Customer Reviews

The West Wing Script Book

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was so happy when the script book finally came out. Even though it only contains six scripts of Aaron Sorkin's incredible writing, it's much better than nothing at all. I found this to be just like watching the episode in my head. I guess the only thing I wish is that there were more scripts in it! Other than that, it is great. If you love "The West Wing" or Aaron Sorkin's writing, buy this. You will not be disappointed!

Two very important things first: this has six scripts, not the eight it was planned to and it doesn't include the episode In Excelsis Deo; also, people who have claimed that the scripts are available online are mistaken. It appears that a version of the pilot is, but the rest are transcripts. That's like comparing a symphonic score to the instructions to key music into your mobile phone. These published scripts come complete not just with deft scene-setting but also errors that give you a sense of a working document and, reproduced here as they were given to the cast, their inate sense of pacing and rhythm is kept. It's difficult not to hear the cast's voices as you read but that's a measure of how distinctive each character is and the scripts work quite marvellously on their own. Then, too, Sorkin's introduction and later short notes probably contain more information than we've had on The West Wing DVD extras here in England and if there's anything you'd wish for in the book, it would just be for a Volume 2.

"The West Wing Script Book" is a must for fans of this fabulous show! It's great to see the scripts and to see what the actors worked with. If you've seen the episodes, you'll be able to imagine all of the scenes and mannerisms. Just wonderful. I recommend.

Sorkin is the master of the fast-paced choppy dialog, that was so popular with films in the 50's. But unlike those films, the words have more of a wit to them. The characters are so well developed, you can feel what the next line is going to be before you read it.

I had resisted the lure of The West Wing for several years, aided chiefly by the crappy scheduling of the Australian TV networks who insisted on putting this show on at bad times and out of order (OK, rant over). During a bout of the flu last year, I succumbed to watching the first season on DVD. Three days later I was at the end of season 4 and completely hooked.

Whilst waiting for my next fix, I came across this book and it's companion volume (the Season 3/4 script-book). Reading the scripts took me straight back to the episodes in question - I could picture it all so clearly. The actors' voices flew out of the pages and brought the scenes to life in my head. My one gripe would be that Sorkin's insights and background info are a little light on the ground except at the beginning of the book (for comparison, check out the official Babylon 5 scriptbooks from J Michael Straczynski).

If you are a die-hard fan of the show or have more than a passing interest in shooting scripts, you need these in your collection.

If you're smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you. This quote from Sorkin's earlier, wonderful TV venture "Sports Night" appears in the introduction to this book of teleplays from the best show in the history of TV. I'm not trying to suck up to anybody or anything, I mean that sincerely. Even if you don't plan on voting for Bartlet in the next election, there has never been a show like The West Wing but I hope, I hope, I hope that there will be more. This show proves that TV can be something more than a dumbed down interpretation of "average America" designed by networks to keep their audiences as stupid as possible. With the West Wing on the air, we have a higher order of television to live up to. As the program itself references animosity toward Bartlet because he's an intellectual snob, but their point is my point. We shouldn't be ashamed of intelligence. We shouldn't try and lower ourselves to the level of others. We should be raising our standards, otherwise how can we grow as a people? And even if you didn't go to an Ivy League school like most of the cast of characters did, you can still enjoy their company for an hour every Wednesday, or in these scripts by the greatest writer of our time, Aaron Sorkin. If you're stupid, surround yourself with smart people. Why not these people?

I found the West Wing Script Book to be a real page turner. Often promising my better half that I'd only read a few more pages before turning out the light, I'd be called a liar because I couldn't stop reading. The only thing that bothers me about this book is that there is a lot missing. I didn't start watching the show until the second season and I was hoping to get a glimpse of the nuances that I've missed. They weren't there and I was disappointed because the DVD is being held up on release because of some mult-million dollar deal between NBC and Bravo. It is a great book for what it is and the background about the development of the roles and characters from the shows creators are incredible. However, don't have your heart set on being told the whole story from this book because there's a lot they left out.

The superb writing that underpins the success of this magnificent series is revealed. It's impossible to read the lines without the voices of the actors' in your head but that's ok. Sorkin would have written those characters with no thought to who would have played them and it just goes to show what a flawless job they did with the casting. I've played The West Wing 1-7 twice already and look forward to watching them all again soon.

DON'T get this book if you want the script for the series' best episode to date, "In Excelsis Deo" I bought it solely for that and was sorely disappointed to find out that the script for that episode is not in the book. The book description above needs to be changed to prevent future mix-ups.

This excellent book, along with the Topping book, gives great details, as to what was said, especially when the actors speak in a whisper. The Topping book gives background on the actors and to some of the detailed references in the episodes. If you want details and are a "Wingnut", i.e., a rabid fan, as I am, get both.