The book is kind of like a Coney Island version of Luc Sante's [b:Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York|1294449|Low Life Lures and Snares of Old New York|Luc Sante|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182551294s/1294449.jpg|2116806]. The first half talked about the tyrannical rule of John McKane, the horse racing and the prize fighting and all the behind-the-scenes finangling that went on. For me, it didn't really pick up till halfway through when the amusement parks were introduced. ( )

Originally published in 1957, a revised and slightly expanded version of Good Old Coney Island was released in 2000. The subtitle of this book makes clear what it is about: A Sentimental Journey into the Past. Sentimental perhaps, not pablum. The chapters bear titles such as "Rambunctious," "Scandalous," "Splendiferous," and "Prodigious," and live up to the breathless adjectives.

The book begins in the days when Coney Island was a posh resort for the wealthy and traces the transformation of the island into the world's most fantastical amusement park. Author Edo McCullough's uncle was George C. Tilyou, the founder of Steeplechase Park, and McCullough saw the most glorious days of Coney Island first hand. He shares the tales he heard and the events he experienced with the reader. This makes Good Old Coney Island is as much fun as a ride on the Steeplechase, Shoot-the-Chutes, and Hell Gate put together. Well worth the cost of admission! ( )

This is a rollicking history of Brooklyn's playground for the masses that actually started out as a seaside resort for the rich. There are plenty of interesting anecdotes about the various politicians and other characters who were responsible for turning Coney Island into the original amusement complex with long-gone places like Dreamland, Luna Park, and the Steeplechase. Anyone who misses the Coney Island of the good old days will love this book. ( )