BattleBots(R): The Official Guide (Paperback)

by Mark Clarkson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
What does one get when one combines engineering ability, mechanical parts, excess testosterone, and a lot of free time? Battlebots! Appearing on TV's Comedy Central (the earlier Robot Wars appeared on both BBC and PBS stations), well-armed robots duke it out for supremacy in a hazard-filled arena dubbed the Battlebox. Robots have names like Atomic Wedgie, Hexadecimator, and Death by Monkeys, and some are armed with saws and hammers while others are wedge-shaped to flip their opponents. Much of this title is devoted to the history of the Battlebots show and to descriptions of robots and their design teams. A section for wannabes on robot construction includes brief information on batteries, radio controls, wheels, and more. While not an essential purchase, this is a very fun book with a potentially large audience because of TV exposure. It is sure to appeal to teens as well as adults (such as this reviewer) who have never grown up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
View the metal-crunching destruction from the front lines with this fully authorized guide to one of today's hottest TV shows. Browse through photographs of every major BattleBot--including construction diagrams--and get details on weight, speed, and weapon type. Meet the people behind the crowd-pleasing, spark-flying robot demolition and get step-by-step instructions for building your own fierce fighting machine. Informative and entertaining, this book kicks BOT!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill; 1st edition (April 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072224258
• ISBN-13: 978-0072224252
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,293,564 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you wanted to know, May 3, 2002

By A Customer

Great book! The history and the personalities behind Battlebots are really interesting. The machines are given the level of attention you always wanted to get on the show. Great looking too. Put it on you coffee table; guests will actually pick it up (and spend half an hour with it!).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for BattleBot and Robot Fans, May 3, 2002

By A Customer

If you or someone you know likes BattleBots, Robotica, or Robot Wars, this is a great book. It has tons of high quality still and action photos. It also has great descriptions and pictures of famous bots and bio's of their builders. Find out how much your favorite BattleBot cost or how long it took to build! The book also has basic instructions on how to build a bot plus simple examples of different design types. It also has the Win-Loss record plus stats (like # of Knock-outs) for every bot. This book has something for everyone. It has enough "meat" to it that die-hard fans will love it and the photos and stats will keep even young kids engaged.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bot Lover, May 3, 2002

By A Customer

This glossy coffee table book is packed with photos, robot CAD drawings and a thorough history of the BattleBots competition. The abundant photos, in depth builder and robot profiles and stylized design caputres the real spirit of BattleBots. I love the chapter on "How to Build a Bot"- the step by step tutorial and comparison of materials provides solid advice to newbie builders like me. It is the best book on robotic combat I have ever seen. A must for all robot enthusiasts.