Harmony: I'm not going to make the same mistakes you did. I'm doing my homework. Reading books and stuff. Spike: What, "Evil for Dummies"?

© Don Macnaughtan 2004

This bibliography covers some of the huge volume of print and electronic media that have been produced since 1997 on "Buffy" and "Angel." It includes books, articles, essays, primary materials such as scripts and dvds, websites, fiction, games, and many other manifestations of the Buffyverse canon.

Books

In this section...


• Encyclopedias/Databases
  
• Academic Books
  
• Reference and Companion Guides
  
• Cookbook



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Encyclopedias


The Encyclopedia of Buffy Studies. Ed. David Lavery and Rhonda V. Wilcox. 2004. www.slayage.tv/EBS



"Angel." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2004. en.wikipedia.org.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer." IMDb: The Internet Movie database. 2004. imdb.com.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2004. en.wikipedia.org.

"Buffyverse-related Topics." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 2004. en.wikipedia.org.

Ross, Sharon. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The Encyclopedia of Television. 2d ed. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn, 2004. 358-360.

WikiProject Buffy. 2005. en.wikipedia.org.

Wikia Buffy. 2005. www.wikia.com.



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Academic Books


Abbott, Stacey, ed. Reading Angel: The TV Spin-off with a Soul. I. B. Tauris, 2005. 256p.


"Although Buffy the Vampire Slayer generally garners more media attention than its spin-off, Angel, editor Abbott and the contributors to this collection decided it was time to bring the show about the vampire with a soul out of its predecessor's shadow. The collection takes a look at everything from Angel's setting to the evolution of the show's characters and the series' untimely end. Phil Colvin's essay looks at the character of Faith, the rogue slayer who was Buffy's nemesis, and how her appearances on Angel actually helped set the show apart from Buffy, as both Angel and Faith evolved beyond their roles on the parent show. Stan Beeler's contribution addresses the character of Lorne, who as a performer was a microcosm of Los Angeles' entertainment industry, while Michaela D. E. Meyer examines the transformation of Gunn, the series' only African American regular. Jennifer Stoy analyzes the noir elements of the relationship between hero Wesley and femme fatale Lilah. Angel fans who are still mourning the loss of the series won't want to miss this smart, engaging compilation." - - Booklist

Adams, Michael, and Jane Espenson. Slayer Slang. Oxford University Press, 2003. 320p.


"In its seven years on television, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has earned critical acclaim and a massive cult following among teen viewers. One of the most distinguishing features of the program is the innovative way the show's writers play with language: fabricating new words, morphing existing ones, and throwing usage on its head. The result has been a strikingly resonant lexicon that reflects the power of both youth culture and television in the evolution of American slang. Using the show to illustrate how new slang is formed, transformed, and transmitted, Slayer Slang is one of those rare books that combines a serious explanation of a pop culture phenomena with an engrossing read for fans of the show, word geeks, and language professionals. Michael Adams begins his book with a synopsis of the program's history and a defense of ephemeral language. He then moves to the main body of the work: a detailed glossary of slayer slang, annotated with actual dialogue and recorded the style accepted by the American Dialect Society. The book concludes with a bibliography and a lengthy index, a guide to sources (novels based on the show, magazine articles about the show, and language culled from the official posting board) and an appendix of slang-making suffixes. Introduced by Jane Espenson, one of the show's most inventive writers (and herself a linguist), Slayer Slang offers a quintessential example of contemporary youth culture serving as a vehicle for slang. In the tradition of The Physics of Star Trek, Slayer Slang is one of those rare books that offers a serious examination of a TV cult phenomenon appealing to fans and thinkers alike."

Battis, Jes. Blood Relations: Chosen Families in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. McFarland, 2005. 190p.

Billson, Anne. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. British Film Institute, 2005. 190p.


'In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.' Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for seven seasons, from 1997 to 2003, and in that time revolutionised American TV. Created (and often written and directed) by Joss Whedon, author of the 1992 movie of the same name, this was a television series which single-handedly reinvented the high-school genre, splicing it with action, comedy and the supernatural and captivating its core teenage audience while providing enough formal experimentation, existential reflection and above all pitch-perfect writing and acting to extend the show's appeal to viewers of all ages.

Series by series, Anne Billson unravels the magic of Buffy, examining the Slayer's antecedents and influences and exploring how, in a broadcasting environment inimical to long-running series, Whedon and his collaborators were able to push the outside of the envelope, take so many risks and create a fully realised mythology in which the fantasy elements are underpinned by an emotional honesty that beings fresh relevance to the age-old story of the struggle between Good and Evil. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a superheroine for our times: an all-in-one role model, icon and iconoclast. Not only that, but she's funny as well. Television would never be the same again."

Cordesman, Anthony H. Biological Warfare and the Buffy Paradigm. Research report. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2001. (pdf document)

Early, Frances, and Kathleen Kennedy, ed. Athena's Daughters: Television's New Women Warriors. Syracuse University Press, 2003. 192p.

Helford, Elyce Rae., ed. Fantasy Girls: Gender in the New Universe of Science Fiction and Fantasy Television. Rowman and Littlefield, 2000. 273p.

Inness, Sherrie A., ed. Action Chicks: New Images of Tough Women in Popular Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. 304p.

Jowett, Lorna. Sex and the Slayer: A Gender Studies Primer for the Buffy Fan. Wesleyan UP, 2005. 241p.

Kaveney, Roz., ed. Reading the Vampire Slayer: An Unofficial Critical Companion to Buffy and Angel. Tauris Park Paperbacks, 2001. 271p.

Kaveney, Roz., ed. Reading the Vampire Slayer: An Unofficial Critical Companion to Buffy and Angel. 2nd ed. Tauris Park Paperbacks, 2004. 288p.

Maio, Barbara Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Rome: Cinematografia, 2004. 200p.


"La collana Fiction TV, curata da Barbara Maio, nasce con lo scopo di esaminare a fondo il panorama della fiction televisiva, argomento tanto presente negli studi anglosassoni quanto trascurato in Italia. Il taglio scelto Ë quello di testi adatti ad un pubblico di studiosi che abbiano voglia di approfondire la conoscenza di alcune serie televisive o di argomenti monotematici relativi alla televisione, ma anche di libri indirizzati al semplice appassionato che puÚ trovare uno stimolo nuovo nellíessere spettatore."

Pohl-Weary, Emily, ed. Girls Who Bite Back: Witches, Mutants, Slayers and Freaks. Sumach Press, 2004. 360p.

Riess, Jana. What Would Buffy Do?: The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide. Jossey-Bass, 2004. 183p.


"A bubbly blonde sporting black leather and whomping vampires hardly seems a spiritual paragon, but the title character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the occult classic that aired from 1997 to 2003, is just that, argues Riess, PW's religion book review editor and a dedicated Slayer fan. Although the show is ambivalent about God's existence and ostensibly secular, it "offers a deep spiritual core that is based in ethical behavior." A "spiritually eclectic" canon on forgiveness, compassion, love, self-sacrifice and redemption guide the slayer and her friends in their battles with evil (supernatural, internal or otherwise), says Riess. Playing off the Christian youth mantra "What would Jesus do?" (which the show also pokes fun at in an episode where Xander tells Buffy, "When it's dark and I'm all alone, and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?' "), Riess dissects the show's moral message according to three themes: personal spirituality, companions (friends and family) and saving the world. Sidebar quotes from prophets, philosophers and poets echo each chapter's spiritual lesson. On self-sacrifice, for example, Riess includes St. Francis's prayer for peace, and on embracing change, she refers to the Qur'an's message about change coming from within a person. This analysis, like the show, never gets mired down in too much seriousness and will add a new dimension to how both fans and critics view the popular series."

South, James B., ed. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale. Open Court Publishing, 2003. 288p.


"Dracula once said to Xander, 'You are strange and offputting,' and the same sentiment could be applied to this book. It is essentially written by philosophy professors for other philosophy professors who happen to be Buffy fans. After reading this book, any fan will gain a new appreciation for the depth of the writing in BtVS, but be forewarned: This is rough slogging. Among the 22 articles, some writers use BtVS to introduce the reader to philosophical concepts, but many of the writers assume they can throw around philosophers' names and that the reader will already be well-versed in the history of philosophy."

"The Buffyverse has more than a few key events, issues, and characters that deserve serious debate: Buffy's role as a Slayer and her relationship to society; Faith's dalliance with good and evil; Angel's path to redemption; Buffy's self-destructive relationship with Spike; Willow's transformation from mousy teenager to Big Bad; and the metaphor which is the basis for all of it. Each of these topics are addressed by multiple authors, from different philosophical perspectives, in Fear and Trembling."

Stevenson, Gregory. Televised Morality: The Case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hamilton Books, 2003. 299p.


"Although this book was written by a theology professor with an admittedly conservative Christian perspective, it's obvious to the reader that the author is a discerning fan of a fabulous television show (yes, I'm a fan too), a show that doesn't get the credit it deserves for presenting a highly moral viewpoint (in this case Judeo-Christian) to its audience. The author's stated point in writing the book was "to convince others of the complexity of moral discourse within popular culture" (p.261), and he certainly accomplishes that goal.

Professor Stevenson presents and then effectively counters many arguments against the merits of the show that have been advanced by naysayers who don't really "get" the overarching themes of the narrative, yet he doesn't shy away from criticizing "Buffy" when he deems it warranted, especially where matters of overt sexuality are concerned.

Stevenson has included the valuable perspectives of the creator, producers, and writers in describing their intentions when constructing individual shows and arcs, culling references from both print and online resources...

The author brings up so many cogent points and connections about and among the show's characters and themes (there were many times when this reviewer would think, "Hey, I never thought of that!") that, although I am far from a conservative Christian, the book was a joy to read for this "Buffy" fan." - Christopher Daniel.

Wilcox, Rhonda, and David Lavery, ed. Fighting the Forces: What's at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Rowman and Littlefield, 2002. 290p.


"If you watch Buffy because of the great fight scenes and the pretty people, this book is probably not for you. But if you watch this show because you see the amazing depth of the characters, the metaphor and mythology it uses expertly, or if you'd like to understand those things more, this book is amazing. It contains essays on everything from gender and postmodern politics to the uses and purposes of fan fiction and fairy tales. These are the types of topics I discuss after viewing the show, but much more in-depth due to the writers expertise. (Many of them are professors of film, literature, media studies, women's studies, etc.) It's a fascinating read for anyone really interested in the show, and for those who don't watch, it will show you that the show is much more than you think."

Wilcox, Rhonda. Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I. B. Tauris, 2005. 256p.

Yeffeth, Glenn, ed. Five Seasons of Angel: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Vampire. BenBella Books, 2004. 216p.


"Although Buffy has already received the anthology treatment four different times (with at least one more on the way), Angel has been singularly ignored by publishers. Sure, there are official viewing guides, some of them (especially the one by Kenneth Topping) excellent, but this isn't the same as getting a host of unofficial takes on the show. And to judge by the collections of essays, the folks who do the best job of writing about the show are writers, not academics or scholars.... It isn't surprising that the best anthology on Buffy is Seven Seasons of Buffy, edited by the same Glenn Yeffeth who edited this new Angel collection, nor surprising that this volume happily comes up to the same high standards of that volume.

The great problem with anthologies is that they are of necessity uneven. Some essays are simply going to be better than others. Luckily, there are virtually no truly weak essays in Five Seasons of Angel, and a number of very strong ones. The twenty-one essays overlap to some degree, conflict with one another from time to time, sometimes cover subjects that I would have preferred left uncovered, and take up most, if not all, of the potential themes of the show. No one who loves ANGEL can fail to find this collection utterly fascinating, and no fan will fail to gain new insights into the show's characters and storylines. I was grateful that Conner, my least favorite show got scant mention, and saddened that more was not done with both Fred and her transition into Illyria (a plot line that contained scads of potential for the Season Six that was not to be, a season in which producer Jeff Bell revealed that Willow was to be guest star and cast a spell that would allow what remained of Fred to escape from within Illyria, allowing Amy Acker to play a permanent double role)." - Robert W. Moore.

Yeffeth, Glenn, ed. Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show. BenBella Books, 2003. 240p.


"This collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes pieces by leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include best-selling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott Westerfield, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans's "Matchmaking in Hellmouth" and Sherrilyn Kenyon's "The Search for Spike's Balls." An informed introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic."

"It's over. When the final episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired in May, fans celebrated the groundbreaking show and mourned its end. But don't mourn, eulogize. Editor Yeffeth presents a batch of essays from sf and fantasy writers that examine the show's scope, the evolution of its characters, and the affect it had on its many fans. Nancy Kilpatrick sympathizes with Buffy's search for love (and a little lovin'), while Sherrilyn Kenyon sees Buffy as a demasculinizer of the men in her life. Peg Aloi toasts Tara, Willow's quiet, reserved lover. Roxanne Longstreet Conrad insists that it was Xander, Buffy's wisecracking, superpowerless pal, who was actually the most powerful force for good in Sunnydale. Justine Labalestier describes defending the show to critical fans, even as she admits her own dislike of the seventh season. Laura Resnick examines the mixtures of good and evil in even the most heroic Buffy characters. Bright and witty, just like the show they're commenting on, these pieces are must reading for the Buffy-devoted. - Kristine Huntley, Booklist

"In the foreword to this collection of 22 essays, scriptwriter Drew Goddard asks, "Why do we care so much about Buffy?" After some false but mercifully brief starts, the book hits its stride with a succession of passionate, articulate, entertaining, informative, and sometimes-humorous pieces by professional writers who have no inhibitions about explaining what they love about the show--and what they hate. Varying widely in attitude and style, chapters analyze the show's literary qualities from a number of perspectives; delve into its "meaning" through its themes of love and growth; look closely at the dark side of the "Buffyverse" and the complexity of its moral structure; and argue the relative merits of its characters and episodes. Kevin Andrew Murphy's fittingly titled "Unseen Horrors and Shadowy Manipulations" documents instances of censorship and the attempts of network and advertisers to reshape Buffy to suit their purposes. In "Where's the Religion in Willow's Wicca?" Christie Golden provides a much-needed corrective to the mistake the writers made when they called Willow's fantasy sorcery "Wicca" (a real religion). In the final essay, "Slayers of the Last Arc," Nancy Holder shows why some are so affected by the story when she argues that, seen in retrospect, Buffy clearly fits the template of Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey." This outstanding and diverse collection will entertain, challenge, and enlighten anyone familiar with the Buffyverse." - Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Williamson, Milly. The Lure of the Vampire: Gender, Fiction and Fandom from Bram Stoker to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Wallflower Press, 2005. 224p.


"The Lure of the Vampire explores the curiosity and fascination surrounding the enduring myth of Dracula and vampires. Over one hundred years after Bram Stoker's influential novel was published, an interest in vampires is still prevalent in popular culture. This is suggested by the recent popularity of such television shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and it's spin-off, Angel. Milly Williamson examines this phenomena and looks at the issues of gender pertaining to both vampires and their followers, the modern portrayal of vampires, the nature of identity and identification, and the fans themselves."



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Reference and Companion Guides


Boris, Cynthia. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Pop Quiz. Pocket Pulse, 1999. 160p.

Brezenoff, Steven, and Micol Ostow. The Quotable Slayer. Simon Spotlight, 2003. 224p.

Gallagher, Diana G., and Paul Ruditis. The Casefiles: Volume 2 (Angel). Simon Spotlight, 2004. 304p.

Genge, Ngaire. The Buffy Chronicles: The Unofficial Companion to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Three Rivers Press, 1998. 253p.


"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."

Golden, Christopher. The Monster Book. Simon Pulse, 2000. 384p.

Golden, Christopher. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher's Guide. Pocket Books, 1998. 298p.

Golden, Christopher. The Sunnydale High Yearbook. Pocket Star, 1999. 112p.

All BtVS books by Christopher Golden.

Havens, Candace. Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy. BenBella Books, 2003. 208p.


"Writers, actors, and fans often call Joss Whedon a genius. It's easy to see why. Whedon, who got his start writing for Roseanne, dreamed of writing movie screenplays. He got his shot when he sold his script for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the movie fell far short of his hopes for it. After a few years of working as a script doctor, Whedon got the chance to do Buffy again, this time as a TV show. Few expected it to succeed, but Whedon's humor and intelligence shone through in the scripts, and viewers quickly became attached to the engaging, witty characters. Buffy kept getting better: each season of the show featured a complex story arc possessed of a real sense of danger and further developed the characters. The last few years have brought the Buffy spinoff Angel, the lamentably cancelled Firefly (a space western), and the comic book Fray. Engaging and filled with fun quotes, this is a must-read for Whedon's many fans." Kristine Huntley

Holder, Nancy. Angel: The Casefiles, Volume 1. Simon Pulse, 2002. 416p.

Holder, Nancy. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher's Guide 2. Pocket Books, 2000. 472p.


"Here it is, the book that will tell you everything you want to know about seasons three and four of the popular television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For the unfamiliar, the series, an extravaganza of supercomix proportions, owes its popularity to its quirky vision of teen problems (parent-child relationships, sexuality, drugs, outsiders, etc.) and its young "kick-butt" heroine, who copes with the familiar anxieties of growing up as she works to eradicate evil in her small town. Photos, cast profiles, interviews with stars and members of the production staff, dozens of quotes, and plot summaries--it's all here for die-hard fans. Each episode gets full consideration, not only plot description but also detailed analysis of the show's pop-cultural references, which add comedy and help leaven the violence. There's also a whole section focusing on how an episode is put together. The text is enthusiastic if not always polished, but fans won't be deterred by a little clunky prose." Stephanie Zvirin

All BtVS books by Nancy Holder.

Kiss Me Jane. It's Never Too Late to Become a Buffy Fan: Your Complete How-To Guide. KMJ, 2004. 249p.

Poli, Chiara. Ammazzavampiri: La Prima Guida Italiana al Serial TV Buffy. Edizioni di Cineforum, 2003, 2003. 263p.

Ruditis, Paul. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Watcher's Guide 3. Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2004. 368p.


"Seven years, 144 episodes, 3 Slayers, 3 principals, 2 networks, 2 vampires with souls, 2 Watchers, 2 pigs, 1 Master, 1 Mayor, and 1 hit show (with tons of Potentials): It all adds up to one must-have volume!"

"The second half of the book consists of a series of essays devoted to the series as whole and not just on the final trio of seasons: Ginger Buchanan's "The Journey of Joanathan Levenson: From Scenery to Sacrifice" covers the interesting transformation of a recurring minor character into a "Superstar" and much more. Hank Wagner's "The Family Hour" talks about how he shared watching "BtVS" with his children and finds deep thoughts in the series with regards to parenting.

Rob Francis' "London Calling: 'Buffy' from a British Perspective" explains the show's popularity in the U.K. despite having some American actors playing some of the Brits. Maryelizabeth Hart, who helped out on Volume 2, contributes "Slaying the Big Lies: Love Conquers All and Other Monstrous Myths," which looks at how love never seems to work out in the Buffyverse. Allie Costa's "A Part of Something: Or, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer': My First Long-Term Relationship," is a fan's recollection of being a fan. Scott and Denise Ciencin, "I Know You Are, But Who Am I?" provides an analysis of how Dawn fit into the show over this period. In "Why I Like 'Buffy'" Charles de Lint provides a justification for liking a show with such a weird title, which is certainly something those of us in academia can relate to in terms of trying to foist the show off on students and colleagues. James Moore's "Monsters Made to Order" briefly looks at the similar themes behind key monsters in the show's history.

The chief attraction in the back of the book is "'Restless': A Path to Premonitions," which has Joss Whedon's teleplay for the finale episode of the fourth season with commentary by Ruditis focusing on how Whedon set the stage for some key developments in what followed. For those of us who have figured out most of the connections, Ruditis does a nice job of filling in the gaps in our deconstruction of the episode. The final offering is Micol Ostow's "'Chosen': A Postmodern Postmortem of 'Buffy' as Contemporary Icon" looks at how well Whedon fulfilled his purpose of establishing a pop culture icon by flipping the horror movie standard of the blonde girl being slain by the monster in the dark alley."

Stafford, Nikki. Bite Me!: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Rev. ed. ECW Press, 2002. 450p.


"There is a whole lot of information included in this book, and it runs a close second to the 'Watcher's Guides' as far as being thorough, informative and interesting. However, the information it gives is great, but the way it is written sometimes isn't. The first thing you will notice, as other reviewers have pointed out, is that the author, Nikki Stafford, seems to really hate the character of Joyce, Buffy's mom. I do not know why this is, but she makes it very clear in the episode guide (under her summary of season five's "I Was Made to Love You" Stafford says that one particular line Joyce speaks makes her like the character for the first (and last) time in the whole series. Ouch. Stafford also doesn't seem to like Dawn very much, but admit it - who did like Dawn, at least at first? And despite the fact that the episode guide is informative, there is way too much of the author's opinion added in. In other words, I want to know the basics about each episode - I don't care if the author liked it or not. (Stafford tells us in her summary of "Beer Bad" that it is possibly the worst episode of the entire series, but I actually thought it was pretty entertaining.) But once you get over (or ignore) the author's comments, you will find you have in your hands one of the most extensive Buffy guides ever written. There are cast bios, a chapter on Buffy websites, a section of color photos of the cast, and an episode guide spanning from season one through season six..."

Stafford, Nikki. Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel. ECW Press, 2004. 300p.


"Another year, and another companion book to the Buffy/Angel/Joss Whedon universe. But when they are as good, fun, and interesting as Nikki Stafford's book on the subject are, they are a most welcomed treat. When she released the Buffy book, "Bite Me", a few years back, it was a refreshing read since it was from a fan. It was well written and researched, and although I had some questions with some of her ongoing nitpicks, it was a fantastic book. Stafford keeps up the momentum with this latest release on the history and series run of Buffy's sister show, "Angel". Stafford keeps the fun and interest high all through the well made book, and her own personal thoughts and nitpicks are still there, and while some may annoy some people, are still interesting and fun to read. They are also not important enough to give a low grade to this book. That's forgetting the great stuff inside and giving it a low mark because you don't like the cover. The recent "Watcher's Guide Vol. 3" was such a disappointing affair, that it makes one happy for a Whedonverse book like this one to come along. Stafford keeps things fresh and makes it very clear in the beginning that she is not going to re-hash what she had already written about Angel in the "Bite Me" book, and she doesn't. Her writing is well rounded and easy to read, where some more scholary type publications can get a little over done. To please even more readers and fans, and to tie up loose ends, she has also included the seventh and final season of "Buffy" at the end of book as well. What also makes this book a better deal is that she includes season 5 of "Angel"."

Topping, Keith. The Complete Slayer: An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to Every Episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Virgin Books, 2004. 702p.


"An episode-by-episode look at the series, covering every show in each of the seven seasons with each episode broken down into recurring categories to analyze the themes of the show, unearth pop culture and soundtrack information, serve up the best lines of dialogue, expose continuity errors, analyze the show's subtext and serious issues - all in a style that captures the unique humor of the show."

Topping, Keith. Hollywood Vampire: The Unofficial Guide to Angel. Virgin Books, 2001. 280p.


"Keith Topping is the best writer of tv episode guides in the business, and this book is another winner. What keeps Keith's guides at the top of the pile is his sense of humour and his infectious admiration for the shows he writes about. His Buffy guide, 'Slayer', is the best episode guide I've read about the show, and this book stands right alongside it as far as detail, opinion and humour go.

If you want a dry, humourless bunch of lists and facts about Angel, give this book a miss. However, if you want a well written and opinionated book with so much detail that you'll re-read it again and again, then this is the book for you. If you are an avid viewer of Angel, you'll be going back to this book frequently."

Topping, Keith. Hollywood Vampire: The Apocalypse: An Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to the Final Season of Angel. Virgin Books, 2005. 240p.

Topping, Keith, and Deborah Williams. Hollywood Vampire: A Totally Awesome Collection of Angel Trivia. Virgin Books, 2005. 261p.


"Unlike other episode guides, this book doesn't give the useless details showing every action a character makes. For a Buffy and Angel fan such as me you probably seen every episode and season so you know what's going to happen. This book however does give you unique headings such as "Logic Let Me Introduce You To This Window" which features all the plot flaws, goofs and the stunt double that looks nothing like the actor. It also includes "Dudes and Babes" which takes a look at the cute guys and girls shown. The Charisma Show relives the funny and cool bits that Cordelia does. LA Speak gives quotes on the street talk seen on the show. Designer Label highlights the fashion mistakes so when you watch the episode again you can take a moment to laugh. It catches all the juicy details missing from regular guides and has a unique style."

Topping, Keith. Slayer: A Totally Awesome Collection of Buffy Trivia. Virgin Books, 2004. 226p.


"Stunning and awesome, a collection of Buffy trivia spanning all seven seasons, with lists and miscellaneous information, including: Top 10s; Worst 5s; Best lines; Famous guest stars; Body counts and vampires dusted or the best 'coming back from the dead' bits. This volume gives the reader the defining moments of each season, humorous details of many of the main characters and a rundown of the best and worst episodes the show had to offer. In addition, there are sections on the popular music of Buffy and other films and TV series that influenced the series - all in a style that captures the unique humour of the show. Slayer: A Totally Awesome Collection of Buffy Trivia is the ideal gift for the true Buffy fan."

Tracy, Kathleen. The Girl's Got Bite: Guide to Buffy's World Through Season Seven. St. Martin's Griffin, 2003. 384p.



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Cookbook


The Bronzer Cookbook. Lulu.com, 2006. 82p.

"A collection of recipes of the posters at The Bronze:Beta. Included are some recipes submitted by various producers and creators of Buffy and Angel. All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation."



since 1 August 2007