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

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 a big mistake for me... since it took me quite a while to get it back. She appreciated different sections (the My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite). It was like going to Toys 'R Us from your childhood; you either were in the boys section or over in the pink section if you were a girl - no matter which, it was fun. So I can say, there is something for everyone, boys and girls alike. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by my fascination with chapters like the game Guess Who?, which I actually hated as a child. The more ridiculous the idea the funnier the commentary became as the authors put it all in perspective. And when I say perspective, I mean being a 20 something or 30 something adult. There is some crude humor in here that is not at all pointed to the young kids we once were. But honestly, do we expect any children today to even bother reading this? I can plainly put that to rest - kids today would never "get" what this book is about. Once you start reading, remember this isn't just a book about the items; it's a book about how they all relate to us - the children of the 80's. So don't get caught up expecting a long treatise on the history of everything 1980's, that's not what it's about.Final Thoughts - I read this only wanting more. The only fix for your "jonesing" would be to share this with others. If you buy this book, then don't forget to invite your other Gen X friends or siblings or whoevers to a fun filled day in the way-back machine. I highly recommend this book as a fan of humor and 80's pop culture. But, if you only want to see details of 80's toys - minus the nifty sarcasm, then check out  Action Figures of the 1980s (Schiffer Book for Collectors)  - it's loaded with great pictures. But be warned, that book doesn't have a one-tenth the laughs of "Just Can't Get Enough." If the authors do nothing else, then this book is still a masterpiece in its own right and worthy of a notable writing career. I hope this isn't the end though; there are plenty of unvisited pop culture products still lurking in our memories for "Just Can't Get Enough"... Volume 2.

What a fantastic random find on Amazon!! I grew up in the 80s and now grown with kids of my own. Being a parent has brought me back to my childhood and reminiscing about the greatest toys we used to have. In the last few yrs I've been collecting many of those same toys for my kids today. This book is amazing, from cover (LOVE the trapper keeper cover that really opens & velcros shut) to every page inside. Very entertaining & funny, written wonderfully, great toy pics and facts. Some of these toys, etc I hadn't seen in years so it was quite the trip down memory lane. I loved it so much, I'm ordering one for my brother as well for Christmas -- he's going to love it!!! Worth every penny! Highly recommended, essential for the 80s archives.

I purchased this for a relative that grew up watching He-Man and collects everything He-Man to this day. He really enjoyed the entire book. He said the pictures were really great.

I thought the book would be the size of an actual TRAPPER KEEPER..its a little smaller...but other than that.. the book is great...very sturdy...not cheap material. It dedicates a page or two on every toy such as He man...Gi Joe....its fun to read and look at the toys. I am pretty happy woth the book..oh...it has the velcro just like the TRAPPER KEEPER which I thought was cool. It also has scratch and sniff stickers on the front which is cool except they dont smell. You will enjoy this book

"Forget the yellow folder with the drawings of those different sports guy on it. Forget the fancy pencil holder with secret compartments. Forget your two-dollar eraser in the shape of a hamburger. The Trapper Keeper was the only must-have school supply.The Trapper Keeper you had said a lot about who you were . The kids with the Hawaiian sunset were the deep, moody kids. The girls with the kitties were the good girls. The girls with the unicorns were the artsy girls. The boys with the sports cars were the jerks. The boys with planets and stars were smart. The boys with "Rad Dog" written on theirs were burnouts. And the kid with the panda bear was having trouble at home. It was all very simple and obvious."So says the entry on the Trapper Keeper. Yeah, it's that good.

This book is a ton of fun to sit and read.It is even more fun to read with others. My friends and co-workers ate this book up!I loved it, and while there could have been Atari, or the Pound Puppies and a couple of other things it hit all the big toys that everyone had. I would buy a book #2 if they came out with the missing ones, but that being said this book is one of the most fun books I have read in awhile.

SUCH A CUTE INFORMATIVE BOOK - PACKAGED LIKE A TRAPPER PAD (OLD SCHOOL DESIGN) ... MY DAUGHTER WILL LOVE IT... !

Not what I hoped it would be like.At $3.00....okay for the money. If I had paid made much more... I do think I would regret buying the book.I was wanted more familiar toys and great pictures.Just not the toys my kids played with and wanted to remember.

Funny, sentimental book full of interesting facts and photos!

This book is good and interesting and there are some nice memories in there but it is written for the American market and there are a few things in there which are for American audiences. It is still a good read.

Good thanks

Brilliant book, my daughter bought me one for my 40th birthday and I loved it so much I bought my old school friend one for hers.

Great sens of humor, great printing, wonderfull book I love it my wife love it. If you want more facts buy 80' tubular or better: BUY BOTH OF THEM. pure fun, I feel like a kid.