The Alton Towers Book club

[Slugjc]

Friends.

As much as the internet can give us a full detailed history of Alton. In either written or video watsi. There is nothing better than having a book on shelf to read instead. As I grow older and heading into the winter months. I like to sit in a room, background noise on and read. Looking on the shelf I see a rather, disappointingly low selection of books on the subject of the towers and, the surrounding area. The few I have are.

John wardleys first and disappointing sequel (it's not a bad book, just not as fun as the first.)

The great book by Nick Simm (what a legacy to leave behind by the way)

That one the haunted house (which is a cracking little read.)

And past and present. Which, is just magnificent.

I'm looking for literature that can further the knowledge on the towers and surrounding areas. If anyone knows of any. Please list below.

 

[Spark]

Im currently reading
Alton Towers: A Gothic Wonderland

I got it off Amazon for about £3. Very good so far

 

[Slugjc]

Im currently reading
Alton Towers: A Gothic Wonderland

I got it off Amazon for about £3. Very good so far

Is that the first addition of "Alton towers past and present?"

 

[Spark]

It was 2002 published. Not sure if its v1 or 2

Another i have seen and would not mind reading is Tales from the Towers by Nick Sim.

​

 

[MikeD]

The Sunflower guide books published in the 80s were good.

 

[BarryZola]

Is that the first addition of "Alton towers past and present?"

Yeah, 'Past and Present' is the updated version of 'A Gothic Wonderland'. Absolutely fantastic work by the late Michael Fisher.

 

[Secret Weapon]

That one the haunted house (which is a cracking little read.)

Are you referring to "Smoke and Mirrors: The Haunted House of Alton Towers" by Michael Eley?

It's a fairly short book, but it goes into a lot of detail regarding the original Haunted House ride

"Making Thorpe Park" by Chris Atkinson is a great book, although - as the title suggests - Alton Towers isn't the main focus (it's only peripherally mentioned).

I'm guessing that John Burton may eventually write a book (especially as he tends to do a lot of interviews), but that may not be for another 20+ years yet!

Incidentally: it's unfortunate that neither Nick Varney nor Mark Fisher (not to be confused with Michael Fisher!) seem to have written books, as they probably have a lot of interesting stories to tell (especially from the business side of Tussauds / Merlin).

 

[Slugjc]

Found this on eBay. By Micheal fisher so I am expecting some good detail.

Will need to get rid of the fag smell before I read it

 

[BarryZola]

I've read parts of it, mostly the Towers and St Giles church bits I think. Pretty decent from what I remember. Goes into a lot of detail about churches and the clergy though so some bits didn't interest me, again, if I remember rightly

Edit - I think the abandoned school down the road at Cotton is in there too which is an interesting place.

 

[Slugjc]

I am expecting clergy stuff.

 

[Secret Weapon]

I'm looking for literature that can further the knowledge on the towers and surrounding areas. If anyone knows of any. Please list below.

I have some good news for you: Michael P. Eley released a new book about "Duel" last week.

(Thank you to WickerWonder18 in the Curse at Alton Manor thread for bringing this to my attention: https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/2023-the-curse-at-alton-manor.6666/post-490657 ).

The book is available from Amazon (and possibly other retailers, too); Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DLGZQLNV/

 

[Slugjc]

Cheers for putting this, just bought it. Reviews look good on Amazon.

Fair play to him for doing that. Can imagine he has gambled his own brass.