Book Review + Giveaway: American Coasters 2

Packed full of beautiful roller coaster photography, the American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast book is author and roller coaster enthusiast Thomas Crymes’ followup to 2013’s American Coasters (which we reviewed here).

Keep reading for a chance to win a copy of American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast!

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The book features a selection of park profiles that photographically cover some of the United States’ most popular amusement and theme parks, including:

  • Six Flags Great America
  • Valleyfair
  • Holiday World
  • Six Flags St. Louis
  • Worlds of Fun
  • Six Flags over Texas
  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • and many more

But don’t worry about the parks that don’t receive their own section— the “Best of the Rest” pages highlight additional parks — big and small — with more beautiful photography.

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Banshee at Kings Island. Photograph © Thomas Crymes.

While every photo in the book may not be a contender for a Pulitzer Prize, there are countless stunning photos — some of which appropriately span two pages. Many require two (or three) glances to fully appreciate.

Other pages are filled with a mosaic of photos. I really liked the large number of up-close photographs depicting riders’ faces, which are often very amusing (I have ugly ride face, on-ride photos confirm).

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While the photography is the focus in American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast, I also learned some interesting tidbits of roller coaster history and trivia. For instance, I had no idea that Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Superman: Krypton Coaster was originally designed with seven inversions — a dive loop was nixed to allow for larger, then-record-breaking vertical loop.

And if all that wasn’t enough, a Q&A with Great Coaster International (GCI) senior engineer Adam House is both insightful and an excellent excuse for more beautiful photos showcasing GCI’s works of wooden coaster art.

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Thunderbolt at Luna Park (L) and Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (R). Photographs © Thomas Crymes.

The book is great to pick up whenever you have a few minutes to spare, but you may find yourself reading it from cover to cover in one sitting (speaking from experience). The combination of amazing photography and interesting information about the parks and coasters featured in the book guarantee a fun-filled read.

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Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park. Photograph © Thomas Crymes.

American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast makes for an excellent gift for any casual or hardcore roller coaster enthusiast. It also makes for a far-from-ordinary addition to any coffee table — the stunning cover photograph of Cedar Point’s Gatekeeper wing coaster threading through one of its keyhole elements will undoubtedly attract attention.

As of this posting, American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast is available at Amazon for $23.87.

American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast Giveaway

Author Thomas Crymes has kindly agreed to provide a copy of American Coasters 2: Coast to Coast to give away.

To enter, let us know your favorite American coaster by leaving a comment below. We’ll randomly draw a winner. Please include an email address that we can use to contact you should you win.

One entry per person. Enter by this Friday, July 22, 2016 at 11:59 EST. We’ll announce the winner shortly thereafter.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Katherine D. for winning the giveaway, and thanks to everyone who entered!

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