The Avengers Dossier

by Paul Cornell, Keith Topping, Martin Day

Book Overview

More than any other series, THE AVENGERS typified the Swinging Sixties. Now, 30 years later, THE AVENGERS has finally made it to the big screen. This book offers a uniquely comprehensive, humorous survey of the show's incarnations as well as a remarkably detailed episode guide to both THE AVENGERS and THE NEW AVENGERS (circa mid-seventies). The film and its production are examined and critical essays look at the history behind the cult.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863697542
• ISBN13: 9780863697548
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Virgin Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Mrs. Peel, we're needed

This is actually pretty good Avengers reference book, for a reasonable price. You can get other episode guides, but if you're looking for one that is not a coffee table book, and you don't care if there are color pictures (B & W only in here), this is highly recommended. It has some nice essays/articles from the experts, and gives a summary of each season as a whole as well. The author gives an episode summary, then rates each one with a star system on wit, humour, 60's Concerns, "And a Young..." and kinkiness, which is really helpful if you're looking for the episodes with the most B & D in them to rent. Not that I would know, I mean, that's uhhh what I've heard anyway.

Book Ends

Like two bookends they were. John Steed and Kathy Gale? John Steed and Mrs. Emma Peel? John Steed and Tara King? You decide. "The Avengers" was a popular 1960's British fantasy-adventure series that focused on the exploits of a male-female duo in the service of the British government. The series underwent several changes of its female lead but its one constant male lead was John Steed always portrayed by the debonair Patrick Macnee (Originally the John Steed had two male partners but that format eventually changed). Kathy Gale portrayed by Honor Blackman became Steed's first female partner. However, when Honor Blackman departed the series and Diana Rigg entered as Mrs. Emma Peel, the show became an international sensation. Rigg brought sophistication, wit, charm and beauty, which hid her lethal and highly visual judo and karate abilities. Macnee and Rigg complemented each other beautifully with their carefree witty and charming exchange of dialogue. The show distinguished itself with bizarre and futuristic villains and fantastic plots. Popular at the height of the James Bond craze, the show was able to distinguish itself with its simply over-the-top visual style. Laurie Johnson's catchy and sophisticated main title theme matched the visuals of the show and still conjures up an image of the series when listened to today. I can still see the distinctive main title. When Diana Rigg left the series, Linda Thorson entered as John Steed's new partner Tara King. The series soon went off the air in the United States. It was a shame because the episodes with Tara King were quite good. The King episodes seemed to be a little more down to earth and contained some very good writing and intricate plotting. In any event series definitely left its mark amongst the finest. The episode guide format of this book is very good. Well written. I am not that fond of "The New Avengers" or Sean Connery's weak Avengers movie (even though it did have a good score). This is a must-have book for your library if you are an "The Avengers" fan.

A fun and amusing view of the Avengers

For a light-hearted whimsical view of the Avengers, read this book. There are wondeful categories that the other books just don't have. Everything from fights to a champagne count is included in this book. The authors rate everything on a 5-star scale. See if your favorite episodes are the same as theirs.

Wonderful!

I thought this was a great book for the fan who wants something different than an episode synopsis. This book offered so much more. I've probably seen most of the episodes numerous times and knew them well; but this book pointed out details that I had never noticed before. An absolutely fascinating book! Definitely a must for Avengers fans.

Champagne, wit, and kinkiness; what more do you need?

This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read about The Avengers. The authors group their comments around individual episodes, but rather than just being an episode guide, the listings contain an index of 'wit,' 'kinkiness,' 'fights,' and 'champagne' (and in the case of The New Avengers, 'fashion victims' and 'porno funk music'). The authors also include behind-the-scenes tidbits about each episode; they obviously love the series but aren't above poking playful fun at it. Warning: this book is addictive. I find it hard to put down.