The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide

I won’t say too much more about the latest edition of the BimpCAST but I couldn’t resist pulling out one quote from Steven Combs to use as the title of this post. I will say that the quote was taken from the review of The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide given by Steven and Nikki. The entire review is quite flattering but I hope you’ll also take some time to check out the rest of the show. As always, there’s also lots of other LEGO related content and there’s even a special announcement near the end of the show that gives you a good idea just how cool this show has become… and where things are headed!

Allan B.

Hardly an exciting way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but an author’s work is never done… even after the book is released.

Two quick items today:

1) A third copy has been put up for auction on eBay. As before, this is for a signed copy with any sort of personalized inscription you’d like.

2) The main page of Apotome.com got a bit of an update today. Nothing radical, but just added and updated a few links. One that people may find interesting is the link to some of the reviews and comments that are listed on the No Starch Press page for The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide.

Now…. back to actual LEGO building, which is what I’m really supposed to be doing today.

Later!
Allan B.

I have to say, working on articles/instructions for The BrickJournal is just as much fun as it was writing The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide. It gives me a chance to explore models and ideas that I wasn’t able to include in the book for one reason or another. In the case of the second issue of BrickJournal I created the complete instructions for what I’ve called The Mini Constellation. It’s a model inspired by LEGO’s original 1978 model of the U.S.S. Constellation.

I updated the color scheme to match the real ship as it exists today. It was refurbished in the late 1990s and is currently painted in a somewhat brighter palette than the original set was designed to show. Additionally, as the name suggests, my model is quite a bit smaller than the original official set.

Have I got you interested in knowing more about The Mini Constellation? If so, please click on the image below and then download (and read!) the latest edition of The BrickJournal.

Before I forget, I want to say that not only is it great to be a contributor to the BrickJournal but it’s equally wonderful to just be a reader. This is a huge and important project that Joe Meno has undertaken, if you ask me. This hobby - LEGO building/collecting - has been too long without a magazine to both represent the community and allow the community to communicate with itself. The internet has obviously played an important (if not critical) role in bringing adult builders out of the shadows and letting them know that there are others who enjoy the same pastime. But having a true magazine marks the beginning of a new chapter where the hobby can begin to document its activities and accomplishments. That documentation them becomes the historical record of the people and their creations. That is a task that is as critical as it was to first bring builders together. And the results so far (BrickJournal issues #1 and #2) show that not only was this community ready for such a magazine, but it was ready to make the magazine as amazing as some of the models that we’ve all seen over the years. I can’t wait for issue #3!

And as always, if you have comments (either about my BrickJournal contributions or about The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide) then please don’t hesitate to email me. My email address is:

ULBG [at] apotome [dot] com

Of course take out the words in the brackets and replace them with the appropriate symbols. I’d love to hear from you!

Best regards,
Allan B.

If I could have picked one thing that I thought LEGO should release but that I never thought they would release, it just might be set #3600…. and as the title of this post suggests, the set appears to contain elements suitable for creating a LEGO version of where you live.

Actually, the front of the tub reads, “Special LEGO bricks - 1200 pieces - Build your own house”

Here’s a link to the only picture I’ve so far seen of this set:

http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=3600-2

I can’t tell you how excited I am at the mere concept of this tub. I think it’s a clever and maybe even a bit risky move for LEGO to take. There are those who might argue that in the 21st century world of iPods, handheld video games, DVDs and so on that kids might not be interested in building their own house out of LEGO pieces. And to those who would argue that point I would say, “I think you’re wrong.” Take a few minutes to talk to a kid or their parent(s) and you’ll find out that kids do indeed still want to build something as 1950s as their house, or their school or whatever they can dream up. Kids might be exposed to more technology today than 25 years ago, but they’re still kids.

Allan

The first auction for a signed copy of The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide finished over the weekend. I wasn’t sure how this would go over, but there were at least a couple of bidders, so I’ve decided to list another copy. I only have a limited number that will be made available like this. So hopefully you can take advantage of this auction if you’d like to own one of them.

Here’s the link –> ULBG signed copy on eBay

Good luck!
Allan B.

I must admit I was a bit nervous when I saw the link for this review arrive via a Google alert that I have set for the word ‘LEGO’.

In fact, based on the link I first thought that this might be some kind of critique of this blog, rather than the book itself. Afterall, the URL for the site started off with: www.blogcritics.org. I figured anyone looking at this blog would pretty soon figure out that it’s really just an extension of the apotome.com website, in support of The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide.

On one hand, I don’t try to hide the motive for this blog. But on the other hand I thought that some blog purists (are there such people?) might take exception to such usage.

Happily, I was wrong.

The link actually lead to a very positive review of the book.

Here’s the link in plain text:

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/09/234743.php

Later!
Allan

I meant to post this earlier in the week, but hey…. better late than never.

It was fun to note that the book has been the featured product on the book page of ThinkGeek.com for the last several days. Of course, by the time you read this it may no longer be the featured product, but go there and buy it anyway.

And so to return the favor, I thought I would post one of their ultra cool logos. And now… the ultra cool logo!

Allan

I happened upon this recent entry on 1000steine.de. I’ve included the already translated link for you here, but of course if you speak German then you’ll more likely want to read the original posting.

From what I gather (based on the translated version) the person who posted the message seems to like the book though indicates that it doesn’t offer too much in the way of new material for experienced builders. I’m not sure what is meant by the EU reference, but it may just be the way Google is translating that makes it hard to understand.

I found it interesting that he took the time to scan and post not only the front and back cover art, but also the entire ‘Contents in Detail’. So a quick thank you to Tobias for posting this information for German builders and fans to read. And if you notice the follow-up to the first posting, you’ll find a link to the entry on Amazon.de for The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide.

Allan B.

I thought I had posted a blog entry about this item, but it must have slipped by.

For those of you who might like to order the book, but don’t necessarily want to get it from Amazon or one of the other online book retailers, there is an alternative.

The LEGO Shop At Home website is currently selling The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide as a regular stock item. Of course, if you’re going to order it through them, be sure to pick up a tub or two of assorted bricks…. because you can never have too many bricks.

Enjoy!
Allan B.

I thought I would give this a try, so if you’re interested, please check out the listing on eBay:

The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide - autographed copy

The auction ends Saturday, October 8, 2005.

It’s a good starting price I think, so even if it only goes for that amount someone gets an autographed copy at 2/3 the price on Amazon.com.

Allan B.