 1928 as part of the newly developed Westchester County Park System, Playland originally drew crowds that arrived to enjoy the circus acts, sideshows, and rides, such as the Swooper, an oval roller coaster, and the Derby Racer, one of only two left in the United States. An all-purpose resort, the park included a beach, bathhouse, pool, and casino with restaurants and games. Today Playland draws even larger crowds -nearly a million people each season- that come to ride the Dragon Coaster and stroll along the boardwalk. Chapter Points: Introduction; Construction; Rides and Attractions; Kiddyland; Entertainers; Sports and Games; On the Water; Getting to the Park; Around the Park. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 338] RICHARD HARRIS: EARLY AMUSEMENT PARKS OF ORANGE COUNTY. [2008] (16x23cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). The Orange County coast (California, USA) had its Joy Zone and its Fun Zone in the early decades of the 20th Century. Knott's Berry Farm sprouted from a simple berry stand in Buena Park. The spot that would become Walt Disney's theme-park empire began as a citrus grove in Anaheim. Before long, Orange County was recognised as the nurturing ground for the growing amusement park industry. Some amusement parks have come and gone over a century of development, and some are still here, changing with the times to create new adventure and excitement for park goers. Chapter Points: Introduction; Coastal Amusement Parks; Knott's Berry Farm; Walt Disney and Disneyland; Hollywood and Entertainment Attractions; Wildlife Attractions; Old MacDonald's Farm. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 339] SONJA HAVERMANS: DRIEVLIET 70 JAAR. [2008] (20x21cm - 86 Pages - Full colour). Celebrating seventy years of Drievliet Familiepark (Rijswijk, The Netherlands). From its founding in 1937, read about the many events that have shaped the park we see today. See and read about the Jet Star coaster, the Carousel, Enterprise wheel, Swinging ship, Dynamite Express, Bumping cars, Ferris wheel, and the 2007 launched coaster, Formule X. Chapter Points: Voorwoord; In Vogelvlucht; Van Speeltuin Naar Familiepark; De Drie Van Drievliet; Nawoord. (Dutch script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 340] DOUGLAS LOUDENBACK: SPRINGLAKE AMUSEMENT PARK. [2008] (16x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). With beginnings in 1922 through to the park's closing in 1981, Springlake (Oklahoma City) came to be Oklahoma's premier place for fun for everyone around the state during its almost six-decade longevity. For all its goodness Springlake was flawed, remaining segregated longer than many other businesses during the tumultuous civil rights era. Forced to integrate by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Springlake adapted poorly - instead of opening its huge pool to all swimmers and sunbathers, the pool became an aquarium. Racial tensions culminated Easter 1971 with a small but important racially based riot from which the park never fully recovered. Chapter Points: Foreword; Introduction; Overlooking the Park; The Early Years; The Middle Years; The Heyday Years; A Failed Solution; The Last Years. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 341] SCOTT A. LUKAS: THEME PARK. [2008] (16x21cm - 274 Pages - Many B&W, few colour photos). Theme parks are a uniquely interactive and enduring modern form of entertainment that have influenced architecture, technology and culture in surprising ways for more than a century. This piece takes the primitive amusements of nineteenth century pleasure gardens as its starting point, and continues with an in-depth investigation of the theme park throughout the twentieth century and beyond. World-famous and lesser-known parks are discussed, including parks located in the USA, UK, Europe, Japan, China, South Africa and Australia. Chapter Points: Theme Park as Oasis; Theme Park as Land; Theme Park as Machine; Theme Park as Show; Theme Park as Brand; Theme Park as Text; References; Select Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 342] LYNDA J. RUSSELL: LAKE COMPOUNCE. [2008] (16x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Founded in October 1846 by two local families, Lake Compounce (Bristol, Connecticut) began its transformation from a rustic summer resort into a bustling amusement park. Gad Norton and Isaac Pierce teamed together to build a park that utilized the lake's natural appeal for swimming, boating and picnicking. This publication highlights the park's long history of big bands, the Crocodile Club, the Wildcat roller coaster, and the William Gillette train. For generations, the park has been able to maintain its status as a local treasure while expanding and growing into what is today recognized as "America's pioneer playground." Chapter Points: Introduction; The Norton and Pierce Families; American Pioneer Playground; Crocodile Club; Amusements; Big Bands and Concerts; Memories; A New Beginning. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 343] PATRICK LIVINGSTON: SUMMER DREAMS - THE STORY OF BOB-LO ISLAND. [2008] (20x25cm - 194 Pages - Many B&W photos). For most Windsor and Amherstburg, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, area residents, the name "Boblo" reminds one of perfect summer days in the park on the enchanted isle at the mouth of the Detroit River. For several generations over the past century, Boblo epitomized a place of fun, recreation, and magic for friends and family. Chapter Points: Prologue; Boblo in the River of Time; Amusing Times for the Twentieth Century, 1892-1902; Dance Fever 1902-1912; Good Times and Hard Times, 1913-1939; Under New Management, 1938-1949; Boblo, A Browning Line, 1949-1979; Thrills and Spills in the Amusement Business, 1979-1993; The Thrill is Gone, 1993-2006; Afterword; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 344] JEFF KURTTI: WALT DISNEY'S IMAGINEERING LEGENDS - AND THE GENESIS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARK. [2008] (24x28cm - 150 Pages - Full colour). Although Disneyland was the inspiration of one man, Walt did not achieve this history-altering concept on his own. This book introduces a core group of the originators of Disneyland and the other Disney parks. It explores their individual relationships with Walt and each other, their creative breakthroughs, failures, rivalries and politics. Chapter Points: Foreword (Martin A. Sklar); What is Imagineering?; The First Imagineer - Walt Disney; The Prototype Imagineers; The Executive Suite; The Place Makers; The Story Department; Masters of Mixed Media; The Model Shop; The Machine Shop; The Music Makers; The Unofficial Imagineers; The Renaissance Imagineer; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 345] DARYL T. SCHLENDER: SILVER SANDS AND GOLDEN MEMORIES - THE HISTORY OF SILVER BEACH AMUSEMENT PARK. [2008] (15x23cm - 192 Pages - Many B&W photos). Those who experienced the Silver Beach (St Joseph, Michigan), will recall memories that take them back to a simpler, more innocent time. Selected Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Foreword; Drake & Wallace Partnership / Biographies; Early History; Territorial Development; Expansion; First Attractions; Park Progress; Continued Activities; The Exciting Decade; Unknown Episode; Park Mishaps; A Terpsichorean Plan and Other Changes; Realization of a Dream; Additions and Important Changes; The 1940s and 1950s; "Chief" and Bobbie; Persons and Personalities; Closing Park Activities; Last One Standing; Death of a Legend; From City to County; Silver Beach Today; Conclusion. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 346] JIM ABBATE: FLYING TURNS CHRONICLE. [2008] (22x28cm - 40 Pages - Many B&W photos and diagrams). Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania) has built an updated version of this traditional attraction that has been absent from amusement parks for over 30 years. What is the story behind the ride? Where did this type of ride come from? Who originally built it? Find the answers inside. Features Flying Turns at: Lakeside Park (Ohio); Euclid Beach Park (Ohio); Rocky Point (RI); Century of Progress World's Fair (Chicago); Forest Park Highlands (St. Louis); Steeplechase Park (NY); Luna Park (Paris); Brussels International Exposition (Belgium); Prater (Austria); Riverview Park (Chicago); Bakken (Denmark); Sandy Beach Park (Ohio); Unknown (Germany); Palisades Park (NJ); New York World's Fair; Unknown (Argentina) Fyn's Tivoli (Denmark); And... Knoebels! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 347] JASON MAYOH: TALES OF ROCKY POINT PARK. [2008] (17x27cm - 114 Pages - Many B&W photos and illustrations. Few colour pages). A most impressive comic-book style publication, charting the rich history and lore of Rocky Point Park (Warwick, Rhode Island). Located on Narragansett Bay, Rocky Point Amusement Park was once known as "The Playground of New England for Over 150 Years." In its heyday, the Park boasted attendance records of over 75,000 people. Chapter Points: Introduction; Tales Concerning the House of Horrors (Castle of Terror) 1963-2007; Escaped Monkeys; Dark Night of the Skyliner; Memories, Rumours and Tall Tales of Rocky Point Park; The Fabulous Flume Ride & Log #13; Vintage Rocky Point Postcards; Rest in Peace Rocky Point; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 348] IAN MARK SMITH & DEAN DAVIS: WILDWOOD MOMENTS - NEW JERSEY'S BELOVED BOARDWALK. [2008] (23x28cm - 100 Pages - Full colour). The Wildwood, New Jersey boardwalk is among the most beloved boardwalks along the New Jersey Barrier Island. It will always have a place in the hearts of its visitors; as a beach, it provides the timeless experience of a vacation at the shore, and as a boardwalk and town, it caters to every childlike fascination. Chapter Points: Introduction; Unpacking a Little History; Catching an Early Show; Bright, Warm and Busy; The Second Wind; The Sideshow - Night time in Wildwood; The Collections. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 349] TINA SKINNER: THE STORY OF STORYBOOK LAND. [2008] (22x28cm - 98 Pages - Full colour). Storybook Land (near Atlantic City, New Jersey) is a wonderful treasure you'll want to share. It lives on as one of America's few remaining family-owned amusement parks. Designed for children 10 and under, it's equally delightful for their chaperones. The lovingly cared for park is furnished with antiques and lavished with flowers, its rides and attractions related to favorite childhood stories and rhymes. Meet the creator of this park, share their memories, and relive your own. Chapter Points: The Early Days; A Roadside Stand; Art, Craftmanship, & Character; Rhyme & Storybook Time; Fairy Tales & Literary Fantasy; Thrills & Excitement; A Veritable Zoo; Holidays Year Round; Continuing A Tradition. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 350] DAVID BETTENCOURT & STEPHANIE CHAUVIN: ROCKY POINT PARK. [2009] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). In 1847, Rocky Point Park's (Warwick, Rhode Island) humble beginnings as a Sunday school picnic ground gave birth to a true Rhode Island tradition. For nearly 150 years, until its closing in 1995, the park evolved as it welcomed resort vacationers, hosted two U.S. presidents, suffered through devastating hurricanes, and was afterward revived by the Ferla family. By the mid 20th Century, no summer in Rhode Island was complete without a trip to Rocky Point to experience the wonderful rides and attractions. Although no longer standing, Rocky Point Park remains an iconic piece of Rhode Island history and the subject of many fond memories. Chapter Points: Introduction; Early Years; Food and Fun; Rides and Attractions; Ruins and Demolition. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.