Customer Reviews

Hogan's Heroes: A Comprehensive Reference to the 1965-1971 Television Comedy Series, With Cast Biographies and an Episode Guide

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book looks and reads like the carefully researched work it is. The appearance was a bit disappointing; it looked like a book I might find in the library and use for a college thesis. The photos, all black-and-white, are inside in various sections. But the text more than made up for the lack of visual pizazz. Separate sections on each actor, plus smaller bits on guest stars and recurring characters, added greatly to the overall tapestry of this work. The author answered questions such as why did Kinchloe's character leave the show (when the actor left, the show never addressed why or how Kinch left camp), and provided interesting sidelights on the relationship between Bob Crane and Sigfried Valdis (Klink's second Frauline Helga). The episode guide is extensive and complete. It perhaps takes up more of the book than I would like. I would have preferred more detail on the actors today, for instance. Overall, though, if you enjoy Hogan's Heroes, I can't imagine a more complete source. I have had this book for two months and I am still enjoying the many tidbits of information spread throughout it.

At last! An in-depth history of one of the most memorable if not orginal sitcoms. Royce's book takes the reader back and behind the beginnings, middles and ends of the series as well as touching on the whereabouts of the participants since. It is a easy read and pleasing to any fan. It would probably help someone just discovering the series also. It is obvious that Royce enjoys her subject, but never lets you believe they were portraying history as it was. However, the pictures and artwork were a bit underwhelming. There were a few rare photos and such but with the abundance of TV memoirs etc. out in this nostalgia obsessed culture we inhabit, a bit more color etc. might have completed the picture more thoroughly. That aside, BUY THIS BOOK!!! And enjoy, then go watch one of the reruns.

I have a passion for collecting books about television shows, and have read them all from Bewitched to Taxi to the Twilight Zone to Get Smart, but they all pale in comparison to "Hogan's Heroes". I wish every one of the others had an episode guide as detailed as this one, as well as the excellent cast biographies and histories of the show and the persons who made it happen. Exceptionally well researched, thoughtfully written, there is none better!