What you'll learn

Who this book is for

This book is for intermediate or advanced Java programmers/developers.

From Jeff Friesen, award-winning photographer and author of United States of LEGO®, comes a hilarious new book of diorama photographs that uses LEGO bricks to spoof the famous work of the mysterious anonymous graffiti artist known as Banksy. Friesen gives new meaning to gritty street art using clean, modernist bricks. Bricksy goes beyond transforming the medium by expanding the scenes it plays on and adding a humorous twist to each one. Each of the eighty-four photographs is wittily captioned, delightful to look at, and appropriate for a wide range of ages. At the end of the book is a legend featuring thumbnail reproductions of each original Banksy so readers can test their knowledge of Banksy’s catalogue with Friesen’s LEGO spinoffs.

While traditional street art is often rushed along by the threat of local law enforcement, Friesen has bountiful time to reimagine Banksy’s work into glossy LEGO glory that comes off the walls and springs to life. Banksy’s iconic characters gain intriguing new stories. Readers will discover where Banksy’s monkeys are taking charge and who the bouquet thrower’s star-crossed lover is.

You’ve never seen Banksy like this before. You’ve never seen LEGO like this before.Bricksy is a must-have book for fans of Banksy, fans of LEGO, and anyone with a sense of humor.

United States of LEGO takes readers on a journey across America that has never been seen before. Photographer Jeff Friesen composes artful LEGO brick dioramas, each revealing a scene with a witty caption that celebrates what makes every American state unique, incorporating toy-scale monuments, colorful citizens going about their daily lives, and new spins on state history.

Here is a fresh vision of every state assembled with bricks, from Washington’s steaming rivers of espresso to the ancient reptiles in Florida (we’re not talking about alligators here). Brick Minnesotans tirelessly shovel snow but are ready to pose with a friendly ?okey-dokey!”

Giving readers even more than a cross-country tour, United States of LEGO reveals intriguing secrets of the states for the first time. Have you ever wondered who extinguished Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara’s passion in Georgia, what’s fishing for fishermen in Alaska, or how NASCAR drivers earn extra spending money in North Carolina? The answers will surprise and delight you.

Readers will also find thrilling scenes from history re-created in meticulous detail. Who can forget Lewis and Clark’s intrepid manservant, Gaston? Okay, the history textbooks did, but not United States of LEGO. And what ever happened to the giant turkeys that once roamed Massachusetts? Your education may have missed these tender birds whose fate is detailed here.

Every captioned photograph is infused with good-natured humor, and occasional ill-humored nature, such as the Maryland crabs who are through with being lunch. Speaking of lunch, the famous Kentucky Frying Chicken awaits your order within these pages. Don’t delay! Good citizens of all ages will enjoy exploring every state’s unique character in enchanting LEGO dioramas.