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Reviews & Notices
Secrets of 24 cited and praised on “Pop Candy,” Whitney Matheson's blog for USA Today
Taking all the '24' we can get
Read Secrets of 24. This book, edited by Dan Burstein and Arne J. De Keijzer (Sterling, $19.95), compiles dozens of articles and interviews written about the show, including the New Yorker's excellent profile of co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow and several pieces about torture on prime-time television. Secrets' subtitle is The Unauthorized Guide to the Political and Moral Issues Behind TV's Most Riveting Drama, so expect more thought-provoking stories from the Wall Street Journal and Atlantic Monthly rather than puff pieces about Chloe's hair.
Posted on: http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2007/11/taking-all-the.html?loc=interstitialskip
Secrets of 24 reviewed of by one of Amazon.com’s top reviewers
Call me an addict if you like, but I've watched every season of 24 live on Fox TV as it unfolded in its real-time scenario AND I've watched them all on their subsequent DVD releases -- with the exception of Season 6, at present -- along with their special features and commentaries ... so you can only imagine the kind of outright glee I experienced when I happened across "The Secrets of 24: the Unauthorized Guide to the Political & Moral Issues Behind TV's Most Riveting Drama" on the shelves at the local bookseller, had to have it, and read it right away (a rarity for me if based solely on my ever expanding library of "things to read before I die" library). Like the show, I couldn't put the book down, so much so that it begs me to offer one surprised observation from the getgo: why are these "Secrets" unauthorized? It would appear that many of the essays contained therein either quote what show creators Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow have publicly said about the program, about its influence, about its topics, etc. Indeed, it appears clear the Cochran and Surnow even dissected some of the pieces presented here in their interviews. It's a mild curiosity more than it is a major gripe, but couldn't the mere act of making this an official sanctioned publication only helped its sales?
Well, enough with the semantics ...
The "Secrets of 24" is a stellar book, the perfect companion for fans of the show's idea. Rather than spend time exploring the various controversies of each series, the authors have collected interviews and essays from think tank types, almost all of exploring some facet of the ideas that fuel the show's popularity. From political differences (both liberals and conservatives love the show but for very different reasons), from academic differences (what does TV say about our society at large versus what does it say about us militarily) and even quick swatches of infotainment (brief interviews with the cast and crew about the show, its impact, and what it all means in the scope of television history) get terrific play between these covers, and there's so much to explore you'll find yourself watching the clock -- inserting your own 'plunk-plunk-plunk' like the show ticks down each approaching second -- hoping to "just read one more page" before going to bed ... until you realize it's morning, and, oh no, work is calling! If you're as jazzed about the exploits of Jack Bauer as I am, you won't be able to put this one down.
I'll admit that I generally don't put a whole lot of stake into what comes out of any actor's mouth when they're sermonizing about the evils of our world, but, thankfully, "Secrets" avoids most of the pratfalls by having these contributors focus on 24 as a phenomenon, even when they don't so much see the show in that vein. From politics to people, from terrorists to Tinseltown, everyone here has something to say. There are admittedly a handful of interviews that don't so much relate to 24 as they could have, but, all in all, these "Secrets" are best shared amongst the fans of the award-winning TV series. If anything, this book will help you pass the time waiting for another day in the life of Jack Bauer ... and reliving the old ones.
Posted January 21, 2008 on: Amazon.com by M. E. Zimmerman( "ncc1205")
Secrets of 24 Reviewed on The Bauer Blog
The entire series is about Bauer killing everyone. Shhh!
It's Monday. It's January. And 24 is still not back. Damn you network television for not coming to terms with the writers and forcing me to read about one of my favorite shows.
Last year I received word about a new book coming out called Secrets of 24: The Unauthorized Guide to the Political & Moral Issues Behind TV's Most Riveting Drama, which is a long title made all the more glamorous by the action word "unauthorized." That makes me think the book went on the set and tortured people for answers.
But that's hardly the case. The book is an ally of 24 and includes interviews with the show's creators, Scowl face (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Tony (Carlos Bernard) and Old Man Buchanan.
Bernard's is probably the most revealing interview since he talks about coming back in Season 7. When asked if he knew something like this would happen after he DIED in season 5, he responded "Well, We knew it was left open for a reason."
OK, that wasn't revealing at all.
Actually the more crazy quote comes from Dennis Haysbert saying "They killed me for the sake of ratings." Hey now!
It's insightful to hear from the cast and creators of the show, but more interesting than that are society's intellectuals squeezing philosophical and political thought out of an hour-long show with the crazy premise of one man saving the world in 24 hours.
There's commentary from Maureen Dowd ( columnist from the New York Times who claims we don't need men) Michael Chertoff (Secretary of Homeland Security) Tom Clancy (guy who writes ridiculously long, convoluted political thrillers that I refuse to buy) and Sarah Vowell (blogger and contributer to This American Life).
That's awesome. They had bloggers contribute to the book. I guess they knew I was too busy or drunk to do anything constructive on 24.
But as books I didn't contribute to go (and there is a fair amount), it's an engaging read and helps frame world politics and moral issues using examples I can understand. Even more crazy is an anecdote about military personal going to the set to talk about toning down the torture scenes because new recruits were convinced that it's a viable technique.
It isn't a perfect replacement for the show, but it helps frame the series you're addicted to a little better, but it will only make you miss the series and cause you to wonder if the show will ever return. As for me, once I'm finished with Secrets of 24, I'm going to put the book to good use and take advantage of the hard cover when I get roped into a street fight.
Posted January 14, 2008: http://thebauer.blogspot.com/
Secrets of 24 Reviewed on “Wiki 24”
Secrets of 24 is guaranteed to give you your 24 fix, and then some. The book will give you tremendous insight into how the show is seen as well as some extraordinary background on the show’s characters and settings.
Secrets of 24 uses this blockbuster series as a jumping off point to pursue real issues of relevance to our times--from whether torture is ever justified to whether individual rights should be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism. These are "big think" issues, complemented by a survey and analysis of the technologies and methods that drive the suspenseful plots. The illuminating collection combines original interviews and commissioned essays from leading political figures, cultural commentators, celebrities, and experts on technology, security, and terrorism with carefully selected anthologized op-eds and essays. It follows the wildly successful model the authors established with Secrets of the Code and their Secrets books--which have more than four million copies in print worldwide and have been on more than a dozen international bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and USA Today.
Secrets of `24' is an exciting, engaging, and informative read for everyone fascinated with the series--and an essential companion for understanding the show's central concerns. It will be in stores just in time for the start of the show's seventh season in January.
Posted December 13, 2007: http://24.wikia.com/wiki/Secrets_of_24