Days of Our Lives: The Complete Family Album

Rating:
Summary: A bad re-count of an excellent soap
Review: Although "Days of our Lives" is the great epitome of a soap opera made in great style and with lots of good taste and an intriguing plot-line, the book does not do it justice. If, like myself, you are purchasing the book to see what went on in Salem all those years you didn't even know it existed, don't do it. Half of the book is dedicated to the re-telling of the story-line, but it's poorly done, and you get lost after the third page. Of course you will pick-up bits and pieces here and there, but that's all. The narration jumps from one character to the next one without any correlation, and you end up wondering what happened to all these people and where they went when they aren't mentioned any longer. (In this sense, I have a question to the author: whatever happened to Kayla Brady?). The parts that are interesting are the ones that have to do with interviews to the present cast, how it is like a normal day in the set, interviews with the producers, etc. There is also the most complete Cast List, with the years and different actors that played each character; as well as a tribute-biography of the "patriarch" McDonald Carey (Dr. Tom Horton). Finally, you can also buy this book for its photographs, which are good, but not lavish. The design is a bit out of fashion for my taste. I guess if we are to have a memento of "Days" we can always get this volume, but if you have a chance, keep looking.

Rating:
Summary: Days of Our Lives book review
Review: I got the 30th anniversary book because I've only been watching Days for a few years and wanted to know the backstories. I was very impressed. It gave very detailed information and the photos were wonderful!

The only problemm I have with it is that it ran a little long in places. What I mean is, a paragraph could go on forever, which made it easy to lose my place. But I really recommend this book to newbies who'd like to know more about the history of this great show!

Rating:
Summary: A TREASURE FOR DAYS OF OUR LIVES FANS
Review: If you are a fan of the long running soap, Days of Our Lives, then this book will take you back in time to when the soap first aired with full detailed descriptions of plots. Since this book was published a few years ago, there isn't information on the most recent storylines, but it does provide background of characters who remain on the show today. Complete with interviews, wedding photos and information on some of the most amazing families in the soap (such as the Bradys and Hortons), you will discover some things you may never have known about this hit daytime show.

Rating:
Summary: A TREASURE FOR DAYS OF OUR LIVES FANS
Review: If you are a fan of the long running soap, Days of Our Lives, then this book will take you back in time to when the soap first aired with full detailed descriptions of plots. Since this book was published a few years ago, there isn't information on the most recent storylines, but it does provide background of characters who remain on the show today. Complete with interviews, wedding photos and information on some of the most amazing families in the soap (such as the Bradys and Hortons), you will discover some things you may never have known about this hit daytime show.

Rating:
Summary: Recaps from the entire show
Review: If you've just started watching Days or have even been watching for years, this book has recaps of all the storylines. Broken down in yearly segments, it covers all the important events that occurred each year from the begining in 1966 to 1996. It even has all the marriages, bad girls, and a complete cast list of everyone who was ever on the show during those 30 years. Color photos bring back great memories or vivid imaginations of the show's history. It's a great way to catch up on what's happening now or to clear up confusion on past plots.

Rating:
Summary: A Must for any DOOL fan
Review: Nice pictures, backstage stuff, and actor interviews, but bad synopsis... too confusing and missing a lot of details. Check out Dustin's Days Page and Beth's Days Page for full, well-written Days history.

Rating:
Summary: A Blast to The Past!
Review: Now this book is a must have DEFINATELY! It will take you back to thepast with a person to person history of all the tribulations eachperson has gone through and how they came to Salem. I can tell you that this book can take you back WAY back. From reminicing a specific wedding, death of a hated villian, to the birth of a child. This is a book you'd definately want to read while curled up around the fireplace eating some Bon Bons and sipping on some cappacino.

Let me know what you think! VOTE! END

Rating:
Summary: OK, but could have been a lot better...
Review: This book left plenty to be desired by diehard DAYS fans like myself. This is a true coffee- table tome in every sense of the word, a book that relies on pictures and a pretty layout but which is really threadbare underneath.

The main section of the book is devoted to a long recapitulation of the entire storyline from 1965 to 1995. The first fifteen years or so are nicely done, well-written, with meticulous attention to character and plot details. But once the '80s hits, the storyline deteriorates into a wretchedly incoherent mess, confusing, muddled, and extremely lackluster as far as the quality of the writing is concerned. It makes a poor reading experience.

The other sections are alright, although I have many complaints. The Families sections leaves many of Salem's family trees out, and gives only the faintest details about those it does cover. More couples could have been included in the Lovers section, with more pictures as well. And the Villains/Villainesses section is grossly inadequate.

This is an interesting book to fans of DAYS, but it is highly unsatisfactory in many areas. There are not nearly enough photographs; the prose is unsmooth and choppy; and the font in which the book was printed becomes annoying after a while. In short, it makes me wish I were a fan of ALL MY CHILDREN or GENERAL HOSPITAL, because Gary Warner has produced some superbly lavish books on those soaps. When will the definitive DAYS album be written?...sigh...