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Rating: Summary: Little to get excited over Review: Although this book does feature nifty multiple-choice questionnaires and some in-depth studies on various folklore and monsters featured in the Buffy episodes, the all gray, all black, all white pages are a bore to look at. I don't doubt that it was well-researched, but it's not quite extensive enough (unlike The Monster Book, which all Buffy fans should go get) to refer to nor interesting enough to give a second reading. It does well enough for an "unofficial" guide, but the lack of cast pictures or anything COLOR in general will lose fans used to the great pictures in official Buffy books like The Watcher's Guide. One thing I did find cool about this book was that it listed the rules of The Buffy Drinking Game, which should be fun to play if you are watching Seasons 1-3, because it still talks about Willow and Oz, Xander and Cordelia, etc. Overall, worth scanning through but not worth buying.
Rating: Summary: Explores the historical background behind BtVS episodes Review: Genge's book covers the first two seasons of BtVS. For each episode, there is a short description consisting of a few sentences, followed by an essay related (often tangentially) to the episode topic. A few examples:'The Pack' - The author argues that historically, witches were considered to be satanists, however unfashionable that argument might be today. 'I Robot' - an essay about real-life techopagans and the internet. 'Nightmares' - an essay about out-of-body experiences from the perspective of medical science. 'Some Assembly Required' - about 19th century grave-robbers in Britain. 'Halloween' - The author explains how Halloween, as we know it, actually began in the 1930s in the US! These essays are often interesting background material. However, readers will be severely disappointed if they're looking for a description of plots, character development, or the symbolism underlying the episodes. An additional difficulty is that the BtVS writers have played fast and loose with historical authenticity (to the extent that monsters have any historical roots at all). Just as Star Trek is a poor vehicle for learning about physics, BtVS does not hold up very well when treated as a documentary about medieval folklore and mythology.
Rating: Summary: Not the best Review: I have recently purchased this book, aswell as others. I have found that because it is unofficial it lacks in information and colour photo's. It does have questions - multiple choice - which can be fun. The Watcher's Guide - official is much better with cool info.
Rating: Summary: Not as good as the Watcher's Guides Review: On the one hand, this really isn't that bad of a companion volume to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series. By the standard of such things "The Buffy Chronicles" is clearly above average. The problem is that "The Watcher's Guide" is THE standard by which all such works should be judged. There are a few things you get from this one that aren't in the "official companion," and a true fan will not mind having both on their shelf. But if you only get one, this ain't it boys and girls.
Rating: Summary: Not as good as the Watcher's Guides Review: On the one hand, this really isn't that bad of a companion volume to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series. By the standard of such things "The Buffy Chronicles" is clearly above average. The problem is that "The Watcher's Guide" is THE standard by which all such works should be judged. There are a few things you get from this one that aren't in the "official companion," and a true fan will not mind having both on their shelf. But if you only get one, this ain't it boys and girls.
Rating: Summary: Stop the presses:Buffy Chronicles more than meets the eye Review: This book at first seems like one big episode guide but it is way more than that. Although it covers only the first and a half seasons of the series (its been around awhile longer than most other buffy books) it's still a joy to read because it manages to go deeper than just examining the episodes. What makes this book unique, is that you can tell the author really does her homework researching not only the show's engaging characters but the myths and legends upon which all Buffy/Whedon mythology are based on. Each episode is broken down into a short synopsis, which is basically a summary of the plot, just slightly longer than the blur you would find on your tv guide, and the long version which breaks down the episode with interesting facts. For example, the episode "I Robot, You Jane" has a detailed, insightful discussion of modern day pagans who find themselves comfortable with technology and internet chat rooms, in much the same way as the late Jenny Calendar did. There are also pictures, cast and guest star information, music from the show, bloopers, quotes and philosophies, and 150 fun trivia questions. You can imaging how informative the chapter based on the episode "Halloween" is. As a bonus, the book also boasts of some cool suggestions for what to do about those nagging re-runs and how to play the unofficial Buffy drinking game. It's a good buy.
Rating: Summary: A must have for Buffy fans. Review: This book is pretty good if you are looking for insight in the actual show such as what happend in this episode but if you're looking for hardcore info on buffy it's not here.I suggest to look at the Scene book on sarah to get more info on the actor.
Rating: Summary: Buffy Chronicles: the Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Review: UNOFFICIAL is right! Please don't even bother. This book contains nothing that a true Buffy fan doesn't already know. It has no real info on the show and some of the mythology and legends it talks about are in direct contradiction with the show's mythology. If you want an episode guide with lots of extras get the Watcher's Guide.
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