PW OCT08 P36v4.qxd 9/24/08 11:33 am Page 36
Ride Guide
This month we feature a quick round-up of recently-published books about
the amusement industry. Normal service will be resumed next month!
EARLY AMUSEMENT
LAKE COMPOUNCE BY LYNDA J RUSSELL
PARKS OF ORANGE
Also part of the Images of America series, this new book
on Lake Compounce chronicles the oldest amusement
COUNTY BY RICHARD HARRIS
park in the United States, founded in 1846 by Gad Norton
and Isaac Pierce.
The latest in the popular Images of America series from Through vintage photographs, the publication highlights
Arcadia Publishing, this new book focuses on the Orange the park’s long history of big bands, the Crocodile Club,
County coast in California, which in the early part of the Wildcat rollercoaster and the William Gillette train. It
20th Century boasted such parks as Joy Zone and Fun provides a glimpse of how the park has used the beautiful
Zone. lake itself as part of the entertainment. For generations, the
There were humble beginnings too for what are now park has been able to maintain its status as a local
some of the area’s biggest theme parks. Knott’s Berry Farm treasure while expanding and growing into what is today
famously sprouted from a simple berry stand in Buena Park, recognised as “America’s pioneer playground.”
while the spot that would become the start of Walt Disney’s www.arcadiapublishing.com
park empire began as a citrus grove in Anaheim.
Before long, Orange County was recognised as the
nurturing ground for the growing amusement park industry.
THE EXPO BOOK
This book concerns the early history of such parks in the
county east and south of Los Angeles, before high-tech
BY GORDON LINDEN AND PAUL CREIGHTON
digitisation, when custom cars, enormous alligators, stunt
This new study, edited by Judy Rubin, was originally
planes, dolphin leaps, and movie stars’ wax likenesses
published across six parts in IPM magazine but is now
thrilled patrons. Some amusement parks have come and
available to download – for free – chapter by chapter.
gone over a century of development, and some are still
The book reveals how to plan, organise, promote, host,
there, changing with the times to create new adventure and
design and operate a World's Fair. It is intended primarily
excitement for park goers.
to assist those who are involved in, or considering
Author Richard Harris grew up in Orange County, where
becoming involved in, a modern world Expo. Filled with
he operated rides at Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.
useful information, guidelines, illustrations, facts and
The vintage images gathered for this window to the past,
figures and relevant case studies, it addresses all aspects
some of which have never before been published, came
of this complex and rewarding business.
from private collections, museums and the Orange County
The Expo Book brings together a uniquely qualified team, headed by co-
Archives. www.arcadiapublishing.com
authors Gordon Linden and Paul Creighton, a pair of seasoned international
Expo consultants who have also advised on events including the Olympic
Games. Expo historian Urso Chappell acted as graphic designer/photo
editor, and the book also features a special contribution from Bob Rogers of
BRC Imagination Arts.
www.TheExpoBook.com
PREPARE TO BE SHOCKED!
BY RIPLEY PUBLISHING
This new book from the creators of Ripley's new Believe It or Not! is almost as
much fun as visiting a Ripley's museum. With no author as such, this beautifully
illustrated and laid out publication features a cover with a “shocking” image of
Zhang Deke, the Chinese “electric man” who can power light bulbs and fry fish in
his bare hands
Inside are 17 chapters that detail such oddities as a
man who swallowed a solid steel sword underwater, a
jet-powered bar stool, a pelican who ate a pigeon, a
man with bright blue skin, an 86 pound tumor that was
removed from a woman in Serbia, and cats that glow in
the dark.
Prepare to Be Shocked! consists of 256 full colour
pages and is packed with more than 2,500 weird and
quirky facts and feat.
www.ripleyentertainment.com/publishing
36 OCTOBER 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44