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[BOOK 351] AMY HUTCHINGS: WHERE PEOPLE WORK / WHAT HAPPENS AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK? [2009] (18x18cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Join Buddy, every first-grader's favourite pal, as he goes behind the scenes at interesting real-life places where people do interesting real-life work. This edition takes readers inside an amusement park to meet the many workers who help a dad and his daughter enjoy a day of fun. This English/Spanish bilingual book enables children to work on their second-language skills as they develop skills in their primary language. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for younger children.
[BOOK 352] THEME PARK INSIDER GUIDE TO ALTON TOWERS 2009. (13x20cm - 42 Pages - Full colour). The definitive, unofficial guide to help you make the most of your visit to Alton Towers (Staffordshire, England). With a little forward planning you can avoid the queues! Do you know about single rider queues? The best times to visit? The best way to get the cheapest tickets? This comprehensive guide shares useful advice to help ensure you have a fun and enjoyable experience. Chapter Points: Introduction; Dates & Times; Tickets & Offers; Travel & Parking; Monorail & Main Gates; Queuing Systems; Ride & Area Guides; Entertainment; Food; Thrill-Seeker's Itinerary; Family Itinerary; Children's Itinerary; Hints & Tips; Resort Guide; Local Accommodation; Alton Towers' Future; Links. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 353] DIANNE IRVING: AMUSEMENT PARKS - PERIMETER AND AREA. [2009] (18x23cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). Amusement parks are lots of fun. They have rides, games, and other entertainment. There are different kinds of amusement parks. Some are small with only a few rides. Some are huge and have themes. Each park is carefully planned to fit a certain area. This exciting book is designed to help educate children about perimeter and area, and features interesting and useful information about amusement parks and roller coasters worldwide. Chapter Points: Amusement Parks; History of Amusement Parks; Amusement Park Rides; Water Parks; Getting Around the Parks; Planning for Fun; Problem-Solving Activity; Glossary; Index; Answer Key (answers to tasks). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for young children.
[BOOK 354] JAMES HARRIS: SANTA MONICA PIER - A CENTURY ON THE LAST GREAT PLEASURE PIER. [2009] (23x23cm - 130 Pages - Full colour). There's something for everyone on the Santa Monica Pier, a classic pleasure pier with a certain 'je ne sais quoi.' For a hundred years the Pier has represented the link between people and the Pacific, a connection to all that's possible, probable and worthy of dreams. This commemorative collection of vintage images, colourful artwork, fascinating history and amazing lore invites anyone who has ever enjoyed the Pier to revisit its past and contemplate its future. Main Chapter Points: Foreword (By Robert Redford); The Early Years; The Last Great Pleasure Pier; Pier Icons (rides and amusements). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 355] JOAN NEWTON: GRAVITY IN ACTION - ROLLER COASTERS! [2009] (19x22cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Amazing science for juvenile readership. Chapter Points: Gravity In Action; Roller Coasters; The First Roller Coasters (Russian Ice Slides / Mauch Chunk Railroad); Getting To The Top; Launching Coasters; Record-Breaking Coasters (Kingda Ka / Steel Dragon 2000); A Big Thrill (X2); Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for children.
[BOOK 356] PETE TRABUCCO: AMERICA'S TOP ROLLER COASTERS & AMUSEMENT PARKS. [2009] (15x20cm - 236 Pages - Few colour photos). A guide for those who ride them, and tips for those who fear them. Here, you'll be afforded an inside look at why amusement parks remain as popular and as successful as ever. Chapter Points: Search for the Ultimate Scream Machine; Closing the Loop! (Author's Story); Brief Coaster History; Is This Ride Safe?; Overcoming Coaster Fear; Coaster Types; Mighty Wood Coasters; Steel Marvels; The Best Mass-Produced Coasters; Top Manufacturers; America's Top Steelies; America's Best Woodies; Top US Parks; Top 25 (NY, NJ, Conn.) Coasters; Coaster Future; List of North American Amusement Parks; Terminology. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair.
[BOOK 357] MICHAEL FISHER: ALTON TOWERS - PAST & PRESENT. [2009] (17x25cm - 194 Pages - Many B&W photos/drawings). Alton Towers (England) is now known as the backdrop to a theme park. This work traces the history and development of this Gothic-revival mansion and its gardens. Selected Chapter Points: Alveton Lodge. Alton Abbey: Entrance Hall; Family Rooms; Long Gallery & Great Drawing Room - Evolution of the 'T-Room;' Conservatory; South Entrance & Eastern Range. The Towers: Gallery Range; New Chapel; Romantic Interiors. Earl & Architect; Pugin at Alton: Talbot Gallery; The Octagon; The Grand Talbot; Doria Rooms; The Defence of Alton Towers; Great Dining Room; The 'New Rooms' & South Facade; Kitchens & Servants' Quarters; Interior Decorations; Heating Systems & Glass; Garden Buildings; Railway & Lodges; The Towers Chapel; Ruins & Restoration. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 358] JAY JENNINGS: KNOTT'S BERRY FARM - THE EARLY YEARS. [2009] (17x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Before there was a Disneyland, there was a Knott's Berry Farm. What started out in the early 1920s as a small, roadside berry stand in Buena Park, California, grew over the next 60 years into one of the most popular amusement parks in the world. Its founder, Walter Knott, along with his wife and family, knew no boundaries when it came to expanding his small berry market and tearoom into the world-famous Chicken Dinner Restaurant and later adding his ultimate achievement, Ghost Town. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Early Years of Walter Knott; Introducing Knott's Berry Place; Building a Ghost Town; Knott's Berry Farm and Ghost Town; Vintage Knott's Memorabilia. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 359] JEFF KURTTI & BRUCE GORDON: THE ART OF WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT. [2009] (27x34cm - 140 Pages - Full colour). [2 of 2]. A showcase of the varied art and artists of Walt Disney Imagineering. Highlighting the rich and vivid creative inspiration behind the development of the landmarks, attractions, architecture and shows that constitute Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida). Chapter Points: A World of ...Artists (By Roy Edward Disney); ...Nostalgia; ...Adventure; ...Fantasy; ...History; ...On the Move; ...Tomorrow. Biographies of Principal Artists: (Tony Baxter, Mary Blair, Collin Campbell, Marc Davis, R. Tom Gilleon, Paul Hartley, Sam McKim, Dorothea Redmond, Herbert Ryman); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 360] CATHERINE IPCIZADE: BIG ROLLER COASTERS. [2009] (24x29cm - 24 Pages - 9 Full colour/full page coaster photos). Speed down hills. Spin upside down. Let big roller coasters take you for a ride. Learn about big roller coasters and the ways they give riders big thrills. Chapter Points: Big; Bigger; Biggest; Glossary; Read More; Internet Sites; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair, for very young readers.
[BOOK 361] JACK WRIGHT: A WILD RIDE. [2009] (23x31cm - 194 Pages - Full colour). Running the business of an amusement park is a lot like spending a day at one. It's a roller coaster of emotions, full of highs and lows. So it goes with Morey's Piers. The company launched 40 years ago with one simple slide on the boardwalk, and zero experience in the game. Now they're running arguably the best seaside amusement park in Wildwood, New Jersey. This is their story. Chapter Points: Foreword (by Will & Jack Morey); Best In Show; The Invention of Fun; Kings of The Boardwalk; Building A Dynasty; Monster Attractions; Up, Up And Away; Tacky And Proud of It!; Disasters, Mishaps and Misunderstandings; The Drawing Board; Dream Team; The Future of Fun; The Visionary (Wilbert C. Morey 1927-1998). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 362] HARRY APPLEGATE & THOMAS BENTON: SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE. [2009] (17x23cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Built in 1974, Great Adventure (Jackson Township, New Jersey), was the larger -than- life dream of a larger -than- life personality, Warner LeRoy. The consummate showman, LeRoy had visions of a fantasy world of rides, shows, and animals in a beautiful and unspoiled woodland setting. In 1977, Great Adventure became a member of the Six Flags family of theme parks and has continued to grow, with bigger and better attractions. Visit attractions past and present, including: the Garden of Marvels, Big Balloon, Freefall, Ultra Twister, Kingda Ka, and Bizarro. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; A Dream Comes True; The Greatest Day of Your Life; It's a Whole New Adventure; It's Playtime! ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 363] RICHARD G. WEINGARDT: CIRCLES IN THE SKY - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE FERRIS. [2009] (18x25cm - 162 Pages - Few B&W photos). In the summer of 1893, at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, an engineering marvel was unveiled and immediately captured the world's attention. George W.G. Ferris Jr. and his wheel helped usher America-eager to identify itself with ingenuity, entrepreneurialism, and innovation-into the twentieth century. Yet the very wheel that came to define George Ferris in the end consumed him, leaving him ruined. Selected Chapter Points: Foreword (Norman D. Anderson); Legendary He Was; Westward to the Colonies; Taming the Prairie; Carson Valley to Troy; Founding of a Firm; Building Big Bridges; Incredible Wheel; Lawsuits & Ruin; Aftermath-Epilogue; G. Ferris' Family Tree; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Excellent.
[BOOK 364] NICK EVANS: DREAMLAND REMEMBERED - 90TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. [2009] (21x27cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). Margate's (England) Dreamland Park opened in July 1920 and millions flocked to enjoy its attractions in the decades that followed. A visit to the Kent coastal resort wasn't complete without a ride on the famed Scenic Railway or the Looping Star. This edition updates, expands and celebrates the Park's 90th anniversary. With 250 illustrations - from earliest days to the latest ideas - to help create a heritage theme park. Chapter Points: Introduction; First Awakenings 1863-1919; Making The Dream Come True 1920-1945; Post War Revival 1946-1969; New Brooms Herald a New Era 1970-1981; The Bembom Years 1982-1995; To the Millennium & Beyond 1996-2010; Acknowledgements. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 365] STEVE LIEBOWITZ: SHOWPLACE OF THE NATION - STEEL PIER - ATLANTIC CITY. [2009] (25x29cm - 266 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). Steel Pier (Atlantic City, New Jersey) was aptly called the Showplace of the Nation, and it was all this and more. Chapter Points: Beginning of the "World's Playground"; Amusement Piers - The New Attraction; Steel Pier's Early Years; The Minstrel Shows; Frank Gravatt - Entrepreneur & Innovator; George A. Hamid - Top Showman; Entertainers Hit the Stage; Orchestras and the Big Bands; World Famous Diving Horses; Wacky Stunts and Exhibits; There She is - Miss America...; Kids In the Audience & On Stage; Movies & Hollywood Attractions; Easter Sunday on the Pier; Inside a Landmark Resort; The End of an Era and an Icon; Epilogue; Acknowledgments; Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 366] MARGARETA CRAMÉR & PER MYREHED: VARVET SOM BLEV TIVOLI. [2009] (14x19cm - 98 Pages - Few B&W and colour photos). Building History and Architecture at Gröna Lund (Stockholm, Sweden). Studies the architectural antiquary of the old houses behind the rides and roller coasters at Gröna Lund's Tivoli. We take a look at the houses, which now form part of the carnival. In several of the yard buildings are murals and woodwork interiors from the 1700s. The amusement park was created using the special carnival classicism of the 1920s, as you can see in the Spanish Steps (Bliss bridge), the dance floor and in the reconstructed main entrance, (Swedish script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 367] THE GUINAN FAMILY: LAKEWOOD PARK. [2009] (17x24cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Lakewood Park (Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania) was established in 1916 by the Guinan family as a place to bathe, picnic and camp. It became known as a nature retreat for the nearby miners and their families, and it developed into a destination for swimming, amusement rides, skating, big band dances, ethnic celebrations, political banquets, and more. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; In the Beginning; The Rides (1928 Spillman Carousel, Train, Kiddie Cars, Beep-Beep Cars, Helicopters, Junior Whip, Lindy Loop, Octopus, Looper, Loop-O-Plane, Roller Coaster, Dodgem, Hey Dey, Wild Mouse). The Dance Hall; Ethnic Celebrations; The Theater. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 368] SUSAN K. MITCHELL: AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES. [2010] (16x23cm - 50 Pages - Full colour). Few things are as exciting as a fast-paced roller coaster ride. The thrill of a huge, sudden drop or a giant loop can be both exhilarating and terrifying. From Kingda Ka in New Jersey to Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan, get an inside scoop on the fastest, tallest, most incredible amusement park rides in the world. Chapter Points: Introduction; Kingda Ka; Millennium Force; Steel Dragon 2000; Son of Beast; Perilous Plunge; X2; Giant Drop (Dreamworld, Australia); Superman-The Escape; Superman-RoS; Las Vegas' Stratosphere Tower (Big Shot, X-Scream, Insanity); Honorable Mentions (Colossus-Thorpe, Fahrenheit-Hersheypark); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 369] LISA GREATHOUSE: HOW AMUSEMENT PARKS WORK. [2010] (18x23cm - 34 Pages - Full colour). Millions of people visit amusement parks every year. Not many people think about science while there, but fun parks would not exist without science. In fact, you could think of an amusement park as a huge science laboratory. Have you ever wondered how amusement park rides work? What keeps the roller coaster on its track? How the free-fall ride stops? What keeps the Ferris wheel steady? Chapter Points: The Science of Amusement Parks; Simple and Compound Machines; Measuring Motion; That Sinking Feeling; Will You Build the Next Great Ride?; Appendices; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for children.
[BOOK 370] MEISH GOLDISH: HEART-STOPPING ROLLER COASTERS. [2010] (21x26cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Want to take a ride you'll never forget? Then hop aboard the biggest, fastest -and scariest- roller coasters in the world. From the towering Kingda Ka, to the giant Steel Dragon 2000, you'll soon discover why they're called "scream machines"! Chapter Points: The First Coasters in America; Kingda Ka; Steel Dragon 2000; The Beast; Millennium Force; Superman-The Escape; American Eagle; The Riddler's Revenge; Tatsu; More Big Rides: (Beijing's 682ft/208m Great Wheel - Australia's 390ft/119m Giant Drop - The 135ft/41m Brazilian waterslide, Insano - China's 650ft/198m Macau Tower Bungee jump); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended for children.
[BOOK 371] CHRISTOPHER MERRITT & J. ERIC LYNXWILER: KNOTT'S PRESERVED - FROM BOYSENBERRY TO THEME PARK. [2010] (24x24cm - 164 Pages - Full colour). Knott's Berry Farm (Buena Park, California). From the earliest days of the farm, when Walter Knott, his wife Cordelia, and their children were serving up baskets of berries "as big as a man's thumb," to the advent of themed rides, Camp Snoopy replete with the Peanuts gang, and the arrival of the fastest coasters the coast had ever seen - it's all here. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Foreword (By Tony Baxter); Coughran's Land; Your Wait Will Be 3.25 Hours; A Live Ghost Town; The Two Pauls; Gift Stars and Tom-Tom Seats; Ghosts Come To Ghost Town; The Family Builds A Mountain; Both Proud And Humble; Gypsies, Scares, And Bears; Enter The Beagle; New Beginnings. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 372] DENNY VON FINN: THE WORLD'S FASTEST ROLLER COASTERS. [2010] (17x24cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Are you ready to take it to the extreme? Then read at your own risk! Chapter Points: What Are Roller Coasters? (Kingda Ka, Steel Dragon 2000; Ring*Racer; Thunderhead; Son of Beast); Roller Coaster Technology; The Future of Roller Coasters; Glossary; To Learn More (websites); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for children.
[BOOK 373] ALEX MILLER & BRYCE WALKER: CALIFORNIA THEME PARKS. [2010] (22x28cm - 128 Pages - Full colour). Discover how these magical theme parks came to be, and read the little-known secrets that make them such memorable landmarks. Chapter Points: About the Authors; Foreword (Charles Canfield); Adventure City; Belmont Park; California's Great America; Castle Park; Children's Fairyland; Disneyland Park; Disney's California Adventure Park; Funderland; Gilroy Gardens; Knott's Berry Farm; Legoland; Pacific Park; Pixieland Amusement Park; Rotary Storyland and Playland; Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; Scandia Amusement Park; SeaWorld San Diego; SF Discovery Kingdom; SF Magic Mountain; Universal Studios Hollywood; Timeline. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 374] ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN & FRANK R. ADAMO: FREEDOMLAND. [2010] (17x24cm - 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). Billed as New York's answer to Disneyland, Freedomland (Bronx) opened on 19 June 1960. Designed by Marco Engineering of Los Angeles for the International Recreation Corporation, Freedomland transformed a former landfill, lowlands, and farms into an exciting theme park in the shape of the United States. Recall boat rides on the Great Lakes, putting out a fire in Chicago, dancing under the stars at the Moon Bowl, or taking a train ride all the way to San Francisco, Freedomland was like walking into a history book. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Concept to Opening Day; From 1960 to 1964; The Entertainers; After Freedomland. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 375] JAMES R. SMITH: SAN FRANCISCO'S PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH - THE EARLY YEARS. [2010] (22x28cm - 154 Pages - Many B&W photos). The most comprehensive story of San Francisco's premier amusement destination. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Foreword (John Rothmann); Introduction; Playland and Chutes at the Beach - a Short History; Views of Chutes/Playland at the Beach and Its Surrounds; Chutes' Structures; Arcades; Playland Attractions: (Fun House, Goofy Village, Noah's Ark, The Ship A'Joy, etc...). Rides: (Shoot the Chutes, The Bob Sled Dipper, The Figure 8 Coaster, Big Dipper, Whirlpool, The Frolic, Merry Mix-Up, Lindy Loop, Extended Bartlett Rocket Speedway, etc...). Playland Clubs; Cafes; Events; Chutes and Playland Staff and Friends; Map of Playland 1945; Timeline (1906-1972); Index; About the Author. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 376] JOSEPH A. COMM: ROCK SPRINGS PARK. [2010] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Rock Springs Park (Chester, West Virginia) remained a landmark along the Lincoln Highway in Chester until 1970. In its heyday, this panhandle playground captivated 20,000 visitors daily with attractions including the World's Greatest Scenic Railway, Leap the Dips, Shoot-the-Chutes, the Figure Eight Coaster, the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Lusse Bumper Cars, Big Eli Wheel, Kiddie Cars, Aeroplane Ride, Octopus, Whip, and a hand-carved 1927 Dentzel Carousel. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; The Allure of Rock Springs -Earliest History 1889; J.E. McDonald Years (1890-1899); C.A. Smith Years (1900-1925); C.C. and Grace MacDonald Years (1926-1934); Robert and Virginia Hand Years (1935-1970); A Long Farewell (1971-1974); The Magic Lives On (1975-Present). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 377] LESTA SUE HARDEE & JANICE MCDONALD: MYRTLE BEACH PAVILION. [2010] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). For almost a century, the heart of Myrtle Beach (South Carolina) was defined by a place simply called "The Pavilion." From the original structure built in 1908, the Pavilion was the center of the resort town's growing tourism industry. Here you could stroll the Boardwalk, play arcade games, make faces in the fun mirrors, ride rides, dance the Carolina Shag, or sit on a bench and watch everyone else do all of the above. The beloved structure and its rides fell pray to economics and a wrecking ball in 2006. Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Introduction; The Birth of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion; The Pavilion; The Rides; The 2006 Farewell Season; Pavilion Ever After; Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 378] STEVE ALCORN: THEME PARK DESIGN - BEHIND THE SCENES WITH AN ENGINEER. [2010] (15x23cm - 212 Pages). Have you ever visited a theme park and wondered, "How did they do that?" At last there's a book that shows you. Take a peek behind the scenes with a theme park engineer. Selected Chapter Points: Don't Panic... Yet; Be My Guest; Rides; Shows; Other Attractions; Concept; Why Story Is King; Fitting Story to Audience; A Dose of Reality; Directors and Producers; Writers; Artists; Getting Started; Design; Construction; Commisioning; Meet the Engineers; Who's The Boss?; Types of Show Control; Monitoring, Safety and Maintenance; The Ride Control Engineer; Safety; Video; Keep It Sounding Good; Lighting and Effects; Nuts and Bolts; Details, Details; Welcome to My Theme Park; Sweating the Details; Other Markets; How Did I Get That Job?; A Parting Thought. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 379] ANITA DEVIVO AND THE LAWRENCE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: CASCADE PARK. [2010] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Since its opening in 1897, Cascade Park (New Castle, Pennsylvania) has welcomed thousands to its varied amusements. The park is an unusually beautiful natural setting, and in the 1890s, when it was called a trolley park, crowds arrived by streetcar. Eventually automobiles took over, and the roller coaster was dismantled to make way for a parking lot. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Brinton Park; Cascade Park; Rides (Toboggan Roller Coaster, Carousels, Bumper Cars, Gorge Coaster, Comet Coaster, Caterpillar, Cascade Flyer, Tumble Bug, Seaplanes, Old Mill, Ferris Wheel, Kiddieland). Attractions; The Dance Pavilion; Events; Changes; Winter; Scenes; Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 380] ANNA CARTER: CARTERS. [2010] (21x21cm - 42 Pages - Full colour). Carters Steam Fair is unique. It preserves the heritage of the British fair with vintage rides, traditional showmans' living vans and period transport. It regularly operates nine major rides and many juvenile rides and sideshows. The rides date from 1895 to the 1960s and everything is restored, decorated and illustrated in its period. Chapter Points: No Ordinary Fair; The Story of Carters Fair; The Gallopers, Chair-O-Planes, Steam Yachts, Dodgems, Octopus, Dive Bomber, The Ark, The Skid. Arcade; Juvenile Rides and Sideshows, Living Vans & Haulage; Work Never Stops; Carters Fair People. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 381] THE FAIRGROUND HERITAGE TRUST: THE FAIRGROUND HERITAGE CENTRE. [2010] (20x21cm - 54 Pages - Full colour). An illustrated guide to Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre (Devon, England). Chapter Points: Welcome (David Wallis); Background To The Collection; Robert Edwards & Sons LTD Super Chariot Racer; Super Dodgems; Supersonic Skid; Galloping Horses. William Wilson's Rodeo Switchback. Elizabeth Brett's Ghost Train. Robert Edwards' Speedway Track. Travelling Shows; Stalls And Games; Percival's Palace Of Pleasure; Arthur Swift's Children's Roundabout; Anderton & Rowland Collection; Painted And Carved Panels; Sam Crow's Dodgem Racing Cars; Joe Ling's Moonrocket Popeye; Fairground Models; Acknowledgements. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 382] THE IMAGINEERS: WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING - A BEHIND THE DREAMS LOOK AT MAKING MORE MAGIC REAL. [2010] (26x34cm - 196 Pages - Full colour) Here, the Imagineers serve up another dose of magic with an even closer look at who they are, what they do, and how they do it, illuminating their theories and explaining the tools they use and where and how they use them. Contained within are rough drawings, conceptual models and behind the scenes stories showcasing Disney's newest attractions and innovations from the inside out. There's also an exclusive peek into the Research and Development Lab to see what new magic will soon be appearing. The Imagineers tell their own stories - how they got there, what they do on a daily basis, and what they show their friends in the parks. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent.
[BOOK 383] CHRISTOPHER DEARMAN: SANTA'S VILLAGE GONE WILD! [2010] (14x22cm - 292 Pages) A revealing look at some of the fun, hilarious & outrageous stories that took place across forty-six seasons of Santa's Village (Dundee, Illinois). Selected Chapter Points: Author's Note; Foreword; Prologue; Santa's Village: Historical Overview; Employee Memories. Santa & The North Pole: Phil Wenz Interview; The North Pole. Rides & Games: Ride Memories; The Fire Truck; The Ferris Wheel; The Skyliner; The Tarantula. Games Memories; Clean Your Plate; Scarred For Life; Jawbreaker; The Wacky Wire; I Could Be Such An Ass; Don't Try This At Home; The Duck Pond. Grounds & Old McDonald's Farm. Racing Rapids. Love, Lust & Longing. After-Hours, Accidents & Urban Legends. All Good Things Come To An End: Poster Pitch Shakedown; The Last Day. Santa's Village Facts; Acknowledgments. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 384] KEITH ARMSTRONG: THE SPANISH CITY. [2010] (20x21cm - 40 Pages - Full colour). The vivid story of Whitley Bay's (England) heart and soul, the iconic landmark: the Spanish City. Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Introduction; Spanish City Message; History (1909-); Dance Hall Days; A Special Place; Whitley Bay and the Spanish City in the Early 1960s; Sex and the Spanish City; Foreigner's Views; Grand Old Lady: A Monologue. Features poetry about the Spanish City experience/rides. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 385] SCOTT FOWLER: LESOURDSVILLE LAKE AMUSEMENT PARK. [2010] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). LeSourdsville Lake (Middletown, Ohio), also known as Americana Amusement Park by a generation of visitors, was a popular recreational park for many decades. The park hosted hundreds of annual company picnics, high school proms and family reunions, and its success was maintained by featuring such classic rides as the Electric Rainbow, the Whip, and the Cyclone / Space Rocket / Screechin' Eagle and Serpent roller coasters, while the Stardust Gardens provided quality entertainment. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; The Rise of an Amusement Park; New Challenges, New Direction; The Little Giant Awakens; Disasters Take Their Toll. (LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park, 1922-2002). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 386] INGEBORG HAAS: DER WIENER PRATER. [2010] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). The unique atmosphere of the Viennese Prater (Austria) attracts both locals and tourists alike. The former imperial hunting ground is a Viennese institution. The restaurant owners, entrepreneurs, showmen and their attractions have remained for generations, so enjoy an exciting journey through one-and-a-half centuries of history. Selected Chapter Points: The Prater (introduction); Sport in the Prater; Venice in Vienna; Ferris Wheel - Liliputbahn; Hutsch'n and Rutsch'n; Hochschaubahn - Grottenbahn - Geisterbahn; Fun and Viennese Cosiness; Theatre and Circus World; From the World's Fair to the Viennese Fair. (German script throughout). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 387] VANESSA TOULMIN: BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH - MORE THAN JUST AN AMUSEMENT PARK. [2011] (25x26cm - 146 Pages - Full colour). Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England) continues to give pleasure to millions. Chapter Points: Foreword - A Magical Place; Introduction - The Beach's International Importance; In The Beginning - Earl's Court By The Sea; Interwar Years - Entertainment For The Masses; Casino - A 1930s Masterpiece; Designers - Designing The Pleasure Beach; Postwar Prosperity - The Boom Years; Shows - Spectacular Live Performances; Roller Coasters - Faster, Faster, Faster; A Family Affair (By Amanda Thompson). Special features: Maxim's Flying Machine, River Caves, Witching Waves, Noah's Ark, Fun House, Ghost Train, Wild Mouse, Derby Racer, Valhalla, Joseph Emberton, Percy Metcalfe, Tom Purvis, Charles Paige, and Arrow Dynamics. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 388] BILL TREEN AND ROBERT DEAKIN: A. DEAKIN & SONS MODERN AMUSEMENTS - A LEGEND FROM WALES. [2011] (22x30cm - 122 Pages - Many B&W and colour photos). The Deakin family became a bye word amongst Welsh showmen and public alike for their famous rides and their catering. After the Second World War, the family bought a number of new rides and established a reputation for innovation. Chapter Points: Introduction; In The Beginning; Onwards and Upwards; Memories of Mrs. Deakin; The Family; The Deakin Run; Transport; On the Road; 'Our Men!'; The Rides; The War Years; The Fairs; The Return of 'Supreme'; Memories ['last longer than dreams!']; And Finally...... ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 389] JIM BRUSH: GO TURBO - ROLLER COASTERS. [2011] (17x24cm - 50 Pages - Full colour). This book is about roller coasters, featuring everything from scream machines to dark rides. Also includes a story called "Riding the Dragon." Power-packed with more facts, more records and more websites than most books. Chapter Points: What is a Roller Coaster?; Runaway Trains; Getting Going; How Roller Coasters Work; Wooden Roller Coasters; Feeling the Force; Going Loopy!; Crazy Rides; To the Limit; Building the King; Riding the Dragon; Tower Drops; In the Dark; Super Ridefilms; Wet and Wild; Coaster Crash; Fast Facts; Answers; More Websites; Glossary; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good for children.
[BOOK 390] DANA MEACHEN RAU: SURPRISING SCIENCE - ROLLER COASTERS. [2011] (21x21cm - 26 Pages - Full colour). Discusses the basic scientific principles and historical context of roller coasters. Around and around and upside down - that's how roller coasters go! Who first built these exciting rides and how do they work? You might be surprised! Chapter Points: A Wild Ride; Roller Coaster History; How Roller Coasters Work; Keeping It Safe; Glossary; Books and Websites; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for young children.
[BOOK 391] MICK SHARP: THE DOME OF MEMORIES. [2011] (21x26cm - 106 Pages - Few B&W photos, mostly colour). Celebrating the centenary of the Spanish City Dome, Whitley Bay (England). Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Foreword; Before the Spanish City; The 'original' Spanish City Opens; The Funfair takes shape; The rides; Building the Dome; The Architects; The Inspiration?; Open to the public; The Dancing Girls; The Rotunda; The Theatre; The Picture House; Postcard views; Theatre becomes Empress; Riehl's Reel; The Winter Gardens open; A Spanish City Family; Wartime in Whitley Bay; Hoadley's Return; The Gordons; Dancing Queens!; Illuminations and Dancing; 'The Musical Area'; The Scotch Invasion; We had it all...; Lightning strikes; Seventies changes; 'Playground of the North'; Seventies Starlight; The Battle for the Empress; The Corkscrew (coaster); Fading Glory and Skateboards; To the next century. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 392] ROSE ANN HIRSCH: WESTERN NEW YORK AMUSEMENT PARKS. [2011] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). For more than 100 years, Western New Yorkers have enjoyed the region's exciting amusement parks. During the days of trolleys and steamships, area businessmen created Celoron Park, Crystal Beach Park, and other fine local summer resorts. Decades later, lifelong memories were formed for neighbourhood baby boomers who visited Glen Park, Fantasy Island and Darian Lake. In the new millennium, the summer tradition of visiting local amusement parks continues with a blend of family-orientated parks and theme parks that appeal to all ages. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Chautauqua and the Southern Tier; Western New York's Coney Island; The Lost Neighbourhood Parks; A Park is Reborn (Olcott Amusement Park); Fantasy on the Island; Fun in the Country. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 393] SETH KUBERSKY & KELLY MONAGHAN: UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 2011. (15x23cm - 290 Pages - Few colour photos and B&W maps). The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure, including "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter." Chapter Points: [1]Planning Your Escape. [2]Universal Studios Florida: Your Day; The Front Lot; Hollywood; Woody Woodpecker's KidZone; World Expo; San Francisco / Amity; New York; Production Central; Extra Added Attraction. [3]Islands of Adventure: Your Day; Port of Entry; Seuss Landing; The Lost Continent; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; Jurassic Park; Toon Lagoon; Marvel Super Hero Island. [4]CityWalk: Restaurants; Entertainment; Nightclubs; Shopping. [5]The Resort Hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel; Hard Rock Hotel; Loews Royal Pacific Resort. [6]Staying Near the Parks. [7]Universal Dining at a Glance. Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 394] CHARLES DENSON: CONEY ISLAND AND ASTROLAND. [2011] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). New York's Coney Island is where the roller coaster and the hot dog were introduced to the world. The glow of a million bare lightbulbs at Luna Park dazzled early visitors, and rocket ships at Astroland fuelled intergalactic fantasies. Astroland Park, created at the dawn of the space age, was the vision of Dewey and Jerome Albert. They transformed the three-acre Feltman's Restaurant property, one of Coney Island's oldest attractions, into a futuristic amusement park that would anchor the amusement zone for the next half century. The park's ambitious opening in 1962 helped Coney Island survive the closure of the venerable Steeplechase Park. Chapter Points: Introduction; Coney Island Streetscapes; Feltmans and Wonderland; Building Astroland; Astroland's Journey to the 21st Century. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 395] ROB ASCOUGH AND AL ALVEN: HUNT'S PIER. [2011] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). During the golden era in the years following World War II, Hunt's Pier became the "talk of the walk": a fun-lover's paradise of themed custom attractions. The "Oceanic Wonderland" helped millions of vacationers create countless memories, whether it was a child challenging the Flyer roller coaster's intimidating plunge or a child-at-heart exploring the dark caverns of the Golden Nugget and the haunted decks of the pirate ship Skua. Chapter Points: Foreword (Ralph Grassi); Acknowledgements; Introduction (Richard W. Munch); Hunt's Amusement Enterprises; Laying the Foundation; An Oceanic Wonderland; Pacing the Field; The Twilight Years; Post-Hunt Endeavors; Enter the Moreys. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 396] MEISH GOLDISH: AMAZING AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES. [2011] (21x26cm - 24 Pages - Full colour). Some amusement park rides are so extraordinary it's hard to grasp their incredible size and speed - unless you have something to compare them to. For example, the Steel Dragon 2000 roller coaster has an 8,133ft (2,479m) track. How long is that? If laid end to end it would stretch across 27 football fields. Look inside for more comparisons and find out just how big and fast amusement park rides around the world truly are. Chapter Points: Big Thrills; Steel Dragon 2000; The Singapore Flyer; The Giant Drop (Australia); Slingshot; Delirium (Kings Island); The Crypt (Kings Dominion); Jurassic Park - The Ride (Universal Studios Hollywood); Insano (Water Ride/Brazil); Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair for children.
[BOOK 397] RALPH LATOTZKI: DEUTSCHLANDS ACHTERBAHNEN / GERMANY'S ROLLERCOASTERS. [2011] (26x33cm - 154 Pages - Full colour). Showcasing Germany's premier amusement parks and roller coasters. Chapter Points: NORTH: Hansa-Park; Heide-Park. EAST: Belantis; Freizeitpark Plohn. SOUTH: Bayern-Park; Erlebnispark Tripsdrill; Europa-Park; Freizeit-Land Geiselwind; Legoland Deutschland; Schwaben Park; Skyline Park. WEST: Fort Fun Abenteuerland; Holiday Park; Movie Park Germany; Phantasialand; Ring-Werk; Wild -und Freizeitpark Klotten. Travelling Roller Coasters; Portable Roller Coasters; Wild Mouse; Spinning Roller Coasters; Foreign Roller Coasters. Information; Basics; Roller Coaster Types; Index; Butterflies in Germany; Manufacturer: (Zierer, Schwarzkopf, Maurer Söhne, Gerstlauer, Cordes, Mack). Roller Coaster Variations; Credits. (German and English script). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 398] MARTIN EASDOWN & LINDA SAGE: THE DEMISE OF THE ROTUNDA AMUSEMENT PARK, FOLKESTONE. [2011] (21x30cm - 44 Pages - Many B&W photos). Features the rides and attractions of this once thriving amusement destination. Chapter Points: The Demise of the Rotunda Amusement Park, Folkestone (Kent, England); A Brief History of the Rotunda Amusement Park to 1995; Erection of the Rotunda Dome; October 1998; 1999; List of Rides and Attractions 2000-1; 2002 The Final Year of the Full Park Opening; December 2002/January 2003 Demolition of the Rotunda Dome; January 2003 Trent's Redevelopment Plans for the Rotunda; 2004; 2005; 2006 Roger De Haan's Plans for the Seafront & Harbour; 2006 Thurston's Last Season at Rotunda; February 2007 Runaway Coaster Demolished; December 2007; Folkestone Triennial 2008. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Fair / Good.
[BOOK 399] ROTON POINT COMMITEE: ROTON POINT. [2011] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). From the 1870s through to 1941, Roton Point Park (Rowayton, Connecticut) was one of the pre-eminent attractions along the shores of Long Island Sound. From its shady picnic grove overlooking the water to its sand beaches, hotel, dance floor, carousel, roller coaster and midway rides, Roton Point attracted thousands of visitors each season. Damage from the 1938 hurricane and the start of World War II led to the park's closing in 1941. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Getting to the Park; In the Grove; Dancing on the Shore; Fun in the Sun; Around Pine Point; Amusements for All; Greetings from the Park; The Final Years. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 400] AARON J. NAFF: SEATTLE'S LUNA PARK. [2011] (17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). Luna Park (Seattle, Washington) emerged on the north end of Alki Beach during the golden age of American amusement parks. The park introduced the city to a host of novel attractions: Pleasure-seekers rode shimmering horses, thundered down the roller coaster, and marvelled at daredevils and sideshows. There were games to be played and prizes to be won. Though open only briefly, Luna Park remains a vibrant piece of Seattle's history. Chapter Points: Acknowledgments; Introduction; Seattle's Coney Island; The Nation's Greatest Playground on the Pacific Coast; Pioneer of the Coney Island Style [Charles I.D. Looff]; The Wild Scotsman [Llewellyn Guy Mecklem]; The Longest Bar on the Bay; The Cost of Big Amusement; Last of Luna Park; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 401] DAVID CECCHI: RIVERSIDE PARK. [2011](17x24cm - 130 Pages - Many B&W photos). From its earliest years as a picnic grove, to its subsequent evolution into a major theme park, Riverside Park (Agawam, Massachusetts) was synonymous with summer for generations of New Englanders. Thousands thrilled to the Cyclone roller coaster and countless other attractions. Riverside's status as the epicentre of summer recreation in the Northeast continues to this day with the park's current identity as Six Flags New England. Chapter Points: Introduction; The Grove; Let's Go!; Let's Dance!; Come on in, the Water's Fine!; On the River Side; Playground of the Connecticut Valley (the rides); God Bless Ed Carroll; The Rollaway; The Speedway; A New Era. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good / Recommended.
[BOOK 402] CLINT SKINNER: SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS - 50 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT. [2011] (15x23cm - 220 Pages). Selected Chapter Points: 1914 Angus G. Wynne; 1955 The Emergence of the Ultimate Industrial Park; SFOT; Opening Day; The First Special Event; Success. The Park of 1961; Mexican Marketplace; Indian Village; Frontier Settlement; Confederacy Section; Skull Island; France Section; Modern America Section; Animal Kingdom. The Formative Years 1962-1963; New Attractions. A Change in the Guard 1964; Years of Expansion 1965-1969; The Star Mall; Live Entertainment; The First Major Accident; The Spindletop Rotor Ride; The First Major Crime; Investment. End of an Era 1969-1970; Expansion; Changes; Crisis. The Pennsylvania Era 1971-1980; The Bally Era 1981-1986. The Turbulent Era 1987-1996; Time Warner and Six Flags. 1997-2011: Rising Prices; Gotham City; New Shows; Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.
[BOOK 403] VANESSA TOULMIN: BLACKPOOL TOWER. [2011] (25x27cm - 146 Pages - Full colour). "Following the foundation laying in 1891, Blackpool Tower (England) opened to the public on 14 May 1894. Chapter Points: Foreword (Steve Weaver); Introduction (Gordon Marsden MP); The Tower - The Wonderland of the World (Chronology, John Bickerstaffe, Aquarium, Menagerie and Zoo, Roof Gardens...); Design & Construction (Finance, Building, Blueprints, Interior Designs, Frank Matcham, Tower Lounge, Chinatown); Tower Ballroom (Dance Bands and Musicians, Reginald Dixon and the Mighty Wurlitzer, 1956 Fire, Pauline Rivers Ballet); Tower Circus (Jeanne Mount, Key Personalities, Charlie Cairoli, The Water Circus, Shows); The Future (Blackpool Council, Merlin Entertainments, Continuing Remodelling and Restoration). ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 404] WILLIAM E. KAE: CRYSTAL BEACH PARK - A CENTURY OF SCREAMS. [2011] (22x28cm - 264 Pages - Many B&W & colour photos). From 1890 through to 1989, the amusements at Crystal Beach Park (Ontario, Canada) provided escape from the rigours of daily life. The sounds, scents, and screams that emanated from the midway - regardless of the era - attracted Crystal Beach visitors, if only out of curiosity, to watch the brave (or foolhardy) ride the latest vertigo-inducing machinations, which ranged from the sedate to the sadistic. Chapter Points: Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1890-1906; 1907-1923; 1924-1945; 1946-1958; 1959-1971; 1972-1982; 1983-1988; 1989...; Post-mortem; Origins; Bibliography; Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Excellent / Recommended.
[BOOK 405] RALPH A. PFINGSTEN & GARY SWILIK: ONE MINUTE TO PURITAS SPRINGS PARK. [2011] (21x27cm - 202 Pages - Many B&W, few colour photos). Puritas Springs Park (Cleveland, Ohio) 1898-1958. Chapter Points: The Early Years; Interurban and Puritas Springs Mineral Springs Water Co; Puritas Springs Park Opens; The Gooding Family and Puritas Springs Park; Dance Hall; Roller Rink; Merry-Go-Round; Cyclone; Rides (Roll-O-Plane, The Bug, Dodgem, Rock-O-Plane, Flying Scooters, Rocket Ships, Whip, Old Mill, Comet, Rumpus House, Hey Dey, Kiddie Land Rides, etc...). Jungle Larry & Safari Jane; Food & Concesssions; Familiar Faces; Monkey Speedway; Wanda the Witch; Puritas the Clown; Twin Bridges; PS 50; Epilogue, Bibliography, Index. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.

[BOOK 406] NICK WEISENBERGER: COASTERS 101 - AN ENGINEERING GUIDE TO ROLLER COASTER DESIGN. [2011] (15x23cm - 54 Pages). Designing roller coasters is not as easy as computer games make it out to be! Chapter Points: Introduction - The Three Dimensional Puzzle; Design Constraints and Considerations; Design Software and Computer Technology; Project Management; Producing Safe Accelerations; Obtaining Maximum Potential Energy; Designing the Vehicles; Banking the Track through a Curve; Wheel Design and Material Selection; Speed Influencers; Track Fabrication Techniques; Supports and Foundations; Brakes, Blocks, Sensors, and Switches; Racing/Dueling Control Systems; Ride Analysis; Construction; Test and Adjust; Operations; Amusement Industry Safety Standards; Lock Out Tag Out Procedures; Daily Inspections and Preventive Maintenance; Example Equations; Career Advice; Enjoy the Ride!; About the Author; Acronyms; Glossary; Resources. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: Good.

[BOOK 407] EDWIN DICKINSON: THE STORY OF AUSTRALIAN ROLLER COASTERS. [2012] (xxx Pages - Many B&W & colour photos). 126 Years of Madness, Sadness & Scintillating Thrills. Selected Chapter Points: Introduction; Catherine's Great Pleasure; European Adventures; L.A. Thompson - Was He Really First?; Australia's First; Harrison's Switchback; Our Figure 8s; William's Wonderland City; Scenic Railway - The J.D. Williams Way; T.H. Eslick; Sydney Turns White; John A. Miller; John's Gift to Australia; Edmund Anscombe; The Glenelg Big Dipper; Sydney's Big Dipper; A Tribute to the Far West Children & Captain Fortune; Ted Hopkins; Morgan's Cyclone; The Orphan Rocker; Sydney's Newest; A New and Broken Promise; Today's Big Boys; Summary; Timeline; References. ANDY SHINE'S RATING: To Come.