Just Can't Get Enough: Toys, Games, and Other Stuff from the 80's That Rocked

by Jensen Karp and Matthew Robinson

In this found trip down memory lane, 'Just Can't Get Enough' celebrates the awesome products kids collected, begged their parents for, threw tantrums about and obsessed over in the 1980s, from Hit Stix to Hungry Hungry Hippos, My Little Pony to My Buddy, and from Care Bears to He-Man.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081099433X
• ISBN13: 9780810994331
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A Guilty Pleasure Book That Leaves You Wanting More, More, More...

There's a certain innocence about the 80's that seems very transparent by today's standards. But in the 80's... we all thought that we were living a revolution of cutting edge pop culture. Little did we know that those years would pale in comparison to the childhood trends of the 90's & 2000's. I really believed that I had dismissed from my mind most of the decade and rightly so, it seemed so 20 something years ago. But honestly this book made me really appreciate what I had forgotten. Being a kid of the Reagan Era, I lived through the 90's thumbing my nose at most of these pop culture icons (and listening to grudge rock). I bought "Just Can't Get Enough" as a passing fancy (being a follower of vintage toys), not knowing that the personal stories and memories of the authors would be the gems within. The Book Itself - It's pretty neat really. The chapters are each a certain 80's icon, divided into small subsections with titles like, "The Story" or "The Products" or "What Does It All Mean?" All of this wrapped up in a suedo-Trapper Keeper style cover with a velcro clasp. When reading the chapters, you begin to appreciate how much time and effort was put into this book. With chapters devoted to Transformers, He-Man, Madballs, Scratch N' Sniff stickers, Garbage Pail Kids, etc., the book gives equal focus, regardless of obscurity. I particularly liked the toys that I remembered fondly from childhood, but also enjoyed the great details about toys I never knew - i.e. Pogo Ball or "Pogo Bal" as the writers note humorously. The authors treat us to most of the usual suspects of the decade, but there are a few rarely honored candidates such as Crossbows And Catapults, Choose Your Own Adventure books, and Hit-Stix among others. Also, there are some obvious misses such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Get Along Gang, Shirt Tales, Smurfs, Pound Puppies, etc. Hopefully these oversights make way for a follow-up volume. But what you do get makes up for anything not included. First thing you will notice is the great writing style. I particularly like the sarcastic overtone that seems to permeate from every page, pure "Gen X" humor at its best. These authors go to great lengths to make each chapter witty and nostalgic. In fact, if you are unable to feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia after reading this book, then you most likely were born after Operation Desert Shield... or during the hay days of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. Whether you relive the 80's regularly or haven't looked back since 1990 - this book is going to trigger fond memories... or at least jar something loose from the painfully hidden recesses of the mind. My Personal Reaction - I found myself on several occasions laughing out loud. My girlfriend seemed frustrated with me continually interrupting her TV watching by loudly exclaiming, "listen to this" as I read aloud large passages time and time again. Finally she picked up the book, which was

So many memories...

I bought this book before Thanksgiving this year and after reading it through myself, I had to take it back home with me for the holiday. My cousins and I sat around reading out loud many of the hilarious comments about all the toys we loved growing up and laughing at all the ridiculous (or should I say redonkulous?) toys from our youths. The book jogged our memories on all the toys we couldn't remember on our own now and really made us long for the silliness of the toys of the 80s. It's a hilarious book and really fun to sit around with friends and just remember the good times with the redonkulous toys of the 80s. (and for the record, I STILL want the U.S.S. Flag!!)

The Perfect Gift

It's just mindblowing how complete of a compendium this book is. Like being reunited with several old friends. The hilarious commentary by Robinson distinguishes this collection even further from anything else of its kind. I'm getting one for everyone in my office for Christmas.

great gift for the parent and their kids

Just Can't Get Enough: Toys, Games, and Other Stuff from the 80s that Rocked Such great memories surfaced as I read the book. Remembering the fun of taking my child shopping to buy these products. Remembering each toy and laughing out loud. I've given the book to all my friends who have kids that grew up with these toys. The comments back after their kid reads the book "wow, that was so fantastic", truly an opportunity to relive your kid's childhood and give one to your kid. Trust me, they will LOVE it. The book has so much information and the layout and photos are appealing and fun.

Oh the memories...

Absolutely loved this book...It brought back so many memories...I had forgotten half of these toys...The Trapper Keeper design is precious...My favorite toy that I was reminded of was the "Choose your own adventure" books...They still make them!