The LEGO Builder's Handbook: pre-order discount
Posted by Huw,
Taking the leap from building with instructions to designing your own models can seem overwhelming, particularly when the standard of those built by others that you see on Instagram, LEGO Ideas and the BrickLink Designer Program, for example, is so high.
To help you make that jump, a new book entitled The LEGO Builder's Handbook is being published in November by No Starch Press.
Written by Deepak Shenoy, whose work has appeared in Brick Journal and Blocks, it covers everything from basic wall building and SNOT techniques, to brick bending and Lowell spheres. There's something in it for novices and experienced builders alike.
You can find out more at the author's website and download a sample chapter from the publisher's.
For a limited time [1], Brickset readers can pre-order the book at nostarch.com for just $17.49, when using the coupon code BRICKSET30 at checkout, which is a 30% discount on RRP and includes a digital edition.
Those in the UK are probably better off ordering from Amazon.co.uk where it's priced at £18.29.
I have a digital copy which I'm currently working my way through. I will let you know my verdict when I'm finished, but suffice to say now that I am impressed with the depth and breadth of the techniques covered.
View sample spreads after the break...
[1] Offer ends 12th September, 2024
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19 comments on this article
Just pre-ordered on Amazon. Thank you. Do we have any idea of a release date yet?
Ah, No Starch Press always brings 'the goods':) I look forward to this, as it never hurts to brush-up on techniques. Wish they'd put out more info/status on The LEGO Adventure Book, Volume 4 though...it's like Schrödinger's book at this point...:|
General reminder that buying books directly from the publisher puts much more of that money in the pockets of people directly responsible for the book, since they don't have to pay a huge cut to Amazon or Walmart or whomever.
All things being equal (or even close), please try to buy directly from the author or publisher, or at least a small independent bookstore, rather than a megastore like Amazon.
To be clear, No Starch is the publisher, so use the pre-order link for nostarch.com in the article above.
Ordered! Thanks for posting this!
I've read articles from the same person and found the information very useful for figuring out how to do odd shapes in some builds. Preordered and looking forward to it!
Just pre-ordered, thanks Huw!
First times a charm. Ordered!
Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542
@rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
A lot has changed since then!
@rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
Yes, there have been a few books like this over the years. Or use the internet, as there are many great sites often with more information and examples than it makes sense to print.
What "doesn´t look right" in Figure 3:10, is it that the wall joints on each side isn´t at the same place when viewed from the front??
There are many wonderful and helpful sites online, BrickNerd has just ran a great overview of SNOT techniques for instance, and I was thinking of printing the pages and bundling them as I just still like to hold paper (magazines, books) in my hand. Sariel's amazing "The Unofficial LEGO Technic Builder's Guide" comes to mind. This book seems like a bundling of many of those online examples, so I'm surely getting this.
Amazon NL says it will be published Nov. 5th. It's €30,56 there with free shipping. If I go to Amazon.de it's €24.32 (for the English edition of course) plus in €6,99 shipping.
I'd love to order straight from no starch as I've done in the past, but $23.95 for UPS shipping is too steep for me.
@Huw is there an Amazon (.nl) affiliate link I can alter to give at least Brickset some small cut of the deal?
@CCC said:
" @rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
Yes, there have been a few books like this over the years. Or use the internet, as there are many great sites often with more information and examples than it makes sense to print. "
Yes, but that also requires have an electronic device present and that can be a struggle if parents are trying to limit screen time for kids. That device can also be a huge distraction.
I pre-ordered 2x copies from the publisher. I do have a bookmark folder with tips and tricks but something like this should be very handy for me. The second copy is for my nephew who gets limited screen time.
@Huw said:
" @rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
A lot has changed since then!"
They are still plastic bricks that work with the Lego system
I ordered one, thanks for sharing this!
It would seem worth pointing out that the Brickset discount for direct from No Starch Press also applies if you're happy with only a digital copy. You can preorder for $13.99 and avoid Amazon at the same time.
@kingalbino said:
"Just pre-ordered on Amazon. Thank you. Do we have any idea of a release date yet?"
German Amazon site shows the 5th of November as the release date.
@rainstorm26 said:
" @Huw said:
" @rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
A lot has changed since then!"
They are still plastic bricks that work with the Lego system"
Of course. But in the last 15 years lego introduced plenty of functional and esthetic new bricks which makes some older techniques obsolete. Besides, if, say, a 15 year old kid woudl get such book now, he or she wants to learn to use all the bricks at their disposal from all the current sets.
@Morberis said:
" @CCC said:
" @rainstorm26 said:
"Here's something similar that I bought 15 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-LEGO-Builders-Guide/dp/1593270542"
Yes, there have been a few books like this over the years. Or use the internet, as there are many great sites often with more information and examples than it makes sense to print. "
Yes, but that also requires have an electronic device present and that can be a struggle if parents are trying to limit screen time for kids. That device can also be a huge distraction.
I pre-ordered 2x copies from the publisher. I do have a bookmark folder with tips and tricks but something like this should be very handy for me. The second copy is for my nephew who gets limited screen time."
Sure, if you don't distinguish between play time and research time and lump it all under screen time, then print copies make sense. And a book like this is often cheaper and easier to use than printing out the internet! My kids are old enough that I can trust them not to be playing games on their tablets when they are building and frequently search for ideas for MOCs and researching interesting ways to use parts on their tablets while building. I don't discourage that, I think it is quite healthy to use the internet to help with ideas, as it is a useful skill for working too.