Action Man: The Official Dossier - Hardcover

Harrison, Ian

9780007165506: Action Man: The Official Dossier

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007165501 ISBN 13: 9780007165506

Publisher: Collins, 2003

Action Man: The Official Dossier is an entertaining and comprehensive tribute to one of the most enduring icons of boyhood. Richly illustrated with photography and advertisements of Action Man in all his various guises, this book is perfect for both the new generation of Action Man fans and those who loved the originals.

Action Man: The Official Illustrated History is more than just a catalogue of features, uniforms and accessories; it is the biography of a hero. This richly illustrated book will appeal not only to the new generation of Action Man fans but also to collectors and to those who remember the original, for whom this will be a nostalgic look back at the life and times of one of our best-loved toys.

Action Man burst into the shops in 1966 and has been the number one action toy ever since. In the years that followed he was given a voice, flocked hair, those famous eagle eyes, hands that grip and a jointed body which allows him to sit – even an action hero has to rest every now and then! After a brief period of retirement in the 80’s our hero gave up his pipe, slippers and cocoa to return to the fray – and less than a decade later, second-generation Action Man was named UK No 1 Boys’ Action Figure.

A comprehensive look at the complete history and development of Action Man and his accessories, from the beginning of his career to his rightful place as a cult classic, this book will delight collectors, nostalgic first-generation fans – and their children.

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Review:

Turning the pages of this book brings back happy memories. -- Toy Soldier

From the Back Cover:

In the beginning, there was GI Joe. He was the world’s first action figure and he had the scars to prove it. In 1964 he carried out his attack on a tactically important gap in the market with a level of success that surprised even his makers, Hanssenfeld Brothers Inc. (now Hasbro). Two years later his mission was extended to the British market, where he was unleashed by Palitoy as Action Man.

Bill Pugh, along with his Research & Development team at Palitoy, immediately began making a number of improvements to Action Man and, in doing so, they turned a success story into a legend. Under Pugh’s guidance Action Man went from strength to strength, with the development of realistic hair, gripping hands and eagle eyes supported by an ever-growing array of equipment, uniforms, vehicles and weapons.

In 1975, Action Man was awarded a Ten Year Gold Award for his continued success, but nine years later, in January 1984, Palitoy announced Action Man’s retirement after 18 years in production. Fortunately retirement proved to be temporary, and in 1994 our hero gave up his pipe, slippers and cocoa to return to the fray. Less than a decade later, second generation Action Man was named UK’s No 1 Boys’ Action Figure.

Action Man: The Official Dossier is much more than just a catalogue of features, uniforms and accessories; it is the biography of a hero. This richly illustrated book will appeal not only to the new generation of Action Man fans but also to collectors and to those who remember the original, for whom this will be a nostalgic look back at the life and times of one of Britain’s best-loved toys.

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