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Product Description
Product Description
James May's Toy Stories is much more than just a TV tie-in. Inspired by James s exploits, the book covers both the stories behind a number of classic toys and the adventures in summer 2009 as James and his helpers, children and adults of all ages, build and recreate a range of toys in a series of Top Gear style escapades. In six ambitious projects, he enlists the help of volunteers and schoolchildren to help him build a 1/1 scale model kit of a Supermarine Spitfire Mk I; creates the world s longest Scalextric track at the historic Brooklands motor-racing circuit in Surrey; builds a full-size Lego house; enters a garden made entirely from Plasticine in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show; attempts to run a Hornby train set along a 10-mile stretch of track from Barnstaple to Bideford and uses a giant Meccano bridge to span the 40ft Pier Head canal in Liverpool. Each chapter includes details of how the projects were constructed, with diagrams, illustrations and informal photography taken during the filming. The book also features a history of the toys themselves, from their early British roots to their international appeal today. James May explains why each of these toys gave him so much pleasure as a child and how, through the adventures he devised, they can still provide days of endless fun.
About the Author
James May is a well-known writer, broadcaster and co-presenter of BBC TV's 'Top Gear'. He also writes a weekly motoring column for The Daily Telegraph. James enjoys cars, motorcycles, light aircraft and a drink, always in that order. He lives in Hammersmith with Fusker, the world's most unpleasant cat.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Is was expecting this book to be just about the TV programme, but it is much, much more. It's has so much information about the toys and their history, as well as behind the scene details about how James May went about each project. If you grew up with these toys, as I did, you'll love this book - it's nostalgic and informative and the perfect Christmas present for anyone with a passion for toys.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This has been one of the best series on tv this autumn and this is a fantastic book to go with it. The great thing about the book is that you get so much more about the history of the various toys which I suppose they just did not have time to put into each of the episodes.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is amazingly good value considering how jam packed it is- it covers the projects James May undertook in the TV series but is also rich in detail about the history of each toy and includes lovely things like pictures of the old fashioned packaging and also has a friendly tone to the writing which makes it really accessible and interesting. Ultimately it shows how much fun you can have with each toy. My family are hooked on the TV series and as there are two more episodes to go before Christmas, this is a must for a pressie!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
James May's Old Recipe for a Modern World
As a self-confessed admirer of James May, and a bit of an anglophile to boot, I guess I was always going to find this book of interest. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeanette Williams
Grew up in the 60's & 70's?
If you grew up in the 60's or 70's and lament the day when toys were toys, read this. My kids have no idea what toys are or how to entertain themselves. Read more
Published 12 months ago by The old man
Great 'man' present
Fantastic book, which you will enjoy even if you didn't watch the TV series. My husband is really enjoying re-living all his childhood boy toy moments! Read more
Published 14 months ago by vpc1
As good as the DVD - really should buy both!
Bought this as saw advertised alongside the DVD. A lot of other details that were not in the televised programmes. Read more
Published 15 months ago by R T
A great gift book
I bought this book as a gift, but it was extremely late being wrapped up, as I was so interested in looking at it myself! Read more
Published 21 months ago by A. Lucas
Great by itself - brilliant with the DVD as well
Books about TV series are always a boring clone of the programme??? Not this one. I saw some of the series, then found the book in a bookstore. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mandarin
Great toy memories
I bought this as a present but had a good read myself before handing it over. Loved watching the series, the book is full of facts I'd forgotten I'd ever known!
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by A. Roberts
Captain Slow's Toys Inspire the Mind
Toys certainly say something about you and this book clearly says a lot about James May.
The book has plenty of great photos as well as images from the TV series. Read more
The book has plenty of great photos as well as images from the TV series. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by D.Hatcher
Wonderfully Creative, Minimally Stodgy
A wonderful companion book to the TV series; it adds background information to what was already presented and inspires further exploration. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by Dennis Koga
james may toy stories
the person i bought this for was over the moon with it. as a fan of "james may" to say it was well recieved was a understatement. thank you
Published on 25 Jan 2010 by Ms. P. Brogan
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