I have been looking for a few good books on coasters. I was just over at amazon.com and they didn't have anything interesting. Does anyone have any suggestions for me.
In fact this would make an interesting addition to this site. Suggested coaster books, movies, etc...
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All time Top 5: (1) Milleniun Force (2) Alpengeist (3) Hulk (4) Ice Dragon (5) Raptor
Ditto. I was ready to post the exact same thing jdancisin. I heard there was a good book called something like Roller Coasters, Corkscrews, and loops or something. It has Mantis on the cover. I can't seem to find it though.
For a video, I really like the America's Greatest Coaster series. Especially the latest one on DVD. It is excellent! You probobly already have it though.
I wanted a book so I could see pictures of the rides, then I moved to where I have TV and the internet, so that fills a void. Although I have looked for books but the only ones I found were expensive. If I buy a book it has to be in the $20 range.
The book is calle Roller Coaster Wooden and steel coasters, twisters, and corksrews by David Bennett
I got my coasterbooks at Waldenbooks in our mall. I'm sure if they don't have any at yours they could order them.
Over at Danimaton and URC (Ultimate Roller Coaster) they both have areas to order books and videos. Use the site search here to find them.
Then you might always get lucky over at Ebay. You may end up paying more than you would at a store for the book too.
My favorite book has to be Roller Coasters by Scott Rutherford. It has tons of fantastic color photos of parks across the U.S. he just came out with a new book called the American Roller Coaster. It's it's half as good as his last one it will be great.
I also have a book about the history of Hershey park. That lists the entire timeline of the park from it's days as a simple picnic area for Milton Hersheys employees with a ballroom all the way thru the mid 90's with the addition of the Wildcat. That also has tons of old photos.
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
*** This post was edited by coasterpunk on 1/24/2001. ***
The American Roller Coaster. It's awesome, and it's pretty well up to date. It has TA2K, an SOB drawing, and MF. I got it at a local book shop, a "hole in the wall." Sorry, not sure of the author, I can't seem to find it. :)
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Millennium Force: the ride of the year 2000.
Have fun counting the errors in that David Bennet book! :)
www.coastershop.com has a neat selection of coaster books, videos, and other stuff. I've never ordered from them so I can't vouch for their service.
You can try wading through the following thread:
http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=2747 There might be something interesting in there.
*** This post was edited by millrace on 1/25/2001. ***
The American Roller Coaster is an awesome book! Not only does it give a detailed history of the roller coaster, but it also gives a good scientific explanation of forces and construction, as well as different designers. Best of all, its loaded with pictures. I especially like the older views of rides, such as of Dorney's Thunderhawk or PKI's Racer, as well as of extinct rides (Coney Island Tornado...drool.....)
Bennett's book is CRAP. It is loaded with errors, and what isn't wrong is just not very enlightening. It does have some good pictures, but that is about it.
Don't forget about Robert Cartmell's The Incredible Scream Machine. This is the roller coaster Bible. Of course, have fun trying to find it because it is currently out of print.
If you are interested in books about individual amusement parks, there's Cedar Point: Queen of American Watering Places and Euclid Beach is Closed for the Season. Unfortunately, I forget both authors right now. I also have a book on Idora Park which is very poorly written but has a lot of neat pictures.
Your best bet, I would have to say, would be The American Roller Coaster (and of course, Cartmell's book too if you can find it!)
*** This post was edited by MooreOn on 1/24/2001. ***
Has anybody ever heard of White Knuckle Ride?I have that book,its by Salamander Books,ana im looking for another one,so far I only haev one,could you guys help me out?
Also try The Fantastical Engineer,its not the greatest book ever but it has somthing realy cool about a knew head mounted display,I think its called a VHMD or(Virtual head mounte display)?
I thought Roller Coaster Wooden and steel coasters, twisters, and corksrews was pretty good.
The Fantastical Engineer, gave me quite a bit of insight since I plan to pursue a career in roller coasters.
Roller Coasters : United States and Canada is an updated version of his 1994. It's pretty good. It lists many coasters in the US and in Canada. I noticed some coasters missing in his book that surprised me though.
I also have the Guide to Ride book. This has many coasters and many pictures.
I think that's all I have. I'll post more if I find some others.
X01 said:
"Has anybody ever heard of White Knuckle Ride?I have that book,its by Salamander Books."
I have it. It was actually my first coaster book. I bought it about 5 years ago. I was so amazed that the Phoenix was in it! It has the basic info on the coasters but thats about it.
I'd love to see a book that has all the stats of the coasters, several photographs, and a detailed layout diagram or an aerial photograph.
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2000 stats: 135 coasters in 26 parks
Not Too Shabby For A Summer
I have White Knuckle ride. I have read it many times. Some of his choices of rides that he says are the best are questionable, but overall it's a very informative book. I like the history at the beginning, I don't know if it's completely accurate, as I don't know much about coaster history, but it's great to read. Overall a cool book with good pictures.
The Berenstain Bears Ride the Thunderbolt
Stan Berenstain Jan Berenstain
Roller Coasters: United States and Canada
Todd H. Throgmorton
Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers: The Story of Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon, Ride Inventors of the Modern Amusement Parks
Robert Reynolds
The World's Wildest Roller Coasters
Michael Burgan
Roller Coasters
Mike Schafer, Scott Rutherford
The Roller Coaster Lover's Companion: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the World's Best Coasters
Steven J. Urbanowicz
Roller Coasters, or, I Had so Much Fun, I Almost Puked
Nick Cook
Kennywood: The Roller Coaster Capital of the World
Charles J. Jacques
More Kennywood Memories
charles J. Jacques
Kennywood...Roller Coaster Capital of the World
Charles J. Jacques
Amusement Parks: Roller Coasters, Ferris Wheels, and Cotton Candy
Judy Alter
Incredible Scream Machine
Robert Cartmell
The Amusement Park Guide: Coast to Coast Thrills
Tim O'Brien
Universal Studios Escape: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure
Kelly Monaghan
Idora Park: The Last Ride of Summer
Charles J. Jacques, Rick Shale
Well, there ya go, the first part of my Christmas list from this year. The authors are italicised. I have Roller Coaster by David Bennett, and it's got good pictures, but it's loaded with errors. I also have The American Roller Coaster by David Rutherford, and it's good if you like wooden coasters, because that's the way he seems to lean, but it's still good.
Well, good luck!
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*** This post was edited by Intamin2K on 1/24/2001. ***
The book by David Bennett is very good, but it was published in 1998. I don't know if you want a more recent one, but I bought it for $10 marked down from $20 a few days ago. I didn't care about the date. I recommend the book.
Intamin2k: Could I ask you a favor? Could you edit your post and provide the publishing dates? That might be helpful to some like myself.
T.I.A. (thanks in advance)
jeremy
Thanks for all the great suggestions. I will be sure to check some of these out.
jdancisin
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All time Top 5: (1) Milleniun Force (2) Alpengeist (3) Hulk (4) Ice Dragon (5) Raptor
I would highly reccomend the book and video "Greetings from Betrand Island Amusement Park" to anybody from the Northern NJ area or to anyone who has an interest in local old time parks. Written by Martin and Laura Kane and produced by the Lake Hopatcong Historical Society, 2000
http://www.hopatcong.org/museum/offer.htm
2Hoystyl, I wish I could the only ones I can give you are:
The American Roller Coaster By Scott Rutherford, Published 2000. It has a picture of the Tornado at Adventureland on the cover.
Roller Coaster, wooden and steel roller coasters, twisters, and corkscrews by David Bennet, published in 1998. It has a picture of Mantis at Cedar Point on the cover.
Sorry, I can't tell you the rest because I just got them off of BN.com before Christmas for my list. I suggest that if any of them sound interesting to you, then to go to BN.com, or Borders online, or whatever and type in the name and author and look for them. I sort of thought a question like this would come up, so that's why I provided the authors.
Good Luck!
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Ok I2K that's cool. I thought you actually had all those books in your possession. I'll look them up, no biggie. Thanks G!
lata,
jeremy
Harry Traver: Legends of Terror by Richard Munch.
