Rating: 
Summary: Had to have it
Review: "Law & Order: The Unofficial Companion" by Kevin Courrier and Susan Green is everything and more that previous reviewers have detailed. And because I'm a fan-addict, the show essentially has taken on a third life for me: The observations and analyses of participants on an L&O listserv made me look at the show with an altogether different eye. And now the companion has added yet another layer to the show, and it's almost like viewing the episodes for the first time. It's conciseness makes reading it as gratifying as viewing an L&O episode. I was, however, fatigued by the writers' instigated gossipy listserv thread alleging EADA Jack McKoy and ADA Claire Kincaid were doing each other. DA Adam Schiff would never let a case near a courtroom with such flimsy evidence as the book cites to support the assertion -- based solely on the writers' perceptions. (They detect sexually charged encounters out the wazoo.) And I'm no legal scholar, so I'm genuinely perplexed: Amazon.com's own review says the companion was written with "Law & Order" creator and Executive Producer Dick Wolf's cooperation. And he is the first person the writers acknowledge in their "thank yous." Yet, the cover disclaimer insists the book "has not been approved, licensed or authorized by any entity involved in creating and producing Law & Order, the TV series." There must be a legal distinction between "cooperation" and "approval, sanction and authorization," of which I'm simply ignorant. Anyway, I had to have the book. I'm glad I bought it, and I can't wait until the next update.
Rating: 
Summary: Required reading for any fan of this show
Review: Being an unofficial guide, I didn't think this would be anything beyond a "bound episode guide." But this book is far above that. All of the behind the scenes turmoil as well as the joys are revealed. A big thank you to the authors for such an outstanding effort!!
Rating: 
Summary: Valuable, interesting information, well researched, but . .
Review: Fans of Law and Order will find this book a valuable guide; the episode section of this book is great, listing the main stars, guest stars, crew, and production staff for each show.The narrative about the concept of the show -- how it came into being, who did what, etc. -- is lacking, however. The authors have chosen a thematic approach, short chapters on the main stars, guest stars, the executive producers, the theme song. The chapters are far too short. The interviews with cast are good, but the narrative holding it all together is kind of dull.
You'll find some great revelations in this book, especially about how the cast members, past and present, think about each other, but really you'll flip past most of that stuff to get to the episode guide. The book is now sorely out of date, missing more than two seasons of new episodes. I suggest you wait for an update.
Rating:
Summary: I love it!!!
Review: I absolutely love this book. It told me everything I needed to know about the show. The characters, the starts, the producers, the writers. It's a really good book, plus it's great for a Detective Logan fan like me!!
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Fan Guide
Review: I am, without a doubt, THE BIGGEST "Law & Order" fan. I've seen every episode at least three times and I can tell you about all the actors and characters. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the show until I was given this book for a birthday gift. That's when I REALLY started learning about my favorite television show. Aside from the actor/character profiles, pictures, and run-down of all the villians, there's also the ever helpful episode guide that gives you a rundown of every episode ever aired! What more could you possibly ask for? Well, how about all the juicy gossip that went on behind the scenes. All the backstabbing, fighting, and quarrelling amoung the stars and the show's producers/writers are aired out for everyone to read. There's also some really nice cast/actor pictures for your enjoyment. I took deep interest in the Chris Noth pictures (he's such a doll!). I totally recommend this book if, like me, you're a fan and you want to know EVERYTHING about the show. This book is a must-have for the ultimate "Law & Order" fan! Gennie Bailey-Rogers
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Fan Guide
Review: I am, without a doubt, THE BIGGEST "Law & Order" fan. I've seen every episode at least three times and I can tell you about all the actors and characters. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the show until I was given this book for a birthday gift. That's when I REALLY started learning about my favorite television show. Aside from the actor/character profiles, pictures, and run-down of all the villians, there's also the ever helpful episode guide that gives you a rundown of every episode ever aired! What more could you possibly ask for? Well, how about all the juicy gossip that went on behind the scenes. All the backstabbing, fighting, and quarrelling amoung the stars and the show's producers/writers are aired out for everyone to read. There's also some really nice cast/actor pictures for your enjoyment. I took deep interest in the Chris Noth pictures (he's such a doll!). I totally recommend this book if, like me, you're a fan and you want to know EVERYTHING about the show. This book is a must-have for the ultimate "Law & Order" fan! Gennie Bailey-Rogers
Rating:
Summary: A colossal compendium
Review: I have a debt of gratitude to this book and its authors. It provides a great wealth of information regarding the episode, the characters, a background of the show and many interesting tidbits and trivia-like facts. I only hope that an updated version comes out soon. In short, anyone who loves L&O needs this book!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!
Review: I JUST FINISHED READING THIS BOOK AND IT IS GREAT!!! IT REMINDED ME OF EPISODES I LIKED AND HAS ME LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING SOME OF THE ONES I HAVE MISSED ON A & E. IT'S NOT AS GOOD AS THE BOOK ON MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE (I DON'T REMEMBER WHO WROTE THAT ONE), BUT IT'S STILL PRETTY GOOD.
Rating:
Summary: Not that big an improvement over the 1st edition
Review: I keep this by my bedside so that I can look up each episode as I watch Law + Order every night on A&E. There needs to be an updated version, but until then this one will do. The writers have done their research but TRUE Law + Order fans will want more. This is the series that gives only the skimpiest of details about the main characters lives, and the book doesn't really add to our knowledge, it just compiles all the relevant facts about the character into one bundle, usually comprising about a paragraph. There are some unanswered questions, like why was the little guitar solo at the end of the opening theme dropped after a few seasons? It also fails to mention that this is the series that set the all time record for using apartment doormen and parking garage attendants as important sources of information. You could make a drinking game: when a valet or garage attendant gets shaken down by Lenny--bottoms up!
Rating:
Summary: A handy guide for Law + Order fans
Review: I keep this by my bedside so that I can look up each episode as I watch Law + Order every night on A&E. There needs to be an updated version, but until then this one will do. The writers have done their research but TRUE Law + Order fans will want more. This is the series that gives only the skimpiest of details about the main characters lives, and the book doesn't really add to our knowledge, it just compiles all the relevant facts about the character into one bundle, usually comprising about a paragraph. There are some unanswered questions, like why was the little guitar solo at the end of the opening theme dropped after a few seasons? It also fails to mention that this is the series that set the all time record for using apartment doormen and parking garage attendants as important sources of information. You could make a drinking game: when a valet or garage attendant gets shaken down by Lenny--bottoms up!
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