Wildwood by the Sea

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BOOK, FILLED WITH EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW!
Review: I have been going to Wildwood every summer since I was a young kid, and it is one of my favorite places in the world (since I was born in Jersey). Recently, I realized that I knew very little about the history of the resort I love so much, and so I decided to buy this book and find out the details. This book is expensive, but I highly recommend it. It thoroughly details Wildwood's history, from its 1890's beginnings through the present day. Now, some people might think 'Oh, it's a historical book, so it must be boring,' but this book holds your attention. It was written in an incredibly good way, and has plently of picutes and illustrations in it, so that you know exactly what the author is talking about. None of it is boring, it has great details about everything you could ever want to know about the Wildwoods, and it covers everything from the beach to the Boardwalk. So, if you love Wildwood and want to know a little more about its history, read this book. It is expensive, but is worth every penny!

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL BOOK, FILLED WITH EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW!
Review: One of the most definitive books ever written on this GREAT summer resort. I grew up in Cape May, and frequented Wildwood all of the time. What I didn't learn from my visits, I learned from this book. It is very detailed and very nostalgic. A very enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for any Wildwood by the Sea enthusiast and visitor!
Review: One of the most definitive books ever written on this GREAT summer resort. I grew up in Cape May, and frequented Wildwood all of the time. What I didn't learn from my visits, I learned from this book. It is very detailed and very nostalgic. A very enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: A trip back in time
Review: This is a nice addition to your collection if you have any interest at all in the history of 5 Mile Beach. Nicely written, though a bit redundant at times, "Wildwood by the Sea" begins in the late 1800's, before paved roads were common, to the late 1990's, where huge roller coasters and monstrous resort hotels dot the skyline. The book doesn't delve very deeply into the local political scene, giving a view from the eyes of the business owner instead. Some of these men were entertainment visionaries (such as Gilbert Blaker and William Hunt), and had to deal with competiton from other cities, bad weather, and frequent fires. The roller-coasters that sprang up along the boardwalk closely mirrored the up-and-downs of the local economy.
There are plenty of excellent and fascinating photographs from the island's early years, and it's fun to contrast those photos with the modern ones from the early 1990's.

Wildwood holds a special place in the hearts of many people (like myself) who spent a good portion of their childhood there. If you have fond memories of the place, grab this book if you can, it's really hard to find these days...but you can if you look hard enough!