The Wire: The Complete Visual History


Book Description

Celebrate the greatest television show of all time with this definitive tribute to The Wire. Twenty years after its debut, HBO’s The Wire is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. This deluxe volume explores the creation and legacy of creator David Simon’s landmark series through exclusive interviews with Simon and his cast and crew, including Idris Elba, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Andre Royo, Jamie Hector, George Pelecanos, Ed Burns, and many more. The book also features commentary and essays from notable writers including New York Times bestselling author D. Watkins (The Beast Side: Living and Dying While Black in America). Illustrated with striking visuals from the show, including concept art and candid behind-the-scenes images, The Wire: The Complete Visual History, is the essential companion to a stone-cold television classic. HUNDREDS OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN PHOTOS: Discover an exclusive treasure trove of incredible photography and production art that tells the story of The Wire like never before. INTERVIEWS WITH CAST AND CREATORS: The visual story of The Wire is narrated by all-new interviews with creator David Simon and key cast and crew members, including Idris Elba, Wendell Pierce, Sonja Sohn, Felicia Pearson, Ed Burns, and more. EXCLUSIVE ESSAYS: Discover unique commentary on all five seasons of the show from leading commentators including Melanie McFarland, Eric Deggans, Siddhant Adlakha, and more. THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE: Comprehensive and unmatched in its depth, this prestige volume is the ultimate retrospective of the greatest television show of all time.




All the Pieces Matter


Book Description

"An oral history of HBO"s The Wire"--




The Wire and Philosophy


Book Description

By many accounts, HBO's The Wire was and remains the greatest and most important television drama of all time. Conceived by writers David Simon and ex-Baltimore homicide detective Ed Burns, this five-season, sixty-episode tour de force has raised the bar for compelling, intelligent television production. With each season addressing a different arena of life in the city of Baltimore, and each season's narratives tapping into those from previous seasons, The Wire was able to reveal the overlapping, criss-crossing, and colliding realities that shape--if not control--the people, institutions, and culture of the modern American city. The Wire and Philosophy celebrates this show's realism as well as its intellectual and philosophical clarity. Selected philosophers who are fans of The Wire tap into these conflicts and interconnections to expose the underlying philosophical issues and assumptions and pursue questions, such as, can cops really tell whether they are smarter than their perps? Or do they fall victim to intellectual vanity? Do individuals really have free will to resist the temptations--of gangs, of drugs, or corruption--that surround them? Is David Simon a modern-day Marx who sees capitalism leading ultimately to its own collapse, or is Baltimore's story uniquely its own?




The Wire


Book Description

'. . . All in the game.' West Baltimore Traditional THE WIRE has been widely hailed as the greatest television series of all time. It portrays the war of attrition between Baltimore's hardened police force and its drug dealers, and the blurring of good and evil, justice and injustice, right and wrong that happens every day as men and women struggle against the institutions they are bound up in. Over its five series it has built up a detailed, rich and layered portrait of Baltimore: from its corner boys touting dope and its dock workers facing extinction, through the strained education system and tainted halls of power, to the crumbling media establishment. Rafael Alvarez - a reporter, essayist and staff writer for the show - brings the reader inside this world, detailing many of the real-life incidents and personalities that have inspired the show's storylines and characters. Packed with photographs and featuring an introduction by series creator and executive producer David Simon, as well as essays by acclaimed authors George Pelecanos, Ed Burns, Richard Price, Laura Lippman and Denis Lehane, it covers all fives series in glorious detail.




The Sopranos: The Book


Book Description

The companion volume to a television show that has generated millions of die-hard viewers in its six seasons features more than 30 original interviews with the shows actors, producers, and guest stars, as well as behind-the-scenes looks at the sets and locations, a detailed episode guide, and more than 200 color photos, some never before seen.Hachette Book Group USA




Mirette on the High Wire


Book Description

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at a boardinghouse of the widow Gateau- a sad-faced stranger, who keeps to himself. When the widow's daughter, Mirette, discovers him crossing the courtyard on air, she begs him to teach her how he does it. But Mirette doesn't know that the stranger was once the Great Bellini- master wire-walker. Or that Bellini has been stopped by a terrible fear. And it is she who must teach him courage once again. Emily Arnold McCully's sweeping watercolor paintings carry the reader over the rooftops of nineteenth-century Paris and into an elegant, beautiful world of acrobats, jugglers, mimes, actors, and one gallant, resourceful little girl.




Difficult Men


Book Description

The 10th anniversary edition, now with a new preface by the author "A wonderfully smart, lively, and culturally astute survey." - The New York Times Book Review "Grand entertainment...fascinating for anyone curious about the perplexing miracles of how great television comes to be." - The Wall Street Journal "I love this book...It's the kind of thing I wish I'd been able to read in film school, back before such books existed." - Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and co-creator of Better Call Saul In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the landscape of television began an unprecedented transformation. While the networks continued to chase the lowest common denominator, a wave of new shows on cable channels dramatically stretched television’s narrative inventiveness, emotional resonance, and creative ambition. Combining deep reportage with critical analysis and historical context, Brett Martin recounts the rise and inner workings of this artistic watershed - a golden age of TV that continues to transform America's cultural landscape. Difficult Men features extensive interviews with all the major players - including David Chase (The Sopranos), David Simon and Ed Burns (The Wire), David Milch (NYPD Blue, Deadwood), Alan Ball (Six Feet Under), and Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) - and reveals how television became a truly significant and influential part of our culture.




The Sopranos: The Complete Visual History


Book Description

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Sopranos with this definitive and intimate portrait of one of the most groundbreaking television shows ever made. The Sopranos is widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Now, in honor of its 25th anniversary, this expansive volume explores the seminal series and the stories behind the stories through a plethora of photographs, archival materials, and exclusive one-on-one interviews with show creator, David Chase, key crewmembers, and cast, including Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Schirripa, and many more. Follow along as The Sopranos: The Complete Visual History takes you on a rich photographic journey through the trials and tribulations of T.V.’s most celebrated antihero, Tony Soprano, while he attempts to balance the responsibilities of domestic life and life in the “family”—all while suffering through panic attacks, a toxic mother, and a power-hungry uncle who would rather see him dead than Boss. Featuring an examination of the show’s influence on pop culture, a foreword by Rolling Stone’s chief television critic, Alan Sepinwall, and a touching tribute to the late James Gandolfini, The Sopranos: The Complete Visual History, is the ultimate companion to a television classic and required reading for serious fans of the show.




Ghostbusters


Book Description

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? The Ghostbusters saga has been thrilling fans around the world for over three decades, from the original movies to the animated shows, comics, video games, toys, and other collectibles. For the first time, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History takes a comprehensive look at the entire franchise, telling the complete story behind the creation of a true pop culture phenomenon. Beginning with an in-depth look at the original film, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History delves into the archives to showcase a wealth of never-before-seen concept art and photography that will take fans into the production of a true classic. Also featuring a large section on Ghostbusters II, the book brings together exclusive interviews with the key players from both films, including director Ivan Reitman; stars Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver; and producers Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck. The book also explores the creation of The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters animated shows, featuring interviews with the writers, animators, and voice artists, plus previously unseen sketches, animation cels, and other stunning visuals. With additional sections on Ghostbusters comics, video games, merchandise, and fandom, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on one of the most popular franchises of all time. ALSO INCLUDES INCREDIBLE SPECIAL ITEMS THAT WILL THRILL GHOSTBUSTERS FANS, INCLUDING: -Peter Venkman’s business card -Sedgewick Hotel storyboard booklet -Rare concept art sketches of ghostbusting gadgets -Stay Puft Marshmallow Man package sticker -Production notes -A schematic of the Gozer temple miniature Ghostbusters TM & © 2015 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.




Inspired Wire


Book Description

Be a live wire at the next party--with stunning wire jewelry * More than twenty beautiful projects * Comprehensive basics section with how-to photos * Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets; all presented in skill-building progression Wire jewelry can look complicated...but "Inspired Wire" makes it easy to create wonderful hand-formed precious metal and gemstone pieces. More than twenty beautiful projects are presented in skill-building progression, from creating basic wire links to forming more complex hand-shaped jewelry. Step-by-step instructions show exactly how to make the Cynthia's striking designs. With sophisticated yet minimalist jewelry projects, clear instructions, and how-to photographs, "Inspired Wire" helps beginners develop their skills and allows intermediate crafters to learn new techniques and gain a better understanding of wirework.