POP Book - Books - Biography

One Move at a Time, the book by storied game industry vet Kevin McNulty, is a fun 50-year romp through the memory of one of the game industry’s absolute OGs. The game business, as it is today, w...ell, is what it is. But for those who don't have a deep well of historical knowledge, One Move at a Time is a chronicle of just how different things were in the before-times.  Before big box retail, before online anything, before artificial everything, the business of board games was run on coffee, handshakes, positive ambition and sheer determination. Kevin starts where he grew up - in Stuyvesant Town - and tells the stories of how New York City and the people around him heavily influenced who he became. There’s nothing about his salt-of-the-earth childhood that would indicate things could have turned out any other way – it’s clear that Kevin was always the Kevin everybody knows and loves. And while some of his old stories might sound a little quaint or even fantastical, his account is 100% legit: this is the way things were done.  Reminiscing about the Toy Building at 200 Fifth Avenue and all the history that bubbled out of it for a century paints the colorful backdrop for the long lists of retailers, travels, distributors, trials, tribulations, and game industry icons that run through this memoir. The remarkable longevity of Kevin's 50+-year career is distilled down into this book, but if you were to ask him to expand on any one of the million or so anecdotes in it, I would bet each one could be a book of its own.  One Move at a Time is a time capsule that, thankfully, is no longer trapped inside the mind and memory of Kevin McNulty… it has memorialized a time and a place and an origin of how a major multibillion dollar industry pretty much began, and the experience of being brought up in the middle of it. Even though the world has turned and is virtually unrecognizable since some of Kevin's game industry memories and friendships were formed, it's a valuable read to remind anybody in the business, or teach anyone new to the business, that relationship building along with knowing how to work very hard while having lots of fun was - and still is - the foundation of how board games are born.Show more

Kid-Ventors, written by Kailei Pew and illustrated by Shannon Wright, is an inspiring collection of stories about different inventors—all under the age of 16! From names you know, like Benjamin ...Franklin and Steve Wozniak, to names you’ve never heard of, but may have heard of their inventions, like George Nissen and his Trampoline, these mini stories are nothing short of amazing. Written about kids, for kids, this is a great book for...[CLICK TO READ MORE]Show more

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