Coney Island: Lost and Found

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.

This book was written by a person who lived in Coney Island and was known to document pictures from an early age. I was a store-keeper and know all his facts were true and accurate.I am the Coopeys Corner owner and all of his experiences brought back many pleasant and some not so pretty memories.Read it and you will know how Coney Island was and how it has changed.

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. Highlyrecommended.

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.