Rating: 
Summary: A Chat with the Actor behind one of TV's most Popular Series
Review: Reading this book is like having a personal chat with Patrick MacNee as he recounts his experiences while making the avengers series. He is unassuming and generous in praising his co-stars, and colleagues although he is critical of some people who were behind the scenes. Patrick downplayed his own capabilities and contribution to the series. Sure he had the support of many good female partners, but his own character was very integral to the series. Wild and outrageous ladies with this gentleman spy to balance the story. The author also reflects on how he might handled things differently with his co-stars, vis-a-vis the producers, if he could do it again. As an avengers fan, i always wondered why Diana Rigg did not stay for more than 2 seasons. I also thought that the Linda Thorson series was under-rated. Some answers are offered in this book and i am glad i read it. Though the stories were fantastic, and sometimes ludicrous, but it was a fun series to watch. I also think Patrick deserves a little more credit han he has given himself in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Behind the scenes.
Review: This admirable TV Series, "The avengers" has been always running somewhere since its first release, back in the sixties. It is also available on video. It is highly enjoyable. And one wants to know more about it and about the people who did it. This is what the book does, letting us on some important aspects that are behind the scenes that we watch with so much pleasure. Reading the book -and watching its magnificent pictures- it has struck me that the people who did the shows where not at all happy at the time, however smiling and care-free they look, beginning with Patrick MacNee himself and Diana Rigg. Apparently, they felt mistreated by the management, particularly Diana Rigg. And I don't like it very much that she has sometimes hinted that she did the series reluctantly or thinking that it was a minor work. She has never looked better or displayed a more wonderful personality than there, for all the Chejovs, Brechts or Shakespeares she has played on the stage. Of course, she was paid little for that. Instead, MacNee's agent -we learn in the book- was clever enough to secure a share of 2'5% for the actor. So "The Avengers" is still his bussiness, but not hers. This book is illustrative also of some of MacNee's personal concerns, including his recognition -that he didn't make before- that he felt strongly attracted for the women who played his partners, and how did his overtures fared in this respect. And MacNee confesses what he calls his "kinky" personality. In fact, the series is full of clues and hintings in this respect. It is one of the secrets of its success. Patrick MacNee is "The Avengers", although Diana Rigg set an unsurpassable standard as Miss Peel. The show worked also with Linda Thorson as it had worked and succeeded with Honor Blackman. That's why the film was such a failure. Fiennes is quite a different kind of man. He can't do what MacNee did. Maybe Kenneth Brannagh, among the younger, could. The book is very, very interesting and a "must" for any Avengers fan.
Rating:
Summary: Behind the scenes.
Review: This admirable TV Series, "The avengers" has been always running somewhere since its first release, back in the sixties. It is also available on video. It is highly enjoyable. And one wants to know more about it and about the people who did it. This is what the book does, letting us on some important aspects that are behind the scenes that we watch with so much pleasure. Reading the book -and watching its magnificent pictures- it has struck me that the people who did the shows where not at all happy at the time, however smiling and care-free they look, beginning with Patrick MacNee himself and Diana Rigg. Apparently, they felt mistreated by the management, particularly Diana Rigg. And I don't like it very much that she has sometimes hinted that she did the series reluctantly or thinking that it was a minor work. She has never looked better or displayed a more wonderful personality than there, for all the Chejovs, Brechts or Shakespeares she has played on the stage. Of course, she was paid little for that. Instead, MacNee's agent -we learn in the book- was clever enough to secure a share of 2'5% for the actor. So "The Avengers" is still his bussiness, but not hers. This book is illustrative also of some of MacNee's personal concerns, including his recognition -that he didn't make before- that he felt strongly attracted for the women who played his partners, and how did his overtures fared in this respect. And MacNee confesses what he calls his "kinky" personality. In fact, the series is full of clues and hintings in this respect. It is one of the secrets of its success. Patrick MacNee is "The Avengers", although Diana Rigg set an unsurpassable standard as Miss Peel. The show worked also with Linda Thorson as it had worked and succeeded with Honor Blackman. That's why the film was such a failure. Fiennes is quite a different kind of man. He can't do what MacNee did. Maybe Kenneth Brannagh, among the younger, could. The book is very, very interesting and a "must" for any Avengers fan.
Rating:
Summary: An Avengers Retrospective
Review: This is a "Must Have" if You are an Avengers Fan. The book focus mostly on Mr Mc.Nee history along the show from the begining to the end,included The New Avengers. It also includes a number of interviews to the different people involved in the show. Is like "The Biography of Mr Mc Nee". The photographs are great and it has plenty. Just a small complain:The book does not extend too much about the musical scores. But is a great book! Perhaps readers will be disapointed if they looking for an episode guide because that is not included. A detailed ep.guide can be founded in the other book of the Avengers "The Avenger Companion" But the two books does not repeat any information, so is great to have both and both complement each other.
Rating:
Summary: An Avengers Retrospective
Review: This is a "Must Have" if You are an Avengers Fan. The book focus mostly on Mr Mc.Nee history along the show from the begining to the end,included The New Avengers. It also includes a number of interviews to the different people involved in the show. Is like "The Biography of Mr Mc Nee". The photographs are great and it has plenty. Just a small complain:The book does not extend too much about the musical scores. But is a great book! Perhaps readers will be disapointed if they looking for an episode guide because that is not included. A detailed ep.guide can be founded in the other book of the Avengers "The Avenger Companion" But the two books does not repeat any information, so is great to have both and both complement each other.
Rating: 
Summary: What a very enjoyable book
Review: This is a good book. It is very good reading about that famous British import TV show. It is very insightful. I recommend this highly. Good reading!
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