The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys (Hardcover)

by Tim Walsh (Author) "It's the winter of '72 in South Jersey, not far from the birthplace of Flexible Flyer sleds..." (more)
Key Phrases: wallpaper cleaner, former designer, drawing toy, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition, Walsh's history includes toy timelines (beginning with the Flexible Flyer in 1900); postcards, ads and articles (such as a 1980s Newsweek cover on "The Cabbage Patch Craze"); and close-up photos of game pieces (including a board from a 1949 version of Candy Land in which a boy has a peculiar line running up hisleg, which Walsh supposes might "speak volumes to... young polio victims"). Centered on toys that sold at least 10 million copies, were invented outside of the major toy companies (so no Mattel Hot Wheels or Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven) and that had significance to the author-a game inventor and 15-year veteran of the toy industry-and his friends, Walsh's account gives the particulars of 75 toys that enchanted American kids from 1900 to the 1990s. Among the playthings Walsh examines are Lincoln Logs, Monopoly, Barbie, Slip 'n Slide, Mouse Trap, GI Joe and Rubik's Cube. The book's nostalgic feel should appeal to fans of Americana. 420 color photos.
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Review
"...A brightly colored toy chest filled with memories and trivia." -- ForeWord Magazine

"...Lavishly illustrated with more than 400 pictures, and well-organized into witty, bite-sized essays...a pleasure to read." -- Scott G. Eberle, Vice President for Interpretation and Director of Play Studies, National Toy Hall of Fame® and Strong Museum

"...a very satisfying reading experience." -- Alan Caruba, Bookviews

"A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition..." -- Publishers Weekly

"Despite the academic-thesis quality of the research, Walsh’s writing style is as inviting as a novel." -- — Ruth B. Roufberg, Parents’ Choice Foundation

"The enthusiastic text complements the handsome photography....A worthy, fascinating, and overdue tip of the hat to toymakers..." -- Kirkus Discoveries

"Tim’s behind the scenes stories are as much fun as the toys and games themselves." -- Philip E. Orbanes, former Senior VP of R & D at Parker Brothers

"Walsh was able to uncover the tantalizing untold stories behind America’s favorite toys..." -- Toy Shop Magazine

"…Well researched and beautifully photographed…What seems a coffee table book actually made for compelling bedtime reading." -- — Nicholas Wiedenhoeft, BookReview.com, 4 Star Review, “Must Read”

"…an illustrated compendium of America’s 20th-century favorites." -- — Cynthia Crossen, The Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Keys Publishing (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964697343
• ISBN-13: 978-0964697348
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #942,768 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was looking for a price guide...., March 7, 2005

By	S. Hoover (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was looking for a price guide for these toys and this isn't it, but I didn't even care because this book is fabulous. Wonderful pictures and the origination of the most beloved toys. Big, thick heavy book. Nice coffee table book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of Toys, July 1, 2004

By	James Barnes "Editor, www.IndependentPublishe... (Traverse City, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Toys are magical," begins the introduction to The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys, and the book goes on to remind us just how true that statement is. And what reminders! They're all here: the Lincoln Logs, Slinkys, and Crayolas that turned kids into artists, architects and scientists, by inspiring them to use their imaginations and to play! Above all, this book reminds us how important it is to play, both with our imaginations and with each other. Many of the book's entries are games (Monopoly, Candyland, Twister) that inspire thoughts of the interactions these toys brought to our lives and the friendships they helped build. This is no mere listing of popular toys with pretty pictures -- it's a definitive look at 100 years worth of America's most important toys, with background information on the inventors including sketches, prototypes and trivia on their development and marketing. Author Tim Walsh was born on Christmas Day, and is game inventor and certified "toy freak." Expertly photographed and affectionately written, this book does a wonderful job of expressing the "joy of toys." From the first entry (Flexible Flyer) to the last (Beanie Baby), it's a delightful chronicle of America at play in the 20th century.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Toy Lovers of All Ages, March 31, 2004

By	Mary Ann Sell "viewmasterlady" (Mainville, Oh United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fantastic book and not just because of the View-Master section:-) Favorite toys from the 30's through the 90's abound along with their history and facts about their creation.

Many favorite toys are still around today. View-Master, Monopoly, Slinky, Play-Doh all of these are covered in this wonderfully illustrated book.

A 5***** read for anyone with an ounce of nostalgia for their younger days.