Wildwood's Neon Nights & Motel Memories [Paperback]

Robert O. Williams (Author), Melinda M. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2010

Wildwood, New Jersey, is a Doo Wop seashore destination for adventure with thrilling rides, bright neon signs, fancy motels, and a good time. This book is a trek through the decades (1960s to the present) that stops a dozen times at memorable places and with colorful people who have added significantly to its style, evolution, preservation, and restoration.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melinda Williams knew Wildwood as a child. She and her husband, Robert, are partners in business and they hope to help preserve Wildwood's style through their writing. Robert O. Williams is a Pulitzer-Prize nominated photojournalist, Philadelphia Inquirer staff photographer of 22 years and author of the critically acclaimed book, Hometown Diners.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (July 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764334794
• ISBN-13: 978-0764334795
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for All Lovers of "Retro Americana" , Photography and Preservation., November 8, 2010

By 

Melindafindsit - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wildwood's Neon Nights & Motel Memories (Paperback)

Inspired by post-war optimism about the future, the architectural designs for these mom and pop motels broke the mold with their inventive use of angles, color, materials and subject matter. The signs that beckoned summer travelers to stay the night also exemplified that same sort of exuberance, with swooping arrows, pointing sputniks and enough colored neon to light up the night for miles around.
More than just a fond reminiscence or collection of striking photos (there are plenty of both in there), the book is also a cautionary tale about how easily these places can fall prey to the wrecking ball in the name of revitalization and profit. A number of the photos show the heartbreaking reality of demolition sales and the colorful and kitschy places that no longer exist.
... With plenty of bright and detailed photos from Robert (Williams) and entertaining and informative writing by Melinda ( Williams). If anything, the fact that we realize these places may not be here forever, coupled with the impact of the great photos in this book are motivations enough to book your next Wildwood stay at a vintage motel, today!

Fans of diner photographs (myself included) have known of Robert's work with his acclaimed book Hometown Diners. Or perhaps you might recognize his images from his years spent behind the lens as an award-winning photographer at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Melinda, his wife is also an alumni of The Philadelphia Inquirer and now runs The Williams Group "an agency specializing in marketing, public relations, journalism and photography with an emphasis on nostalgia." Both of them spent over 10 years in collecting and creating the images and content sandwiched between the covers of Wildwood's Neon Nights and Motel Memories, and we are all the better for it.

Mod Betty
RetroRoadMap.com