Product Description
What began as a biography of George Millay, the "Father of the Waterpark Industry," ended up being both the intriguing life story of a great and successful risk-taker AND the first-ever, in-depth look at the creation of two theme park genres which today entertain more than 100 million people a year, worldwide.

KEY FEATURES

1 – First book ever written about George Millay. He has waited until he felt comfortable "telling it all."And tell it all, he did. Friends and family who have read the manuscript have commented they learned new things about a man they have known for years. He has a reputation for not wanting to talk personally about himself or his family.

2 – George Millay’s personal story is one of a risk-taker and is an excellent business primer on how calculated and creative risk taking and deal making can pay off.

3 – This is the first in-depth look at the creation and the early history of the SeaWorld parks, now owned by Anheuser-Busch; Magic Mountain, now owned by Six Flags; and the Wet’n Wild parks, now owned by Universal and by Palace Entertainment. The book chronicles the deals, the people, and the events that shaped these parks - from concept through construction and the early years of operation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A fitting tribute to a theme park pioneer
George Millay died on February 6, 2006 but his legacy lives on. Millions have visited Sea World and Wet and Wild. What sparked these two theme parks was George's experiences in the restaurant business. You'll have to read the book to see how he made the leap.

The book describes how George went to various them parks to get ideas, such as the wave generation machine for Wet and Wild.

Sea World was the first to use an ozone purification system. When the Marine Mammal Protection Act was enacted in 1972, Sea World started a captive breeding program to replenish its stock of animals.

George was a visionary and a problem solver; however, even these were not enough. Sometimes he had to depend on luck. On more than one occasion, George came to the brink of financial disaster.

Once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended reading even it you're not considering opening a theme park.

He beats Trump as a risk taker and deal maker.Fun book!
This book reveals how he created Sea World, Wet'N Wild and Magic Mountain.What a deal maker and career breaker.It was a wild ride.Hilarious tales of boom, bust and triumph.Read about the peacock's infamous flight.Twists and turns follow George building two aquatic empires.I woke my wife up from laughing so hard while reading it in bed.I couldn't put it down.Get the story from the ultimate insider of amusement parks.

George Millay launched two successful amusement industries almost single-handedly:Marine-life Parks and Water Slide Parks.He seems to have made abigger splash than Shamu.Millions still are entertained in the wake of his creations:Sea Worlds, Wet `nWilds and Magic Mountain.Wave Maker is a big splash!
... Read more

Product Description
Every teacher will encounter pupils with special needs. How to recognize those pupils, diagnose their needs and teach them effectively are crucial issues. This book provides accessible and reliable advice for new entrants to the profession. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

mildly erotic
I found this not to be what I expected. Oh, it does portray a degree of nudity from album jackets but it garners its lps from the outer edge for the most part. I hoped for items such as Blind Faith's teen of questionable age, Bowie's Diamond Dogs and Roxy Music's Country Life as the main staple. I wanted the book to follow the thin line between banned and released en masse; to go on both sides of that line and show many of us what we might have seen if not rejected from the outset or quickly recalled.

FUN,INTERESTING BOOK FOR THOSE WHO LIKE ALBUM COVER ART
256 pages.Soft cover.The paper is a nice,fairly thick stock,with a nice glossy sheen that accentuates the graphics.The one small caveat is the size.This book is approximately 7"X 7"-just large enough to enjoy the album covers.It would have been better in a larger format.However,this is a neat little book for those who collect or just enjoy album cover graphics.This book is still available,new,from several sellers.

The various eras of "art" are laid out chronologically,starting in the 1950's,on through,into the 1980's which gives a better insight into these types of covers through the years.The reproductions are good-crisp and clean,and in full color.On the facing page of most album covers there is a brief explanation of a particular cover that,while not in depth,is entertaining and enlightening.This book is certainly not a definitive overview of this type of cover art-it's not supposed to be.But it is enjoyable for what it is-a look into the many ways nudes were used to (hopefully) sell the album to the (mainly) male record album buyer.If nothing else,this fun,somewhat informative look into this area will possibly amaze you (as it did me) at the number of covers of this type.This book can certainly sit next to the various other books on album cover art,if for no other reason than it's curiosity value.The 3 "star" rating is only because I feel this area of pandering,using sex,to sell something is,in the end,a bit cheesy,even though it's interesting to see the lengths record labels will go to sell their product. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the illustrious story of Tom Powell, the colorful, larger-than-life journalist who has spent more than 50 years traveling the world rubbing elbows with everyone from the President of the United States to Baseball Hall of Fame members and side show carnival freaks.For the past 30 years of his career, TP, as he is known today, has written for Amusement Business, the business-to-business weekly newspaper serving the carnival, fairs, arena, and amusement park industries. TP is the best-known, most-loved journalist to ever chronicle the outdoor amusement industry. During his unique career he has been compared to Bob Hope for serving as an ambassador of the industry; Dean Martin for his drinking persona; Jimmy Breslin for his reporting prowess; and to Babe Ruth for his physical girth. He is without a doubt the best-known, most-loved journalist to ever write about these leisure-time fun activities. His personality, his memory, and his ability to write from the heart made his weekly column, TP on AB a must read. Sit back and hear his colorful stories and share in his travels and adventures. TP's is an adventurous, wild and fun life journey. You'll love it! ... Read more

Product Description
Here's the inside information on all the family-friendly fun to be had in the Volunteer State. Fun with the Family in Tennessee leads the way to amusement parks, hiking trails, zoos and aquariums, children's museums, festivals, parks, and much more. Written by a parent, for parents, this opinionated, personal, and easy-to-use guide has the best things to see and do to keep the kids busy and happy for an hour, a day, or a weekend - a guaranteed antidote to vacation boredom. This guide includes up-to-the-minute information on family attractions, detailed maps, quick reference icons, age-appropriate guidelines, kid-friendly restaurants and places to stay. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 256 pages, maps, icons) ... Read more

Product Description
Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry, is a multi-book series that pays homage to the greatest of the great - those who made the amusement parks, theme parks and waterparks what they are today. There have been hundreds of books written on individual parks, on individual rides and attractions and on the business as a whole, while few have been written specifically about the people who dedicated their lives to creating the industry in which we all love. This series by Tim O'Brien and Ripley Publishing adds faces and personality to the rich history of the industry.

This first volume highlights 10 pioneers who were instrumental in shaping the 20th century fun park landscape. Presented here are the most detailed and comprehensive biographies ever written about these individuals. Written in a casual and easy to read style, the passion of these pioneers beautifully shines through.

Pioneers included in this volume are: Harrison "Buzz" Price, who created, and then introduced professional data analysis into the industry; George Millay, visionary who created the SeaWorld marine park concept and Wet'n Wild, the world's first waterpark; Ron Toomer, roller coaster designer, with more than 80 coasters to his credit; Jeff Henry, waterpark ride creator and visionary; Harold Chance, founder of Chance Rides; Dr. Roberto Ortiz, Costa Rican physician who created the country's first theme park to raise money for his children's hospital; John Graff, 20-year president of International Assn. of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA); Bo Kinntorph, first international president of IAAPA and CEO of Liseberg Park in Sweden; Carl Hughes, first non-owner president of IAAPA, and a catalyst in modernizing the association; and Marty Sklar, creative guru for Walt Disney Parks for more than 50 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This book is Essential
The book itself is great but it only covers 12 parks. I think they should make an updated version to this fantastic book.

Good tips for first timers
This book I think would mainly be helpful for your first visit to one of the parks. I've worked for this company for 4 years and read it one rainy day when attendance was low. The only poor quality of a book of this sortis if your buying it any other year than was published it will be somewhatout of date. Our park changes every year. Attractions names, prices andlocations change with the season. So use it for a general guideline for notso much what to see but when to see it. Use the crowd avoidance tips and ofcourse read the articles about the big coasters those never change. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Perhaps the best book to emerge from the Vietnam War -- reissued alongside five other jewels of the Flamingo backlist from the 1970s.First published in1973, this intensely personal novel about one foot soldier's tour of duty in Vietnam established Tim O'Brien's reputation as the outstanding chronicler of the Vietnam experience for a generation of Americans.From basic training to the front line and back again, he takes the reader on an unforgettable journey -- walking the minefields of My Lai, fighting the heat and the snipers in an alien land, crawling into the ghostly tunnels -- as he explores the ambiguities of manhood and morality in a war no one believes in. ... Read more

Product Description
"If I Die in a Combat Zone" is a personal memoir. In twenty-three brief chapters, Tim O'Brien recounts his experience as a young man drafted into military service during the Vietnam War. With thoughtfulness and insight, he illustrates his inner turmoil over his opposition to the war, and his struggle to decide whether or not to dodge the draft or to flee basic training. With the vulgar humor of a foot soldier, O'Brien brings to life the foxholes and night marches through the villages and minefields of Vietnam. He bares his soul in an examination of courage, justice, and the brutal behavior of infantrymen in the Vietnam War.

This study guide includes the following sections: Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion. ... Read more

Product Description
Fun, contemporary and visually stunning, Naked Vinyl is guaranteed to act as a conversation piece, it lovingly brings together more than one hundred of the best album covers from that unique sub-genre of the music industry—the bachelor album. The collection focuses on the development of the "vinyl nude" from the adult-oriented eroticism of the fifties to the brash exhibitionism of the seventies. Listings of artists, musicians, producers, lyricists and photographers accompany the cover art to create a sexy, stylish and contemporary collection of beautiful, sometimes tawdry, vinyl nudes.

The genre of record cover art holds a visual interest all its own. It holds appeal for record collectors and music enthusiasts, design and photography enthusiasts, and anyone with an eye for color, style, or beauty. Naked Vinyl features classic album cover art that brings together music, art and eroticism, displaying their playful character shamelessly to the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great good fun & Grrrls gone groovy !
This is a huge amount of fun for everyone who likes to look at the fun and funky pinup girls of another era, and who likes the empowerment of women posing in nature's own.The records are incidental to the whole thing, of course; this was mainly an excuse to get some girlie-magazine stuff legitimately into the livingrooms of men around the nation.These were 'party records' or sometimes 'mood music' for the how-to-stage-a-seduction-scene right out of a 50s movie - the 'let's get you out of those wet clothes and into a dry martini' stuff that cracks up all liberated femmes fatales today.A sweet and sexy look back at another titillating time, before nudity became so mainstream as to spoil all the fun. This isn't Richard Avedon photography, folks - it is sometimes grey and grainy or down and dirty- but always with a sweet naivite that makes you smile. Not so much Annie Leibowitz - think more of the strip club in the seedy part of town like from the film 'Diner'.Nothing so naughty that you have to hide in the closet, this is a groovy coffee table book to get the conversation going at the next party or date-night at your own swinging bachelor pad.Great gift for the groovy-baby Austin Powers type in your life.Nostalgia cruise for the old guys, and vintage-style smirks for the just-over 21 set. And check those female forms ! No stick-girl supermodels there - those gals had curves.Real hips and bottoms and breasts, and, oh my !Nice to see 'em well-fed and healthy from back in the day before anorexia had been invented and heroin-chic wasn't even dreamed of.This was more the girl next door - well, next door in your fondest dreams.

Poor, just poor
Another collector of wishy washy grab table records, who obviously bought anything as long it was cheap and had some nipples on the cover, proudly presents his collection. This was probably cheap to reproduce for the publisher, since none of the shown record sleeves were of any lasting value for the market and probably scratched from memory after release. The artwork shown is superficial and mostly shows images that could have been cut out of page 3 of nameless 3rd class girlie magazines. The music must have been secondary indeed, I have been dealing with music for 30 years and never met people who actually listened to this type of entertainment. On the 70's and 80's it runs even shorter than on the cheesecake tradition (gack...this word alone...) rest, not even classics like Hendrix' electric ladyland are included here...bare anything that was a little more specific or explicit. A complete waste if time - I wish someone would get a serious collector to produce such a book...

very nice representation of a lost art form
Face it...in the 50s & 60s, record covers sold most LPs, NOT the music.The cooler the cover, the better chance you had of selling a schlock recording.Sexy models were always in vogue, yet NUDE models were usually reserved for third party labels, bargain basement recordings and risque comedy LPs.There are a BUNCH of covers reproduced here, most of them were limited released and single pressings.This is true manna for the record collector and a great conversation piece for the average reader.Not much text but tons of full color covers featuring REAL (not enhanced or anorectic) models.Lots of topless nudity, so you may want to keep this one on the top shelf.

Naked but not naughty
The back cover of this paperback has a line that says: 'A stunning collection of more than 100 nude album covers', if only that were true, well the 100 bit is true.Most of them are low budget stock shots bought by small record labels for their LP covers. Mainstream record companies were too conservative to use such blatant selling techniques.None of the covers are of any photographic or design interest (and most of the music on these LPs was produced by session musicians and is of no particular interest either).

The hundred plus covers are presented one to a page with some copy on the adjacent page, this is rather overgenerous for the text because there is really nothing to say about the covers so the author's repeat bits of the cliched copy from the back covers.I think the (mildly) most interesting covers are the ones produced for the American bachelor market during the fifties and sixties, these are now so ancient and of such awfulness that they take on a curiosityof their own.

I think it is only worth getting this book if you are interested in this very tiny corner of commercial art or maybe you'll want to own the only book that will ever be published about the subject.Worth checking out though is `Vixens of Vinyl' by Benjamin Darling, a nicely produced little book (six by six inches) of LP covers that feature females but not nudes. These covers are from major labels so at least you'll see some decent photography and design. ... Read more

Product Description

Seek life. Chache Lavi. That's what Paulie's uncle says they must do. But to seek life, Paulie and her family have to leave Haiti-the only home that Paulie has ever known. Since forever, Paulie has run in and out of the little houses nestled under the palms, smelling cocoa-bread and playing on the beach with her best friend Karyl. But now the little houses are gone. Their wood has been made into boats-boats used to escape Haiti.

Paulie wants to stay and fight-to change Haiti into a better place to live. She wants to talk to the reporters and bravely tell the truth, like Karyl's brother, Jean-Desir. But the macoutes come with their guns and knives to stop them. And they do something so terrible that Paulie must face the truth: before the soldiers come back, they must all leave-tonight, by sea.

Customer Reviews (4)

Ehh
I thought this was really good. Kinda dissapointed by the end but goood. highlysuggest it

Good story, accurate picture
I wish every body would read this and other stories like it.It was well-written and helps people to understand why there are so many people fleeing from Haiti.Stories like this help to give compassion and understanding to a beautiful island nation that is racked with poverty and civil unrest, yet only 1.5 hours flight from US soil.

Not bad, though Taste of Salt was much better
I purchased "Tonight, by Sea" hoping for the same experience I got from reading "Taste of Salt", Temple's other novel about Haiti, but this one just didn't have the power to transport me to beloved Haiti as the other did.However, it's not a bad read and does tell quitehonestly of the horror that caused the exodus from Haiti by "boatpeople" in the 90's and that still lingers today, albeit in a more"underground" form.

Dying to be free
Tonight by Sea mayhave grammatical and orthographicalerrors such as "Belle Fleuve" for either "Beau Fleuve" (in French) or "Bèl Flèv" (in Creole) or stylistic inconsistencies andincongruities as in the speech pattern of the character Sadrak who is ateacher but sometimes speaks like an uneducated person.But FrancesTemple's novel for young adults succeeds in capturing the atmosphere thatlead hundreds of Haitian people to risk their lives inrickety boats to"Chache lavi," Seek Life in the U.S.As the story evolves, thereader is treated to an overview of Haitian History and culture and, at thesame time, comes to realize that, put in the same situation, he or shemight have done the same.

A story about the will to survive.A storythat rehabilitates the image of the Haitian Boat People. Tonight by Sea isa story that needed to be told. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the things they carried-book & shipping
The shipping was fast. I got it as a gift for my boyfriend. He doesn't like reading but can't put this book down. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Interesting!
The first interesting fact contained in "Ripley's Believe It or Not! Baseball Oddities and Trivia" is that THE Robert Ripley actually was a big-league player - for the N.Y. Giants in 1914. Unfortunately, he broke his pitching arm during his debut, and it was back to the N.Y. Globe as a full-time sports illustrator.Three of my other favorites are:

1)It takes a baseball traveling 89.9 mph only 400 milliseconds to reach home plate!

2)The smallest strike zone ever was only 1.5 inches when a 3'7" midget made an official appearance as a pinch hitter for the St. Louis Browns on August 19,1951.He walked on four straight pitches and was paid $100.

3)The longest home run was hit by Lou Gehrig on April 3, 1929 - over 600' from home plate.

A hundred pages of interesting and intriguing facts
A baseball hit 400 feet has twice the destructive energy as a bullet fired from a .8 calibur pistol. That, and other strange and unusual facts can be found in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!: Baseball Oddities & Trivia: A Journey Through the Weird, Wacky, and Absolutely True World of Baseball". Packed cover to cover with charming drawings by John Granziano, "Ripley's Believe It or Not: Baseball Oddities & Trivia: A Journey Through the Weird, Wacky, and Absolutely True World of Baseball" is over a hundred pages of interesting and intriguing facts and notes of interest. Highly recommended for baseball fans or anyone who just likes weird, bizarre information - it also should be considered as a lighter edition to any community library collection focuses on sports or baseball.

Technical Critique
I enjoy reading baseball trivia.However, found four errors in this book and e-mailed the publisher.The publisher responded and said these would be corrected in the next edition. ... Read more