First, let’s talk about the series Images of America. Here’s the background. This series of books takes very specific subjects throughout America and presents the history of that site/area through old pictures. There is generally some background, and additional description around the pictures. I’ve purchased a few of these and I’ve found a universal truth about them. First, you should have a profound interest in the area being presented because there will be minutia that the casual observer may have no interest in. Second, you will see images you haven’t seen before and you will want more substance. Neither of these is necessarily bad. It’s just that I am always amazed by what I find (because I have, so far, focused on areas of interest), and I find myself wanting more details about what I’ve seen and read.

And so it is with this book focusing on Knott’s Berry Farm. It is as much a history of the Knott family as it is the berry farm. The pictures chronicle their start as farmers and lead all the way to the establishment of what is often argued to be the first true theme park. The family portion is interesting, but just made me want them to hurry up and get to the park. The pictures of the growth of the berry stand, chicken dinner restaurant, and the Ghost Town are invaluable to anyone who wants to actually see how it grew. And, as with the others in this series, it just made me want to read more about the way this all began. It also left me very hungry for more about the more recent history of the park (the 70’s on) but, after all, it was titled “the early years”. A great appetizer with unimagined flavors that just makes you beg for a full course. ( )