Customer Reviews

Wildwood by the Sea

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been going to Wildwood every summer since I was a young kid, and it is one of my favorite places in the world (since I was born in Jersey). Recently, I realized that I knew very little about the history of the resort I love so much, and so I decided to buy this book and find out the details. This book is expensive, but I highly recommend it. It thoroughly details Wildwood's history, from its 1890's beginnings through the present day. Now, some people might think 'Oh, it's a historical book, so it must be boring,' but this book holds your attention. It was written in an incredibly good way, and has plently of picutes and illustrations in it, so that you know exactly what the author is talking about. None of it is boring, it has great details about everything you could ever want to know about the Wildwoods, and it covers everything from the beach to the Boardwalk. So, if you love Wildwood and want to know a little more about its history, read this book. It is expensive, but is worth every penny!

I grew up in the 60's and 70's and spent some time every summer at Wildwood. Those were great times and the book brought back many fond memories. It also provided a lot of history I would not have otherwise known about. The pictures are great and plentiful but there is also a lot of text to enjoy. The book covers the history of Wildwood by the decades (each chapter dedicated to a decade or 2) and each chapter is further broken down by subject (i.e., land development, amusement pier development, vendors, beach, entertainment, etc.) I was a bit disappointed, however, that it did not cover the past 20 years as deeply as it covered the previous decades. If you're interested in NJ history, this book is a great read, a wonderful keepsake, and a classic coffee table book.

For anyone who can remember things like the "Hell Hole", the Pirate ship on Hunt's Peir,the "Oliver Fox Men's clothing store,the cam car screaming all night"Watch the car please", Oliver Fox playing his clarinet with the other Swing Band members on the Boardwalk Bandstand,the Boardwalk Majic & Trick shop, the "Ocean Court Motel across from the tennis courts(and their super cheap rates) and of course Mack's Pizza Shops this book is a must! I bought this great volume at the Boardwalk Bookstore several years ago just to have the memories. Back in the early 60s my family would never dream of going anywhere else once we went to Wildwood.Even living in Baltimore,Md our Ocean City didn't have a chance against all that the Wildwoods had to offer and for anyone who grew up walking those long sandy beaches like I did know exactly what I'm talking about. This book is a must for folks like me who enjoyed it when we were kids and now take our children and grandchildren as so they also can start their own memories!

"Enjoy" Joe Kopeck

The authors did an excellent job on this book; its one of the most detailed books I've seen on amusement parks and the pictures as is the writing is first rate. The pictures in the back give you an idea of what the modern Wildwood Boardwalk looks like. The front cover gives you an indication on its own on what its like to be at this awsome place. I bought this when I vacationing in Wildwood (the best man) and I couldnt put it down. A must for any Wildwood fan or Amusement park fan for that matter. Its nice to read about a great amusement destination like Wildwood and to know its still an awsome place and you can still visit it and expirience it for yourself. All in all, a great book.

I know Wildwood well! I grew up in South Philadelphia (who hasn't?), and spent every summer of the 50's and most of the 60's working and playing there. This book is the single best resource and tour down Primrose Lane (Jerry Butler) I've ever seen. I remember Dick Clark and Jack "Old Shoe" Lawyer coming to Starlight Ballroom on a Saturday Night with perhaps Bobby Rydell (Kissing Time), Fabian Forte (I'm A Tiger), or Ernie Evans nee Chubby Checker (The Twist) on stage. A magical time and place vividly captured in this wonderful book. I have given it to many friends as a gift in celebration of our youth. I would pay even more for the book because the authors did an amazing job of collecting photos and researching time and place better than I've seen in other books of this genre. The other book I like of this kind is "Mummers, Memories, and the Melrose Diner" by Murray Rubin. Purchase both from Amazon, sit back in your favorite chair and let yourself be transported back to a simpler time and place. Dick Clark is on stage, the doors of Starlight Ballroom are open to the ocean, and the breeze is keeping you comfortable while the floor starts to move to the music. I can hear Jackie Wilson (Lonely Teardrops), Lee Andrews and the Hearts (Long Lonely Nights ), The Isley Brothers (Shout), and all the other marvelous talent of that era. Remember Damita Jo with Steve Gibson and the Redcaps, The Treniers, Diana Washington with Brook Benton. How sweet it was!!!!

Frank Smith, SPHS 59'

This is a great walk down memory lane. When I was a kid in the fifties and sixties, Wildwood was my favorite place on earth. I remember the Toonerville Trolley, Mack's Pizza, Laura's Fudge, the Jack Rabbit and Mr. D's. I remember checking out the waitresses at Pierre's on the boardwalk after working my own shift at Kelly's Cafe. This book is rich in memories and a good historical piece. I have lived in Hawaii for almost two decades and I love to tell folks here about the Wildwood palm trees that you unscrew in September and put away for the winter. Great reading!

One of the most definitive books ever written on this GREAT summer resort. I grew up in Cape May, and frequented Wildwood all of the time. What I didn't learn from my visits, I learned from this book. It is very detailed and very nostalgic. A very enjoyable read.

This is a nice addition to your collection if you have any interest at all in the history of 5 Mile Beach. Nicely written, though a bit redundant at times, "Wildwood by the Sea" begins in the late 1800's, before paved roads were common, to the late 1990's, where huge roller coasters and monstrous resort hotels dot the skyline. The book doesn't delve very deeply into the local political scene, giving a view from the eyes of the business owner instead. Some of these men were entertainment visionaries (such as Gilbert Blaker and William Hunt), and had to deal with competiton from other cities, bad weather, and frequent fires. The roller-coasters that sprang up along the boardwalk closely mirrored the up-and-downs of the local economy.
There are plenty of excellent and fascinating photographs from the island's early years, and it's fun to contrast those photos with the modern ones from the early 1990's.

Wildwood holds a special place in the hearts of many people (like myself) who spent a good portion of their childhood there. If you have fond memories of the place, grab this book if you can, it's really hard to find these days...but you can if you look hard enough!

This is a wonderful book detailing the history of this seaside resort. A MUST for anyone interested in this New Jersey area. Reading this book will bring back great memories for anyone who has ever vacationed here.

BOOK IS EXCELLENT, GOOD HISTORICALL