Books written entirely on the subject of rollercoasters are few and far between. As such, when one comes along, the expectations of rollercoaster fans for the book are high indeed. Fortunately for us, author Robert Coker has delivered with his book; 'Roller Coasters - A Thrillseeker's Guide to the Ultimate Scream Machines'. This book is best described as having been written by a thrillseeker, for thrillseekers. The depth of information on offer is astounding, from the historical origins of the rollercoaster to the ins-and-outs of today's modern thrillrides. That's not to say this book is unreadable for those with only a passing interest, as Coker provides simple definitions of 'coaster terminology, even to go as far as to include a glossary for those who don't know what 'airtime' or 'LIM's' are.

<The first vertical-loopers, dubbed 'Centrifugal Railways', were often too dangerous for riders.

Tracing the rollercoaster's history, Coker profiles the people, places, companies and parks that have made the rollercoaster into what it is today. Along the way we are treated to some stunning photography - Lightning Racer at Hersheypark beckons with it's spaghetti-like track, and Six Flags Magic Mountain's Colossus stands tall and imposing, sporting a pristine coat of white paint. Perhaps the most stunning imagery is that of the modern steel 'coasters, with their impossibly-twisted track and dizzying heights. Those who prefer to ride the merry-go-round may feel nauseous just looking at these pictures. Some of the more recently designed rides such as Mr Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas look absolutely impossible. How can the track remain standing on those seemingly wafer-thin supports? Each picture is captioned to provide that little bit of extra information about the ride.

<The seemingly impossible vertical-spike of Mr Freeze at Six Flags Over Texas.

Then, as if the images aren't enticing enough, Coker has included many personal accounts of what it was like to ride the 'coaster that is pictured. These descriptions are really the icing on the cake - Coker puts us right in the front seat on some of the world's greatest 'coasters, making for an exciting read. Overall, this book goes to great lengths to fostering a true appreciation of that which is the Ultimate Scream Machine - the Rollercoaster.

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Price: $15.98 US Dollars, from Metrobooks.