Coney Island

Referred to as the "Sodom by the Sea" by the New York Times in 1894, this most famed amusement complex was a twenty-block mecca for rollercoasters, side shows, carnival acts of all kinds, and food without end. Home of Famous Nathan's Hot Dogs, a lively boardwalk, and a white sand beach that at times was so filled you couldn't lie down, Coney Island was the summer destination for generations of city dwellers who couldn't afford the Catskills or the Hamptons.

Today, Coney Island remains a vivid living reminder of the past and still attracts sun worshipers and thrill seekers. It has been the favorite subject of photographers for decades. And all who know or ever knew it will rejoice in this book.

This beautiful volume of evocative and wildly colorful photographs brings to life the small strip of land on New York's Atlantic coast that for over a hundred years has provided thrills, amusements, and escape to untold millions—Coney Island.

Library Journal

With his ready camera, photographer Stein (Parallels: A Look at Twins, o.p.) has wandered Coney Island's ocean beaches, boardwalk, and amusements for 27 years. Unlike other Coney books, his doesn't concentrate on the old park's ruins--the stilled parachute drop or weed-choked abandoned coaster tracks-- and deals little in nostalgia for Luna Park days. Instead, it shows the summer life that has carried on: crab-fishing along the pier, night rides on the Cyclone, tatooed sunbathers, hot dog-eating contestants, freak show staff. The most inspired pictures may be the silvery nudes from the Mermaid Parades of recent years. The book is a reasonable approximation of the contemporary Coney experience--reasonable in that the real thing can be both more beautiful and more depressing than the evocatively familiar stuff captured by Stein. His pictures do help counter the surprisingly widespread impression that Coney Island died with its famous Steeplechase ride in 1965. In fact, with Stein as loyal witness, there's been a long, colorful afterlife. Recommended for larger photography collections with a New York bias.--Nathan Ward, "Library Journal"

Harvey Stein is a professional photographer in New York City where he teaches at the International Center of Photography, Parsons School of Design, and Drew University. He has published two previous books and his work has appeared in major magazines here and abroad.

Ric Burns has produced both alone and with his brother Ken numerous TV documentaries including The Civil War and Coney Island.