Hercules & Xena: The Unoffical Companion

by James Van Hise

Book Overview

Discusses the Hercules legend and its treatment in films, outlines the origins of the two television series, profiles the cast and characters, and summarizes each episode of the first three seasons of Hercules and the first two of Xena.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580630014
• ISBN13: 9781580630016
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Renaissance Books
• Length: 271 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

It is one of the most excellent Xena and Hercules Books!

I loved the book. It was one the the best! It gave excellent pictures and information!

The chronicles of narnia are the best books.

The chronicles of narnia are the best books on Earth because of the magicalness about them. You can almost feel you are in narnia, so I recommend these books to every single person that there is.

This book rocks!!!!!!! You really should read it!!!!!!

Zena is simply the best!!!! Herc is okay to, but Zena is way better!!!!! Whoever said that Zena is the most depressing show, doesn't understand the sense of loyaty and compassion that the show brings!!!!! So before you judge make sure you really understand the show and what it's telling us!!!!!!!

I loved the Herc half!

More than just your average "article summary", some good pics and actual information! The Xena half was lost on me, since I think Xena is the most depressing show in television. But the well-done Hercules series is a delight!

Discusses the positive aspects of this book over others

Ei yi yi yi! Your daughter shrieks as she forward rolls across the living room, leaps the dining room table and high kicks her teddy bear into next week. Meanwhile, your neighbor's son is busy decapitating imaginary Hydras in your front yard. Confused? Bemused? Not anymore, because you just purchased the book that explains it all, Hercules and Xena, by James Van Hise. While not the only ox in the Augeian stables, so to speak, this is the only one to have information on both shows, Hercules The Legendary Journeys(HTLJ), Xena, Warrior Princess(XWP), as well as information on the stars, Kevin Sorbo and Lucy Lawless. The co-stars, Michael Hurst(HTLJ) and Renee O'Connor(XWP)are also given a good showing. There are two "Official Guides" written by Robert Weisbrot, published by Doubleday. One is on Hercules, the other on Xena. There are also two "unauthorized biographies"of Kevin Sorbo/Hercules and Lucy Lawless/Xena, in the X-Posed series put out by Prima Publishing. All of these books contain information on the actors, their characters, the episodes, and production tidbits. While all of these books are must buys for die-hard fans and collectors,the Van Hise book puts it all in perspective for the more casual reader. It gives you the background you need to start watching the show. You'll learn the characters and their histories and be able to talk intelligently to your children about the shows and about the original Greek myths upon which Hercules is loosely(very) based. Xena, however, sprang fully fledged from HTLJ, so don't worry about having missed her in World History class. And speaking of history, that's pretty loosely done also, so you may have to do some dammage control for your kid's education. This book can help straighten that out for you. James Van Hise's book has two major advantages over the others in this group. First, it begins with a synopsis of the preceding Hercules movies from 1959-1983, with some nice black and white photo illustrations of previous "Herculeses", Steve Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lou Ferigno. No shortage of exposed muscle there. Secondly, it has several nice color plates of the stars, not as their characters, but as themselves. There is a yummy shot of Kevin Sorbo sans shirt, a common Herculean trait. There are pictures of both stars and their parents and a shot of Lucy Lawless as Mrs. New Zealand before she became a raven-haired leather clad warrior. These personal pictures add a human dimension to the description of these shows that is unique to this book. The book also contains an episode guide,sadly soon to be out of date as the new seasons emerge, fan club addresses for the stars and co-stars, and unique to this book a list of Internet Web sites for Herc and Xena. Although there are probably a gazillion of them by now, this list is a good place to start. So, "Battle On" readers and buy this book. You'll be glad you did.