Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'
The LEGO Story: How a Little Toy Sparked the World's Imagination by Jens Andersen
1 review
lilybear3's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I read and am writing this review while currently being employed by LEGO as a brick specialist, aka part-time sales associate. Obviously, they didn't get me this book or ask for a review, but I felt I should say it. It goes without saying that I am a very low, arguably the lowest, in the company. I will preface that I have loved LEGO my entire childhood and have fond memories getting secondhand Lego bricks from my grandma that my aunts and uncles played with. I built sets and enjoyed the rare trips to the Lego store when we traveled to a big city (we didn't live anywhere near one). I've also watched many documentaries on the toy and company. I don't claim to know everything about LEGO, but working there, even part time, has given me an idea of the inner workings. LEGO is a big aspect in my life and it means a lot to me. I came into this book with a critical lens, yet still loving this plastic toy.
This book is mostly a company history and a biography of the Kirk Kristiansen family, not so much the toy itself. I appreciate that this is an authorized history and the author spent lots of time with his primary source, Kjeld. With lots of personal quotes and photos from various archives, this book is genuine. I was thrilled to learn so many small details about LEGO's history. I do wonder if LEGO was portrayed in a favorable light at times, I'm sure it had to have been. However, they didn't shy away from talking about their patent cases and times they didn't turn a profit. I lowkey wished they had mentioned Bionicle more, only because I know that line saved them from bankruptcy at some point. It got a little boring for me 3/4 of the way in, but it's only because reading about economics and business is not my thing. There are lots of pictures so that helped haha! I believe it's in the description, but this is essentially reading for any fan of LEGO. The detail and the coverage, from Ole Kirk Kristiansen to present, is unmatched. I would love to see an updated edition in the future since many things have happened/are happening since the book's publishing (LEGO moving out of Enfield, CT, building a factory in Virginia, etc.).
This is just a side note, the pages are very satisfying in that they are thinner than most book pages but they feel nice and soft. I also like the font choice.
This book is mostly a company history and a biography of the Kirk Kristiansen family, not so much the toy itself. I appreciate that this is an authorized history and the author spent lots of time with his primary source, Kjeld. With lots of personal quotes and photos from various archives, this book is genuine. I was thrilled to learn so many small details about LEGO's history. I do wonder if LEGO was portrayed in a favorable light at times, I'm sure it had to have been. However, they didn't shy away from talking about their patent cases and times they didn't turn a profit. I lowkey wished they had mentioned Bionicle more, only because I know that line saved them from bankruptcy at some point. It got a little boring for me 3/4 of the way in, but it's only because reading about economics and business is not my thing. There are lots of pictures so that helped haha! I believe it's in the description, but this is essentially reading for any fan of LEGO. The detail and the coverage, from Ole Kirk Kristiansen to present, is unmatched. I would love to see an updated edition in the future since many things have happened/are happening since the book's publishing (LEGO moving out of Enfield, CT, building a factory in Virginia, etc.).
This is just a side note, the pages are very satisfying in that they are thinner than most book pages but they feel nice and soft. I also like the font choice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Sexism
More...