Rating: 
Summary: The BEST of Coney Island!
Review: 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)
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Coney Island Reference Book Available
Review: Calling all Coney Island fanatics, nostalgia buffs and preservationists - this is the book for you. I hardly know where to start in singing its praises - simply put, it's a heartfelt love-letter to the past, present and future of our beloved Island. The photographs are exquisite, the author's personal experiences poignant, and the history documented fascinating. What more could you ask for?I was amazed upon first opening Denson's book - for some years I had been photographing the "leftover buildings", as I knew them - faceless, nameless structures from the old days of Coney, unsure of their histories, but endlessly fascinated by them. Charles Denson cleared up most every mystery for me, documenting the pasts of these previously anonymous remnants. For this, I cannot thank him enough. Even further, he has included photographs that he took over a lifetime, of demolitions, which are heartbreaking, but informative, to see. It's as if he's putting his private treasure trove of images out for all the world to see, which, really, is a great gift. I owe him many thanks. The layout and sequencing of the book is perfect, arranged in a timely, appropriate manner. Unfortunately, it is a very fast read, but not due to a shallow treatment of its subject - rather, that it is such fascinating material, handled with enthralling interest. One can feel Denson's pride and joy in Coney Island - it practically radiates from the pages. This is one of the few books that I'd recommend buying even if one doesn't have the chance to view it first - it would be well worth three times the asking price. It is a truly landmark reference book on Coney Island - although it's a delight, it's accurate, respectable, and quite sincere, as well. The photographs alone make it worthy of purchase, as do Denson's personal stories of youth and adolescence on the Island. Please, please, please give it a try - you'll find that it is worth every penny, and that it is a book you'll hold onto for a long, long time to come.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Coney Island Reference Book Available
Review: Calling all Coney Island fanatics, nostalgia buffs and preservationists - this is the book for you. I hardly know where to start in singing its praises - simply put, it's a heartfelt love-letter to the past, present and future of our beloved Island. The photographs are exquisite, the author's personal experiences poignant, and the history documented fascinating. What more could you ask for? I was amazed upon first opening Denson's book - for some years I had been photographing the "leftover buildings", as I knew them - faceless, nameless structures from the old days of Coney, unsure of their histories, but endlessly fascinated by them. Charles Denson cleared up most every mystery for me, documenting the pasts of these previously anonymous remnants. For this, I cannot thank him enough. Even further, he has included photographs that he took over a lifetime, of demolitions, which are heartbreaking, but informative, to see. It's as if he's putting his private treasure trove of images out for all the world to see, which, really, is a great gift. I owe him many thanks. The layout and sequencing of the book is perfect, arranged in a timely, appropriate manner. Unfortunately, it is a very fast read, but not due to a shallow treatment of its subject - rather, that it is such fascinating material, handled with enthralling interest. One can feel Denson's pride and joy in Coney Island - it practically radiates from the pages. This is one of the few books that I'd recommend buying even if one doesn't have the chance to view it first - it would be well worth three times the asking price. It is a truly landmark reference book on Coney Island - although it's a delight, it's accurate, respectable, and quite sincere, as well. The photographs alone make it worthy of purchase, as do Denson's personal stories of youth and adolescence on the Island. Please, please, please give it a try - you'll find that it is worth every penny, and that it is a book you'll hold onto for a long, long time to come.
Rating:
Summary: A Magical, Entertaining Ride
Review: Coney Island Lost and Found is just such a joy to read. A lifelong resident of the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, not far from Coney, reading this book reignited my memories and interest in this amazing fantasyland. Charles Denson's writing is well crafted and the reader can tell he put not only a lot of time and hard work in compiling all the information, but he also put his heart into this book. It captures one's imagination and is a sheer delight to anyone interested in the background of Coney Island. A memoir, an historical text, a delight. Highly
recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book Capturing the Life & Spirit of Coney Island
Review: Coney Island: Lost and Found is an absolutely amazing book. Charles Denson lived in Coney from the mid 1950's through the 70's and really knows the place. In the 70's he took over 5000 pictures of his world and captured the very sad devastation that was taking place. He has preserved in photos so much of the day to day life in Coney Island that is gone. He has documented with interviews and observations so much of the history of the amusement parks, bungalow colonies, bath houses and just ordinary life of people who grew up in Coney Island. What makes it so moving and real for me is his inclusion of his own life in the book. I got a very real sense of what he and his family and his friends experienced living in Coney Island. Charles Denson hasn't just studied Coney Island, he's lived and grew up there and is passionate about it. That's what powers this book and makes it so incredible. Although I've lived only a couple of miles from Coney all my life, I hardly knew what was going on. Thanks to this book, I'm learning. Coney Island came close to death in the 70's. Charles Denson introduces us to some of the people and forces that came close to killing Coney as well as the wonderful people who fought against the forces of destruction.We meet Dick Zigun, founder of the Coney Island museum, who for over 20 years has been working to keep the spirit of Coney alive.The last year or two has witnessed the opening of the ballpark, major improvements on the boardwalk, the beginning of a major rehabilitation of the Parachute Jump and the rebuiilding of Stillwell Avenue subway terminal.This book comes at a time of tremendous hope for Coney and provides us with a vision of what Coney Island was and can still be. I've only scratched the surface of the beauty and power of this book. You'll have to read it yourself and let it speak to you about Coney Island, a truly amazing and spirited place.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book Capturing the Life & Spirit of Coney Island
Review: Coney Island: Lost and Found is an absolutely amazing book. Charles Denson lived in Coney from the mid 1950's through the 70's and really knows the place. In the 70's he took over 5000 pictures of his world and captured the very sad devastation that was taking place. He has preserved in photos so much of the day to day life in Coney Island that is gone. He has documented with interviews and observations so much of the history of the amusement parks, bungalow colonies, bath houses and just ordinary life of people who grew up in Coney Island. What makes it so moving and real for me is his inclusion of his own life in the book. I got a very real sense of what he and his family and his friends experienced living in Coney Island. Charles Denson hasn't just studied Coney Island, he's lived and grew up there and is passionate about it. That's what powers this book and makes it so incredible. Although I've lived only a couple of miles from Coney all my life, I hardly knew what was going on. Thanks to this book, I'm learning. Coney Island came close to death in the 70's. Charles Denson introduces us to some of the people and forces that came close to killing Coney as well as the wonderful people who fought against the forces of destruction.We meet Dick Zigun, founder of the Coney Island museum, who for over 20 years has been working to keep the spirit of Coney alive.The last year or two has witnessed the opening of the ballpark, major improvements on the boardwalk, the beginning of a major rehabilitation of the Parachute Jump and the rebuiilding of Stillwell Avenue subway terminal.This book comes at a time of tremendous hope for Coney and provides us with a vision of what Coney Island was and can still be. I've only scratched the surface of the beauty and power of this book. You'll have to read it yourself and let it speak to you about Coney Island, a truly amazing and spirited place.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book about Coney Island ever written!
Review: I was/always will be a Coney Island kid myself, and reading Charles Denson's accounts left me breathless. This book will transport you to a place in time that few people really know well. The writing is flawless and magical--a treat for all of your senses. Memories you never knew you had will be awakened. Thank you, "Charlie from Building 3," for this wonderful book. It was like reading an exerpt of my own autobiography. It is a work of art that will be treasured for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book about Coney Island ever written!
Review: I was/always will be a Coney Island kid myself, and reading Charles Denson's accounts left me breathless. This book will transport you to a place in time that few people really know well. The writing is flawless and magical--a treat for all of your senses. Memories you never knew you had will be awakened. Thank you, "Charlie from Building 3," for this wonderful book. It was like reading an exerpt of my own autobiography. It is a work of art that will be treasured for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: This book is just incredible!
Review: Previous generations of my family did some growing up at Coney. My sister goes there. But I moved out west early on and only heard the stories retold of my Great-Uncle Frank taking my dad on the parachute ride. Coney is an American legend and Denson, I must state, is also soon to be legend. Denson not only took many of the book's photos as an eight year old boy or an eightenn year old boy or a thiry-eight year old man, but he also is somehow able to transport us right into his childhood experiences in Coney as if it is happening to us. I actually felt the world of a Coney kid, falling in love with one of the thrill ride's maniquins, only to see her "changed" the next carnival season into a ghoul! I wittnessed the elevator doors to his tenament open, only to find twelve year old Charlie and his friends in there sitting around a table, having quickly furnished the elevator. They offer you a piece of cake as a kid's prank. He tells of the world of Al the ice cream man, the chamber of commerce saint Bill Nickelson and all the other people populating his childhood. There were the park owners and their effects on the community and the toy store salesman, Coopey. But its not only the people that are brought to life, but the buildings and the rides. They all are alive for Denson and he is able to hand you his well earned enthisiasm, understanding and love for this place.
First hand interviews with the very men and women who ran the rides and ran in this world make it all so personal. Here is a book that also not only traces the early history of the island from Native times, dismissing old misstatements in all the other histories of Coney Island, but it also documents Coney's long term evolution and the very trejectory of the place. There is so much love in this book, I am in awe. There is so much understanding in this book, I am sobered and awakened. There is so much fun in this book, I am glad I read it.
When you find a rare experience like this book provides, you want to shout about it....to make sure everyone you know reads it.....so they can understand what you now newly understand. Its Coney Island, but it is really so much more. Do yourself a favor, GET THIS BOOK RIGHT AWAY!
Rating:
Summary: Days Long Gone
Review: Reading Charles Denson's book brought tears to my eyes.
I too lived in the Coney Island Houses from the age of 5 until 16. I experienced the dramatic transformation of the neighborhood from an idyllic, peaceful and unique seaside community to a dangerous place, where residents were afraid to venture out because of crime. The book captures,with love and intelligence, the Coney Island I'd like to remember. I am so glad that the author had the insight to document this episode in our lives. Thank you. M from building #4.
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