Action Park

Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park

By: Andy Mulvihill, Jake Rossen

Narrated by: Michael Satow

"Citizen Kane does Adventureland." —The Washington Post

The outlandish, hilarious, terrifying, and almost impossible-to-believe story of the legendary, dangerous amusement park where millions were entertained and almost as many bruises were sustained, told through the eyes of the founder's son.

Often called "Accident Park," "Class Action Park," or "Traction Park," Action Park was an American icon. Entertaining more than a million people a year in the 1980s, the New Jersey-based amusement playland placed no limits on danger or fun, a monument to the anything-goes spirit of the era that left guests in control of their own adventures--sometimes with tragic results. Though it closed its doors in 1996 after nearly twenty years, it has remained a subject of constant fascination ever since, an establishment completely anathema to our modern culture of rules and safety. Action Park is the first-ever unvarnished look at the history of this DIY Disneyland, as seen through the eyes of Andy Mulvihill, the son of the park's idiosyncratic founder, Gene Mulvihill. From his early days testing precarious rides to working his way up to chief lifeguard of the infamous Wave Pool to later helping run the whole park, Andy's story is equal parts hilarious and moving, chronicling the life and death of a uniquely American attraction, a wet and wild 1980s adolescence, and a son's struggle to understand his father's quixotic quest to become the Walt Disney of New Jersey. Packing in all of the excitement of a day at Action Park, this is destined to be one of the most unforgettable memoirs of the year.

Great story!

Growing up in this time period I forget how dangerous our world was compared to these safe days ! Good times.

What a ride

Very interesting story told with a bit of humor and we'll vocalized. Would love to have seen some of what is discussed.

What an amazing story!!!

This could possibly be one of the most entertaining books I’ve ever read. Slam dunk!

I was scared but I kind of wish I was there

It's hard to believe this really happened, but it is pretty entertaining to read about. Given that this was written by the son of the man that owned Action park I wasn't sure what the quality of the writing would be. But he and his co-writer really did a great job. I also loved the narrator who did this justice and gives it a good dose of New Jersey swagger.

The grand disasterpiece!

Probably one of the funniest books I’ve read in recent memory. Excellent and I would recommend to anyone looking for a good laugh or to relive their wasted (literally and figuratively) youth