A return to #1 New York Times-bestselling author Clive Cussler's stunning private collection of rare, classic automobiles, picking back up in 1948 where Built for Adventure left off. In striking full-color photographs and engaging commentary, fans of Clive Cussler’s five bestselling series can explore the personal automotive collection of the literary master of mechanical marvels. Readers will explore the history of each model and the story of how it was found and restored, not to mention notes on where some of these dazzling machines have appeared in his novels. The fins, the fenders, the furious horsepower: Built to Thrill runs straight through the forties, fifties, and sixties, capturing it all.

Recounts the history of roller coasters, and describes classic examples, from wooden rides to steel devices to enormous machines with drops of more than two or three hundred feet, and speculates about future developments.

A photographic tour through Clive Cussler’s outstanding collection of antique automobiles, including those featured in his #1 New York Times bestselling Dirk Pitt series. Fans of Clive Cussler's bestselling Dirk Pitt series know that his hero has a soft spot for rare and classic automobiles...and that the vehicles that appear in the novels are actually part of Cussler's own vast collection. Through stunning color photographs and warm, informative commentary, fans of Cussler and Pitt can see fifty-six of these automobiles in all their glory, and learn about the history and acquisition of each classic car. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Touring . . . Mercedes-Benz 630K . . . Duesenberg J-140 . . . Cadillac V-16 Roadster . . . Ford Cabriolet Hot Rod . . . Packard V-12 . . . it's a car lover's paradise!

Describes different types of roller coasters, their history, and their construction.

Ticket To Ride takes you through the history of roller coasters, from the first in seventeenth century St. Petersburg to today’s gigantic theme park attractions—complete with a tour of the most hair-raising and fantastic examples. The adrenaline rush of a roller coaster ride provides its fans with a leg-wobbling wave of euphoria and exhilaration unmatched by any other experience. It takes a certain amount of courage—or foolhardiness—to climb onto a roller coaster, but what a ride. Fans travel the world to experience the latest and most gut-wrenching rides, and they have quite a selection to choose from. Exactly who built the very first roller coasters is contentious, but they are generally agreed to have appeared in seventeenth century St. Petersburg, where they were made of ice and wood—accordingly nicknamed “Russian Mountains.” Now a staple of amusement parks and theme parks, the first patented roller coaster appeared in the first real theme park, at famed Coney Island in 1884. It was created by “Father of the Gravity Ride” LaMarcus Adna Thompson, an American inventor and amusement park pioneer. His “scenic railways” were a sensation, so much so that he opened six at Coney Island alone. The first golden age of the roller coaster ended with the Great Depression in tandem with the decline of amusement parks in general. A roller coaster revival did not begin until 1972, with the construction of The Racer at Kings Island, Ohio. This started the second golden age of the roller coaster and led, in turn, to the construction of rides like Rebel Yell (at Kings Dominion, Virginia) and Thunder Road (at Carowinds, North and South Carolina). In 1959, the first steel track roller coaster, called Matterhorn Bobsleds, appeared at Disneyland, California, leading the way with innovative loops and corkscrews. Aficionados have their favorites; some prefer steel roller coasters for their smoother ride and ability to turn their passengers upside-down as they fly around the tracks. Conversely, others prefer the more old-fashioned wooden roller coasters that rattle along and play with negative G-forces to provide “air time” for their passengers. Today, there are numerous types of roller coasters, which broadly divide into train-type coasters, mechanical coasters, and track layout coasters. Some of the favorites featured in this book include: Jurassic Park, Animal Kingdom theme park, Superman the Ride (Bizarro), Superman: Escape from Krypton, Batman The Ride, El Toro, Loop The Loop, Transformers: The Ride, Jack Rabbit, Th13teen, Saw: The Ride, London Eye, Back at the Barnyard Hayride, Great American Scream Machine, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, Apollo's Chariot, Apocalypse, Big Dipper Roller Coaster, Boomerang Coaster, Dragon, Cyclone, Medusa,Thunderbolt, The Sea Dragon, Alpine Bobsled, Rattlesnake, Shockwave, Full Throttle, Goliath, Joker 4-D coasters, Phantom’s Revenge, The Big One, The Ultimate,Centrifugal Railways, Oblivion, Klondike Gold Mine, Dreamland park, and more. Ticket To Ride looks at the development of roller coasters and how they have evolved into the biggest theme park attractions in the world, taking you on a tour of the greatest, most spectacular examples.

American Coasters is one coaster enthusiast's photographic journey across the country in search of the next great thrill. From Massachusetts to Florida, from New Jersey to California, this book contains adrenaline-inducing images of more than 100 different roller coasters from 21 different parks in 12 states. And for the adrenaline junky searching for that perfect ride, this thrilling look at American coasters also covers nearly 40 featured coaster profiles complete with all the vitals and a brief commentary. Whether you like wood or steel, loops or launches, this book showcases a wide variety of different roller coasters built over the last 90 years at parks like Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Tired of the same old, rickety wooden roller coasters? Crave more thrills than the typical vertical loops and camelback hills found at every local amusement park? Fortunately, roller coasters come in a mind-blowing profusion of styles, shapes, and sizes. From innovative track designs to unusual seating configurations, from ridiculous locations to bizarre theming, the experience never gets old. In The 50 Most Unique Roller Coasters Ever Built you'll explore a roller coaster......powered by people....inspired a popular computer game....uses a Ferris wheel as a lift....requires an on-board brakeman....where the louder you scream the faster you go....built on top of a skyscraper....known as the "dog fart" coaster (yes, you read that right!).The 50 Most Unique Roller Coasters Ever Built is a list comprised of unusual, rare, and hard to find scream machines.***2nd Edition, Updated June 2017***