Coney Island: Lost and Found

Born in Sea Gate in the late thirties, I was part of a generation that grew up during World War II and spent many years in Coney Island, even working in Steeplechase as a Barrel Boy at age 12, helping people through the rotating barrel if they fell forward or backward, scooping them and their belongings up and helping them exit the barrel. It was innocent fun.Charles Denson's book, CONEY ISLAND is a treasure trove of the history of Sea Gate, Coney Island, Steeplechase, Luna Park (I saw it burn down in the early forties),complete with archival photos that bring back memories of my youth, bicycling on the famous boardwalk, walking down Mermaid Avenue and the Bowery (seeing some of its freak shows) and riding the Steeplechase Roller Coaster, Horses and the iconic Parachute Jump! What a thrill it was!The book is organized in 3 parts--1. C.I. from 1945-55, 2. The Coming of Age in C.I 1956-1969 and 3. Decline & Comeback of C.I 1970-2000. It is virtually loaded with photos, postal cards, memorabilia and is somewhat autobiographical.My family and I left the Sea Gate-Coney Island area in 1987 during its resurgence and have been back visiting before and after Hurricane Sandy, especially someone we know at the Shorefront Rehab. Center on West 29 St. and Surf Avenue where the Half-Moon Hotel used to stand. I'll never forget the time Jewish gangster Abe Rellis was tossed out of high windowfrom the Half-Moon Hotel when I was a youngster. We now live near Columbia University in Manhattan but all of us have some contact with fellow-Sea Gate-ers. In fact, the original wooden gate shown on p.28 is no more and the private Sea Gate Police Force occupy the Chapel which is still standing today.Whether you lived there or not, I highly recommend to you to buy this terrific book, wonderfully researched and beautifully bound in paperback.Nathan's Famous, famous for its hot dogs and Gargiulo's Italian Restaurant on West 15th Street and Surf Avenue are worth the visit alone for its wealth of culinary fare. And the rides, the roller coaster alone is still as thrilling as it used to be. I still take my grown children to the amusement parks. Too bad Steeplechase is closed and the girders of the towering parachute jump are still standing, unused, but I remember how thrilling it was to grow up there. I even went to Mark Twain JHS and Abraham Lincoln HS with actor Louis Gossett and singer Neil Sedaka and even worked for and met George C. Tilyou, the owner of Steeplechase before it closed!A great book for those of us who lived there and terrific for tourists since the Renaissance of Coney Island has taken place. I recommend you read it first and go for a visit--its one of the last treasures of Brooklyn and always a pleasure to see the Atlantic Ocean and swim on the beaches of CONEY ISLAND. I am so glad I bought and found this book on amazon.com

a Very informative literature about the well known New York seaside resort and the Fair. Thanks!

Although his name doesn't ring a "bell", I had to have known the author. In 1963, my family moved into the same NYC "Projects" (i.e. Coney Island Houses) where the author lived. His story is in many ways my story, his outlook on the one and only Coney, my outlook as well. In a borough of giants (well, maybe only "Dodgers"), when Brooklyn *really* WAS the "World", Coney Island was KING! Where else in the world could working-class folk (white, black, Jew and Gentile) live in relative peace and harmony while enjoying the waterfront views millionaires would be envious of?Author Charles Denson hits the right balance with both his superb history of America's original "Playground" and his personal reflections on growing up in the shadow of a myth. Coney *was* changing along with America in the 1960s. Much of the change was harsh and relentless. Poverty and greed bred crime and desolation. Coney Island, more vulnerable than most Brooklyn neighborhoods to the ebbs and flows of capricious fortune, became a victim to the times.The author aptly outlines this decline and recent rejuvenation with such skill that (unlike other "neighborhood" memory/history books) one can "taste" the vitality of the arisen "Phoenix" known as Coney Island.Almost as good as a Nathan's frank and a bag of fries, sitting in a boardwalk "pavillion", watching the summer fireworks. (Or maybe skating in Abe Stark and going to the Tilyou for a matinee?).Just an afterthought...I thought I was the only one on earth who remembered "Al" the "Good Humor"-man...To Mr. "Coopey" (of the immortal "Coopey's Corner"), who's recommedation here on Amazon prompted me to buy this book... You'll never know how many children's souls you touched and made smile. A THOUSAND blessings!Charlie R,...(who broke his leg at age 6 on the monkey bars in the "little" playground next to 2928 in 1964)

The photography is both gorgeous and down to earth real. Great writing that follows the long history of Coney Island while also weaving in the authors own story by the end. Highly recommend!

Charlie Denson is a man who knows his Coney Island. He knows how to tell a story, too. You know a fine book when you can see, feel, even taste the author's complex relationship to the place, the people, the events of its times. Coney Island's complexity, its richness and texture, burrow in through word and picture. Going through each section is like going to a great feast of rich, piquant, savory, sweet and bitter just enough to know you've had a good sampling of something...and you want more. Don't miss this treat. If you are a history buff or simply a Coney Island nostalgic, if the image of a neighborhood's meteoric rise, fall and attempts at resurrection interest, when you want a book with intriguing portraits of people and iconic images you would recognize even if you'd never been there and gratefully if you have, buy this book for yourself and one for a friend or two. It's a good bet folks will come to their own stories about Coney Island or their own home "towns" with a look around Coney Island: Lost and Found. Poignant, funny, touching, but don't take my word for it: get the book!

This was a gift to my sister she loved it made her a very happy camper.

Per tutti coloro che sono stati stregati dalla magia di Coney Island e vogliono scoprire perchè è diventata un'icona anche cinematografica

I first became fascinated with Coney Island because of the film  The Warriors [Blu-ray] [1979 ] which started and ended in Coney Island (except the beach scene which was elsewhere). I have visited the place each time I have visited New York except last time when I just ran out of time and it still annoys me that I didn't.Of all the books I have ever owned on any subject this is without doubt my favorite.Charles Danson the Author tells the history of Coney along with his life growing up in the area. He took thousand of pictures of the area and shares many with us. The book shows the decline from the place that set the blue print for theme parks and its decline to a crime ridden ghetto surrounding an ever shrinking fun park.Today in the naughties Coney has changed for the better and is a far safer place. Big plans are afoot to turn the place into a modern fun park. I think that's a shame as it is today with much improved police presence in the amassment area it has a wonderful old world feel to it with a slight element of sleaze. It truly is sad how New York is becoming all shiny and new with no room for anything old and slightly used.If you have any interest in New York, Coney Island, Amusement parks or urban decay then buy this book now. The Warriors [Blu-ray] [1979

Excellent book just what I expected