Blakbird Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Publisher No Starch Press just released a new book called "Lego Space: Building the Future" by Peter Reid and Tim Goddard. I was lucky enough to get a copy and wanted to offer my thoughts. I should probably start with a bit about myself to put this review in context. I am a huge (figuratively) AFOL almost exclusively into Technic but with some UCS and Architecture thrown in. However, there was a time when I was a bit of a Spacer. I got the LL-924 Space Cruiser for Christmas in 1978 and quickly learned to build it by heart. Over the next few years I got the 6929 Star Fleet Voyager and 6927 All Terrain Vehicle before sinking into my dark ages. As an adult, I at one point owned all the Space sets from Futuron through Star Wars 2008 (no classic), but sadly had to sell them all due to major life changes at that time. So I like Space but I'm not exactly current. The Book I was surprised to see that this 200+ page book is actually hardcover! I thought these had vanished from the Earth, but here's a rare exception. The cover is matte but the image in the center is glossy which really makes it pop. Every page is in brilliant full color and the photos are extremely sharp and clear. Whoever NSPs new printer is, they do good work. The Content I'm not sure what I was expecting when I cracked open this book, but this wasn't it. Perhaps I thought I'd merely find lots of pictures of Space MOCs or profiles of builders. But this is actually a story book which just happens to use LEGO Space as a theme and MOCs as a medium to illustrate the story. The book is a bit like the opening sequence to Star Trek: Enterprise (in fact the theme song is playing in my head right now). We start with the history of space exploration beginning with Sputnik and moving into the modern age. The major milestones are here such as the Apollo mission to the moon and the first probes sent to Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The book moves seamlessly from history into the future with no distinction, so the reader might almost believe they are continuing to read history as told from some far future date. I won't give away the story as told in the book, but it continues man's exploration of and adventures in space into future discoveries and conflicts. The stories are told with LEGO models and figures. At various points in the book the story stops and a series of related MOCs are highlighted, described, and pictured in detail. From time to time a series of building instructions for smaller space MOCs are presented (~5). Firstly, forget the LEGO, this is a pretty good story! Even without the gorgeous images and models I would have enjoyed this book. In fact, I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing it because I wanted to see how it ends. I can't say another LEGO book has ever held my attention quite like that before. How about the models? In my opinion, they are nothing short of incredible. While no direct reference to any real LEGO sets or themes is made, it is obvious that the story is an attempt to connect the LEGO space themes through the years. We start with "Classic Space" with its light gray wings, blue structure, and trans yellow canopies, then we move into the blues and whites of Ice Planet 2002, the black and yellow of Blacktron, and the blue and black of Space Police. Even the different colors of the minifigs means something and is part of the story. The models are simply bursting with greeble. I spent loads of time just staring at the images trying to figure out which parts I was seeing and how in the @#$% they connected them. But the pictures are not just ships. Many of the images simply portray the interaction of minifigures as they participate in the story. The models do not end there. Every image has a fully realized backdrop. The inside scenes all have completely immersive and detailed environments from hangars to labs to moonscapes. And no less time was spent building the environments than the MOCs. When MOCs are presented in space where a brick-built environment would not be possible, we see NASA images, and they are all accurate. If something takes place on Jupiter, we see a real picture of Jupiter. Even Europa and Ganymede are real, although I'm not sure how many readers would have known the difference. After reading the book through the first time and marveling at the quality of the MOCs, I went and paged through again and made an interesting discovery: there is nary a stud in sight. Nearly every model is either built sideways with SNOT or completely covered in tiles and greeble so as to be smooth and rough all at the same time, but without that telltale LEGO signature. LEGO studs are terrible aerodynamically, but of course that doesn't matter in space. And, by the way, every interplanetary craft has the crew compartment properly sealed for pressurization. No open sides here. Finally, even the photography is very carefully done. The camera is always fully immersed in the image such that no "real world" ever creeps in. Many scenes are lit from within, and many photos are post-processed by adding engine flares, smoke, or CGI computer displays. The amount of work that went into the end product is hard to fathom. After all this gushing, what about complaints? There aren't many. I, for one, wish there had been a section about the authors and about the making of the book. The book says nothing whatever about them other than their names on the cover. And I wish it had been longer. What about M-Tron and Exploriens and UFO and Insectoids? There are plenty of loose ends in the story that lead me to believe a sequel is already planned, and I hope it is. I can easily recommend this book and will certainly be buying any follow-ups. As a final side note, this book renewed my interest in LEGO Space so I went searching on the Internet and happened upon Neo Classic Space, a site which I had seen some years ago. Many of the models in the book can also be found there. If I have one lament, it is that Ed Dimment's Sapphire Condor and Adrian Drake's Mobile Intergalactic Rocket Command were not included. But since they were not built by the authors, I guess I can forgive them. If you like LEGO Space, it is hard to imagine how you could possibly dislike this book. It has everything a fan could want. Even if you are not really a Spacer (like me), you'll find lots to see and enjoy. Quote
Jim Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Nice review Blakbird and thanks for pointing it out. I might pick this one up. Quote
Hey Joe Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Hey, thanks for the review! It sounds like a great book. Joe Quote
Bob De Quatre Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Seems like a very nice christmas present Thanks for sharing the news Blackbird Quote
VBBN Posted November 5, 2013 Posted November 5, 2013 Just the cover itself looks stunning! Thanks for that review Blakbird Classic space will always be my favorite genre of space, I'll for sure be getting this book when I can find it. Also very glad to hear it is a hardcover! 25$ for a 200+ page hardcover sounds like an acceptable price to me. Quote
Lego Otaku Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 $25 is the retail price but check around, it can be had cheaper new at places like amazon. Quote
Big Sal Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Really good review, thanks! One for the Christmas list Quote
Bob De Quatre Posted December 1, 2013 Posted December 1, 2013 My mom ordered it for me as a christmas present... can't wait to read it Quote
gedren_y Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 I was able to convince my local library to order this, and should have it in hand soon. Now anyone in my county with a library card can give it a read. Public libraries should have more Lego books, and I'm happy to do my part in seeing that they get them. Quote
Faefrost Posted December 26, 2013 Posted December 26, 2013 I have it. It's probably my favorite Lego related book right now. The pictures and the MOCs they portray are amazing. And the factionalized history of Classic Space is really really well done. It left me craving more. Especially as the review says, more about the authors and how they made all of this. For those that don't realize it. One of the authors Peter Reid, is also the creator of the "Exo Suit" set that is scheduled to be the sixth CuuSoo set to be produced. The Exo Suit is featured within the book. Quote
Bob De Quatre Posted December 26, 2013 Posted December 26, 2013 It is really an awesome book, with lots of exceptionnal builds, and even instructions! Go get one! Quote
Werlu Ulcur Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 This one is definitively coming my way! Quote
jonwil Posted December 30, 2013 Posted December 30, 2013 Does anyone know of another source for this book other than the No Starch website? The shipping cost for it to get to Australia would be almost as much as the book :( Quote
Magma Posted December 31, 2013 Posted December 31, 2013 Does anyone know of another source for this book other than the No Starch website? The shipping cost for it to get to Australia would be almost as much as the book :( Amazon.co.uk has it. http://www.amazon.co...ords=lego space Thinking of buying it myself actually. Quote
Faefrost Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 Does anyone know of another source for this book other than the No Starch website? The shipping cost for it to get to Australia would be almost as much as the book :( I got it from Amazon. So if you are somewhere served by them they should have it. Quote
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