Published By: Unbound
Pages: 400
Released On: 19/09/2024
This first official book for Adult Fans of LEGO® takes the reader on a visually stunning journey from the very earliest hollow bricks to the complex shapes and building techniques of today.
LEGO bricks are design icons and marvels of engineering. Virtually unchanged for over fifty years, the brick is still at the very centre of LEGO’s ethos: each brick connects to every other brick, allowing the construction of almost anything you can imagine. LEGO minifigures may be the friendly faces of the LEGO world, but bricks in all their different shapes and forms are its very foundation.
The Secret Life of LEGO® Bricks explores the brick’s rich history in full colour and unparalleled detail. Granted unprecedented access by the LEGO Group, Daniel Konstantski has interviewed design masters, element testers and the so-called ‘rock stars’, the set designers, to reveal for the first time how and why new LEGO bricks are made.
This is the book the fans have always wanted: a truly behind-the-scenes look at the story of the beloved LEGO brick and the company which makes it, with a wealth of exclusive visual material from the LEGO Archive in Billund.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
The appeal for Lego never seems to wane. We loved it as kids, and we love it as adults. My nephew plays with the Lego my brother and I played with 30 years ago. It’s fantastic. And now with the slightly more fancy Lego packs – the Star Wars one and whatnot – it’s clear Lego is not just for a kids anymore. I am desperate for the Lord of the Rings Rivendell kit, but at £430 it’s a wee out of my price range, so I’m living vicariously through this book instead.
Who knew a book about a toy would be so interesting, or even warrant a 400 page book. It’s fascinating.
I know Lego is predominately a children’s play thing, but I wouldn’t say this is a children’s book. Sure, some older children might enjoy it, but I think it’s more technical and more involved, in a way that would only really appeal to adults as it’s very text heavy and very detailed.
It’s interesting to read that the plastic blocks were not the main part of the business. Wooden toys were where it was at, the plastic toys were just seen as more of an afterthought or a side thing. So I was really interested to read just how close it came to being lost to history.
It’s full of photos of original pieces, modern pieces, drawings, people, ideas. And I get the idea that this may be the first time some of these images are seen by the public. Original sketches, patent papers and whatnot, which was a good historical aspect.
It is a bit dry. It’s very informative, interesting, educational. But for me, I wouldn’t say it’s exciting, or relaxing to read, at least for me. I enjoyed it and learned a lot about Lego and about business etc. but it’s not one I’d recommend for curling up of an evening with to lose yourself in.
It might seem obvious to say but, if you’re not a Lego fan, don’t read this. It doesn’t really offer anything else other than the history and making Lego, which is precisely what it says it does. But I think you need to be a hardcore Lego fan to get the most out of this.
Books By Your Bedside 