The Wire: Truth Be Told
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Review
'Episode guides often let you down by being just that: a book of plot synopses. True to The Wire's unsurpassed quality, this 'episode guide' has the synopses muscling for space with essays from the likes of George Pelecanos and a Nick Hornby interview with creator David Simon. Essential stuff.' Empire
Product Description
THE WIRE is one of the most critically acclaimed drama series in the history of television. Over its five seasons it built up a rich and layered portrait of Baltimore: its hardened police force, its corner boys, its dock workers and its politicians. The Wire: Truth Be Told brings the reader inside this world: packed with photographs and featuring an introduction by David Simon, it covers all five seasons in glorious detail.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I hesitated a bit before buying this as it seemed from reading some reviews it was just a recap of each episode plus a bit extra. But I'm really glad I bought it. The prologue by David Simon is almost worth the price in itself, he's an eloquent, articulate and gifted writer whose ability to summarise the malaise of innercities - his reason for creating the Wire - is inspiring to read. I'm only a few chapters in, but already it's taken me back to my happy hours watching the Wire unfold and giving me interesting insights into how it all came about and what reality it was showing. If, like me, you are a Wire addict, this will help your craving when you have watched all five series and no TV programme will be the same again.
45 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
***THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE OLD EDITION OF THE BOOK, AND HAS BEEN PUT HERE IN ERROR BY AMAZON***
Hello, my name is Liam, and I'm a Wire-o-holic.
I first noticed the series on Amazon in the DVD sectionThe Wire: Complete HBO Season 1-5. Attracted by the great reviews and the pedigree of the writers and producer, I ordered the first installment. Two months later and I've got through all but the fifth and final series, which is on pre-order.
The reason I tell you this is to establish where my perspective is on this book; I loved the show, the dialogue, the 'plot arc' (or whatever the new word for storylines is) - it's dazzlingly good.
The first thing that you should know if you're thinking of buying this book is that it was written as they were doing the third series, so it covers less than half the output they've completed now.
When I opened this book, my immediate reaction was one of foreboding - the layout was quite large print with lots of pictures and margin lines in evidence; it's got that look of a magazine style to it (it's like Harpercollins do Dorling Kindersley) - signs of dumbing down or padding out, perhaps. This impression dissipated slightly, but nevertheless stayed with me as I read the book, as perhaps two-thirds of it is written in the form of episode synopses. These were fairly entertaining to recap on, but it felt like I was reading a media studies textbook (as I imagine one to be, anyway) at times.
But the good stuff! The remaining third of the book consists of essays by the writers of the scripts and others, and the amount that they CARE about this project shines through; there's a lot of social commentary on Baltimore, the setting for The Wire and hometown to a seeming majority of those involved in the series, and it's these testimonies that are worth getting this book for.
These's also interviews with some of the actors (another 'magazine - type' thing to do) which were uneven in quality and insight, as well as cast lists at the back.
So, because the book only covers two series and previews the third, and because there's too much synopsis and not enough personal opinion, I can only give it three stars.
I'm still glad I have it at the used price though, as it looks good on the shelf next to the DVDs of the show. Could this be the beginning of OCD?
EDIT 08/08/09: There's a new book out that covers the whole 5 series - see it here. It's bound to be a better choice if you were considering this old edition, especially at the pre-order price.
Hello, my name is Liam, and I'm a Wire-o-holic.
I first noticed the series on Amazon in the DVD sectionThe Wire: Complete HBO Season 1-5. Attracted by the great reviews and the pedigree of the writers and producer, I ordered the first installment. Two months later and I've got through all but the fifth and final series, which is on pre-order.
The reason I tell you this is to establish where my perspective is on this book; I loved the show, the dialogue, the 'plot arc' (or whatever the new word for storylines is) - it's dazzlingly good.
The first thing that you should know if you're thinking of buying this book is that it was written as they were doing the third series, so it covers less than half the output they've completed now.
When I opened this book, my immediate reaction was one of foreboding - the layout was quite large print with lots of pictures and margin lines in evidence; it's got that look of a magazine style to it (it's like Harpercollins do Dorling Kindersley) - signs of dumbing down or padding out, perhaps. This impression dissipated slightly, but nevertheless stayed with me as I read the book, as perhaps two-thirds of it is written in the form of episode synopses. These were fairly entertaining to recap on, but it felt like I was reading a media studies textbook (as I imagine one to be, anyway) at times.
But the good stuff! The remaining third of the book consists of essays by the writers of the scripts and others, and the amount that they CARE about this project shines through; there's a lot of social commentary on Baltimore, the setting for The Wire and hometown to a seeming majority of those involved in the series, and it's these testimonies that are worth getting this book for.
These's also interviews with some of the actors (another 'magazine - type' thing to do) which were uneven in quality and insight, as well as cast lists at the back.
So, because the book only covers two series and previews the third, and because there's too much synopsis and not enough personal opinion, I can only give it three stars.
I'm still glad I have it at the used price though, as it looks good on the shelf next to the DVDs of the show. Could this be the beginning of OCD?
EDIT 08/08/09: There's a new book out that covers the whole 5 series - see it here. It's bound to be a better choice if you were considering this old edition, especially at the pre-order price.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Just reading through the episode guides was enjoyable enough but the additional interviews and biographies with actors, writers, producers, inspirations and fans makes the whole book a compulsory purchase for any sad, over-obsessed Wire geek (like me).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A reasonable companion guide, but doesn't go far enough
Ah, the humble episode guide. Once a solid mainstay of bookshop TV sections all over the world, now hunted to the brink of extinction by the internet. Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Whitehead
Spot On
Excellent accompaniment if you are in to the series. Some spoiler stuff so worth reading each chapter after each series. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mark Irving
Great book but spoiled by Kindle typesetting
Great book, but on the Kindle app (iPad, iPhone, OS X) it renders mostly in c. 16pt Courier Italic (at the smallest text setting), which makes for a truly horrible reading... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Simon Whitaker
Essential companion to the series
Although each episode is briefly described, this book is so much more than a simple guide. As well as the perspective of the creators and actors, there are fascinating insights and... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Fermat
A good companion to the series
I have to start this review by stating that I think that 'The Wire' is one of the best TV dramas ever and is right up there with Band Of Brothers - Complete HBO Series... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Mr. A. Whiteside
Superb companion to the show.
This is a great book, and an excellent read for anyone into The Wire. If you are, just buy it, simple as that.
Five stars.
Five stars.
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by G. Robinson
Hot Wired
This is an excellent companion to what must be the best TV series ever. There's a lot of insights and things that you might not have known - such as which of the cast were really... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2009 by Mr. Antonio Cavaldoro
The Wire: Truth Be Told. You'd never believe it
We bought this book for my son for his 21st birthday. He loves it, and he is not a guy that reads a lot.
Must be a good sign, then
Must be a good sign, then
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Odette Faulkner
Tapping THE WIRE
I got into THE WIRE early last year and speedily devoured the first four seasons in order to watch the final one as it was broadcast on FX. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by Dan the man
BRILLIANT
As a Wire addict I found this book awe inspiring.Really insightful essays on the main themes of the series,synopsis of all the episodes,great interviews with most people involved... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2009 by bucky
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