Robots & Space Toys (v. 1) [Paperback]

Jim Bunte (Author), Heinz Mueller (Author), Dave Hallman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

The fascinating and detailed story of twenty-first century toys created in the twentieth century! An encyclopedia of information relating to specific space-age toys, including detailed descriptions, manufacturer's history, up-to-date marketplace values, and striking color photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158221025X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582210254
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,235,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice pictures, anyway., September 1, 2002

By 

W. L. Overton "Wil" (Warwickshire, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Robots & Space Toys (v. 1) (Paperback)

... yes, it has lovely production values with super clear pictures but it also has its faults.

1) With so may space toys the book could have covered (and remember, this book does not claim to exclusively be a tin toy robot book) there are far too many of the same sort of toy. Many are just duplicates with a different paint job and could have been ditched in favour of a bit more variety, or at least shown in the context of the original toy they were based on. Where are Ideal's Zeroids? How about Major Matt Mason? Surely important space toys? Instead we get Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots twice!

2) The toys are shown in alphabetical order within their respective decades which means that it's hard to see how trends developed within any ten year span. Sometimes toys are described as copies or alternative versions of existing toys but the original is only found further on in the book because its name is later in the alphabet. So much for their clear, easy layout which is hyped within an inch of its life.

3) Information is sketchy at best with many discriptions being almost identical and relying only on visual observations of the toy, something which anyone could do. Surely someone can supply reliable information about Japanese tin robot manafacturers? Some information is also incorrect. The UK Smash robot came from an advertising campagin for instant mashed potato not a comedy show whilst toys described as being influenced by real-life rockets are in fact copies of Thunderbird 1 from the Gerry Anderson 60's TV show.

All in all this is a nice coffee table book with nice photography but as a resource for space toys from the 50's to the 90's it sure lacks a lot. The authors would have been better off doing better research and thinking more about their choice of toys than to constantly congratulate themselves about a page layout that isn't very special at all.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Beauty of a Book of Robots and Space Toys !, April 25, 2000

By 

Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Robots & Space Toys (v. 1) (Paperback)

Gorgeous 192 page, up-to-date book featuring more than 400 superb full color very large, sharp photos of more than 300 robots, spaceships and ray guns. This 1999 book uses a great format, with 2 toys per page, complete with a load of information on each item ! One of the best formats I've seen. It covers the years from the 40's through the 70's. A full color photo of the box is even provided with most toys. Topics range from Acrobat Robot, Astroman, Buck Rogers and Cape Canaveral, to Roby Robot, Smoking Spaceman, Space Trooper and Yonezawa items. You can't miss with this reference book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done, March 8, 2003

By 

Harry Reimer "Harry" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Robots & Space Toys (v. 1) (Paperback)

Granted, this is just a pretty slide show, but its done well, and I love looking at these old toys, some of which I had as a kid. The book is really well made, but lacks SUBSTANCE, know that you are buying a picture book and you will be happy with it.