James May S Toy Stories

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; runs 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. !--StartFragment-- !--EndFragment-- 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 true British roots to their international appeal today. Toy Stories also offers 12 simple but fun projects linked to these toys to carry out in your own home, accompanied by step-by-step instructions, illustrations and diagrams.

James May raids the Airfix archives to reveal how designers, graphic designers and production teams get a scale model from the drawing board concept to finished product. He also looks at the world of modellers and collectors.

Take a truly technicolour tour of one of the most remarkable construction projects of 2009 in all its architectural glory. British broadcaster, writer and toy 'nut-case' James May lived a childhood dream by designing, building and sleeping in a quite stunning full-size house inspired by and completely made from LEGO, one of the world's most favourite toys and a design icon in its own right. James May's Lego House provides a complete photographic record of this stunning creation which now proudly holds the Guinness World Record for the largest free-standing LEGO structure. However, this is not a simple recreation of a childhood vision of a house but is fully informed by the 'simple complexity' of LEGO's design philosophy centring around the basic 'eighter' brick. Indeed, 3.3 million LEGO elements were used exclusively to create the two-storey house and its incredible fittings that range from a washing machine, furniture, cat and mouse, bed and bedding and fully functioning shower and toilet.

A fascinating look at the history of Scalextric, from the earliest slot cars to the present day Tells the amazing story of the world's longest scalextric track, built by james May and a team of volunteers as part of the hit BBG2 television series Toy Stories James May's Toy Stories: The Scalextric Handbook examines the development and expansion of Scalextric over the course of half a century's innovation and improvement, outlining the history of this iconic brand from the first tinplate cars to modern digital control. It also gets to grips with the cutting-edge technology used to design the latest Scalextric cars, explains the elements of good track design and looks at what it takes to be a slot-car champion. Finally the book tells the complete story of James May's visit to Brooklands, the historic home of British motorsport, when James assembled a team of volunteers to build and race the world's longest Scalextric track. Book jacket.

This collection brings together the work of a range of scholars from around the world with different perspectives on one simple question: How can we assess the value of various entertainment products and forms? Entertainment is everywhere. The industries that produce it earn billions of dollars each year and employ hundreds of thousands of people. Its pervasiveness means almost everyone has something to say about entertainment, too, whether it be our opinion on the latest Hollywood blockbuster, a new celebrity couple, or our concerns over its place in the world of politics. And yet, in spite of its significance, entertainment has too-often been dismissed with surprising ease within the academy as a ‘mindless’, ‘lowbrow’ – even ‘dangerous’ – form of culture, and therefore unworthy of serious appraisal (let alone praise). Entertainment Values, challenges this assumption, offering a better understanding of what entertainment is, why we should take it seriously, as well as helping us to appreciate the significant and complex impact it has on our culture.

Dropping GBP2-GBP5,000 on a car at an auction is something many of us don't do very often. This work helps you through the process, from understanding the role of the auctioneer, to local and federal laws you need to be aware of. It includes topics such as: Scoping out the Competition; Financing; Legal Issues Auction Rules; and What to Expect.

In the 1990s, LEGO failed to keep pace with the revolutionary changes in kids' lives and began sliding into irrelevance. It took a new LEGO management team, faced with the growing rage for electronic toys, few barriers to entry, and ultra-demanding consumers, to reinvent the innovation rule book and transform LEGO into one of the world's most profitable, fastest-growing companies. Robertson reveals how LEGO looked beyond products and learned to leverage a full-spectrum approach to innovation.

This brand new collection of 4000 general knowledge questions is set by Gavin Fuller, Mastermind's youngest ever champion, and compiled from his weekly quiz in the popular Weekend section of the Telegraph. With questions on anything and everything, from the Classics to The Magic Roundabout, this is perfect for all who love a challenge, and can be used to set your own quizzes with family and friends.. For die-hard pub quiz fans, this book also includes Gavin's Snorter questions, the most fiendishly difficult questions from his quiz each week. With such a wide variety of questions, it's fun for everyone, and you might even surprise yourself with what you know!