POP Book - Books - Biography

It’s Not All Fun & Games: A Life in Film Production, Video Games, and Toys by Mark Flitman is an incredibly well-written memoir detailing the trajectory of Flitman’s career. Flitm...an tells the story of his life with such joy, sharing the highs and lows of working in the toy and game industry and passing along...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more

Kick The Tyres, Light The Fires is divided into three parts. The first, titled, “How time flies—a glimpse of my life—so far,” details Norman’s childhood through his ...retirement. He speaks on what it was like growing up in England during World War II, what his family life was like, and who his friends were. He touches on his time completing his National Service in the Fleet Air Arm as well as the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, plus his time working in the U.S. as an investment banker, and of course as a toymaker. This part served as...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more

As the widely anticipated Barbie movie inches closer to its release date, it is the perfect time to brush up on your Barbie history. Dressing Barbie: A Celebration of the Clothes That M...ade America’s Favorite Doll and the Incredible Woman Behind Them by Carol Spencer with Laurie Brookins is a fascinating memoir about Carol Spencer, who is responsible for... [READ MORE]Show more

A Century of American Toys & Games: The Story of Pressman Toy by Jim Pressman and Donna Pressman along with Alan Axelrod is a brilliant celebration of a toy company that has not only brought ...joy to children all over the world but has made history in numerous different ways. The Story of Pressman Toy covers the complete history of the company, beginning in the 1800’s with Abraham, Jack Pressman’s father, who left central Europe to escape from the antisemitic regimes that plagued the area to come to New York, where he opened a small variety store. Jack became hooked on the toy business, and after a brief stint in the army, joined the North American Toy Company, which soon became J. Pressman & Company. READ MORE...    Show more

In A World Without Reality: Inside Marvin Glass’s Toy Vault, Bill Paxton takes readers on a journey through the life of Marvin Glass and his legendary toy design company, Marvin Glass ...and Associates. A thorough history of Glass’s life, the ups and downs of his company, and all the toys, games, and limitless fun he left his mark on, this biography is full of rich history and exclusive insider information about the unique and mysterious Marvin Glass.Show more

In “Bruce’s Beliefs: Everything I know about Business (and Life) I Learned Playing with Toys,” Bruce Lund shares 68 of his beliefs that he’s come to learn through his 40+ years... of experience in the toy industry. From life advice to career advice to simple lessons of joy, Lund’s book is a lighthearted read fit for any type of reader.   Split into nine chapters that categorize his beliefs, “Bruce’s Beliefs” shares advice, lessons, and mantras to live by through the lens of toys, games, and the art of play. Each chapter includes 5-10 beliefs. Lund elaborates on some beliefs with anecdotes, research, and examples, and others say enough with just the title.   Meant to be read over a longer period time, “Bruce’s Beliefs” is the perfect coffee table book. Readers can flip to any page and read a belief or two and come back to it another time, there’s no necessary order to read it in. In addition to advice, readers get to know charming and humorous author Bruce Lund as he shares the lessons life has taught him. Founder of his own toy company, Lund is an expert in the field and a wonderful writer, and “Bruce’s Beliefs” is the perfect marriage of both skills, and a memorable and engaging book for any reader.Show more

In Kid Number One, author G. Wayne Miller provides a comprehensive, in-depth look into all things Hasbro: its founding, triumphs, challenges, competitors, products, and most extensively, the Hass...enfelds. Beginning with the story of how Henry and Hillel immigrated to America and soon after founded Hassenfeld Bros in 1917, Miller covers the journey of...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more

Ivan Moscovich’s memoir, The Puzzleman, is an unbelievable combination of gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking and awe-inspiring. As he puts it, he tells the story of a life “well spent.” A... Holocaust survivor, founder and director of the Museum of Science and Technology in Tel Aviv, creator of the Harmonograph, author of over 50 books, inventor of countless toys, games, and puzzles, to say he is an accomplished man is an understatement. https://www.peopleofplay.com/blog/the-puzzleman-by-ivan-moscovichShow more

In “Dream Doll: The Ruth Handler Story,” Ruth Handler, creator of Barbie, co-founder of Mattel, and founder of Nearly Me prosthetic breasts, along with author Jacqueline Shannon, tells her... story: her early life in Colorado, the rise of Mattel, the legal mess Handler was wrongfully roped into, her devastating mastectomy and her subsequent founding of Nearly Me. Handler provides an in-depth, deeply personal account of her life and incredible accomplishments as a businesswoman, wife, mother, and grandmother...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more

After just about forty years in the toy industry, toy designer Stefanie Eskander shares what it’s like to see your own ideas come to life… on the shelf of a toy store! In Toy Stories: The... Secret Life of a Toy Designer, Eskander takes readers through the numerous jobs she’s worked in the toy industry, including six companies and freelance work...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more