Rating: 
Summary: Singing the Praises of "The Sopranos: A Family History"
Review: "The Sopranos" is a landmark in the history of television. Themes and motifs previously avoided on the small screen are common fare on this exquisitely written series. In writing this book, Mr. Rucker has performed an act of extraordinary generosity appreciated by all fans of this weekly drama. My only criticism, however slight, is to echo the complaint of a fellow reviewer and neighbor of ex-President Clinton, Mr. James P. Finnegan from happy Chappaqua, NY. Like Mr. Finnegan, I felt that the ever-lucid writing of Jeffrey Wernick would have been better served in a longer introduction. This a paltry criticism based on a personal admiration for Mr. Wernick's eloquence. Nevertheless, this tome has my unqualified 5-star recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar, witty, and a great read
Review: A stellar examination of the past, present, and portents of "The Sopranos"! Wow! From the die-hard Soprano fans to all those interested schlumps, this book is the must-read needed on their bookself. An entertaining, voyeuristic, and compassionate look at the Sopranos' lives that mix reality and myth into a remarkable anthology of today's most famous mobster family. The show earned its Emmys and then some; the book compliments the show with its photos and commentary on what will become the most talked about series for years to come. In my opinion, there are only a handful of shows that truly deserve such an in-depth perspective as this one does- and this one hits the mark! Two enthusiastic thumbs up and a congratulations going toward the talented and witty writer, Allen Rucker, the only one who made this fantastic book possible for all Soprano aficionados to thoroughly enjoy. Rucker brings an unique standpoint to the Sopranos' family and lifestyle that I never knew existed. I hope he writes the next updated version! If not, "I have friends, you know!"
Rating:
Summary: Stellar, witty, and a great read
Review: A stellar examination of the past, present, and portents of "The Sopranos"! Wow! From the die-hard Soprano fans to all those interested schlumps, this book is the must-read needed on their bookself. An entertaining, voyeuristic, and compassionate look at the Sopranos' lives that mix reality and myth into a remarkable anthology of today's most famous mobster family. The show earned its Emmys and then some; the book compliments the show with its photos and commentary on what will become the most talked about series for years to come. In my opinion, there are only a handful of shows that truly deserve such an in-depth perspective as this one does- and this one hits the mark! Two enthusiastic thumbs up and a congratulations going toward the talented and witty writer, Allen Rucker, the only one who made this fantastic book possible for all Soprano aficionados to thoroughly enjoy. Rucker brings an unique standpoint to the Sopranos' family and lifestyle that I never knew existed. I hope he writes the next updated version! If not, "I have friends, you know!"
Rating:
Summary: Wernick's introduction sets the tone
Review: As a huge (pronounced "yooge") fan of "The Sopranos," I approached this book with some trepidation (pronounced "trepidation"). I've seen every episode at least three times and I've been known to start reciting lines from the show at business meetings and in Church. I worried that the book would be written by some doozybotts who didn't know nothing about the show. I was very surprised to find that, not only does Mr. Rucker know everything there is to know about "The Sopranos," he knows even more about the Sopranos. In other words -- if I've lost you -- he tells us stuff about the family that we haven't learned from the show. The book reads like a Mario Puzo novel in places and not at all like some trashy TV companion book. (I once read "Where the The Real Car 54 Is," allegedly written by Gunther Tooty, and it wasn't worth the paper it was written on.) My only complaint is that the introduction, by crime reporter extraordinaire Jeffrey Wernick, was not longer. That man has some insight! Buy the book today!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Was More Than I Expected!!
Review: As a huge fan of the Sopranos, I knew I HAD to have this book! And what a great book this is. This book is full of so many photos (mostly color but there are some black and white photos of Tony's early childhood), quotes from season one and season two, inside information, a mob talk dictionary, and much, much more! Read the letter that Peter Galani, AJ's school psychologist, wrote regarding AJ and his ADD. Read Meadow's online conversations and see a copy of her Discovery credit card bill. Read a rather interesting list of refuse items found in Tony and Carmela's trash collected by the feds. Read the letter that Joan wrote to help get Meadow admitted to Georgetown University. Read interviews, character profiles, in depth descriptions of the episodes of both season one and season two, FBI notes and official documents, and documents on Livia from Green Grove. This book is full of so much information and wonderful photographs--if you are a Sopranos fan, you MUST have this book! After reading it, you'll be saying to yourself Madonn'!!
Rating:
Summary: Soprano Bible
Review: I have been wanting this book since it came out a year or so ago. It did NOT disappoint. There is so much in this book that doesn't come from the show. I remember writing a thesis on this show in college, stating that the website actually becomes a supplement to the show and by doing this, it actually pulls the viewer into the show, breaking the fourth wall. This book does that times two. Are the Sopranos based on actual people? Is it truth or fiction? By the time you get done reading this, you won't care. This is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Could this be any cooler?
Review: I just got my updated copy of "The Sopranos, A Family History" by Allen Rucker and for sure Jeffrey Wernick is back to his old surveillance tricks. This updated version, which includes a 3 season guide, and totally new photos that haven't been seen before is a bargain for paperbacks. Priced at nearly half the price as the original, which I can't figure out why, since it has at least 40% more information that the original Family History book. This book is a definately must for all Sopranos Fans!
Rating:
Summary: It makes you feel like one of the Family!
Review: I loved this book. I poured over it so many times that I have just about worn it out. It has been like a Bible of sorts to me. Very interesting. Anyone who is a true Sopranoholic like I am will love this book. I just wish they would make an updated version of it. I am going to be so sorry to see the season end and just thinking about the series ending is too much for me to comprehend. Think of this book as one big Soprano History/Dictionary/Vocabulary book and that is what you can expect. Worth every cent.
Rating:
Summary: A Fortuitous Discovery
Review: I'm a big Opera fan, and my grandmother bought me this book because she thought it was about great Italian singers. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized this book was about the characters from a TV show focusing on the Mafia. I don't have a TV, so I'd never seen the "Sopranos" show. Reading about something I had no knowledge of, or interest in, seemed dumb at first, but I had the book so I thought "What the heck! I'll read it". Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It is a very entertaining read, and I would recommend it to anyone, even people with no TVs like me, who enjoy a fun book. Highly Recommended! (Note: I have since seen the show at a friend's house, and frankly I must say I liked the book better than the progam.)
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book
Review: This book is awesome. The author is a mafia expert and a Sopranos expert, and the combination works well. Some of the highlights include FBI files on the whole family as well as the full history on where the Soprano family fits into the crime world. As a Soprano junkie, this book represents the ultimite fix. This will keep you busy during the cold bleak off season. Buy this book!
|
