Rating: 
Summary: Where's a Steve McGarrett when you need him?
Review: Although a fan of the gritty "realism" of the current cop shows like "NYPD," "Law & Order," and the late-lamented "Homicide: Life on the Streets," I still get excited when I think about the 12 years that I spent "hooked" on the police tactics of one Steve McGarrett and his crack team of detectives. No show, before or since, had such a look and sound. The music, the scenery, the guest performers, story synopses, Jack Lord's hair, and Wo Fat are all lovingly included in this chronicle. At a little over 300 pages the book brings to the light many interesting tid-bits about the production of this long-running cop show. It is for fans and television historians that this book is intended and it does its task marvelously. A well-researched and entertaining critique!
Rating:
Summary: Where's a Steve McGarrett when you need him?
Review: Although a fan of the gritty "realism" of the current cop shows like "NYPD," "Law & Order," and the late-lamented "Homicide: Life on the Streets," I still get excited when I think about the 12 years that I spent "hooked" on the police tactics of one Steve McGarrett and his crack team of detectives. No show, before or since, had such a look and sound. The music, the scenery, the guest performers, story synopses, Jack Lord's hair, and Wo Fat are all lovingly included in this chronicle. At a little over 300 pages the book brings to the light many interesting tid-bits about the production of this long-running cop show. It is for fans and television historians that this book is intended and it does its task marvelously. A well-researched and entertaining critique!
Rating: 
Summary: "Booking Five-O" is invaluable for the Five-O fan.
Review: As a long-time fan of Steve McGarrett and his Five-O crew, I had high expectations for "Booking Hawaii Five-O." I was not disappointed. Karen Rhodes has written a well-researched history of the show and its episodes. My copy will no doubt be well-thumbed in no time.The introductory chapters are insightful, placing "Hawaii Five-O" in the context of its times and analyzing its place in the police drama genre. Introductions to each season's episodes give the reader a behind-the-scenes look. I especially enjoyed the insights into the makeup of the cast and the demographics that made the show the longest running police drama in television history. I also enjoyed the book's short essays on topics ranging from McGarrett's car to the role of food on the series. The book's usefulness as a reference guide to the show is highlighted by an extensive index.A comprehensive episode guide provides critical analysis, rather than just opinion, for each episode. Both the episode guide and the book as a whole are invaluable for the Five-O fan."Booking Hawaii Five-O" is not (I hope) the last word on the series, as "Hawaii Five-O" still awaits a splashy pictorial treatment by the commercial press. Karen Rhodes has written a long-overdue and valuable reference for fans, critics, and students of television
Rating:
Summary: Overall, an excellent review for countless Five-O fans
Review: As an avid Five-O fan for much of my life, I believe that this book was enormously successful in keeping Jack Lord's legacy alive for the next generation.
Rating: 
Summary: Sadly, I cannot recommend this book.
Review: I found Booking Hawaii Five-O very interesting and informative. I too wish there had been some interviews with the main actors. That would have added to the value of the book. More photos could have been used also. I liked the summary of each episode and little insights into each story and some of the actors. It is surprising that more hasn't been written about Hawaii Five-O since it was the longest running police show in TV history (12 years). Periodic reunions of the cast of Hawaii Five-O are held. The last one that I know of was in 1996 held both in Los Angeles and Honolulu. James MacArthur was in attendance at both locations as was Herman Weidemeyer and others. The reunion was open to the general public for a nominal fee. I would like to know when the next reunion is going to be. MacArthur is 58 years old and lives in Palm Desert, CA near Palm Springs. Both Jack Lord and Richard Denning died in 1998. Kam Fong who played Chin Ho still lives in Hawaii. Hawaii Five-O memorabilia can be found at Bailey's Antique Shop at 517 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any fan of Hawaii Five-O
Review: I found Booking Hawaii Five-O very interesting and informative. I too wish there had been some interviews with the main actors. That would have added to the value of the book. More photos could have been used also. I liked the summary of each episode and little insights into each story and some of the actors. It is surprising that more hasn't been written about Hawaii Five-O since it was the longest running police show in TV history (12 years). Periodic reunions of the cast of Hawaii Five-O are held. The last one that I know of was in 1996 held both in Los Angeles and Honolulu. James MacArthur was in attendance at both locations as was Herman Weidemeyer and others. The reunion was open to the general public for a nominal fee. I would like to know when the next reunion is going to be. MacArthur is 58 years old and lives in Palm Desert, CA near Palm Springs. Both Jack Lord and Richard Denning died in 1998. Kam Fong who played Chin Ho still lives in Hawaii. Hawaii Five-O memorabilia can be found at Bailey's Antique Shop at 517 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI.
Rating:
Summary: Sadly, I cannot recommend this book.
Review: I have been a longtime Hawaii Five - O fan and was delighted to hear that someone had finally done an episode guide and critical review of the long running series. But, I'm sorry to say, this ain't it, folks. The author has already explained why she could not meet with the stars and crew for research on this book, making one wonder, frankly, why the publisher bought it. As an episode guide it is only so-so; most of the symposis are sketchy at best, assuming one already has a knowledge of all 12 years worth of episodes. The 'critical review' part of the book is primarily recitations of likes and dislikes by the author and her friends. Some are perfectly valid and some are unbelievably trivial. Note the thrashing the final episode Woe To Wo Fat receives. Although not a strong episode to begin with, the author totally misses the point to the ending - it's tongue in cheek! After 12 years, I think 5-0 was entitled to a laugh, especially when Wo pulls out the proverbial file while in jail. There is nothing in the book that cannot be gleaned by public resources, i.e. old magazine articles, Honolulu newspapers, etc. Perhaps the author had more sources than this - maybe these were the items 'deleted' by the publisher, but the end result is a rather bland, overpriced episode guide. Sorry, but Steve McGarrett & team deserved better than this!
Rating:
Summary: The very best in capturing the spirit of Hawaii Five-0
Review: I have read Karen's book Booking Hawaii Five-0 several times. To me captured the spirit of Hawaii Five-0 at its best and its worst. Her book gave me an insight to the characters and each episode was given a better meaning after watching it and reading her book. From one fan of Hawaii Five-0 I thank Karen for creating and writing this beautiful piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: This book is just a glorified episode guide.
Review: I was sad to get this book about something very near and dear to me, only to learn it's an episode guide with some information on the cast and creator added to taste.
I did learn things about Kam Fong and Zulu that I was not aware of, but as far as episode guides go, they're all over the 'net, some with better episode analysis.
I could feel better about this book if it didn't cost $45 (It's about a $10-15 on my value scale). For that money, I expect some interviewes with cast and crew and insights and stories. A major let down. Reads sort of like a thesis that really fails to take a look at the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Treasure Trove
Review: I'm glad I have this book - it's a handy resource when I need to find out if someone ever appeared on the series (though some of the names in the index are out of order - John Lennon, for example, who btw is not THE John Lennon) or in a particular episode. However, as an "episode guide," it's of limited usefulness; if you happen to remember each episode by name that's fine, but if you are reading one of these entries and trying to figure out if it's one you've seen, good luck. I was really hoping for a brief synopsis of each episode. That would make for a much bigger book, granted, but also a more useful one. We are talking about nearly 300 episodes here - some of us (and even historians) might need a little help. This might be excusable if the episode writeups were lighter on opinion and heavier on relevant information. "The Guarnerius Caper," for example, is the story of a Soviet violinist whose instrument is stolen, causing considerable diplomatic discomfort. Hawaii Five-O often did episodes about political relations with make-believe nations; this is one of the few episodes that acknowledges real-life politics: the Cold War. Is any of this mentioned in Rhodes's discussion of the episode? Sadly, no. Thus, as a "critical history," it is even more disappointing than the episode guide. It's a sketchy history at best, and reads more like a fan's personal memoir. Criticism is far more credible when the author tries to be objective; at times it seems Rhodes is writing a love poem to Steve McGarrett (and/or Jack Lord). She makes a catty remark about someone who quit the show to pursue other interests (Zulu wanted to do comedy), and editorializes on the worthlessness of basketball (the show was sometimes pre-empted by basketball during its original run). She also makes nonsensical observations. For example, she says it was a sad social comment that "The Child Stealers" passed up a healthy Asian boy in favor of a white one. Since neither of the kidnappers were Asian and they were trying to pass off the kidnapped children as their own, it wasn't sad - it was necessary.) Nevertheless, I do feel the book's a keeper. No one else has taken the time to compile a book like this, and it was sorely needed. While it comes up short both as an episode guide and as a critical history, it's still a good read. There are fewer photos than some of us would like (I'll look again, but I don't recall seeing any photos of Duke or Ben), but many of the photos are rarities, and that was a treat. Rhodes's enthusiasm leaves objectivity by the wayside, but it also gives the book a lively voice that makes you want to bask in the genius of one episode after another. The book was written with care and love, and it shows.
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