Rating: 
Summary: A great companion...but definately a second to the first
Review: I saw this book on the counter at B. Dalton's, as I was in line at the check-out, and put down two other books just so I'd have enough money to purchase it. I absolutely loved the first Watcher's Guide, and I just knew that this one was a must-have. I was even more excited to see that it was chunkier than the first as well. Well, chunkier isn't necessarily better. The reviews of all the episodes in seasons 3 and 4 are as good as ever, especially with the sidebars and the "quote of the week" and the "pop-culture I.Q" included in each. I just felt that the second guide lacked a bit everywhere else. I suppose it would be more difficult though to write new information/personal bios of the original/regular cast, seeing as how it was done so throroughly in the first guide, and so much was said about the "behind the scenes" action in the first guide it was difficult to really get into the same info in the new book. Still, a must have for any fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the talented people who are involved in all aspects of this show (including the novels and multimedia).
Rating:
Summary: Worth owning by any fan of the show
Review: I've just started reading the book but I can see that this is one that a fan needs to have. I wouldn't say it's a scholarly book but you'll find page after page of quotes, trivia, background information, just about anything you'd want. In just the short time I've been reading I've found several things I'd missed in spite of seeing the episodes six or more times.
Rating: 
Summary: The Agony and the Ecstasy
Review: If it was the end of Season 2 that made it clear that Joss Whedon's little fancy of a young Slayer and her doughty band of misfits was a force to be contended with, it was the following two seasons that demonstrated the ability of BTVS to baffle its critics and make original dramatic statements completely beyond the range of standard teen fare. Volume 2 of The Watcher's Guide is a giant concatenation of all that went into the making of those two years. From props to folks, and every kind of critter in between. This is the time when love blossoms and falls on its face - the spectacular Zander/Willow/Cordelia/Oz breakup playing counterpoint to the winding down of Buffy's relationship with Angel. Then graduation, college, the Initiative and even more strange relationship vibes. The appearance of Riley, Anya, and Tara. The repercussion of these two seasons are still echoing years later, so watching them and learning their backgrounds are required reading for the Buffy fanatic [in my case it's Willow fanatic] Partially, this is a repeat of Volume 1's style with more details, fewer quotes and a whole lot of interviews. Of course, it is quite a bit thicker. Some of which is explained by the presence of more glossy photos, but a major component is the writers' compulsive expenditure of energy on lengthy interviews. This is a good, not a bad. Moreover, very little is a rehash of the Volume 1 articles. One of my pet likes was the planning of all the staff interviews around the production of Episode 13 from Season 4, 'The I in Team.' It introduces all the people who never get on film, and provides a mini-lesson on what goes into the making of an episode. As I said, if you are going to be a fan you have to read these. So put down the stakes and rest in your coffins with a good book.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Buffy Guide
Review: In Series Three and Four of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' the show moved into a new dimension. The characters grew up before our eyes, new characters were introduced and the show cemented its place as one of the freshest most original pieces of sci-fi/fantasy television around. But why? Why was this show such a success? Why do millions of viewers around the world crowd around their TVs and take in the majesty that is 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'? You really want to know do you? Really? Then read this book. It really is the Buffy equivalent of the Bible. It goes into scary detail about plot, characters, cast and crew whilst dissecting each and every episode of Series Three and Four of Buffy into manageable bite size chunks. Not once in this book will you find any attempts to fill up page space with useless babble. The last third of the book is a fascinating look into the making of Season 4 episode 'The I in Team' with interviews with almost every person who makes Buffy a joy to watch. Make no mistake; this is one book that no Buffy fan, from casual watchers to Buffy crazed fanatics, should not be without.
Rating:
Summary: Bigger, Not Better, Buffy Companion
Review: In the second volume of "The Watcher's Guide," the companions to Joss Whedon's hit "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," one finds the chronicles of the third and fourth seasons of the hit show. While one finds more information and longer episode guides and cast interviews, this issue is not necessarily better. For example, it lacks its predecessor's finest component - a Monster Guide for Sunnydale villains, and focuses more on guest star interviews, such as with Elizabeth Anne Allen and Paige Moss, and less with actual star interviews. While one enjoys the lengthy episode summaries, it seems that this is not necessarily an improvment, despite how fun it is to pour over.
Rating:
Summary: The Chosen One
Review: In the third and fourth seasons of "Buffy", the characters changed and of course there'd need to be a new "Watcher's Guide" to accomodate the insatiable desire from fans more more Buffy! For some reason, I did not like "The Watcher's Guide, Part 2" as much as I liked the first edition. I did like the fact that they had a sypnopsis of every single episode, including music listings, filming locations, pop culture references, guest star bios, interviews...I guess the bad thing is that it lacked the originality of the first. Yet, you must have this if you're a Buffy fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Wow- -Unbelievably Bad
Review: Like the title says--Unbelievably Bad. Its an official companion to the show, and it sucks. Bit Me--An Unofficial Guide is so much better and much more worth the money. This is pretty much straightforward, spoiler packed, boring takes on the show and its characters. Bit Me, has interesting things about each episode, such as mistakes to look for, while this, just tells about each episode and goes on to the next. This has half page summaries of the characters, while Bite Me has sever pages per, including a summary of Buffy from the Movie to the planning of the show, all the way through the change of networks. i must say, this was one of the most worthless things I've ever bought.
Rating:
Summary: Good followup to the first
Review: Really liked this followup to the first two seasons. Us die hard Buffy fans waited a long time for this. There are of course other things that I would have loved to see in the book.(I tend to notice things that I wish I had seen when I am a huge fan. That is of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) It has a lot of great features that I am glad they included but I wish there had been a few more things in it. For example I would have loved if it had it included more behind the scene pics and more trivia from the show. But don't get me wrong...great book and a nessecity for die hard fans.
Rating:
Summary: Skip the synopses; the best stuff's at the end
Review: The editors do a good job of boiling down each episode into an easily digestible 2-page summary, but flip past all the synopses to get to the real reason for buying this guide. Nearly half the book is devoted to on-set and off-set interviews with just about everyone associated with the show--actors, writers, crew; even the greensman gets a 2-page spread. So if you're interested in finding out how "Buffy" operates behind the scenes--or just how TV shows in general function--then "The Watchers' Guide" is worth your while.
Rating:
Summary: A Lot At Stake In Volume 2
Review: The second "Watcher's Guide" for Buffy The Vampire Slayer has many of the same traits as the first one. Taking readers through the 3rd and 4th seasons, episode by episode, with interesting facts about all things Buffy. These shows saw real growth in the characters and some unexpected twists in the ongoing storylines. Author Nancy Holder, who co wrote the first guide, and her team do a fine follow up. Having said that, I still feel shafted a bit, by this book. The first guide included information about all of the monsters that appeared in those early years, now all of that stuff is gone, and can be found in a separate book. The powers that be could have at least made an effort to make a list of the creatures and slapped it on as a sidebar or an appendix. Even though the information is out there, the book still feels incomplete somehow, without it all being in one place. Other than that omission, the book follows the same format. The best parts of the book, for me, were the many pop culture references used in almost evert episode, and what goes into creating those season long storylines. Creator Joss Whedon and his staff certainly make Buffy (even today) a standout, even over more tried and true dramas like ER and The Practice. As a testament to the show's popularity, the book includes an entire section on merchandising and the varous websites that are out there on the net. The book has dozens of black and white photographs, and a few color photos as well, located in a special section. The 472 page book, may not be as " complete" as book one, in my opinion, but it's still a must own for any Buffy fan
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