Wonderen van steentjes

by Warren Elsmore, Paulina de Nijs (Translator)

Barron s best-selling Brick City was a study of the world s most famous buildings in LEGO form. Now, master modeler, and LEGO aficionado, Warren Elsmore, takes the humble LEGO brick on another global tour, this time to recreate the stunning wonders of the ancient, natural, and modern world. Inside Brick Wonders , Elsmore presents helpful tips for neophyte LEGO modelers (such as where to buy the most useful bricks and how to build to scale) along with plans for constructing specific models. Vivid photos of completed LEGO models are stunning to view and
The Great Pyramid of GizaThe Hanging Gardens of BabylonThe International Space StationThe Panama CanalThe Grand CanyonThe Great Barrier Reef
Featuring helpful drawings of structural details to guide model builders, Brick Wonders presents a modeler s panorama of the world s most breathtaking wonders. More than 400 full-color instructional and inspirational images throughout. BONUS Enclosed with the book are two dramatic posters featuring LEGO(r) model photos of the Wonders of the World. The posters, which are suitable for framing, unfold to 17 1/2" x 24 3/4" ."

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Reference, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Ann Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! I never realized that there were so many different types of Legos out there. The creative genius behind some of these designs is truly staggering. Great purchase for that teenager, when you can't decide what he might like.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on how to build some fairly famous things from Lego.

Two major requirements: A shitload of Lego and even more patience.

Can admire the builders and the results, but have no desire to attempt them.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome! The many wonders of the world creatively captured in Lego bricks.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the author made out of LEGO bricks is truly amazing. I have enough LEGO bricks to attempt some of them, especially the smaller ones that instructions were given for. Alas, I have neither the time nor the money to build anything big out of LEGO.

This book helped me memorize the Ancient Wonders of the World. I object to putting certain technologies in with the wonders, especially Twitter, but the builds are impressive even when they represent ruins of the world. I envy the author’s LEGO skills. I wish I could come up with ideas for MOCs (my own creations) like that. I still wouldn’t have the time to build them, but I can read this book and dream of LEGO.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cool book for inspiration about how to use bricks in unconventional ways, as well as normal but totally epic builds.

[Thomas Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warren Elsmore

I'm continually amazed by Warren Elsmore's LEGO creations, and his latest book continues that amazement. Brick Wonders: Ancient, Modern, and Natural Wonders Made from LEGO is a great book that shows the incredible things that can be created using LEGO bricks (and a lot of ingenuity).

Contents:
Introduction: Welcome to Brick Wonders; Where to buy LEGO; Building Tips; CAD Modeling; Freestyle; Instructions; Naming Bricks; Building for Strength; Practice Project; Mosaics; Sorting and Storing; Online Resources
Ancient Wonders: Great Pyramid of Giza; Hanging Gardens of Babylon; Statue of Zeus and Olympia; Temple of Artemis; Mausoleum of Halicarnassus; Colossus of Rhodes; Lighthouse at Alexandria
Historic Wonders: Great Wall of China; Machu Picchu; Old London Bridge; Mont Saint-Michel; Petra; Stonehenge; Angkor Wat
Modern Wonders: Modern Medicine; Panama Canal; Hoover Dam; Modern Communication; Transportation; Internet; International Space Station
Natural Wonders: Aurora Australis; Great Barrier Reef; Grand Canyon; Matterhorn; African Savanna; Ha Long Bay; Niagara Falls
Index; Credits and Resources

Warren's book is a mix of completed models and instructions on how to build smaller elements related to the main model. For instance, his Old London Bridge model is complex and detailed, definitely not something that you'd undertake on your own. But there are instructions included on how to build a small medieval house that would look right at home on the bridge. Another example would be the Panama Canal. That's a huge lock and ship model. But he provides instructions on how to build the tug train and a shipping container. Granted, making a shipping container may not be your idea of a "final LEGO project", but the instructions show the concepts of how various pieces can be assembled to create things that you probably didn't think could be built with LEGO bricks.

Aside from the complexity of the models and the great photography, I also appreciate the whimsy that find their way into the scenes. He (along with his wife Kitty) uses LEGO minifigs to create small stories in the models, and the more you look at the pictures, the more you discover in the faces and detail.

I've had the pleasure of watching Warren and Kitty take their love of LEGO from a hobby to a passion that has opened up countless opportunities for them. Brick Wonders is just one of those opportunities, and I would recommend getting a copy if you enjoy seeing just what LEGO can do.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed

[Kbord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brick Wonders contains some amazing models showcasing ancient wonders from around the world, as well as some modern wonders. There are ornate, large, custom sets to view in all their photographic glory. Included behind those are some related, simple sets complete with building instructions similar to what you might see with an official Lego set (but these are unofficial). Most of the models are minifig-scale. A few are smaller scale. And there are even some mosaic models.

The one "secret" I wish the author would have explained is how they printed the stickers to make the custom tile pieces (such as for the tablet device model). I think anyone who gets into building such intricate models out of Lego would want to know that.

The book could have used a bit more careful proofreading (e.g., "specifies" for "species"). And there were some models where the graphic instructions were too small to make out (Swiss flag, I'm looking at you!). Otherwise, it's a solid and entertaining book to look at.

For me, this one warrants a library checkout rather than ownership. It's neat to see the pictures, and I'd keep it around longer to make the models if I were going to, but after that, it doesn't keep for me.

There are two large posters (Pyramids and Internet, I think) at the front and back of the book that you can take out and frame if you buy the book.

I have not yet read Brick City, the prequel to this book. I didn't even know it existed before reading the back cover.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this at the library and picked it up because I had enjoyed Beautiful LEGO. The sculptures/dioramas are quite remarkable, and I enjoy that there are directions for making at least parts of some of the models, or at least related objects. However, I think the diagrams are printed a bit too small to be easily legible, which is not normally a complaint I have. Also, though I overall like the creations, I think some of them are a bit too busy and pixelated in appearance, such as the Great Wall of China or the Grand Canyon or the landscape about Hoover Dam.

[Jaguar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Brick Wonders: Ancient, Modern, and Natural Wonders Made from Lego" by Warren Elsmore provides many step-by-step how-to's, and information on the project you want to build. There are many different building, places, and objects that would be fun to build. A good book for anyone who loves Lego's.

Rating: 4 stars because I really liked it.


2015-Summer-Reading-Review

[Andrew Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic models of all sizes. a real inspiration to get building; even if I know I won't get anywhere this standard!

[Jaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to build something, but I haven't had access to anything to build with. This book let me live vicariously through someone else's building with Legos.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with pictures of large Lego structures, plus step-by-step instructions for building some of the elements in the larger construction.