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Creating my own Nemesis: The autobiography of the man who designed Alton Towers big rides, and brought the Theme Park to Britain Paperback – April 13, 2013

by John Wardley (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 356 ratings
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The autobiography of the man who brought the theme park concept to Britain, and created some of the world's most thrilling rides and attractions.He talks about his early beginnings in the theatre, circus and magical cabaret, his time working on some of the most incredible special effects in the James Bond films (including the famous bus crash scene in Live and Let Die), and how he became associated with Madame Tussauds, the world's most famous wax museum. This led to the development of Chessington World of Adventures, then Alton Towers.Now in its seventh edition, the book answers many questions about how enormous theme park rides are conceived and developed, and the fascinating stories behind them, including his most famous ride "NEMESIS" at Alton Towers.Take a look at the reviews this book has received if you have any doubt if this book is for you!
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  1. Print length
    184 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 13, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.42 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1484049144
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1484049143
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 13, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 184 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1484049144
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1484049143
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.47 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.42 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 356 ratings

About the author

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John Wardley

John Wardley

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John Wardley is a designer who specialises in concept design and development for the Theme Park and other mass tourism and leisure industries.

Although semi-retired, he still provides consultancy services to his existing clients, and maintains close contact with developments within the amusement industry.

He was instrumental in the master planning and detailed design of Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, the considerable success of which led to its owners, the Tussauds Group, subsequently acquiring Alton Towers in Staffordshire. He was then involved in the Group's major development program at this attraction which included concept work on the Runaway Train, Haunted House, and the world-renowned Nemesis Roller Coaster. As a result, Alton Towers became acknowledged as Britain's number one theme park.

He has subsequently created award-winning rides and attractions for theme parks around the world.

John Wardley's early background in the film industry (he created the special effects for five of the James Bond films) equips him with a deep understanding of what entertains the British public. His experience in constructing and performing stage illusions led to him to collaborate with the late Geoffrey Thompson at Blackpool Pleasure Beach to create the long-running magic spectacular "Mystique", which ran for nearly 20 years! As illusion consultant to the first production, he designed and created many of the illusions used throughout the entire run, including the incredible finale, where the entire cast of the show vanish onstage, and instantly re-appear amongst the audience.

John acted as story and script adviser on the four-hour major BBC TV drama serial "Have Your Cake", in which the lead character's professional career is based on his own. He acted as advisor on the development of the best-selling computer game Rollercoaster Tycoon, and on the coaster simulation software NoLimits.

His autobiography "Creating my own Nemesis" was in the Amazon Top-100 Bestsellers for several weeks following its publication. Now in its eighth edition, which includes some up-to-date news and additional anecdotes, it continues to receive excellent reviews.

For more information visit his website at www.john-wardley.co.uk

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
356 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • goatdan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great look at theme park design from a true insider.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I've loved theme parks and their history for years and love to pick up books about parks whenever I find them. Having Amazon suggest this book to me was an welcome surprise, as I was fascinated by this park in the 90s and got to visit for myself in 2001, which was the peak time for the author's involvement.

    Alton Towers is an extremely unique theme park, and John Wardley was the designer who really helped to bring it to the big time. Of particular interest in this book is Wardley's dealings with the coaster designer B&M, which is information I have never heard outside of this book.

    The book is written in a conversational style which works for it. It covers a lot of ground, but does so in a very entertaining way. If you're big into the history of theme parks, this is a great book to hear and see real behind the scenes stuff from a major player in the industry.
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  • Nick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The story follows John's professional career beginning with how he got out of the boring family business and into the crazy world of theme parks. I do have two small complaints about Creating My Own Nemesis:

    1. John talks about some amazing magic tricks he performed but only explains how a few of them work. Such a tease!

    2. It's too short! I didn't want the book to end.

    If by any degree you're into magic, illusions, theater production, theme park design, or roller coasters I highly recommend you read this thoroughly entertaining book.
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  • Eaz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    My son enjoyed the book as a part of his summer reading.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • mykey987
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Genuinely one of the best books I’ve read in years. Extremely easy to read and really interesting and informative. I love rollercoasters but I don’t think you need to be an enthusiast to be enthused by John. The book is full of “really!?…I never knew” moments and leaves you wanting more which is probably why I’ve just immediately placed an order for part 2!
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  • J.Wacker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
    Reviewed in Germany on March 16, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is such a joy to read...
    I'm German, so I thought it might get a bit difficult to read this book, but it was as easy as it gets. The book is well written, entertaining and with some insights into the Themepark/Theater/Film/Entertaining-World. I often thought while reading: "Oh that's unbelievable", "why hasn't anybody thought about that earlier" and so on. I'm not good in writing, so to anybody out there who's interested in Themeparks and so on: Read this book. It's gorgeous!
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  • OliverMarshall
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    First of all I'd just like to see that no matter how much I praise this book in this review it is very likely that it won't be doing it justice. This is hands down the best autobiography I have read if not the best book in any category. Many may disagree with the last part of that statement but I have to say no other book has had as much relevance to my personal life as this book.
    I have been part of amateur dramatics for many years so to read this book and find out about John Wardley's aspirations to become a stage manager immediately got me hooked to the book. His personal experiences as he gained valuable work experience from a young age and in his later years were amazing. From testing dangerous scenery on the James Bond films to getting cinema reels ready for the next day, John Wardley seems to have done everything in the show business and beyond.
    As an 18 year old who loves rollercoasters this was of course the main reason I bought this book. I was expecting a run of the mill account of all things rollercoasters, from their conception to the final product and everything in between. From a personal perspective the Nemesis ride at Alton Towers was my favourite ride until the recent arrival of their new ride The Smiler. Both of these were (at least partly) the brainchildren of John Wardley. He also had a hand in Oblivion, Air and Thirteen. These are all great rides and to know one person was involved in them makes my respect for this man soar.
    With regards to the writing style it is very well written by a clearly very intelligent man. It has lots of moments of humour and contains enough of his personal life (such as visiting his Grandparents for the summer) to make you feel really attached to him throughout his long and fulfilled career.
    I don't want to spoil too many other surprises but suffice to say, I struggle to think of any other person who will have had such a fulfilled life as John Wardley and contributed so much to so many companies and people's lives. Read for the rollercoasters, stay for the life story. Truly remarkable.
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  • Sarion
    5.0 out of 5 stars Autobiografie eines der ganz großen der Branche
    Reviewed in Germany on December 17, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    John Wardley schreibt mitreißend und unterhaltsam über sein Leben.
    Vor allem seiner Jugendzeit und dem Beginn seiner Karriere in der Unterhaltungsindustrie widmet er sich sehr ausführlich.
    In den späteren Jahren würde sich der Achterbahn- und Freizeitpark-Enthusiast evtl. noch das ein oder andere Detail an Zusatzinformation wünschen, aber auch hier erfährt der Leser viel über diesen faszinierenden Menschen.
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  • SpureNdlichstattH0
    4.0 out of 5 stars Spannendes Buch... zum Schluss..
    Reviewed in Germany on July 23, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Achterbahnfans werden die ersten Seiten doch recht langweilig empfinden und erst ab dem 2. Drittel auf ihre Kosten kommen. Dennoch erklärt Wardley auf den ersten Seiten eben, wie er zu seinem Job kam. Das ist, aus meiner Sicht, nicht minder spannend und eben ein wichtiger Teil seiner Berufskarriere.

    Insgesamt sehr lesenswertes Buch, wenn gleich es nicht übermäßig viel neues rund um die Achterbahnprojekte gibt, die er realisiert hat.

    Erstaunlich: Die Qualität des Coverdrucks ist miserabel. Es sieht so aus als hätte man ein niedrig aufgelöstes Foto als Vorlage genommen. Erschreckend, wenn man bedenkt, das John Wardleys Vater in einer Druckerei gearbeitet hat!
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