Books about rollercoasters and parks. If you have any additions to this page, please feel free to mail me as much information as you have... title, publisher, price, and ISBN number are nice. (Please note that most of the textual content here is "supplied" by the publishers or authors of the given media).

Please also note that the content herein is the copyright of their respective publishers and/or authors. I simply offer this page for the pleasure and convenience of my own readers. If you are like me, you will want your own copies of each piece of literature listed here for your own library (many of the entries, below, provide direct links to places such as Amazon.Com where you can purchase the books online).

Thanks...
Russell
russell@coasters.net

Books...

Cedar Point: The Queen of American Watering Places Copyright © 1988, 1995 by David W. Francis and Diane DeMali Francis

In 1995, Cedar Point celebrates its 125th anniversary... When a small bathhouse was built along the shores of Lake Erie in 1870, no one ever dreamed that it would someday evolve into one of the largest and most successful amusement parks in the world.

No two people have ever researched and documented Cedar Point's heritage better and more extensively than David W. and Dian DeMali Francis. Together, they have devoted countless hours to exploring the park's earliest eras, troubled times, famous people, events and modern days. The result: an insightful, comprehensive and pictorial documentary of the storied history of Cedar Point.

Cedar Point is honored to have been the subject of this project. The Cedar Point spiriti, tradition and legacy are alive in Cedar Point: The Queen of American Watering Places. I think you will enjoy it.

from the Foreward by
Richard L. Kinzel
President and CEO, Cedar Fair L.P.


ISBN: 0-935408-03-7
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 94-073676
Price: $29.95 US (Hard back)


Amusement Park Books, Inc
20925 Mastick Road
Fairview Park, Ohio 44126
216/331-6429

The Essential Guide to Six Flags Theme Parks by Tim O'Brien and Carrie O'Brien

Eighty-five percent of all Americans live within a day's drive of a Six Flags theme park. Before you make that trip, however, you and your family need a game plan for getting the most out of your visit. Here, for the first time, is an indispensable resource containing everything you need to know about all 12 parks. Written by a veteran theme park-industry reporter and his 12-year-od daughter. The Essential Guide to Six Flags Theme Parks offers in-depth descriptions of each park's rides, shows, midway games, gift shops, restaurants, and guest services. There's also handy information on the best ways to avoid pitfalls such as long lines and endless walking.

Oxmoor House, Inc. © 1996
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-65473
ISBN: 0-8487-1247-1
Price: $4.95 US (Close-out sale)


Book Division of Southern Progress Corporation
P.O. Box 2463
Birmingham, Alabama 35201

Kennywood by Charles J. Jacques, Jr.

Charles J. Jacques, Jr. was born and raised in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. After attending public schools there, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the Pennsylvania State University majoring in history. He received a Juris Doctors degree from the University of Pittsburgh's law school and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1965.

Jacques has always been interested in history and in 1979 he became the editor of this country's leading magazine on amusement parks, AMUSEMENT PARK JOURNAL. He has written numerous articles on amusement park subjects for carousel, roller coaster, and amusement park industry publications. He has spoken at a number of roller coaster, carousel and amusement park conventions around the United States.

He lives with his wife, Mary Jane and their family in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania.

Jacques first visited Kennywood Park in the 1940's. He went with his family to the annual school picnics to the park through the 1950's. He again returned to Kennywood in the 1960's with his three children. Jacques started researching the history of Kennywood Park in 1976. He completed the book in 1982.

In you enjoyed this book, you will probably like many of the other interestig publications of the AMUSEMENT PARK JOURNAL including Mr. Jacques' book on GOODBYE, WEST VIEW PARK, GOODBYE. For a complete catalog of amusement park books, reprints, pictures, and blueprints write:

Amusement Park Journal
PO Box 478
Jefferson, OH 44047-0478
(440) 576-6531 (area code changed from 216 to 440 - 1999/01 RVT)


ISBN: 0-911572-24-4

More Kennywood Memories by Charles J. Jacques, Jr.

About The Author Charles J. Jacques, Jr. was born and raised in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. After attending public schools there, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University majoring in history. He received a Juris Doctors degree from the University of Pittsburgh's law school in 1965.

Jacques has written three prior books and numerous historical articles on amusement park subjects. He was one of the charter members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and a past president of the National Carousel Association. Jacques first visited Kennywood in 1947 - the year the park celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. In the 1970's he returned with his children and has visited the park several hundred times over the years.

Jacques lives with his wife, Betty VanPelt Jacques, in Jefferson, Ohio. He writes and researches from an office in a barn (with an angel weather vane on top).

ISBN: 0-9614392-3-8

Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers Northern Lights Publishing

Excerpt from Press Release from Northern Lights Publishing (1999/04/30)

"Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers" chronicles the development of the modern amusement park ride via the biography of Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon. Founders of Arrow Development, Ed and Karl are the inventors behind many of the world's most popular amusement rides. Recipients of the "Hall of Fame, Living Legends" award presented by the amusement industry for lifetime achievement, their influence can not be overstated. They are the inventors of the tubular steel roller coaster, first used at Disneyland as the Matterhorn Mountain Bobsleds. Later, Karl Bacon developed the flume ride and other varieties of controlled water vehicles that became the ride systems for "It's a Small World" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" at Disneyland. A few years later Ed and Karl returned to a roller coaster element long forgotten; the loop. They invented the first modern looping coaster the Corkscrew, at Knott's Berry Farm. Working for almost twenty years in close collaboration with Walt Disney and the Disney organization, they are responsible for many of the innovative ride systems constructed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you have ever been to an amusement or theme park, you have probably ridden upon one of Ed and Karl's remarkable creations. "Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers" is the story of their journey, in their own words, from a poor machine shop to a company creating attractions throughout the world.

Robert Reynolds is the author of "Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers" his previous book on the subject of roller coasters is "Are You Chicken? A Coward's Guide to Roller Coasters."

"Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers" is available from Northern Lights Publishing for $19.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Hardcover, 192 pages, 80+ illustrations.

Northern Lights Publishing
10214 Trailwood Circle
Jupiter, Florida 33478

ISBN: 0965735354

Roller Coasters: or I Had So Much Fun I Nearly Puked by Nick Cook

Hardback (library reinforced binding): $16.97
Troll Book Clubs also sells a paperback edition through their school clubs and book fairs.

Published By:
Carolrhoda Books, Inc.
241 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.lernerboks.com


Kids non-fiction book covering the history, design, physics and construction of roller coasters. Includes a "coaster spotter's guide" showing the different types of coasters. Third grade on up. Named by the Bank Street College of Education to their 1999 Best Children's Literature List, as well as one of the Best Titles of the Year by the Parents Council.

ISBN: 1-57505-071-4

Roller Coasters of America © 1994, by Todd H. Throgmorton

Roller coasters are built on one basic principle: People will actually pay to be terrified. From this simple tennant has sprung a tradition for scaring the living daylights out of ourselves on roller coaster rides that is as all-American as apple pie and Elvis Presley.

Roller Coasters of America is a history of coasters and a guide to the most famous coasters still operating in the USA and Canada. Packed with photos, drawings, and blueprints, this is your ticket to thrills and chills on roller coasters from Coney Island to Disneyland and everywhere in-between.

Here's the famous - or infamous! - Cyclone at Astroworld (reputed to be an inspiration to aviation pioneer Orville Wright), The Great American Scream Machine, Elvis' favorite Zippin Pippin, and many more classic woodies and looping steel tube coasters.

Motorbooks International
ISBN: 0-87938-929-X
Price: $16.95 US


Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers
P.O. Box 2
729 Prospect Avenue
Osceola, WI 54020 USA

Copyright © 1996-2002 Russell M. Van Tassell
All Rights Reserved