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Good updated theme/amusement park books


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  • 3 years later...

I thought I would bump this up, and include books on theme parks, etc.

 

Because I just received this new Disney book, at the door (via Amazon.com). My Holiday Gift to myself, heh heh.

 

Looking forward to reading through it and maybe, hopefully learning some new things I didn't know about how Disneyland came to be and continue on, etc.

ImagineeringLegends.jpg.8b3f0bfcf3b7f8c9d0da96dd03168678.jpg

I've read mostly good reviews about it, so I'm looking forward to reading it.

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Hi all

 

This publication is rather involved and a bit out of the ordinary. It is a fascinating and eye-opening investigation into today's theme parks, their operation and their practices. A challenging and rewarding read.

 

Simon

 

*****

[bOOK 256] SALVADOR ANTON CLAVE: 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. Illustrated throughout by worldwide case studies, empirical data and practical examples, this book will be of interest to students in leisure and tourism management, and to practitioners in the industry, providing a practical guide to the planning and development of theme parks.

*****

Book208GGlobal.jpg.14802517bd8d83cde997623182a11248.jpg

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Hi all (Double post, but probably just as well)

 

Hey, Robb Alvey. Has TPR ever considered putting together a parks/coasters book?

 

The origins/history of coasters has been done to death... but a large up-to-date glossy book with photos/statistics of current/new coasters would be most welcome.

 

Just a thought Robb, as you already have a massive library of coaster photos - so why not put them together in a book?

 

Put me down for a copy!

 

Simon Baynham

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Hi all (Double post, but probably just as well)

 

Hey, Robb Alvey. Has TPR ever considered putting together a parks/coasters book?

 

The origins/history of coasters has been done to death... but a large up-to-date glossy book with photos/statistics of current/new coasters would be most welcome.

 

Just a thought Robb, as you already have a massive library of coaster photos - so why not put them together in a book?

 

Put me down for a copy!

 

Simon Baynham

 

I think a TPR magazine would be an awesome idea & much easier to do than a book. They can have a section for Photo TR of the month, coaster of the month, what is hot on TPRTV or something invlolved with the site. It would take forever to make a book like that & I don't think the Alveys have the time with trip planning & DVDs.

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For what it's worth (and at the risk of a total threadjack), I think the slow death of ACE has been an inability or unwillingness to adapt itself to the internet age.

 

Magazines and books certainly have their place. But I get almost everything I need here. TPR is, for me, RRC and ACE all rolled into one.

 

Not to speak for the Alvey's or anything, because for all I know they may already have plans to do it--but what would a TPR magazine (or book) really provide that the website can't?

 

Hell, TPR's DVD are more timely than any current coaster magazine.

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For what it's worth (and at the risk of a total threadjack), I think the slow death of ACE has been an inability or unwillingness to adapt itself to the internet age.

 

Magazines and books certainly have their place. But I get almost everything I need here. TPR is, for me, RRC and ACE all rolled into one.

 

Not to speak for the Alvey's or anything, because for all I know they may already have plans to do it--but what would a TPR magazine (or book) really provide that the website can't?

 

Hell, TPR's DVD are more timely than any current coaster magazine.

 

Yes I think the DVDs are as up to date as possible & very entertaining to watch & I'm looking forward to the next releases. I was just pointing out that a book would be pointless & a magazine would be a better idea. They are both pointless since most of us are on the website everyday & are always up to date in the amusement industry. No to mention I would just look at pictures instead of actually reading like I do with every book However if there ever was a TPR Magazine (which I doubt) I would definitely subscribe!

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Hi all (Double post, but probably just as well)

 

Hey, Robb Alvey. Has TPR ever considered putting together a parks/coasters book?

 

The origins/history of coasters has been done to death... but a large up-to-date glossy book with photos/statistics of current/new coasters would be most welcome.

 

Just a thought Robb, as you already have a massive library of coaster photos - so why not put them together in a book?

 

Put me down for a copy!

 

Simon Baynham

 

I think a TPR magazine would be an awesome idea & much easier to do than a book. They can have a section for Photo TR of the month, coaster of the month, what is hot on TPRTV or something invlolved with the site. It would take forever to make a book like that & I don't think the Alveys have the time with trip planning & DVDs.

 

Well, isn't that pretty much what the site is for?

 

But anyway, I used to have a fairly large book on coasters. Its about 13 years old now though, as Mantis was the 'new' thing.

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I have many books written by Charles J. Jacques: Kennywood Roller Coaster Capital of the world, More Kennywood Memories, Goodbye West View Park Goodbye, Idora Park Last Ride Of the Summer, Cinncinatti's Coney Island. Jim Futrells Amusement Parks of PA, & NY. I also have a good many books from Images Of America, one on Disney World, and 2 on Euclid Beach- Closed For The Season and A Second Look. All of these books are great especially Jacques, . The Images of America Amusement Park books are small and have alot of info but sometimes I wish they had more. These all are excellent books.

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I think one of the best books related to roller coasters would have to be the book about Herbert Paul Schmeck called, Herbert P. Schmeck The Forgotten Legacy, by Torrence Jenkins, Jr.

 

The book is sold buy ACE, and the link to the book is below:

 

http://www.costore.com/ace/productenlarged.asp?ProductId=948408&CId={CB39C108-3979-430D-9CC6-A92BFCD1235A}&NC=192009181840

 

I am not sure if it is sold buy anyone else.

 

The book has great information about H.P. Schmeck, and his roller coaster designs.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in wooden roller coasters, roller coaster designers, Herbert P. Schmeck himself, and roller coasters or amusement parks in general.

 

Its a great book for the low price. If you think $19.95 is a low price for a good book.

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Back to the topic at hand, there's really only one book that I was ever particularly impressed with. It came out in 2001, so it's just a bit older than the original poster was looking for--but the focus is on history and older-style parks that have survived, rather than "the latest and greatest."

 

The American Amusement Park, by Dale Samuelson

 

What I really like about it is that it's not just "the Russians built ice slides and then there was this one wooden coaster that had a loop, but no one wanted to ride it." But rather, there's a lot of info (and rare-ish photos) on early U.S parks like Luna, Dreamland, and Pacific Ocean Park. I also like that later sections focus more on places like Lakeside and Rye Playland rather than just Cedar Point and Magic Mountain.

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I have two. They're both pretty good. A little old, but still fun to read.

There's:

- Roller Coasters. A Thrill Seeker's Guide To The Ultimate Scream Machines. By: Robert Coker.

 

And

 

Roller Coasters. By: Mike Schafer and Scott Rutherford.

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I have many books written by Charles J. Jacques: Kennywood Roller Coaster Capital of the world, More Kennywood Memories, Goodbye West View Park Goodbye, Idora Park Last Ride Of the Summer, Cinncinatti's Coney Island.

 

I have those books ( and the one he did about Hersheypark ) and yes they are all quite good !!!

 

Over the years I have heard that Jacques was working on books about other parks like Waldammer, Kings Dominon,Lakemont and Dorney Park but I don't think he ever did. MY husband told me awhile back that he had heard that Jacques has since died but I have yet to find anthing about that anywhere so perhaps my husband got some wrong info.

 

Back in 1988 when I had a stopover at Denver's airport I remember seeing a book in one of the airport's gift shop about that city's two parks ( well 2 and a half )..Elitches, Lakeside and Heritage Square but shame on me...didn't buy it.

 

I have been told that a few years back Roanoke,VA's PBS station WBRA-TV was offering a book to its members about the old Salem, VA Lakeside Park that closed in 1986. I went online and tried to find out more about this but turned up nothing. WBRA for the record never even bothered to answer an email I had sent to them about it either. I guess in WBRA's eyes, since I didn't live in their viewing area why should they bother.

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^ Yeah, the Coker book's a very good read. I was skeptical of it at first due to the fact that I picked it up out of the bargain cart at Barnes & Noble. I've got to admit though, it's very well done.

 

Good writing + Nifty coaster pics = 2 thumbs up

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The best books I've read are by Jim Futrell, and they are:

 

Amusment Parks of Pennsylvania

Amusment Parks of New York

Amusment Parks of New Jersey

Amusment Parks of Virginia, Maryland & Delaware

 

These books contain intersting infromation as well as loads of photos and they talk about just about every amusment park that has ever operated in the state or states the book is written on.

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