Recommended books about the history of the amusement industry and other amusement and theme park-related books.
1. The American Amusement Park Industry : A History of Technology & Thril
Judith A. Adams, Gale Group. A wonderful, detailed account of the evolution of the amusement industry, from the early trolley parks to the corporate playlands that dot the land today. A bit skimkpy on photos, this book has more of an academic tone.
2. The American Amusement Park
Dale Osborn Samuelson, MBI Publishing Company. Another look back at the evolution of the US amusement industry. This book includes many great archival photos.3. The Kid of Coney Island
Woody Register, Oxford University Press. A fascinating look at Fred Thompson, the man who built Luna Park at Coney Island in 1903 and transformed (some would say invented) the amusement industry.4. More Kennywood Memories
Charles J. Jacques, Amusement Park Journal. What is it about amusement parks, especially great ones like Kennywood in Pennsylvania, that resonate so vividly in our memories? Jacques puts his impassioned recollections into print and lets us all take a walk down memory lane. Includes Kennywood's other PA parks, Idlewild and Sandcastle. Check out Jacques' first book about Kennywood as well.5. The Five People You Meet in Heaven
The Mitch Albom bestseller is based at a fictional seaside amusement park (and "heaven"). It's slim, easy to digest, and relentlessly schmaltzy, but park fans will get a kick out of all the talk about coasters, Ferris wheels, and drop tower rides (which figure prominently in the plot). "Five People" is sweet--sweeter than an extra large cotton candy--and it's shamelessly manipulative, but I'll be damned if I didn't soak the proverbial three hankies before its tidy ending. I'll bet you will also.