The best roller coaster book

I'm looking for a newly updated book about roller coasters. The newest one I know of has Windjammer on it at KBF from 2002. Is there a 2003 book? Or is there a good book out there? Thanks in advance!

Best of or VS threads aren't really allowed here on the buzz...however I would agree that Robert Coker's book is among the best out there.

If I were you I'd try to build up a good library of books on the subject because each book that I've read/owned regarding coasters has been very well written & is informative in it's own little way,I can still recall how anxious I was 4 years ago to finally get my copy of roller coasters of america...I had to order the darn thing & it was late so I was calling the bookstore every single day to see if it had finally come in.

The second printing of Robert Coker's book has Xcelerator in it. Good luck finding it though. I believe it was distributed through barnesandnoble.com and is sold out.

If I'm not mistaken my copy does have a pic of Xcelerator in it near the end but not an actual ride review.

Does the 2nd edition have an actual review for the ride or not?

My personal favorite is "The American Roller Coaster" by Scott Rutherford. It's from 2000 (not too bad) and has some excellent photos and writing. A great coffee table book or it's one that a person can just have fun reading. It tells about the history, and mechanics behind roller coasters.

Looks like its in stock at amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0760306893/qid=1075741665/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-3985748-0112608?v=glance&s=books

There are plenty of good books around:

Robert Cartmells "The Great American Scream Machine", while old, is still a very good book. Scott Rutherford's "American Roller Coaster" is another good one.

Charles Jacques Jr. wrote a number of park-specific books that are worth checking out of you want to learn more about a particular park. He did books on Kennywood, Hershey, Coney Island OH, Idora and West View. There are also good books about Palisades and Riverview. Then there's the Pictures of America series (I think that is what it is called) that features books on Dorney and Betrand Island.

Plenty of options...

What books are there on the technical aspect of the rides? How about historical books? I am still researching for writing a paper focusing on the vast safety messure of coasters and how its changed in the last decade. Some books on parks and coaster from the early/ mid 1900s with a good portion on the saftey type of stuff. Is there anything out there on the laws, codes, requirements, and such on maintaining, fixing, opperation, and all such of a coaster? ALl would be very helpful. I am also gonna be at the EastNocoaster event in PA this weekend if anyone wants to talk a bit about some resources or what ever. Thanks,
Kyle

A book on the technical aspect? I think you're better off just talking to Rideman! ;)

One of the highest recommended technical books that I've seen is The Fantastical Engineer: A Thrillseeker's Guide to Careers in Theme Park Engineering. It's currently in stock at Amazon, ships in 24 hours, and thoroughly covers the technical side of rides.

True Rob, but I don't think I want Dave sitting on my coffee table... ;)

O, well, I already have that book.