The LEGO Story

How a Little Toy Sparked the World’s Imagination

By: Jens Andersen

Narrated by: Peter Cross

The extraordinary inside story of LEGO, based on unprecedented access to the company’s archives and rare interviews with the founding family that still owns the company

"This book tells the story of how my family built the LEGO brand." —Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former President/CEO of the LEGO Group and 3rd generation owner

It’s estimated that each year between eighty and ninety million children around the globe are given a box of LEGO, while up to ten million adults buy sets for themselves. Yet LEGO is much more than a dizzying number of plastic bricks that can be put together and combined in countless ways. LEGO is also a vision of the significance of what play can mean for humanity.

This book tells the extraordinary story of a global company and a Danish family who for ninety years have defended children’s right to play—and who believe grown-ups, too, should make the time to nurture their inner child. The LEGO Story is built on Jens Andersen’s unique access to LEGO’s own archives, as well as on Andersen’s extensive conversations with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former president and CEO of the LEGO group and grandson of its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen.

A riveting cultural history of changing generations’ views of childhood and the importance of play, The LEGO Story also a fascinating case study of how innovation and creativity helped leaders transform LEGO from a small carpentry business into the world’s largest producer of play materials and one of the most beloved brands in the world. Richly illustrated with never-before-seen photos from the family’s private archive, this is the ultimate book for fans of LEGO, revealing everything you ever wanted to know about the brand.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Jens Andersen (P)2022 HarperAudio

Lego fan

You write a book about one of my favorite things and I will listen. I learned some new things about Lego from this book. Well done. I enjoyed every minute and this is a must read for every Lego fan.

A child at heart

As an adult and a father of a child with autism, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to buy a set of Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts castle, and we did it together through the time we spent at home, and during this, it has opened up feelings for when I was a child, and to watch my enjoyment of my son, and I interacting together and listening to this book, has brought back those feelings of why I love this company so much so if you’re a fan of Lego and want to learn more about how this amazing company came to be read or listen you will not be sorry.

Great storytelling, inspiring and informative

A great narrative on the birth and growth of my favorite toy company. Interviews with the family members add unique insights.

Capturing story of succeeding despite all odds

Planning pregnancy with my wife I find myself more and more interested in anything to do with babies and kids. This book was a great mixture of that and business advice (the type of books I would usually listen to).
There are lots of lessons hidden between the lines here, listen attentively!

Lovely In-depth Story

As an young AFOL of LEGO it was really nice to hear about the companies beginning’s. The author of the book does a great job telling the story in a simple, cohesive way. This book makes me want to visit Billund Denmark. Great read for LEGO fans.

Very interesting and well told

Engaging and well researched history of Lego, from the founding family’s perspective. Definitely worth a listen

Great book! Don't miss this

Not sure why this popped up in my Audible feed but as a 53 year old AFOL (adult fan of lego) I had to give it a listen. Having looked into the history of Lego many years ago I found the history in this book to be absolutely consistent with everything I'd read from other sources and found it to be a balanced, fascinating history of the company. Great reader, well researched - not really a "business book" just a good history of the company.

Very comprehensive and balanced history of Lego

Loved the Author's balanced and personal approach to tell the story of 5 generations starting and maintaining Lego spirit

not very interesting

I guess I find the Lego story not very interesting. With four hours left I started fast forwarding through the audiobook, trying to find a spot that was focused on the product, development and the interesting facts of the Lego toy. It was in my opinion a lot of irrelevant information that wasn’t helpful to understanding the product. There was business talk that wasn’t interesting, information about properties, information about family and very very little regarding the toy. It mentioned licensing, Star Wars and Harry Potter briefly.