Customer Reviews

Harry G. Traver Legends of Terror (Roller Coaster Designers Series : Vol 1)

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I am actually Harry Traver's great-granddaughter. Of course I never got the chance to meet him. But from what I have heard and read about him in this book, he is an amazing man. His son Spencer Traver and my father John Traver shall continue to keep his tradition alive. This book is a must-have for any roller-coaster buffs. Enjoy!

Harry Traver was an early designer of wooden roller coasters (first half of the twentieth century). This book includes a biographical section of Traver, his company, and his machines. Descriptions follow of at least a dozen of his designed rides. Some include layout sketches, and a sampling of engineering sketches. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) has published an important book documenting these designs. There are a large number of photographs, and a nice bibliography. Deep on the history and bibliography, thin on the physics.

"Harry G. Traver Legends of Terror" by Richard W. Munch is a must have for any die-hard amusement park fanatic. Even if you only peruse the photographs, it's a worthwhile investment. Anyone who was fortunate enough to ride one of Harry Traver's creations will appreciate the research and the dedication to detail that Richard utilizes throughout the text. The addition of accurate dimensional drawings for each of Traver's rides is as close to experiencing the thrill of coasters long gone as modern day enthusiasts will ever get. Since none of the dozen or so rides that Harry Traver took credit for exist anymore, it's a wonderful nostalgic trip to the Golden Age of Roller Coasters before amusement parks had to concern themselves with litigation and irresponsible riders, and could focus on exciting rides. The personal insights into Mr. Traver's life as a result of interviewing his wife and daughter serve only to make the reader feel as if he had met Harry Traver personally and was able to talk "Coasters" with the master. I literally did not put the book down until I had read it cover to cover. You'll have to read the book to learn the significance of the cookie reference.

The photos and history in this book go beyond any other book in my collection. I had to pay dearly to get this but it was worth it. For a coaster enthusiast who loves the design, construction, and riding of coasters, this book has it all.

This is an amazing book. I wasn't so much interested in the life of Harry Traver, but the legendary coasters he built. Too bad there aren't any of them around today. I have heard the stories of the great rides they were and my grandparents actually got to ride the legendary Crystal Beach Cyclone. A fabulous peek at the great coasters of days gone by.

Richard Munch has done a wonderful job writing this book about Harry Traver, a man most people have never heard of. However, true coaster/amusement park enthusiasts know how important his name is to the amusement park industry. The book contains a detailed personal and business history of Traver, with information gleaned from family and many other sources. It's hard to figure how the author did all of this, but the proof is within the covers of this outstanding book. Dozens of b/w photos of Traver's legendary coaster creations, complete with track layout plans and thorough descriptions, bring to life his contributions to the advancement of the wooden roller coaster. The book also contains photos of some of Traver's business papers and promotional materials. Munch also weaves into the text the relationship Traver had with the 1920's coaster team of Prior and Church, who are responsible for several historical coasters, including the still-operating San Diego "Giant Dipper". This book is like a trip through time. The only other book like it is Robert Cartmell's "The Incredible Scream Machine" which in itself is the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of the history of roller coasters. If you're not too interested in coasters, then you'll find the book to be an interesting curiosity, but if you're an enthusiast, you'll love it.

Great book for any roller coaster enthusiast. Lots of pictures, interesting facts and just a fun read. Wish I could go back in time and ride those coasters and some other really cool rides Traver designed which are also mentioned in the book.....

Richard Munch has done a wonderful job writing this book about Harry Traver, a man most people have never heard of. However, true coaster/amusement park enthusiasts know how important his name is to the amusement park industry. The book contains a detailed personal and business history of Traver, with information gleaned from family and many other sources. It's hard to figure how the author did all of this, but the proof is within the covers of this outstanding book. Dozens of b/w photos of Traver's legendary coaster creations, complete with track layout plans and thorough descriptions, bring to life his contributions to the advancement of the wooden roller coaster. The book also contains photos of some of Traver's business papers and promotional materials. Munch also weaves into the text the relationship Traver had with the 1920's coaster team of Prior and Church, who are responsible for several historical coasters, including the still-operating San Diego "Giant Dipper". This book is like a trip through time. The only other book like it is Robert Cartmell's "The Incredible Scream Machine" which in itself is the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of the history of roller coasters. If you're not too interested in coasters, then you'll find the book to be an interesting curiosity, but if you're an enthusiast, you'll love it. (Submitted January 23, 2002)

This book provides a great insight in to the coaster designs that made Traver's name synonymous with terror!
Robert Cartmell's work on the subject is in great detail. The book is full of great illustrations that tell us what words cannot describe.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anybody with an interest in rollercoasters. Definitely a book for the coaster buff's collection!