When The Wire premiered in the summer of 2002, many were surprised that HBO would take on a cop show, one of network television's favorite genres. ...
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Feb 20, 2011
Paul
rated it: 
HE HAS NOTHING TO DECLARE EXCEPT HIS GENIUS, IT SEEMS
Would you like to read an introduction to Hamlet written by Shakespeare himself? Not if it went something like “I knew when I began Hamlet that I wished to blow the conventions of the revenge tragedy sky-high, and by God that’s what I did. Hamlet’s soliloquies are, I feel, the finest in all my 36 plays and I feel that with the character of Ophelia…I must thank HBO for allowing me the space to demonstrate the full extent of my geni More...
Would you like to read an introduction to Hamlet written by Shakespeare himself? Not if it went something like “I knew when I began Hamlet that I wished to blow the conventions of the revenge tragedy sky-high, and by God that’s what I did. Hamlet’s soliloquies are, I feel, the finest in all my 36 plays and I feel that with the character of Ophelia…I must thank HBO for allowing me the space to demonstrate the full extent of my geni More...
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Dec 08, 2007
Drew
rated it: 
This book is an insightful look behind the scenes of HBO's spectacular drama, The Wire. Mr. Alvarez combines terrific interviews with different people around Baltimore, Maryland who have inspired many of the program's distinct characters with articles about various aspects of the show's production and its loyal fan base, compellingly detailed essays about the show's first three seasons and comprehensive episode recaps of seasons one and two. Essays are contributed by reputed authors George Pelec
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Nov 02, 2007
Kevin
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I'm a ravenous fan of the HBO series, The Wire, and there's no reason why people should continue to not watch this show. Three seasons are on DVD already, and now this companion book. I picked this one up in a bargain bin. There because its such a niche book that I'm sure it probably only sold well in Baltimore itself. But if you like the show, it's fascinating to learn about all the real life Omars and Prop Joes and superhero lesbian homicide detectives, etc. But, anyway, just watch the show, a
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Feb 17, 2010
Chris
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 28, 2011
Derek
rated it: 
Not bad but you can't escape a feeling of exploitativeness, and the fact that 25% of the book is index and other tables, cast and crew lists etc, hardly helps. A lot of the writing is pretty lazy. It's acceptable - in context - for The Wire to be full of swear words but not acceptable for this book to be e.g. an episode summary which refers to someone having "fucked up". Just bad writing Mr Alvarez. The interviews and trivia are entertaining enough and there's some good illustrations/p
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Aug 24, 2011
Graham
rated it:
A great read for anyone who was into The Wire as much as I was. Written around a synopsis of the complete five series, it contains a wealth of additional background about the writers, producers, directors but, most especially about the actors and the characters that they play.
Some, like Felicia Pearson (Snoop), came from the very streets where their characters live their lives. Her life story could have been told in The Wire and would not have looked out of place. In doing so her life was turn More...
Some, like Felicia Pearson (Snoop), came from the very streets where their characters live their lives. Her life story could have been told in The Wire and would not have looked out of place. In doing so her life was turn More...
Mar 15, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
"Arguably the greatest television show ever made" - Daily Telegraph.
Fun fact: The worst argument that my boyfriend and I have ever had revolved around just that statement. Having not seen The Wire he argued that Six Feet Under deserved this title. He's wrong.
Comprising of season overviews, full episode guides, articles on major characters and themes, with further background on the political and social reality that informed and influenced the series, this book has be More...
Fun fact: The worst argument that my boyfriend and I have ever had revolved around just that statement. Having not seen The Wire he argued that Six Feet Under deserved this title. He's wrong.
Comprising of season overviews, full episode guides, articles on major characters and themes, with further background on the political and social reality that informed and influenced the series, this book has be More...
Jul 26, 2010
John
rated it:
This book is all about "The Wire", 60 hours of TV spread over 5 years that is, as many before me have said: "The best story ever put on film." It is about inner-city Baltimore the same way "Moby Dick" is about whaling. It looks at drugs, police, docks, politics, schools, journalism, and race in America top to bottom and side to side, with an authenticity, integrity, detail, depth, and bloody honesty usually only associated with the greatest literature. It's as if Ch
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Jan 11, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
For fans of The Wire. A good companion to the series which offers some useful insights and background. I would however say that the episode guide is not a patch on the corresponding wikipedia entries. It has however prompted me to start watching the entire series yet again on DVD. This edition of the book covers all 5 seasons. From an aesthetic point of view, it would have been better if there were more colour plates as the numerous half-tones used in the text tend to give the book a slightly ch
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Dec 16, 2009
bryan
rated it:
The Wire is over. Long live The Wire.
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May 12, 2010
Jimboninja
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I really enjoyed reading this book, but that's because I loved the show. The book makes it clear how much depth of thought was put into the show and its season by season themes, and its interesting to learn more about the lives of the writers.
The episode guide was a bit brief at times, but if it had been comprehensive the book would have been 3000 pages! If you know the show well, it would be interesting to skip the episode descriptions and just read the contributed pieces from fans More...
The episode guide was a bit brief at times, but if it had been comprehensive the book would have been 3000 pages! If you know the show well, it would be interesting to skip the episode descriptions and just read the contributed pieces from fans More...
Oct 14, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
Anyone who describes TV as "the cathode-ray glow of our national campfire," as David Simon does, deserves a medal in my book.
Here's all the special features missing from the boxed set of The Wire.
It confirms what I've long suspected: "Wendell Pierce is so good at portraying the Baltimore City homicide detetective on which his character is based that The Wire credits might read, 'Starring "The Bunk" as Himself.'"
A fifteen-year vete More...
Here's all the special features missing from the boxed set of The Wire.
It confirms what I've long suspected: "Wendell Pierce is so good at portraying the Baltimore City homicide detetective on which his character is based that The Wire credits might read, 'Starring "The Bunk" as Himself.'"
A fifteen-year vete More...
Jan 19, 2010
More than just an episode guide - although what an episode guide - this features articles, interviews and overviews of characters, themes, social context and just about everything a Wire obsessive could want. Love the anecdote about President Obama on his first official overseas visit giving a speech in Prague, stopping and pointing to a person in the audience he recognises; "My man Bubbles from The Wire" he says to an astonished Andre Royo who was in town filming and took time off to
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Jan 30, 2011
Ann
rated it:
I finished watching The Wire about a year ago, and came upon this book when I saw it had been nominated for an Edgar Award. It was great re-living the whole series, and I read the book in about 3-4 days. Watching the series was interesting to see the gradual build of each seasons' plot, but reading it all at once like this allows you to see the overarching themes of the entire series.
You can watch and rewatch the episodes, but once you're done, this is a good bonus to get your "
You can watch and rewatch the episodes, but once you're done, this is a good bonus to get your "
Apr 26, 2011
Doug
rated it:
Not a good book but the best of the 3 I've read on "The Wire". The essays by David Simon provide fascinating insight on the personality and mentality that created such a great series. Most of the content is pretty lame but I still enjoyed reading blow-by-blow, episode-by-episode accounts of all five seasons. There's also some good background and trivia sprinkled throughout the book.
I've read three books on "The Wire" so far. All were mediocre to bad books but I More...
I've read three books on "The Wire" so far. All were mediocre to bad books but I More...
Oct 01, 2009
Melisa
rated it:
AWESOME!!!
Loved this book. I want to read everything there is on the behind-the-scenes wire stuff. LOVED the casting stories and the shooting information. I wanted more, goddammit. more interviews with cast and crew, more info on baltimore shennanigans, more production stories. MORE OMAR. would of liked more interviews with the rotating directors they had and more from the writers room. the ending sucked, it was all about a producer who died during filming, which is a tragic loss but More...
Loved this book. I want to read everything there is on the behind-the-scenes wire stuff. LOVED the casting stories and the shooting information. I wanted more, goddammit. more interviews with cast and crew, more info on baltimore shennanigans, more production stories. MORE OMAR. would of liked more interviews with the rotating directors they had and more from the writers room. the ending sucked, it was all about a producer who died during filming, which is a tragic loss but More...
Feb 10, 2012
Matt
rated it:
A nice companion to the series, chock full of essays providing background on both the production of the show, the motivation of the creators, and the real life stories that provided the basis for much of the characters and plot. I skipped over the episode guid since I've seen all the episodes.
Sep 01, 2010
Helen
rated it:
This is a thick (600 page) 'guide book' that takes the reader behind the scenes of the TV series The Wire with articles about the show and its cast and creatives, character studies, photos, cast lists, a glossary and even a fold-out map of Baltimore. Brilliant.
Mar 08, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Includes analysis of themes, plots, and characters. Also includes episode-by-episode account of each episode. If you're into "The Wire", this is perfect for you!
Aug 16, 2010
Josh
rated it:
Great companion to the series, and the essays and interviews make it far more than an episode guide. A word of warning - there are multiple editions of this book, so if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to The Wire make sure you get the most recent edition, which covers all five seasons.
May 20, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
it only goes through season 2, with some preview info on season 3. Good background and discussion of the series up to that point, though.
Jun 02, 2009
Sue
rated it:
The Wire was one of the best series ever on tv. This tells how they did it with such brilliance and integrity.
Apr 12, 2008
Amy
rated it:
Used this book a lot in my thesis. I can't say I'd necessarily recommend it unless you, too, are writing about The Wire, since (if you're into the show) you could pretty much learn everything in here on the internet - with the exception, maybe, of the interview with Melvin Williams. Also, there's some interesting info about The Wire's production and Baltimore that you could get hints of on the internet, but not with the same depth. There are also episode guides, but Wikipedia has episode guides
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Nov 06, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
A brilliant accompaniment to the The Wire series, goes up to series 5, excellent read.
Jan 07, 2011
Londonbackpacker
rated it:
If you enjoyed The Wire TV series then this book gives the story behind the story.
Oct 25, 2011
Sonia
rated it:
Even if you didn't watch the series (although if you did miss it you missed the best series ever on HBO)this is a great read. So much background info on the actors and the show. Sure Baltimore was not shown in the best light but the Wire doesn't just use urban suffering as entertainment and then let you off the hook to go on with your life while the body count continues to go up in the real projects. In the Wire these deaths go on and are so commonplace. But the show goes beyond this, that thes
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Jun 29, 2010
Lou
rated it:
Nothing really special here, but more extrapolation by David Simon about the themes and goals of the Wire, easily the best show on TV and required viewing...
Rereading the new edition- still some weird parts in the episode write-ups, and a couple of weird things in the interviews (someone was surprised when d'angelo was murdered b/c they thought he was going to be the new kingpin? really?), but some of the other features about characters and people writing and working for the show were More...
Rereading the new edition- still some weird parts in the episode write-ups, and a couple of weird things in the interviews (someone was surprised when d'angelo was murdered b/c they thought he was going to be the new kingpin? really?), but some of the other features about characters and people writing and working for the show were More...
Nov 09, 2010
Brian
rated it:
What a wonderful episode guide, and so much more. Now I want to watch the series again, with a little more insight behind my belt. Aw-Ite?
Sep 08, 2008
Steve
rated it:
We're currently re-watching the series, and we're only a few episodes into season three so this was perfect. The episode synopses weren't very useful, but I liked all the background information I didn't know before about things like scouting locations, actors, real-world analogues, etc. I'd love it if there was a follow-up book that covered the same territory with the final three seasons.
