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Rack Toys: Cheap. Crazed Playthngs Paperback – September 10, 2021

by Brian Heiler (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 126 ratings
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A love-letter to fun toys that broke real easy, Rack Toys chronicles decades of cheaply made toys found on the rack of discount stores, drug stores and anywhere in-between. What these toys lacked in quality, they made up for in charm and kitsch.
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  1. Print length
    162 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    NacelleBooks
  4. Publication date
    September 10, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.75 x 10.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1737380102
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1737380108
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Heiler was born in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada and enjoyed a quintessential 1970s orange and brown childhood.As a freelance pop culture writer and photographer his work has been published in Toy Shop, Lee's Action Figure News, Toyfare Magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland and Model & Collector Mart He has often written the daily list for the Village Voice medias celebrated website Topless Robot.His website PlaidStallions is a repositoryfor his childhood obsessions including toys, 70s clothing, Superheroes making mall appearances and pictures of long defunct toy retailers.Brian is a brand manager for a publishing firm, who resides outside of Toronto with two wonderful children, an all too understanding wife and more stuff than he should probably have.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NacelleBooks; 2nd ed. edition (September 10, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1737380102
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737380108
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.75 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 126 ratings

About the author

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Brian Heiler

Brian Heiler

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Brian Heiler was born in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, and enjoyed a quintessential 1970s orange and brown childhood.

As a freelance pop culture writer and photographer his work has been published in Toy Shop, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Lee's Action Figure News, SFX, Scary Monsters, Toyfare Magazine, and Model & Collector Mart. He has often written the daily list for the Village Voice media celebrated website “Topless Robot”.

His website PlaidStallions is a repository for his childhood obsessions including toys, 70s clothing, Knock-Off Action Figures, Superheroes making mall appearances, and pictures of long-defunct toy retailers.

His first book "Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings" is a love letter to toys meant to be forgotten.

Brian can be found at www.plaidstallions.com/reboot

and you can subscribe to his mailing list below to keep abreast of his latest products.

https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/subscribe/

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
126 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and enjoyable, with nice pictures and graphics. They find it a nostalgic trip down memory lane that prompts fond memories. Customers consider it worth the price and appreciate the great information about obscure and unusual toys from the 1960s through the 1980s.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Book contentFunPhoto qualityMemoriesValue for moneyInformation quality
11 customers mention "Book content"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content. They find it a nice find about obscure and unusual toys from the 1960s and 1970s. The book is described as an enjoyable tabletop item for everyone to enjoy.

"This wonderful book on rack toys of the 1960s ~ 1970s was released years ago for what seemed to be a very short period of time in brick-and- mortar..." Read more

"This book's so awesome, I've bought it twice! Once when it was first released, and then the digital copy with added pages...." Read more

"Nice find about our love for obscure and unusual odds n ends style toys...." Read more

"Really dig this book. You can tell that it is a passion project...." Read more

9 customers mention "Fun"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fun content and colorful photographs. They find it informative and enjoyable, though not comprehensive.

"...I love this new 2nd edition, it’s fascinating and entertaining if you collect old toys. Tons of amazing color photos...." Read more

"...Big, loaded with color photographs, and fun text, it is not comprehensive - and how could it possibly be given the impermanent and transient nature..." Read more

"...This is a fascinating and fun book full of great information and colorful photos of often under appreciated toys...." Read more

"...some of these great toys when you were a kid, sit back, relax, and enjoy the book and re-live your fondest toy memories!" Read more

7 customers mention "Photo quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's photos. They find the pictures nice, colorful, and interesting.

"...Tons of amazing color photos. So glad I got a second chance to add it to my library of pop culture books." Read more

"...There's a whole bunch of great photos in here of long forgotten playthings that brought back lots of fun memories...." Read more

"...Big, loaded with color photographs, and fun text, it is not comprehensive - and how could it possibly be given the impermanent and transient nature..." Read more

"Really dig this book. You can tell that it is a passion project. It full of photos and captures an often overlooked, but fondly remembered part of..." Read more

6 customers mention "Memories"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a fun and nostalgic trip back to their younger days. They say it's an excellent trip down memory lane, and they fondly remember rack toys from the 60s through 80s.

"...It's a fun nostalgic trip back to my younger days of getting cheap, oddball toys from supermarkets and drug stores...." Read more

"...It full of photos and captures an often overlooked, but fondly remembered part of toy history the rack toys. Get a copy!" Read more

"This romp through kid popular culture of the 60s through 80s left me with smiles and prompted some fond memories...." Read more

"This brought back alot of good toy memories for me. I remember having the spider-man parachute figure and the one with the motorcycle...." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money. They say it's worth half the price.

"...to my pleasant surprise, the book has now been updated and re-released at a fair price...." Read more

"...Good job for the price you won’t be disappointed" Read more

"...Worth half the price in my opinion. Some nice pics though." Read more

"Cheap, Crazed, and Delightful..." Read more

3 customers mention "Information quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's information. They find it informative about topics they didn't know existed in the 1970s.

"...I love this new 2nd edition, it’s fascinating and entertaining if you collect old toys. Tons of amazing color photos...." Read more

"...This is a fascinating and fun book full of great information and colorful photos of often under appreciated toys...." Read more

"Fun, fantastic info about 70’s stuff you forgot, or didn’t know existed!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • M. Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Back Again at a Fair Price
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This wonderful book on rack toys of the 1960s ~ 1970s was released years ago for what seemed to be a very short period of time in brick-and- mortar retailers. I saw it on the shelves back then, and was going to buy it, but it quickly disappeared.

    Years later, if you wanted to buy a copy, online sellers we’re offering it for over $ 100.00! As much as I liked the book, there was no way in the world I’d pay such an over inflated price for the 1st edition.

    Luckily, to my pleasant surprise, the book has now been updated and re-released at a fair price. I love this new 2nd edition, it’s fascinating and entertaining if you collect old toys. Tons of amazing color photos.

    So glad I got a second chance to add it to my library of pop culture books.
    One person found this helpful
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  • MMM
    5.0 out of 5 stars "I had that thing! (but I'm not sure WHY)"
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book's so awesome, I've bought it twice! Once when it was first released, and then the digital copy with added pages. It's a fun nostalgic trip back to my younger days of getting cheap, oddball toys from supermarkets and drug stores. There's a whole bunch of great photos in here of long forgotten playthings that brought back lots of fun memories. One of my favorites that is included is the old Marvel Ghost Rider figure on his bike, with swappable Johnny Blaze head! I also love the section on Knock-Offs...I need to track down some Action Apeman and Space Apes figures! "Rack Toys" is highly recommended to any child of the '70s/'80s who loves trips down cheap multi-colored plastic, questionably-licensed memory lane.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • J. Combs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap, Crazed, and Delightful
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’m so pleased that this wonderful book is back in print after many years and in an expanded format. Big, loaded with color photographs, and fun text, it is not comprehensive - and how could it possibly be given the impermanent and transient nature of the underlying subject matter? - but it covers the ground so well, written by the undeniable guru of the niche. If rack toys appeal to your sense of nostalgia, kitsch, and fun, you have found your book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • maria
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read for the price
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Nice find about our love for obscure and unusual odds n ends style toys. I only wish the pictures were more crisp/clear , and the products/display went into more depth. Good job for the price you won’t be disappointed
    Helpful
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  • D. Ryan Allen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Lots of fun!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Really dig this book. You can tell that it is a passion project. It full of photos and captures an often overlooked, but fondly remembered part of toy history the rack toys. Get a copy!
    Helpful
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  • John Abar
    3.0 out of 5 stars Review of the 2021 expanded edition-DON'T GET RID OF YOUR FIRST EDITION!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have both the 1st and now 2nd expanded edition of this book. It's a blast for anyone who gets nostalgic over cheap old toys that were commonly found in grocery and discount store aisles. Upon seeing the expanded edition for the first time though I must say I am disappointed in the quality of the book. The first edition was beautifully printed on nice glossy paper. This new version feels cheap and the paper used is thin and dull. The photographs don't pop as much as they do in the original. At almost 20 pages more, this second edition is no thicker than the old version when I sit them side by side. It's still worth it for anyone who can't get enough of this type of material, but don't go selling your first editions quite yet. I understand this is a niche subject and it's not cheap to get books printed, but most collectors who are into this type of thing are likely willing to shell out a few extra bucks for better quality. I'd love to see a third expanded edition in an oversized coffee table hardback eventually. This 2nd edition is only essential to those who missed out on the first or those who can't bear the thought of missing out on the extra few pages.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Svengl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This romp through kid popular culture of the 60s through 80s left me with smiles and prompted some fond memories. Lost a star because I would have liked more information about some of the pop culture subjects. A few of the descriptions needed editing for proper placement and redundancy.
    Helpful
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  • Christopher Wesley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book full of under appreciated toys!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have the original version of this book as well and when I discovered that the Kindle edition was released and with expanded products I immediately purchased it. This is a fascinating and fun book full of great information and colorful photos of often under appreciated toys. I've gone through the book multiple times since purchasing it.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • ian christy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chalk full of delicious discovery and nuggety nostalgia
    Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderfully organized, photographed, sourced, and described slice of toy history that definitely added some new items to my search list like Tomland Starriors, 8 inch monsters, and Mr. Rock. Great read!
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  • Frank Richter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super Buch für Spielzeugsammler
    Reviewed in Germany on March 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutes Muss für Action Toy Sammler… viele tolle Toys und schöne Bilder von seltenem alten Groschenspielzeug aus den USA.
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  • Marlin K
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Rack Toys
    Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a treasure trove of colorful photos showcasing an extensive collection of rack toys, including rare finds. While the content is exceptional, the paper-like pages resemble those of a paperback novel, making them susceptible to damage. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic resource for enthusiasts of rack toys.
    Customer image
    Marlin K
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Rack Toys
    Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2024
    This book is a treasure trove of colorful photos showcasing an extensive collection of rack toys, including rare finds. While the content is exceptional, the paper-like pages resemble those of a paperback novel, making them susceptible to damage. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic resource for enthusiasts of rack toys.
    Images in this review
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    Customer imageCustomer image
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  • Jason D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, time consuming, very informative, FUN!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a collector of Rack toys , and have been for 25 plus years, I learned stuff! A time travel back to the variety store in your neighborhood, and you had 2.00 ...a bill..not a coin in your pocket
    Report