Rating: 
Summary: A great Book
Review: As a huge fan of 6 Feet Under, I was initially skeptical that this book could capture the poignant humor and eccentricity of the television series, but I have to say I was blown away. Every detail is here, from the physical production which begs the reader the exhume the book from it's plastic shell to the intimate details of the characters lives told in a variety of different mediums, from the instant Messenger correspondence between Billy and Claire to the Vietnam Letters between Ruth and Nathanial. I was really taken back by the level of detail. It was great fun to browse through the family snapshots of the Fishers, turning each page to reveal the most intimate details of their lives. I would have to say that my understanding of the characters was greatly enhanced. I have bought this book for several friends and they have all loved it too. And one more thing, I also wanted to say that I bought this book on Amazon and it arrived in perfect shape. I did not have a problem with marring or scratches like the reviewer above.
Rating:
Summary: this is a special book
Review: I am a huge fan of the show, so I wasn't expecting that the book could possibly measure up, but it's wonderful!! Anyone who loves the show as much as I do should go out and pick this up--it's a worthwhile investment.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, beautiful book for a brilliant, beautiful show!
Review: I just spent the past hour and a half reading the brand-new official book from HBO, "Six Feet Under: Better Living Through Death," and it is absolutely fantastic. Not only was it great fun to read, but it was the perfect SFU fix for us poor souls who still have six months to wait until the next season. The book is beautifully put together, and comes in a red and clear plastic case. The book itself is bound in a homemade style that gives it the feel of a family scrapbook, which is what it is meant to be. Unlike most TV tie-in books, this book does not have an episode guide, or any production material. Instead, it is a history of the Fisher family and friends, and, besides a foreward from Alan Ball at the beginning and a copyrights paper on the back, there is no indication in the book that is even about a TV show, which helps you even more feel like you've entered the world of Six Feet Under. This book has no behind-the-scenes information. Instead, you get some truly deep insight into all the characters of SFU and have a collection of things that no true hardcore fan of the show can miss, although I doubt someone less obsessed with the show would be as excited. Having watched every episode from the first night it aired, I was ecstatic to find all the amazing things in this book, such as Nathaniel and Ruth's marriage certificate, a chapter from "Nathaniel and Isabel," a chapter from "Charlotte: Light and Dark," the short story Claire submitted to the literary magazine about a girl who could make peoples' heads explode, a portion of the novel Brenda was working on, Nate and David's report cards, full-length IMs between Claire and Billy, letters written between Ruth and Bettina after Bettina left for Montana, letters David wrote to his pen pal when he was in elementary school, Claire's submission essay to LAC-Arts, a letter Lisa's psychiatrist had her write to herself in order to get over him, and much, much more. Reading it from cover to cover is kind of like a longer, more in-depth "Wake," very dream-like and metaphysical. You also gain much much more insight into the characters than we even had before. Best of all, the book was written by writers from the show and was edited and put together by Alan Ball, so not only is it official, but it was created by the same people who create the show, so this isn't just an empty promo tie-in, but a truly great piece of work from people who love the show and make the show. The artwork and pictures alone are beautiful, but the content is much better than any other television book I've seen. The first full half of the book is dedicated to the Fishers before we met them; the second half is Nathaniel, Sr.'s death and afterwards. I could not recommend this book enough. It would make a great Christmas present.
Rating:
Summary: You must buy this book!
Review: I received this book as a holiday gift and it's amazing. I have never seen a book with a cover like this, and it feels like something very special. The writing is so smart and so funny. Six Feet Under is my favorite show on television so I didn't think I could possibly like this book, but now that I have read it I see the show in a whole new way. Definitely buy this book for anyone who has ever seen this fantastic show.
Rating:
Summary: this is a beautiful book
Review: I was thrilled with this book. There is so much info crammed into it, and it is all so thoughtful and entertaining. Also, it makes a great gift for fans of the show. I bought it for several of my friends who are also SFU fans, and they all loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book by a Great Writer
Review: If you are a true die-hard fan of SFU, you must get this book! It let's us into the Fisher's lives, giving us a more intimate look at the character. The most fascinating was the excerpt from "Charlotte Light and Dark". I have nothing else to say but GET THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Better Life through Six Feet Under
Review: If you are a true die-hard fan of SFU, you must get this book! It let's us into the Fisher's lives, giving us a more intimate look at the character. The most fascinating was the excerpt from "Charlotte Light and Dark". I have nothing else to say but GET THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: McLuhan Was Right
Review: Much as I love the 6FU series, with its offbeat Alan Ball humor, intelligent scripts, beautifully fleshed-out characters and surprising editing, I was a little disappointed in the book.
I'm not sure what I expected. The strengths of the TV show are in the production; it's not the actors or sets which make it special but the way the show is assembled. It would be difficult therefore if not impossible to capture the unique flavor of the show in a non-moving medium.
The book tries mightily -- scrapbook entries from the characters' earlier lives, details of documents mentioned only in passing on the show, additional background on the family members and lots and lots of photos. But all this information strikes me as somewhat beside the point, because it's not the characters or the sets which make 6FU what it is. For dedicated 6FU fans the indulgence is a warm fuzzy experience, but it's not like experiencing ths show.
The elaborate packaging and kaleidoscopic content look for all the world like a Marshall McLuhan book -- whose message the book bears out.
Rating:
Summary: this book is awesome
Review: This book covers everything that I hoped it would, and more. I appreciate the design choices as well. That the book is so pleasing to look at makes the reading experience even more enjoyable. (I love the exposed spine--very clever.)
Perfect for people, like me, who can't get enough of the show.
Rating:
Summary: a fascinating read
Review: This book is as unpredictable and entertaining as the show. The best part about it is that you have no idea what to expect as you're going through, and you're never disappointed. I was fascinated by the content -- really couldn't put the book down. The amazing layout was yet another plus.
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