Customer Reviews

The American Roller Coaster (Motorbooks Classics)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Other reviewers have given a good overview of this book. I will go into some detail on Chapter 3:Nuts and Bolts -- How Coasters Work. Rutherford begins by talking about materials used in the basic structure. His section on the evolution of tracking is excellent. Most readers will be surprised to learn about the side-friction coaster. This is a rare beast, and to my knowledge, this is the only easily available documentation available about it.

The wood track structure is well explained along with cross sectional diagrams of how the carriages (trains) are attached to the track/structure. Rutherford finishes this part with a discussion on standard bent construction for the structure.

In the next part of this chapter, the discussion continues with steelie coasters, track fabrication and wheel assemblies. Propulsion, lift chain, anti-rollback devices, other safety devices, brakes, zone blocking, restraints, etc. are wonderful background information for the teacher who wants to take their class to the amusement park for a science field trip.

The chapter ends with the nature of teh ride and what is involved in creating one of these machines. The difference between an track plan and profile are clearly illustrated.

Good addition to the library.

An excellent and unusual title providing insights into American pastimes and interests, Scott Rutherford's American Roller Coaster covers the ups and downs of roller coaster history, pairing a clear text history with color photos and illustrations of coasters from 1900 to modern times. The history and evolution covers construction as well as roller coaster styles and development.

This is a GREAT BOOK! Much better than I ever imagined!

Scott takes the reader on a ride from the early beginnings all the way through to modern LIM marvels, including concept drawings for SOB, Lightning Racer and Thrust Air.

The words tell the history in precise detail. This is the first coaster book I've read that wasn't riddled with small annoying errors. The writing is complete yet concise. I especially enjoy the special feature writings that supplement the major text. Discussions about such things racing coasters, coaster "mutants" (Virginia Reels), mad mice, and more are the enjoyable reading as sidelines that are included to really try to explain the roller coaster in wonderful detail.

But the thing that blew me away were the pictures. Tons and tons of pictures of lots of obscure coasters from the past. Every shape, model and style of coaster is illustrated, with lots of side-bar features supplimenting the main text.

The chapters have great titles that really preview what's inside: 1. Humble Beginnings, America Goes Coasting: 1880s -1920 2. The Golden Years, The Roller Coaster Comes of Age: 1920-1940 3. Nuts and Bolts, How Coasters Work 4. Postwar Coastering, A Lull Before the Storm: 1945-1972 5. The Coaster Renaissance, Steel Coasters Blossom; Wood Coasters Rebound 6. New Age Coastering, Now and Beyond.

Excellent pictures, packed with history and information. This is a definite keeper up there with Carmell's book.

From the cover picture of Adventureland's "Tornado" to the frontpiece's detail from the Lakeside "Cyclone" through Chapter 1's opening picture of West Views "Dips" to S&S's "Thrust Air 2000" every page of this book is wonderful. Thank you Scott.

I know this book will be on the bedstand for a long while this summer.

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ ON THE HISTORY OF ROLLER COASTERS.IT HAS INCREDIBLE PHOTOS AND A GREAT TEXT . THIS IS ONE BEAUTIFUL BOOK !

This is a very good book if you want a look back to the predecessors of today's coasters. The coverage is very thorough and informative. The coasters covered range from early 1900's to many of today. The photos are simply great -- they made the book wonderful (though the text could easily support itself). If you like coasters, this is the book for you.

The American Roller Coaster goes into great detail about who designed the classic coasters that we all love, but the pictures make this book a must have. Throughout you'll find many pictures of coasters before rehab, removal, or relocation. It's fun to see pictures of parks before their more modern additions. The pictures and postcards of parks that have long been torn down are also great.

Perfect book on rollercoasters. Great photos, great history. If you were only to buy one book about roller coasters- make it this one!

This is a pretty good book. Its more like a big timeline of rollercoasters. It starts out with the first chap being 1) Humble Beginnings 1880s-1920...then 2) The Golden Years 1920-1940... then 3) Nuts and Bolts...then 4) Postware Coastering 1945-1972 5) The Coaster Renaissance-Steel Coasters Blossom and finally 6) New Age Coastering-Now and Beyond! Overall a pretty good book. Not that much on the new rides but still good. I recomend it!

I would give this 4 and 1/2 stars if I could. This book includes great color photos along with articles on different designs of coasters. The only thing I would want more of this book is state by state listings of roller coasters ( as in Todd Throgmorten's book, Roller Coasters of America). Scott Rutherford also includes a fairly long article on the history of roller coasters which is a nice touch

This book is one of the best rollercoasters books I've read. It has lots of pictures and very good text. Once you read this book, you will believe that you are on a roller coaster. And you will want to read it again and again.