The Monster Book

Rating:
Summary: OK, but the watchers guidea 1 and 2 are better.
Review: Well this is a pretty good book, it tells you all about the evils on buffy but it lacks things. This is why you'd be better off with the watchers guides. They have monsters in and also episodes and cast bios. This it what the monster book lacks it should say loads more on the actors who play the monsters and how they like it. It should maybe also have the episodes which focus more on the monsters and what they do. Still, it's an average book and worth a read. Could stand to be a little cheaper though!

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive guide
Review: What's most striking about this book is that it can easily be read by both watchers of 'Buffy' and those that don't. It contains a comprehensive list of all of the monsters, vampires, werewolves and ghouls that make up the series's first four seasons. There's a closer look at the make-up and preparation that goes into each monster, with a step-by-step process of how the Gentlemen from landmark episode 'The Hush' were created. Amazing as this is though, the real interesting feature of the book is the explanation of why some monsters were used, their meanings in the series and what the episodes' writers think of the monsters. For instance, there is a brief interview with Jane Espenson that really lays bare the meaning of the demon from 'Gingerbread'.

What makes the book so accessible is the way in which it charts demons, vampires, ghosts, werewolves and the like through folklore, legend, literature and film. This is particularly interesting because it explains exactly how 'Buffy' has expanded on what went before it and how it has shown innovation in the entire genre. Another impressive aspect is how all-inclusive this backlog of information is, ranging from Vlad the Impaler to 'Interview With The Vampire' and including modern classics such as the 'Harry Potter' series and hit movie 'The Others'. Finally, although this book wins on many levels the fact that it is just so comprehensive make it a must-have guide.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive guide
Review: What's most striking about this book is that it can easily be read by both watchers of 'Buffy' and those that don't. It contains a comprehensive list of all of the monsters, vampires, werewolves and ghouls that make up the series's first four seasons. There's a closer look at the make-up and preparation that goes into each monster, with a step-by-step process of how the Gentlemen from landmark episode 'The Hush' were created. Amazing as this is though, the real interesting feature of the book is the explanation of why some monsters were used, their meanings in the series and what the episodes' writers think of the monsters. For instance, there is a brief interview with Jane Espenson that really lays bare the meaning of the demon from 'Gingerbread'.

What makes the book so accessible is the way in which it charts demons, vampires, ghosts, werewolves and the like through folklore, legend, literature and film. This is particularly interesting because it explains exactly how 'Buffy' has expanded on what went before it and how it has shown innovation in the entire genre. Another impressive aspect is how all-inclusive this backlog of information is, ranging from Vlad the Impaler to 'Interview With The Vampire' and including modern classics such as the 'Harry Potter' series and hit movie 'The Others'. Finally, although this book wins on many levels the fact that it is just so comprehensive make it a must-have guide.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Pop-Culture Reference Guide
Review: You don't have to be a fan of the T.V. series to find this book fascinating. What it really excels at is discussing the history of horror literature and cinema, tracing the origins and evolution of each variety of "monster" from popular folklore to its present-day incarnations.

Every major variety of monster - and a few subvarieties - are covered, from the classic vampires and werewolves and ghosts to more everyday human criminals, and everything imaginable in-between.

Film and literature students will find it even more invaluable a reference than fans of the popular series - I know I do, and I've written books of the type (Hollywood Vs. the Aliens).

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Pop-Culture Reference Guide
Review: You don't have to be a fan of the T.V. series to find this book fascinating. What it really excels at is discussing the history of horror literature and cinema, tracing the origins and evolution of each variety of "monster" from popular folklore to its present-day incarnations.

Every major variety of monster - and a few subvarieties - are covered, from the classic vampires and werewolves and ghosts to more everyday human criminals, and everything imaginable in-between.

Film and literature students will find it even more invaluable a reference than fans of the popular series - I know I do, and I've written books of the type (Hollywood Vs. the Aliens).