The Unofficial X-Files Companion: An X-Phile's Guide to the Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Really Strange Truths Behind the Show [Paperback]

Ngaire E. Genge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 1995

A comprehensive fan's guide to the provocative television show provides detailed background information on the program's subject matter, scripts, characters, and more. 75,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The remarkable popularity of The X-Files is quickly approaching the level long enjoyed by the Star TrekR and Star WarsR franchises. X-Files conventions are sprouting up everywhere, the shows are now available for purchase on video, and there is a line of books and comics following the adventures of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. This unofficial guide to the runaway hit TV show is designed to feed the frenzy of fans (known as X-Philes) who are gobbling up anything and everything with an "X" splashed on it. This program goes beyond the surface to explain the myths and sometimes realities that the show's producers and writers have used in the plots. Most of the material concerns the paranormal, but there is also information on the history and science of fingerprinting, lie detector tests, and other procedures employed in law enforcement. Though actors Nana Visitor and Dwight Shultz of Star TrekR: Deep Space NineTM and Star TrekR: The Next GenerationTM, respectively, read adroitly, these snippets of information don't work as well in audio format. Libraries would be better off investing in a copy of Genge's book (Crown, 1995).?Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1st edition (October 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517886014
• ISBN-13: 978-0517886014
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,542,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay this book wasn't what I expected it to be., December 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unofficial X-Files Companion: An X-Phile's Guide to the Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Really Strange Truths Behind the Show (Paperback)

I expected total coverage of things about the show, but the book was mainly about strange true things that the show is based upon (ie. the episode about the eng twins is true). I recommend this to readers who enjoy reading background info. The book became boring at times and the writing wasn't that great. The portrayal was not as anywhere as good as the show itself. For real philes this isn't a must buy.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but know what you're buying, August 2, 2000

By 

Nick Carr (Salem, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unofficial X-Files Companion: An X-Phile's Guide to the Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Really Strange Truths Behind the Show (Paperback)

I purchased this book knowing what was it was: an episode by episode examination of the bizarre phenomana that is present in each X-File. If you are interested to know how much of The X Files is real and how much is fake, this is definately worth the price. There is another book that exists (I believe it is The Science of The X Files, or a similar such title) that does not even come close to how absorbing, entertaining, and informative The Unofficial Guide is. If you are looking for an episode guide, find it elsewhere. The central theme of this book is The X Files in the real world, and if you are at all interested, buying this book will be well worth the price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a must-have, but an interesting book, November 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unofficial X-Files Companion: An X-Phile's Guide to the Mysteries, Conspiracies, and Really Strange Truths Behind the Show (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that explains the X-files, it certainly will dissappoint you. It is not a book about the serie itself, but about the things that makes the creators of the show write every ep. But if you are the curious type (like me), you will be glad to know about alien histories, strange beliefs, and so forth. Even thought I bought it expecting a deeper involvement with the serie, it came to be an interesting book.