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Gunsmoke: An American Institution Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western

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Ben Costello's book, Gunsmoke: An American Institution Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western is a wonderful tribute to Gunsmoke; the longest running dramatic series on television. Judging by the length of the title, you might expect one BIG BOOK. Indeed, it is! It's a big wonderful ride through Dodge City with Matt, Kitty, Doc, Chester, Festus, Quint and all the characters, writers and producers that made Gunsmoke such a classic.

It's filled with insightful interviews from Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Dennis Weaver, and many, many others. Great stories abound about filming, the cast and crew, the family atmosphere on the set, and lots of other 'insider' information, but thankfully, this is not a gossipy book. Ben's love for Gunsmoke is apparent and his sensitive approach to the classic series is right on target.

The numerous photographs (candid and posed) are terrific and practically in framing condition! Every one of the 635 episodes is given a brief synopsis accompanied by the cast, writer/s and producers list.

It's obvious this special tribute to Gunsmoke was a monumental effort and it shows. From cover to cover, it's a great read....and read....and read. This book is a 'must have' for any fan of Gunsmoke. Thank you Ben for this wonderful treat. Kudos!!! Marilyn Marbury

Gunsmoke: An American Institution is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. Author Ben Costello has penned an impressive (and vast) tribute to TV's longest-running drama, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary since debuting on CBS in 1955.

I must confess to feeling just a particle cocky. After all, I thought I'd seen all of the photographs and heard all the stories about the TV show that has captivated me since I was a very small child. However, I was surprised and delighted by the dozens of candid pictures and interviews that were new and fresh.

Costello's book joins the ranks of a half dozen other published works devoted to the fictional characters of Dodge City, Kansas, circa 1872. However, this book is unique in a very big way . . . it's evident that like so many of us, Ben Costello is a devoted fan. Gunsmoke: An American Institution oozes warmth and affection, but it never traverses into "syrupy." That's a fine line, but the author navigates it with skill.

United States Marshal Matt Dillon, Kitty Russell and their Dodge City friends come alive on the pages of this wonderful tribute. And I am confident that, like the series it honors, this book will entertain and delight fans for many years to come. I know it tops my holiday gift list this year!

Sandy Henry
author, A Child's Bedtime Companion
Something Borrowed, Something Blue

At the beginning, Costello states he's a fan of the show, and to be honest, only a fan could write such a loving work such as this. He's obviously put a lot of time and effort into it, and this is not as much a book, as a labor of love. I envy him the interviews with Dennis Weaver, Burt Reynolds, and Buck Taylor, all of which were wonderful to read. It's great to read how each of the stars of the show put their fans first, and how professional the show was. How they were a close-knit group, never losing thier humanity. A show the caliber of GUNSMOKE deserves a quality book, and Costello delivers.

Tons of baby boomers grew up with 'Gunsmoke.' As a youngster I can vividly remember Marshall Dillon stalking through Dodge City's Boot Hill in the show's opening moments, commenting on the tragedies that made up frontier life as mournful music played in the background. As I grew up I and my family were loyal fans, marveling at the wonderful characters and plots presented year after year. 'Gunsmoke' set the standard for TV westerns. Now, at last, it has a proper tribute in Ben Costello's oversized volume dedicated to what he terms 'an American institution.'

This is a great book, well-researched, well-written and well-illustrated. The show and its marvelous cast of characters comes alive again in this warmly affectionate volume. It is a shame someone didn't undertake this years ago when Milburn Stone and Amanda Blake were still with us. And I was disappointed that James Arness apparently chose not to contribute but perhaps he feels he has told his story in his recent autobiography. In any case, we should be grateful for the work Costello did. The book is filled with wonderful reminiscences from so many 'Gunsmoke' alumnus along with tons of photographs. You couldn't ask for a finer tribute!

Highly recommended!

This about covers every aspect of that 20 year phenomenon "Gunsmoke"The personal insights from everyone associated with that show from the writers to all the great and soon to be great actors.As a die hard fan of this show I was incensed by some of the decisions made by a couple of producers who made I think,some very bad decisions based on personal feelings and insults made to some key actors.

But the bottom line is thats what a good book does.Gets the reader wrapped up in the story and triggers emotions of both good and bad.This book did all of that and if you are like me and still enjoy watching all the re-runs then you should buy this book and put it all in a wonderful perspective..

Now a note to all that stations that are airing these shows:Where are all the black and white episodes?

How fun would it have been to have been on the set of this amazing show? This is a great book with a lot of interviews, anecdotes, and pictures. I wish more shows today had the quality of Gunsmoke...maybe I'd watch them more than the Gunsmoke reruns!

This book is a pleasure to read. The background stories and photos really enhance the episodes presently shown on TV Land cable channel. The volume is both informative and entertaining.

Bought this as a gift for my dad for Christmas. He loved it! Can't stop thanking me for it.

In "Gunsmoke: An American Institution Celebrating 50 Years of Television's Best Western", author Ben Costello has provided the legions of fans for America's most popular and long-running television western series with an exhaustive compendium showcasing and celebrating all twenty seasons (comprising a total of 635 episodes) of Matt Dillion and his many friends and foes. Profusely illustrated with literally hundreds of photos about what went on both in front and in back of the cameras, "Gunsmoke" covers the major cast members, as well as the producers, writers and directors, and features an especially insightful interviews with Dennis Weaver, Buck Taylor, and Burt Reynolds. There are even sections featuring Dean Martin Celebrity Roast Highlights; reminisces of distinctive guest stars; Gunsmoke memorabilia, the post-television series Gunsmoke films, and so very much more. Certain to be a popular addition to any community library American Popular Culture collection, "Gunsmoke" is a 'must read' for anyone who grew up with Matt Dillion, Miss Kitty, Doc, Chester, Festus, and all the other denizens of Dodge City and the Old West.

If your any kind of fan of gunsmoke , you have to own this book !