Tag: LEGO Book Reviews

Lego Book Review: Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopedia 2nd Edition

LEGO Star Wars 2nd Edition Encyclopedia ReviewWow, that is a long title :0)

The Lego Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopedia is a standard in the bookshelves of any Lego fan. Shaped rather like a brick itself, the book is a tome meant to cover the breadth of characters in the LEGO Star Wars Universe, which seems to be growing exponentially every year.

This year particularly so.

I must admit, 2015 seems also a strange year to release a new editon of this book, given the looming release of Star Wars Episode VII, which will no doubt add dozens of new characters to the fold.

I’m guessing that with the new cast of characters DK might need to split the books into separate volumes (ie Pre Episode 7 and Post) and that is why they are releasing this volume now.

But that is just a guess.

So is the new edition a worthwhile purchase if you have the last one?

Did I mention that it comes with a white Boba Fett ‘prototype’ minifigure? You know, the Ralph McQuarrie prototype one?

I guess you know the answer to that first question then.

Comparison Edition 1 and 2

DK were kind enough to send me the latest edition of the encyclopedia and my first thought on opening the box was how thick the book was. Even taking into account the empty ‘white box of air’ which is bound into the book and meant to protect the minifigure on the front cover, the book seems at least 1/3rd thicker than the last.

I took some photos to compare them side by side so you could see for yourself.

Inside things remain pretty similar between both versions. I guess if you are on a good thing stick to it, right? And the first edition of The LEGO Star Wars Minifigure Encyclopaedia set the standard for future versions of this book, including the LEGO Harry Potter Character Encyclopaedia.

There are of course a number of new characters and DK have also added Star Wars Rebels to the mix as well as a category called ‘Legends’ which, if they are working on the new Disney-terminology, refers to non-canon characters in what used to be called the Expanded Universe.

Overall I would be happy to add this to my bookshelf.

Its nice to see the Star Wars Rebels characters and the increasing variations of familiar characters as well as new ones. A great addition to the bookshelf of any Star Wars LEGO fan. Worth the update even if you have the original because of the mini figure and the new additions. Casual fans might want to wait to see if there is a new edition after Episode VII is released.

LEGO Play Book Review

LEGO Play Book Review

Along with the Yoda Chronicles Book DK Publishing was kind enough to send me a copy of the LEGO Play Book, a sequel of sorts to their 2011 LEGO Ideas Book.

In a nutshell the LEGO Play Book is awesome and the perfect gift for any Lego fan, whatever their age.

In situations like this, The LEGO Play Book is highly visual, images speak louder than words. Let’s start by taking a look at the book’s contents pages (all four of them). Just at a glance, you can see that the book covers a wide variety of LEGO themes, models and styles.

Lego Play Book – Contents

Lego Play Book – Details

On each of these pages is a myriad of images featuring creations from different LEGO design experts. Keep in mind that this is not an instruction book, but is instead a book of ideas and models, perfect to inspire builders in their own creations.

The book doesn’t give you step-by-step instructions to build the models featured on its pages but instead is meant to be used as inspiration, chock-full of ideas that will definitely widen your perception of LEGO’s capabilities as an art form.

The format is ideal.

While there are no instructions, there are notes to accompany most models which give readers an insight into the particular pieces, colors and techniques the builders selected to make the model. To help you out there is also a very handy LEGO piece Visual Guide in the front of the book as well as 2 pages of hints and tips to help with building ideas and techniques.

The LEGO Play Book would make a perfect gift for any LEGO fan. While young readers can skip over the words and flip through the hundreds of images for ideas, older readers will appreciate the numerous hints and tips on each page.

Highly Recommended.

Lego Play Book – Description

LEGO Play Book ReviewThe LEGO Play Book

LEGO Play Book proves it. You can build anything with a LEGO brick in your hand

LEGO Play Book contains a collection of all-new LEGO building ideas that will inspire you to play with your favourite LEGO models in new and exciting ways.

Organised in imaginatively themed chapters, covering everything from a LEGO safari and life under the sea to extreme sports and beach scenes. This book is designed to teach you how to get the most play out of your LEGO models. With over 200 building ideas and tips, including suggestions for “ten-minute builds”, “cool brick” features and “a handful of bricks”, you’ll discover endless LEGO possibilities. Advice from LEGO fan builders encourages you to get creative while developing your LEGO skills and knowledge of new bricks and tricks.

With a mixture of LEGO models, from the very simplest to the more complex, LEGO Play Book is perfect for everyone; for beginners and more accomplished builders alike.

LEGO Play Book Gallery