Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide [Paperback]

Nikki Stafford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Finding Lost | Publication Date: September 1, 2006

The first book in the critically acclaimed, best selling Finding Lost series brings you an analysis of seasons 1 and 2 in one volume. If you're feeling as lost as the castaways on the show, Finding Lost is the crucial companion guide to help you unravel the mysteries of the island. This is the only book that offers an episode-by-episode guide to the first two seasons of Lost, following the developments of the characters, the plots, and the various connections fans must make to keep up. Finding Lost includes:

• An in-depth look at every episode, with highlights, music, and nitpicks outlined at the end of each one

• Chapters on the real John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (and how they compare to the fictional ones), fan conspiracy theories, the blast door map, the Dharma symbol, and B.F. Skinner

• Sidebars chronicling fun trivia such as Sawyer's nicknames for people; what Hurley's numbers could mean; Vincent's mysterious appearances and disappearances; the redemption of the characters

• Bios for all of the major actors on the show

• Summaries of the show’s literary references, including Lord of the Flies, The Third Policeman, Our Mutual Friend, Watership Down, and many more

• Photos of the filming locations in Hawaii, including a detailed map of how to conduct your own tour when in Oahu

Full of exclusive photos and enough background to put you leagues ahead of other viewers, this book will finally help you "find" Lost.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you're a fan of the popular TV show Lost, you can't be without this unofficial guide."  —California Bookwatch

"Stafford has a gift for writing about television and this book is an interesting read and definitely a must for any Lost fan."  —The Medium Online

"Stafford brings the symbolism, themes, and mythology to the forefront, so that casual viewers and devoted fans have a better understanding of what is happening in each episode."  —About.com

"A engaging and unpretentious writer with a real passion for her subject matter. She deftly deconstructs each episode in season five, providing insightful commentary . . . Stafford's observations permit a deeper appreciation of this drama and the influences that have helped to shape the show."  —Scene Magazine

About the Author

Nikki Stafford is the author of several books, including Bite Me!: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once Bitten: A Guide to the World of Angel, and Uncovering Alias: An Unofficial Guide.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 383 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550227432
• ISBN-13: 978-1550227437
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nikki Stafford has appeared on television, radio, the web, and in print as an expert on all things Lost, and her Finding Lost series of books (published by ECW Press) is considered the Lost fan's bible. Newsday has referred to Nikki as "one of the show's leading scholars," and superfan DocArzt wrote, "The Finding Lost series is quite simply the best resource for fans." Nikki is the author of several authoritative television companion guides, including ones for Xena: Warrior Princess, Angel, and Alias (all published by ECW Press). Her bestselling book, Bite Me: The Unofficial Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is in its third edition, and she was a featured keynote speaker at the Third Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses in 2008 (she has been asked back for the 2010 conference). Nikki blogs regularly on her site, Nik at Nite (http://nikkistafford.blogspot.com) and has contributed to other collections, including The Essential Cult TV Reader (ed. David Lavery) and Girls Who Bite Back: Witches, Mutants, Slayers, and Freak (ed. Emily Pohl-Weary). She has conducted a complete Lost rewatch at http://lost-rewatch.blogspot.com. Nikki lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. Her season 6 instalment of the Finding Lost series will be published in October 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Companion Guide for "Lost" Lovers, November 7, 2006

By 

C. Crockett "Domino713" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide (Paperback)

While previous guides for the serial drama "Lost" have often left something to be desired, the book "Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide" more than makes up for it.

Nikki Stafford's attention to detail (and believe me, *all* "Lost" fans should have a great attention to detail) is thus far unparalleled in any other guide book.

You name it, this guide book has it. In addition to the usual episode synopsis, Stafford provides readers with all the information they can handle, including keeping track of the appearances of the "numbers", discussing theories, pointing out bloopers and continuity errors, illuminating connections, and just generally proving that she has watched way more "Lost" than any of us. In addition to all that, Stafford gives the low-down on each of the "Lost" cast members, before they became Losties.

Even if you have watched each episode of "Lost" 4 or 5 times, and think you have caught every little nuance and clue hidden within it, I guarentee you'll read this book and discover things you didn't catch, or never thought of. One of my favorite features in this book is the essay that details and explains everything on the "invisible" map that Locke briefly gets a glimpse of in season 2 during the episode "Lock Down" when the blast door comes down on top of his legs, and a black light switches on, illuminating the secret map.

Bottom line, this book is a must have for serious "Lost" fans. It would also be a great aid to anybody who is just now beginning to get into "Lost".

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a well-written Guide for the TV series LOST, October 3, 2006

By 

Cat Commons "lover of books" (Stockton, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide (Paperback)

I waited with anticipation and some apprehension for the publication of yet another "LOST Unofficial Guide." I've been disappointed in the past, but this book was well worth the wait. Ms Stafford has done an excellent job! Her book is informative, insightful, and just plain fun to read! Like most "LOSTies," I'm interested in the theories and all the other interesting details and tidbits about the series, but just don't have time to search for "easter eggs," interesting tidbits, even small mistakes. However, I do enjoy reading about them and discussing them with other "LOSTies." She not only gives quite a lot of information about the series, but gives brief overviews of the books mentioned or referenced in the series.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Detailed, November 10, 2006

By 

J. B. (Queens, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide (Paperback)

This was the first "Lost" book I've ever purchased and I was not disappointed. My personal favorite part was the summaries of the show's literary references. Really interesting stuff. The amount of detail in this book is astounding. Anything you could ever hope to know about the first two seasons is in here. R.I.P. Boone.