Theme Parks Books

In the thrill seekers genre of books and videos, this fits right in. Although most of it is indeed a rehash, the layout is fabulous. No one can have enough photos of carousel horses or stories about old parks. The nostalgia factor in this book raises the bar. Unlike a few of the other books, this one is more rounded in that it covers the whole park instead of just the coasters. Be advised that these kinds of books are historical in nature and don't necessarily point to what's coming next at the World's of thrills.

This book is packed full of beautiful photographs and nostaligic postcards. Various chapters showcase the origin of amusement parks, and the different styles and hybrids from the "traditional" and "theme" to the Storybook Lands and Santa Villages. There's even a chapter on flat rides. The graphics and layout are great. The author also knows his material. This is a great companion to that other great BMI book, "The American Roller Coaster".

Loved this book! Great info on amusement park history and behind the scenes secrets. I'm ready to go ride!

If theme parks just ain't your thing, here's an interesting book for the Orlando-bound traveler. Brotemarkle's uncovered hundreds of fascinating sites that most Florida visitors never even consider on their way to Space Mountain. Art festivals, unique architecture, and a fabulous historical legacy abound in central Florida; see them and support them before they're all paved over.

Ben Brotmarkle has covered the local art/culture scene for Central Florida for the last 7 years on WMFE radio, so he has a good grasp of the material. This is a great book for locals who want ideas on other places to go besides the big theme parks, and for visitors to know the depth of the local scene. A good buy for anyone who lives here or plans on visiting....

Mr. Brotemarkle is an expert in what the arts have to offer in the tourist capital of the south. His knowledge of all kinds of sites is amazing from opera, to historic sites to museums. He does this with a breezy style that makes of good reading and is a must if you live here and have visitors all the time. I got sick of the big parks years ago, so now I take my friends places like Leu Gardens, and museusm.

This book holds amazing powers, the photos, the writing, and the caves. I love this book. I gave it to my 12 year old twins for their birthdays last year.


KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!

Photographer Raymond Klass has done an outstanding job of capturing the beauty of Mammoth Cave National Park both inside the cave and out.
It is the best photo book ever published on the park.
The reproduction of the over 100 color photographs is outstanding.
If you have ever been to Mammoth Cave or are thinking about visiting the park, this book is a must.

An amazingly thorough sensitive immersion in a captivitatingly unique geological ecology. Take A Bow!

Passing Through Eden is a book of photographs that rewards the reader who both looks and thinks. It is carefully sequenced, with a selection of pictures depicting a real place, Central Park, in a deliberate and too-simply-labeled "documentary" style to approximate--at least in the first third of the book--a modern day visual parallel to the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. Look again without that "document"- tag; this book is pure fiction, the best sort of construct. The work stems from a honed sensibility embracing transparency and mastery of the medium's most powerful quality, verisimilitude. The photographs consistently demonstrate a profound combination of both self and world. Central Park, metaphorically Eden, is the setting for the world Papageorge creates with his lens, the agent of light (is it really that good there?) and his deep, unrelenting, complex understanding of human nature. Oh, let's not forget the shutter; perhaps the most gracefully, and precisely, used physical tool in the making of his pictures.

People do not purposefully arrange themselves in public, especially in a park where one goes for solitude and to commune with nature (god?): if a picture made there is to have a purpose it is the artist's task to create it. And Papageorge, with unimaginable facility, does this, imbuing each image with purpose and meaning, as much as photographs can convey those elusive qualities. It is not luck or happenstance that the ball floats mysteriously inches from a young woman's face like a global apparition (or Eve's apple); he PUT it there, in his picture. His photographs are the result of intuition, intellect, and experience in forming distilled fabrications from the actual raw material you, I, and seven million other New Yorkers are constantly shaping and undoing as we move through the city's greatest park. He does it by using the medium of photography with consummate skill and grace and by being completely in tune with its transformative powers. He brilliantly knows the difference between the actual and a photograph and he exploits that difference to make pictures expressing his specific understanding of the world. For this clearly is his world, filled with humor, tragedy, mystery and of course the first gift, light.

Buy this book; make it a gift to yourself!

I have spent the last few years feeling underwhelmed by most photographers' work & photography books I've seen....and then I received this book in the mail. All I can say is THANK YOU TOD PAPAGEORGE! I mean this book is what photography is about. I am blown away by not only the emotional range, but the visual intellegence Papageoge conveys. What a gift!

I literally spent 3 hours looking at the book last night and am about to buy several more copies. This book WILL be a classic, if you have any taste in the visual arts or buy books as investment pieces, look no further.

Without question, Tod Papageorge is among our important American documentary photographers, having had an influential role in shaping the artistic trajectories of many fine young photographers who've gone through the prestigious photography program at Yale University's School of Fine Arts. However, I'm not sure if such recognition is noteworthy with regards to Papageorge's recently published "Passing Through Eden"; a distillation of his decades-long documentary photography of people and places in New York City's Central Park. It's a conclusion I've reluctantly been drawn to, especially after having seen a portion of this body of work on display a few months ago at the Pace/MacGill Gallery, and recognizing a few of these images from a portfolio of his work that's part of the permanent collections of the University of Arizona's Center for Creative Photography. So then why am I only marginally willing to give this book a positive recommendation?

Papageorge's Central Park photographs lack the visual impact of Bruce Davidson's magnificient documentary photography published only a few short years ago. And, unlike Davidson's mesmerizing, emotionally riveting, images, Papageorge's are not devoted to a single theme (In Davidson's case it is as a visual celebration of Central Park as a visually inspiring artifical, but also, "natural" oasis of pleasure and personal fulfillment set in the heart of Manhattan Island.), but are a curious assemblage of 1960s vintage protest photographs (which are stylistically similar, but not nearly as emotionally arresting, as, for example, contemporary images from the likes of Danny Lyon and Ben Fernandez), mixed with a few random shots of "natural" scenery and snapshots of people caught offguard; the latter still recognizable as "street" documentary photography but running close to mere voyeurism. For a long time I have greatly admired the few Papageorge images I've become accustomed to; sadly such admiration has diminished with the publication of this book.

not only for photographers.
But if you do like making more interesting pictures there is plenty of precise and useful information about where and when and how make a nice picture of animals or geisers!

I bought three books to prepare for two days photographing Yellowstone National Park and this was the best. It was very helpful for planning times of day to be in various locations and prioritizing stops. My favorite photo was the rainbow on Lower Falls that occured exactly when the author said it would. If you love photography and don't have a lot of time in the park, this book is a must have!

Gustav Verderber was right on the money about everything in this book. If you only have a week to explore, save yourself some time and follow his instructions. He has mapped out when the rainbows appear on the falls, gives advice on where to photograph wildlife. Some of the trails he mentions in his book have since been closed due to erosion or wildlife management but if you talk with the Park Ranger Service (not Xanterra!) you should be able to find a comparable walk to capture the images.

The book may be beneath the experienced photographer but for an amateur who just wants better vacation photos and does not have the luxury to spend a year in the park getting them, this is the perfect guide!

I think it would be almost impossible to compile a completely accurate (for one year) book about an ever-changing place like Disneyland. I'm an annual passholder, bought and first used my copy in April, found several errors. I don't blame the editors, things just changed at the park (like no more preferred parking during construction of the California Experience). Overall a very helpful and interesting guide, but you still need to check things out for yourself.

Birnbaum's book on Disneyland is the veritable bible (no sacrilege intended) for Disneyland lovers. It explains everything you need to know about traveling to Disneyland---how to get there, what to do, where to eat and stay, etc.; even places to visit and shop in Southern CA. proper. I would highly recommend this book, especially to first-time visitors to Disneyland. My advice: Don't leave home without it!!!

When I saw GLNP on PBS, I was surprised to find that Christine Barnes had yet again discovered more national treasures to share with us all. I have all of her books, and like the earlier ones, she makes these lodges come alive in so many ways. I suggest you only read one chapter at a time, then let the experience sink in overnight. The photography by itself tells a story with a great selection of photos including priceless historical shots. Those who appreciate history will not be disappointed as the author covers each topic in an accurate, but interesting way. Architects will appreciate the detail and early renderings. And finally, for those who are looking for new places for the family vacation, this book is a must. I visited many of the lodges featured in her previous books, both in the US and Canada. I can assure you there is nothing artificial about any of these places. As they say, they are the "real deal" and part of our history we can all be proud of and experience ourselves

Fun reading if you are an explorer of the National Parks, which I am. Certainly the most detailed descriptions in general circulation of these historic places. The second edition had a few places in it that I did not know about and have now placed on my list of lodges to stay in. Without a doubt all these places still have great position. For example the Many Glacier Lodge was the most dramatic nature setting of any hotel I have ever stayed in. This includes some really fabulous places in Europe. But the level of the rooms does tend to vary. Check Frommers, AAA, or others to get a sense of what the room quality may be. Frankly with some like the Many Glacier, it did not matter. But to those wanting to stay at a "Four Seasons" level accommodation in a National Park you may not be happy.

A great book and a wonderful gift for anyone who loves Yosemite. Rowell's photographs are wonderful, and are set to John Muir's observations and memories of the Valley.

I have not had the pleasure of visiting Yosemite, not yet. Muir wrote this book when he was 73 years old and recollects his experiences over may years in the valley. I found the most interesting sections to be descriptions of personal events - riding an avalanche, passing behind Yosemite Falls, the people he knew during those years. I simply wish more of the book had a similar content, I feel we have only been exposed to the tip of the iceberg, and there is so much more he could have offered. I have several of his other books, yet to read, so perhaps they will expand on his personal adventures.

There are lengthy sections on the landscape, flowers, trees and other physical characteristics of the valley. It is these latter sections that drop me to a four star rating. I have a version without any pictures, and I believe that photographs would have done many sections of this book more justice than words. Some information on the trees may be unique and interesting, but I found myself skimming over several sections due to a lingering over latin names and taxonomy.

This book should simply not be missed by those with a love for the outdoors, but keep in mind there may be some sections lacking the personal touch I was expecting for the whole book.

This small book has had a big impact on my love of Yosemite. I take it with me every time I visit and sit in the meadow and read. Great, I highly recommend it.

This little book is just the right size to take along for reflective reading while you are hiking in the Park. It is great as a stocking stuffer for the Holiday Season. Great reminder if you cannot visit as often as you would like.

Being a Preston and Child fan, I picked up this book wondering what Child's solo effort would be like. I wasn't disappointed. This was a very good book with it's share of horror, suspense, intrigue and gave the readers lots to puzzle over. It was nice to have a break from the P&C Pendergast series of books and Child delivered.

Hard to stay with this book. I have read all of the other books and this one seemed to drift.
Really liked the idea of the theme park and all of the detail. Someone should build a theme park like Utopia.
The ending was very predictable but fun in a way.

What can I say? I was somewhat disappointed by this book; it is not up to the usual standards of the author [but it IS an earlier volume in his output, etc/].

Lincoln Child is one of my very favorite authors ever and this book was superbly written with action continuously all the way through. I strongly suggest all books he co-wrote with Douglas Preston and his other two solo books, Death Match and Deep Storm. This man is one of the most super-talented and gifted authors today. This book takes place in an amusement park which is a little different than his other books but with his wit its probably more fun than actually going to an amusement park.

Amusement parks, explosions, and carnage, what more can you ask for? Sure, I wasn't enamored with any of the main characters - I thought some of the back story on the main characters was superfluous and a bit trite, but I admit I really liked a lot of the side characters. They were written perfectly, with just enough background and personality to make them interesting (yes, even the robots!), but not so much you felt info-dumped on. And while I do like romance, I thought it was out of place in this book. I felt a little forced and stiff, and I don't think the storyline would have suffered without it.

Still, I have to admit that with all its flaws, I still very much enjoyed reading it. As action novels go it has the perfect blend of bad guys, mystery, and outright carnage. And despite all that goes horribly wrong for so many of the guests, it made me want to visit that theme park! The descriptions of the rides were incredible; I just wish we'd been told more about some of the other rides shown on the map at the front of the book.

Unlike some of the other Preston/Child books, there was no element of the supernatural - this is more of a straight techno-thriller. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good action-packed story, and to all fans of amusement parks.