08/15/2026
Spike here. Today our 16 year old grandson asked us to take him to the bookstore so he could get some books to read.
Banner day for this Gram and Kool-Pop (that's what the grandkids call Jim Amey).
Of course, that led to the discussion about whether or not he's read the books we've written... Of course not... Somehow we haven't reached the recommended reading list for High School Juniors.
One thing led to another and before I knew it I was online looking at what AI had to say about Nucked! and Nucked! 2
It made me smile to think about how much fun we have had on our adventures and how so very much worth it, it has all been.
Thanks for supporting us through all of it!
(And if you haven't read them yet, you can get your copies on our website at: www.TheIdoraParkExperience.com
AI's two cents about the books:
Nucked! and its sequel Nucked! 2 are a pair of humorous, biographical memoir books written by Jim and Spike Amey. The books chronicle their real-life adventures and mishaps while tracking down historic amusement park artifacts.
Summary of the Series
The Core Premise: For several decades, the Ameys have hunted for and collected preserved historical pieces from Idora Park, a beloved amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio, that operated from 1899 until a devastating fire caused its closure in 1984. Their preservation mission eventually culminated in the creation of a dedicated museum space called The Idora Park Experience.
The "Ninja" Character: The titles are inspired by "Nuck" (short for Knucklehead), a fictional, 3-foot-3-inch, broken-English-speaking "ninja" sidekick the authors jokingly blame for the chaotic situations they find themselves in while crisscrossing the country for artifacts. Whenever something goes spectacularly wrong on their travels, they refer to it as getting "nucked".
Writing Style: Each story in the memoirs is uniquely structured using a lighthearted "He Said / She Said / Lesson Learned" format, giving readers both perspectives of their road trips and artifact hunts.
The Books
Nucked! Misadventures with the Idora Park Experience Ninjas (2021):
The first installment introduces their mission, how they began collecting everything from small park souvenirs to giant roller coaster components, and the initial chaotic stories behind their museum.
Nucked! 2: More Misadventures with the Idora Park Experience Ninjas (2023):
The follow-up sequel details continued cross-country hunts, new outrageous characters they met along the way, and further complications building out their historical archive.
