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  • Creating my own Nemesis

  • The Autobiography of the Man Who Designed Alton Towers Big Rides, and Brought the Theme Park to Britain
  • By: John Wardley
  • Narrated by: John Wardley
  • Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (97 ratings)

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Creating my own Nemesis cover art

Creating my own Nemesis

By: John Wardley
Narrated by: John Wardley
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Summary

The autobiography of the man who brought the theme park concept to Britain and created some of the world's most thrilling rides and attractions. He talks about his early beginnings in the theater, circus, and magical cabaret, his time working on some of the most incredible special effects in the James Bond films (including the famous bus crash scene in Live and Let Die), and how he became associated with Madame Tussauds, the world's most famous wax museum. This led to the development of Chessington World of Adventures, then Alton Towers. 

Now in its seventh edition, the book answers many questions about how enormous theme park rides are conceived and developed, and the fascinating stories behind them, including his most famous ride, NEMESIS at Alton Towers.

©2014 John Wardley (P)2017 John Wardley

What listeners say about Creating my own Nemesis

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Virtual towers online creator

An excellent read through of an inspirational book. From the creator of viral towers online game on Facebook, a recreation of the great park itself

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simply brilliant

Loved it, listened over 3 days. Marvellous to actually hear John talking about his work.

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All the fun of the fair!

I bought the book for my husband who has been a big fan of John’ Wardley since he was a boy and I decided to listen to join him and listen to the book on Audible. It’s brilliant listening to John tell his own story and I think really adds something. I am a theme park enthusiast but even if I wasn’t it would be a entertaining and interesting story and I wish I had read the book before meeting Mr Wardley in 2019 as I have so much I would love to ask him! A truly remarkable man and maker of magic.

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Themed Worlds

Great incite to the Themed Attraction world ,
Will read again.
Interesting History especially around the now Merlin Attractions

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A thorough thrill fest

I really enjoyed this book. As a lover of theme parks and attractions, it was really interesting to find out how John got into this career. Having John read this audiobooks was a stroke of genius. You can really imagine what John is describing in parts of the book. would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

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Great listen for theme park enthusiast.

A wonderful insight into the journey of a British theme park icon. If you love your themed entertainment, it is well worth a listen to find out some of the background on how the most influential rides in the UK came to be. The fact that it is read by John Wardley himself adds a lot in my opinion, even if the recording isn't perfect. This book is a must read for UK theme park fans and I would recommend it to anyone with a passing interest in the industry. Loved it!

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endearing and engaging

Wonderful stuff from John, his personality and sense of humour really shine through here. Thank you for a wonderful and friendly insight into your fascinating career!

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Great for the whole family

My son is only 7 some how he heard of John (probably via YouTube kids). As a regular theme park goer he has been interested in rides since we first started going since he was 4. He was asked who his hero was and he told the person asking it was John Wardly, the guy who made the gruffalo which used to be the bubble works… huh who??? What??? Going through my head… anyway glad I looked it up because for the last month this has been on most days as we have all now enjoyed the book. Now he know he made a lot of our favourite rides and the story of his journey is amazing. Great for young and old!

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Absolutely fantastic.

An absolutely amazing book by an absolutely amazing person. The book itself, chapter to chapter, feels like you’re at a theme park moving from ride to ride, the more intense the longer you stay. A 100% read for any theme park enthusiast.

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Pure brilliance

What an eclectic life of magical experiences. Mr Wardly really does a great job of helping the reader/listener understand what entertains people and how he applies it to the theme park.

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