Customer Reviews

Palisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was absolutely fantastic. I was 10 years old when Palisades park closed. I had vague reminiscences tucked away in the recesses of my mind of the many times I'd visited the park with my parents and grandparents. This book jogged them all loose in a wonderful cascade of memories. The book was cleverly written and well organized into the various epochs in the parks history. There were many interesting facts given, of which I was previously unaware. The book had a generous assortment of vintage photographs. My only wish (and this is no criticism of the book or author) was that the older pictures could have had better clarity, as I found myself desperately trying to get into the "way-back machine." Understandably, these were old, vintage photos and some graniness was therefore unavoidable. But I found myself clinging to each photo as memories would unfold. There was a nice set of color photos also included which were very vivid. I wish there could have been even more. My overall impression is that anyone who was ever lucky enough to have passed through the gates of this great american park will cherish this book.It was worth 100 times the amount I purchased it. I bought another copy for my mother. This is a book that anyone would love. Mr. Gargiulo; Thank you so much!

While "Palisades Amusement Park" might not be a book everyone would enjoy, it meant a great deal to me. I grew up in New Jersey, where this park was located and went there often as a child. The bus company where my Dad was employed provided free passes, which encouraged us to go. When it was destroyed, to erect a condo, my heart was broken, as I knew my daughter and grandchildren would never know the excitement I felt when I first rode the Cyclone at Palisades Park. Through this book, I was able to share some of my experiences with them. Even my son-in-law, who grew up in Georgia, enjoyed it, as history is one of his interests. If you are into historic sites or ever went to Palisades Park when you were young, I think this is a wonderful trip into the past.

Reading this book brought me back to the 60's and a wonderful time in my life. The book is filled with history but it is, more importantly, chock full of the spirit of Palisades Park.

Palisades Park was like Christmas, New Years and a fun Birthday Party all rolled up into one. As a small child I visited the park with my parents where we shared good times like a family should, but as a teenager it became something even more special. I performed there with my rock band a couple of times, and felt like I had really "made it".

How can these feelings be expressed in a book? Mr. Gargiulo does it with intelligence and a child-like awe of this place, the first "magical kingdom".

The prose is wonderful as so are the amazing pictures.
If anyone wants to take a time machine and return to those magical days in Fort Lee, one has only to read this book!

This book really brings back Fond Memmories. Everyone who ever love Palisades will love this book.

I love this book. It brings back alot of memories for alot of people. When ever my family is over someone is reading it. I also taped the flim on it that apper on PBS on March 14th. I really enjoyed it and think everyone who liked Palisades Amusement Park should have one. The book starts in 1898 when the park first open until it closed in 1971. I found out alot of thing that suprised me.

I grew up in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey and I spent alot of time as a child with my family at Palisades Amusement Park. To me Palisades was the greatest amusement park to go to and I am saddened to this day to know that it is no longer in existance. It was such a fun place to go to and a great place to also see some of the greatest rock bands of the 1960's also as well as having great rides to ride on. This book is just wonderful and I give it a 5 star rating. It tells you the entire history of the park from when it opened until it closed. I learned alot of things about the park that I never knew from reading this book. It is a real must read for anyone who used to love going to Palisades Amusement Park for a day of fun. This place and book is a true part of New Jersey's history.

Gigi Dixon
South Florida

This book would be a welcome trip down memory lane for anyone who knew and loved Palisades Amusement Park and the simpler times the park thrived in. A plainly written, honest account by a man whose life was indelibly imprinted by this magical place; the book contains loads of small black and white photos, many of which look like copies from newspapers, but most are fairly poor reproductions. The two lonely pages of color photos left me longing for more.
If you grew up in Northern New Jersey with fond memories of your times at the park; then by all means you will enjoy looking back through the pages of this book.

ITS GREAT. BROUGHT BACK ALOT OF MEMORIES.DIDNT CARE FOR CONEY ISLAND THO. TOO MANY PICTURES AND THAT ALL IT WAS

This book dealt more with way before my time, more with the beginning times. I would have liked more from the 50's on. Returned the book.