Hot Wheels, by Kris Palmer

If you are a person, you probably played with Hot Wheels at some point.  Hot Wheels are among the best-selling toys of all time.  On the 50th anniversary of their introduction to toy boxes everywhere, Kris Palmer has written Hot Wheels: From 0 to 50 at 1:64 Scale.  Hot Wheels fans will enjoy the story of the iconic toys.

Palmer covers the history of Hot Wheels, the development of the production process, the people behind the cars, and the many manifestations of the cars and the related toys.  I spend many an hour racing the cars on the orange tracks, with a lever you pull to boost them around another lap.  Not every car is covered here--there have been thousands of designs--but you are sure to see some that are familiar.

Hot Wheels is a testament to the enduring love of cars in our culture.  Grown-ups get into the action as well, as collectors or even as owners of special Hot Wheels editions of full-size cars.  In a way, the book is a real nostalgia trip, but the fact is, Hot Wheels are not in the past.  They still sell millions of them every year, and show no signs of slowing.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!