Customer Reviews

Steele Loved After All These Years: A Remington Steele Retrospective

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If you're a huge Remington Steel fan happy with anything and everything you can get pertaining to the show, this book might be for you. From a more critical standpoint, this book leaves quite a lot to be desired. It's a huge book, but unfortunately, quantity has won over quality. And, quite frankly, the book appears to have been rushed, as it's a rather slipshod piece of work on several levels. Where's the editor when you need him/her? Some of the book's weaknesses include a very LONG and tedious episode guide. Episode summaries from 3 different sources are listed (TV Guide, original production synopsis, DVD liner note) and include pretty much the same information. The original production synopsis, for example, would have sufficed. Trivia for some episodes is included, which is the one thing that prevents the episode guide from turning into a complete snooze fest. Unfortunately, the author has not devoted sufficient time or space to this untapped source of interest. The movie quotes, a trademark of the show, are presented in a seperate chapter. The more logical way to go (not to mention more accessible and reader-friendly) would have been to include them in the episode guide under each episode concerned. A detailed list of the actors' acting credits post Remington Steele is another tedious and unnecessary section of the book. For those interested, the IMDB.com site provides more detailed information and sources on specific films/TV shows. The summaries used as introduction to each actor's professional credits would have sufficed, or they may have been extended somewhat in the absence of the list of credits. A few pages of the book are devoted to Remington Steele cartoons, one created especially for the book (and that is better suited in a fanzine than in a book with any kind of dignity), and another whose origins I know nothing about. Regrettably, the author fails to make any sort of point by including the cartoons except that they are supposed to be amusing. Immediatley following the cartoons is a guide to the Remington Steele DVDs. It lists the included episodes on the discs and bonus material. However, this is tedious information that you can get by looking at the back of the DVDs, or visiting almost any site that sells the DVDs. Since the author has insisted on including this section, it boggles the mind why she hasn't seized the opportunity to write any thought-provoking reviews on the bonus material. Finally, the linguistic standard of this book is not as high as it is for most other books. Expect to find many errors in the language -- both grammatical as well as in the spelling.

Conversely, what should have been in the book but isn't is a recount of 80s television and Remington Steele's place and importance in that era of programming. Particularly, the importance of the Laura Holt character to the feminine discourse (as well as viewers) should have been properly addressed. Surprisingly, the author offers no concrete information about the show's ratings.

The book has some strong points, too, though, such as material supplemented by the Executive Producer/Creator/Writer Michael Gleason and cast and crew interviews.

My overall impression of this book after having read it (and compared it to other books in the same genre) is that it's very unprofessional. I'm actually a little surprised that it's sold through an 'official' channel such as Amazon. The author shows a lack in ingenuity and a fear of writing, as she seems to be more content to include lists and material previously written by others than her own work. The tone and style of the book is very strongly that of a fan writing about her favorite TV show rather than a professional writer. It's a good thing to feel passionately about the topic you relate, but if you can't, or if you don't have someone in your corner to draw the reins, passion can easily turn into mindless drivel. Rewritten and downsized, this book could be a real gem. Currently, however, it is no tour de force.

Try this for a deep, dark secret...The greatest detective show ever, Remington Steele? It's just been immortalized in a wonderful new book by Judith Moose entitled "Steele Loved After All These Years". This 764 page book (no, I'm not kidding) is a "must have" for all Steele aficionados. It's a wonderful collector's item filled with fun facts, great quotes and a ton of pictures. Want to find out about the original concept of the series and how it progressed and developed into the show we all know and love? It's in the book. Curious as to how Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist were cast as the enigmatic Mr. Steele and unflappable Laura Holt? Yep, it's in there. Want to see the script for the pilot episode? It's there, too. Want to know what Pierce thought the fifth season should have been like? Uh-huh...In there! Want to hear about all the squabbles amid the cast and crew? Sorry...It's not that kind of book. (Thank goodness!)

So, what are you waiting for?! Buy this book...Kick back...Relax...And re-live a very special show in a whole new way. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

This is a must have for all Remington Steele fans. It's full of cast comments and photos that bring the whole series alive again. So many new tidbits and reviews written lovingly by the author and die hard fans fill the pages. I couldn't put it down and I was just as sad when it ended as when the series went off the air. It's further testimony to the durability of the show.

It's not often I can say I wasted money, but buying this book is one of those cases. There is almost no content beyond what you can find on any fan site. The bulk of it is plot synopses and statements from fans, plus a few short author-written (I think) pieces that tell us what we already know. No doubt Remington himself and Daniel Chalmers would appreciate this: At $30, it's a big con.

This well-intentioned book, that has 750 pages but very little interesting information, is only for the most overly-dedicated Remington Steele fan. Instead of giving a well-researched overview of the production of the show, it reads more like a fanzine. The author talks about viewers as "we" and "us," then pours on totally subjective flattery of everyone involved with the show. Namely, it's not an objective history of the 1980s program.

The first chapter gives a very quick overview of how the series got on the air and produced. Even though the author appears to have had interviews with some of the key players, there is not enough detail here. Instead, she jumps to a copy of the script, production notes, budget, a repetitive episode guide (quoting from three different sources?!?), way too many photos, and then an almost embarrassing biography of the stars with film and TV credits. There's an unnecessary section where each movie referenced in the series gets its own poster, credits and quotes. She even summarizes every movie or TV show that the actors have been in--often without saying which role the actor played in the plot!

Lots of white space, endless lists, even plugs for the charities of the stars....it goes on and on, but never really gives much insight into the series. She spins everything to make the actors look good despite widely reported problems during the shooting of the series. She even covers up Pierce Brosnan's public anger when he was set to play James Bond but the network instead forced him to come back for the final Remington Steele movies (he had to wait nine years to be asked again to play the role--and this author claims he didn't mind even though he famously went public with his rage when it occurred!).

It's like writing a book on NASCAR but just reprinting race results and car manuals while skipping the behind-the-scenes drama--very dull for most readers.

Those dedicated superfans of the show may be thrilled just to have this all in book form. But most of it is available for free online. Someone still needs to write the definitive objective history of the production of this series.

"Steele Loved" is a comprehensive look at a great television show of the 1980's. It is obvious that the author is a dedicated fan who accurately described the experiences of all those involved with the making of Remington Steele. Readers will especially enjoy the unique creativity in which the episode guide is presented.

"Steele Loved" is an excellent reference book and a keepsake for all true fans of this wonderful series.

Just when you thought it couldn't get better... last year, my favorite TV show came out on DVD and then came this fabulous book! This book is a must for any "Remington Steele" fan. It's full of fun facts and information, and was clearly a labor of love... definitely a classy companion piece to a classy TV Show.

Steele Loved After All These Years: A Remington Steele Retrospective
Always wanted to know what make this beautiful series so attractive to me apart from the beautiful casts (in all respect). When I read the review by the readers, I decided to get a copy. When it arrives I started reading and finish reading the very next day. I am glad to own this book...it is not just another TV Guide Reference and definitely not a gossip book. There are lots of photos and sharing, though would like the sharing to be deeper, well, anyway, it is not meant to be a biography. The best part of the book is at the end...Chapter 13 - 'Steele Memories To Last A Lifetime'. When Judith Moose went on thanking everyone, mentioning their name individually - Micheal Gleason, Stuart Erwin, Robert Bulter, Pierce Brosnan, Doris Roberts...but not Stephanie Zimbalist. I stopped...flipped back the pages and see what did I miss, I was disappointed not seeing her name half 'cursing'...and continue to read on...and found what I was looking for...the next para onwards is the most touching and beautiful dedication I have ever read...and I totally and whole heartedly salute the real star - Stephanie Zimbalist. And realise what attracted me to 'Remington Steele'. The real 'Remington Steele'- Stephanie Zimbalist!

I was working on on my family's income taxes when the book arrived in the mail. I thought I'd just take a break and scan it. I read the book from page one and soon realized that I had missed lunch and had read a third of the book. Just couldn't put it down. I had to get back to my tax work, so I stashed the book out of sight for a couple of days. The book is really amazing. There is a lot in there that I didn't know and very well written. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Thanks M McIntyre

This book is a must have for anyone who watched even one episode of this amazing show. If you loved the show....you won't be able to live without this book. Everything you could ever want to know about Remington Steele is in there, and then some!