Scan barcode
thechanelmuse's review
5.0
“David Simon: Everybody has an expectation that much of American television is about redemption and about affirmation. We were trying to make a show that was basically an argument of dissent. It was political dissent. It was saying our systems are not functioning. Our policies are incorrect. We're not going to find a way out of this unless we stand back and take stock and turn one hundred eighty degrees from what we've been doing, particularly in regard to the drug war and inequality that we were depicting.”
I thoroughly enjoyed taking this trip down memory lane and gaining more insight into the creative process, behind the scenes, intentions in the writing and visuals, the comparable direction of the show with what was transpiring in reality, as well as learning more oral history from everyone involved in my favorite series of all-time.
wintrovia's review
5.0
I loved The Wire on TV so this book was always going to be a treat. The oral history format is great as the author somehow got access to literally every key person involved in creating The Wire. There's loads of odd little stories about the production and the cast that I've been boring my wife with for days. I loved hearing about the passion and effort of everyone involved in making this groundbreaking TV series.
crochetchrisie's review
4.0
While binge-watching The Wire I saw this book was about to come out and I requested that my library get it. I'm glad I did.
The style was different than I'm used to - a series of interview quotes basically - but it flowed quite well.
Not all TV shows are interesting enough to warrant a book about them. The Wire definitely is. And this book adds another layer to the depth of The Wire.
The style was different than I'm used to - a series of interview quotes basically - but it flowed quite well.
Not all TV shows are interesting enough to warrant a book about them. The Wire definitely is. And this book adds another layer to the depth of The Wire.
sgordon00's review
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
i watched the wire for the first time while i was home during the pandemic. i made it through the first four seasons and while i already thought the show was one of the best i ever watched, i never made it around to the fifth season because i got busy with school and other things. this book was to look at the wire in the perspective of the people who were literally the show, from the creator to the cast with few to little parts. David Simon's belief in the show having an impact on people inspires me to believe in the work i will put out in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Blood, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Police brutality
bethechange_07's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great look back at The Wire using the voices of the folks who made it. I had HBO in college and friends would come over and watch it. It was great to hear the behind the scenes thoughts of the cast, writers, directors, and crew. It is amazing to know the show didn’t have a wide viewership or win an Emmy. It truly is one of the best shows ever made. I would give this book a solid 4.5/5.
smtenaglia's review
5.0
“All the sudden, The Wire became the show where there was a hierarchy. If you say you like The Wire, that means you like reading books. That means you give a f about the human race. It made you feel like you bettered yourself in the crowd.”- Andre Royo (Bubbles)
Incredible stories from the people who created the most important TV show we’ve seen.
Incredible stories from the people who created the most important TV show we’ve seen.