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Kid Number One: Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro
A story of heart, soul and business, featuring Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro.
In this sequel (and prequel) to his best-selling Toy The epic struggle between G.I. Joe, Barbie and the companies that make them, G. Wayne Miller takes us on a tour-de-force deep inside the world of entertainment, Hollywood, and philanthropy.
“Compulsively readable… beautifully researched… a unique and fascinating book.” –DANIELA LAMAS, AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING YOU CAN STOP HUMMING NOW
“G. Wayne Miller reports like a demon and writes like an angel, and Kid Number One is a masterful example of his craft… A triumph!” –WASHINGTON POST SENIOR CORRESPONDENT KEVIN SULLIVAN, AUTHOR OF #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A MEMOIR OF SURVIVAL AND CLEVELAND
“Miller’s tenderly painted portrait of Alan Hassenfeld, a quiet, hard-working, ambitious and yet socially conscious entrepreneur and philanthropist who embodied the American Dream, will leave a lasting impression on the minds of readers.” –PADMA VENKATRAMAN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BRIDGE HOME
“From family business to a cornerstone of American popular culture, Miller's history sheds light on the family and the values at the heart of one of the globe's most recognizable brands.” –JULIAN C. CHAMBLISS, HISTORIAN, SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR OF ASSEMBLING THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
In this sequel (and prequel) to his best-selling Toy The epic struggle between G.I. Joe, Barbie and the companies that make them, G. Wayne Miller takes us on a tour-de-force deep inside the world of entertainment, Hollywood, and philanthropy.
“Compulsively readable… beautifully researched… a unique and fascinating book.” –DANIELA LAMAS, AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING YOU CAN STOP HUMMING NOW
“G. Wayne Miller reports like a demon and writes like an angel, and Kid Number One is a masterful example of his craft… A triumph!” –WASHINGTON POST SENIOR CORRESPONDENT KEVIN SULLIVAN, AUTHOR OF #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A MEMOIR OF SURVIVAL AND CLEVELAND
“Miller’s tenderly painted portrait of Alan Hassenfeld, a quiet, hard-working, ambitious and yet socially conscious entrepreneur and philanthropist who embodied the American Dream, will leave a lasting impression on the minds of readers.” –PADMA VENKATRAMAN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BRIDGE HOME
“From family business to a cornerstone of American popular culture, Miller's history sheds light on the family and the values at the heart of one of the globe's most recognizable brands.” –JULIAN C. CHAMBLISS, HISTORIAN, SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR OF ASSEMBLING THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
540 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2019
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 1, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I learned a lot about the history of Hasbro and the Hassenfeld family. I was really young when the toys started coming out. Although, I do remember playing with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Heads. Me and my sister would be entertained for hours mixing tons of different combinations with the parts. I did briefly play with GI Joe as well.
Mr. Miller gave me tons of information but in a way that made it enlightening and interesting to read. I did not feel like I was reading a history book. Every time I thought that was an "ah ha" moment, there was another one in that I would read about a few pages or chapters later. For anyone who is still a child at heart or wants to read the history of Hasbro should check out this book.
Mr. Miller gave me tons of information but in a way that made it enlightening and interesting to read. I did not feel like I was reading a history book. Every time I thought that was an "ah ha" moment, there was another one in that I would read about a few pages or chapters later. For anyone who is still a child at heart or wants to read the history of Hasbro should check out this book.
January 4, 2020
A wonderful story of Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro
Although long and a bit wordy, the crux of the story is centered on the Hassenfeld family and their many behind the scenes charitable organizations. Highlights Alan in particular, what a wonderful human being! I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks the world is "going to hell in a handbasket!"
Although long and a bit wordy, the crux of the story is centered on the Hassenfeld family and their many behind the scenes charitable organizations. Highlights Alan in particular, what a wonderful human being! I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks the world is "going to hell in a handbasket!"
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November 13, 2019Who can’t like a person who says his favorite toy growing up was Mr. Potato Head? And his most formidable adversary was Barbie? Add to that he’s committed to tikkun olam, a concept in Judaism which holds its believers responsible not only for their own moral, spiritual and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large. In short, a guy who believes it’s his job to help others.
Alan G. Hassenfeld is a third-generation Hassenfeld brother and much of the energy and spirit behind the toy company giant Hasbro. G. Wayne Miller, author of the true-life business suspense story Toy Wars, now brings us Kid Number One (Stillwater River Publications), a thorough narrative of the Hassenfelds, the toy conglomerate they built, and its abundance of international kindness. Hasbro is not just a manufacturer of games and toys. Miller’s latest book makes that clear.
The history of the company that brought us G.I. Joe, Transformers, My Little Pony, and of course Mr. Potato Head (or Pot Head, as Alan likes to call him) is a testament to an America fueled by immigrants. Driven from Europe as teenagers during the first World War, brothers Henry and Hillel Hassenfeld came to the U.S. fleeing societal unrest, unmitigated hatred and pogroms which slaughtered thousands of Jews. Like other Jews before them, they settled in the lower east side of Manhattan and struggled to make enough money to eat. Their first venture was rags. Literally, rags.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/11/former-h...
Alan G. Hassenfeld is a third-generation Hassenfeld brother and much of the energy and spirit behind the toy company giant Hasbro. G. Wayne Miller, author of the true-life business suspense story Toy Wars, now brings us Kid Number One (Stillwater River Publications), a thorough narrative of the Hassenfelds, the toy conglomerate they built, and its abundance of international kindness. Hasbro is not just a manufacturer of games and toys. Miller’s latest book makes that clear.
The history of the company that brought us G.I. Joe, Transformers, My Little Pony, and of course Mr. Potato Head (or Pot Head, as Alan likes to call him) is a testament to an America fueled by immigrants. Driven from Europe as teenagers during the first World War, brothers Henry and Hillel Hassenfeld came to the U.S. fleeing societal unrest, unmitigated hatred and pogroms which slaughtered thousands of Jews. Like other Jews before them, they settled in the lower east side of Manhattan and struggled to make enough money to eat. Their first venture was rags. Literally, rags.
The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/11/former-h...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews