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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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Timeless A-Peel
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4866
Location: New Scotland, Canada
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 Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 5:06 am Post subject: |
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I had no idea the book had been released with a different foreword, but I suspect other than that the versions are identical. Andrew will be able to tell you otherwise, though--he's around here a fair bit. 
As for the book itself, I absolutely love it, but you have to be clear on what kind of book it is. It's not a series guide about the making of the show, like one of the Dave Rogers books, or any of the umpteen other texts that are floating around. Andrew has done an insane amount of research and pulled together facts from the TV episodes, the novels, the comic strips, etc., and created highly detailed biographies about the lives and characteristics each of the main characters. It's also written as though the series happened in "real life," and all the characters actually existed, and this means there are lots of little clever bits where he explains away certain things, like why Steed investigates the same assignment multiple times, right down to echoing the same dialogue, in stories like The Charmers/The Correct Way to Kill.
So it all depends on what you want from the book. If you want to learn everything there possibly is to know about the characters, buy it. But if you're looking for something about how the show was made, this isn't going to help you.
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, Timeless for that short description of the book.
That's the right book I need. Some other information about the biography of the characters, lives, characteristics...
Well, I don't need a TV guide any more. For that, I've already the Dave Rogers books and some very detailed websites. 
In general the main facts, how the show was made, TV guide,... I already know. 
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994  |
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Timeless A-Peel
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4866
Location: New Scotland, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| Sinus1994 wrote: | Thanks, Timeless for that short description of the book.
That's the right book I need. Some other information about the biography of the characters, lives, characteristics...
Well, I don't need a TV guide any more. For that, I've already the Dave Rogers books and some very detailed websites.
In general the main facts, how the show was made, TV guide,... I already know. |
Part of the reason I enjoyed the book so much was because it was something different from what had already been put out. So many of the books recycle the same facts and stories, so it was nice to have something different for a change. We don't need another episode guide! But some people bought it expecting a series guide and were disappointed, so I thought I'd give you a heads up.
But if you want all the little nitpicky details about the characters, you'll have lots of fun with it.
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:35 am Post subject: |
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I think I'm going to enjoy the book!
I have enough from all the boring episodes/TV guides! Nearly in every book about The Avengers is an episode guide included and it gradually annoys me... 
| Timeless A-Peel wrote: | | But if you want all the little nitpicky details about the characters, you'll have lots of fun with it. |
That's what I need/want to bright up my monotone/boring daily routine! 
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Andrew Pixley
Have Fingers... Will Type!
Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 422
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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Hello
There was only ever a version with the Brian Clemens foreword - I think the Patrick Macnee one was somebody at the publishers being a bit over-optimistic. And as for Amazon, they actually posted a description of the book on-line before it had been written ... so where they made up their information from, God only knows!
If you're desperate to inflict the volume on yourself, the 2007 is probably better because there were a few minor changes and corrections. But either version is pretty mad. It doesn't really work as a book (I can say that now that the publishers have gone into liquidation - the rights had already reverted back to me anyway), but it was fun to do and I'm grateful to those involved for giving me the opportunity to do someting really very, very bonkers indeed rather than just trot out another episode guide book. But it's an acquired taste, upset quite a few people when it was published (mainly because they'd ordered it based on the highly misleading Amazon description) and really, really, really wasn't what "Avengers" fandom wanted.
So ... don't pay over the odds for it! Hope you find it of interest should you acquire one!
All the best
Andrew |
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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| Andrew Pixley wrote: | Hello
There was only ever a version with the Brian Clemens foreword - I think the Patrick Macnee one was somebody at the publishers being a bit over-optimistic. And as for Amazon, they actually posted a description of the book on-line before it had been written ... so where they made up their information from, God only knows!
If you're desperate to inflict the volume on yourself, the 2007 is probably better because there were a few minor changes and corrections. But either version is pretty mad. It doesn't really work as a book (I can say that now that the publishers have gone into liquidation - the rights had already reverted back to me anyway), but it was fun to do and I'm grateful to those involved for giving me the opportunity to do someting really very, very bonkers indeed rather than just trot out another episode guide book. But it's an acquired taste, upset quite a few people when it was published (mainly because they'd ordered it based on the highly misleading Amazon description) and really, really, really wasn't what "Avengers" fandom wanted.
So ... don't pay over the odds for it! Hope you find it of interest should you acquire one!
All the best
Andrew |
Well, I've red some books about The Avengers, all of them in the style "what the fandom wants".
And now, after I know nearly everything what is written in the books (TV guide, how the series was made,...), I want to know some different/new things especially about the characters, biographies,...
That's why I'd lie to read this book!
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Timeless A-Peel
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4866
Location: New Scotland, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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| Andrew Pixley wrote: | Hello
There was only ever a version with the Brian Clemens foreword - I think the Patrick Macnee one was somebody at the publishers being a bit over-optimistic. And as for Amazon, they actually posted a description of the book on-line before it had been written ... so where they made up their information from, God only knows!
If you're desperate to inflict the volume on yourself, the 2007 is probably better because there were a few minor changes and corrections. But either version is pretty mad. It doesn't really work as a book (I can say that now that the publishers have gone into liquidation - the rights had already reverted back to me anyway), but it was fun to do and I'm grateful to those involved for giving me the opportunity to do someting really very, very bonkers indeed rather than just trot out another episode guide book. But it's an acquired taste, upset quite a few people when it was published (mainly because they'd ordered it based on the highly misleading Amazon description) and really, really, really wasn't what "Avengers" fandom wanted.
So ... don't pay over the odds for it! Hope you find it of interest should you acquire one!
All the best
Andrew |
Ah, I knew you'd come along to straighten it all out, Andrew. Thanks!
I know it got a lot of stick, but I'll just reiterate how much I loved the book--I refer to it more than a lot of my other Avengers reference books now. The detail in it is fantastic, and I loved the way it was written--it's such a fun, friendly book, with a real sense of humour about the absurdities of its subject matter. And it's a gift to fanfiction writers who are saved the necessity of squinting at screengrabs to work out just what the number was on Gambit's ID card. I'd never part with my copy.
It's actually a pretty good guide to some of the more obscure articles and such that were written on the show, too--I remember stumbling across references to The Sleeping Dragon in Gambit's bio and wondering what on earth it was. Gave me something else to track down.
If you do get it, Sinus, I hope you enjoy it. It's a real gem.
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Andrew Pixley
Have Fingers... Will Type!
Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 422
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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Hello
| Sinus1994 wrote: | Well, I've red some books about The Avengers, all of them in the style "what the fandom wants".
And now, after I know nearly everything what is written in the books (TV guide, how the series was made,...), I want to know some different/new things especially about the characters, biographies,...
That's why I'd lie to read this book! |
In that case, this might just be up your street. I feel a lot happier people buying it when they know what it actually is!
But it is a bit mad ...
Have fun with it!
All the best
Andrew |
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denis
Have Fingers... Will Type!
Joined: 06 Sep 2008
Posts: 339
Location: France
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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| Andrew Pixley wrote: | | If you're desperate to inflict the volume on yourself, the 2007 is probably better because there were a few minor changes and corrections. |
What are these changes?
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Andrew Pixley
Have Fingers... Will Type!
Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 422
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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Hiya
| Timeless A-Peel wrote: | | Ah, I knew you'd come along to straighten it all out, Andrew. Thanks! |
Always happy to help when I get a moment ...
| Quote: | | I know it got a lot of stick, but I'll just reiterate how much I loved the book--I refer to it more than a lot of my other Avengers reference books now. The detail in it is fantastic, and I loved the way it was written--it's such a fun, friendly book, with a real sense of humour about the absurdities of its subject matter. And it's a gift to fanfiction writers who are saved the necessity of squinting at screengrabs to work out just what the number was on Gambit's ID card. I'd never part with my copy. |
So pleased that it did hit the spot for some people like yourself. I think that I just wanted to have a lot of fun with it. Certainly it's the book that I wanted to write, although whether that's a good thing or not is open to debate! For fan-fiction and continuity though, I can see its uses; one of the elements I really wanted to have fun with was all the contradictions of the fiction ... why does Steed keep dogs on year and then a couple of years later refuse even to have them on his tie!?!
| Quote: | | It's actually a pretty good guide to some of the more obscure articles and such that were written on the show, too--I remember stumbling across references to The Sleeping Dragon in Gambit's bio and wondering what on earth it was. Gave me something else to track down. |
Oh yes - the comics, the books, the annuals, etc. We put a lot of that in at times simply because some of the tie-ins were so very bad and bore so very little resemblance to the show ... and it seemed to be another opportunity to have fun with it.
Thanks for your kind and generous words; much appreciated!
All the best
Andrew |
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:07 am Post subject: |
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If it's a bit mad, or not...
I'll have lots of fun with it!
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Timeless A-Peel
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4866
Location: New Scotland, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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| Andrew Pixley wrote: | Hiya
Always happy to help when I get a moment ...
So pleased that it did hit the spot for some people like yourself. I think that I just wanted to have a lot of fun with it. Certainly it's the book that I wanted to write, although whether that's a good thing or not is open to debate! For fan-fiction and continuity though, I can see its uses; one of the elements I really wanted to have fun with was all the contradictions of the fiction ... why does Steed keep dogs on year and then a couple of years later refuse even to have them on his tie!?!
Oh yes - the comics, the books, the annuals, etc. We put a lot of that in at times simply because some of the tie-ins were so very bad and bore so very little resemblance to the show ... and it seemed to be another opportunity to have fun with it.
Thanks for your kind and generous words; much appreciated!
All the best
Andrew |
It's all well-deserved, Andrew. Having all that information in one spot is inordinately useful. And seeing how you dealt with the continuity issues was half the fun. (Though Steed always seemed a bit fickle when it came to his dogs--it seemed he had a different one every other week. Maybe one day Freckles turned on him and put him off canines for good? )
And some of the tie-ins were so badly done, they deserved to have the mickey taken out of them. That's the best thing about the book--very tongue-in-cheek. Much like the show, actually. I'm glad you enjoyed doing it, because I enjoyed reading it. It's a shame the promotion was misleading.  Still, it's always there for the people who want it. 
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dissolute
The Ministry
Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Posts: 2136
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:19 am Post subject: |
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I'm frankly amazed that some people didn't like it. I thought it was the best book on "The Avengers" I'd read. Sure, you needed some background knowledge and a bit of reading between the lines if you wanted "cold, hard facts" but that was it's joy.
Sometimes, people in this game take things too seriously. I certainly gleaned some nuggests that I'd previously overlooked and could add to the website, and had a rippin' good read along the way.
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http://www.dissolute.com.au/the-avengers-tv-series/
Every episode from 1961 to 1977 plus more trivia than you can shake a brolly at. |
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:00 am Post subject: |
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| dissolute wrote: | I'm frankly amazed that some people didn't like it. I thought it was the best book on "The Avengers" I'd read. Sure, you needed some background knowledge and a bit of reading between the lines if you wanted "cold, hard facts" but that was it's joy.
Sometimes, people in this game take things too seriously. I certainly gleaned some nuggests that I'd previously overlooked and could add to the website, and had a rippin' good read along the way. |
Well, I suppose that, because of the title, "beginners" read the book first and are disappointed about the content.
I think i'ts a book for "the experts" and fans who alreday have some background knowledge about the whole theme.
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Frankymole
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 01 Sep 2008
Posts: 4585
Location: Carmadoc research establishment
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| Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Avengers Files by Andrew Pixley |
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| denis wrote: | | Andrew Pixley wrote: | | If you're desperate to inflict the volume on yourself, the 2007 is probably better because there were a few minor changes and corrections. |
What are these changes? |
Well I know there was a spelling correction in one of the chapter titles! I don't think there was anything too major.
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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MY BOOK ARRIVED TODAY! 
I'm so glad to have a new book about The Avengers to read.
My little list I worked off:
Point 1: checked the cover -> great!
Point 2 (very important): view pictures -> marvellous!!
Point 3: read -> in progress...
Well, I'm very content with it!
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Timeless A-Peel
A Touch of Brimstone
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4866
Location: New Scotland, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Sinus1994 wrote: | MY BOOK ARRIVED TODAY!
I'm so glad to have a new book about The Avengers to read.
My little list I worked off:
Point 1: checked the cover -> great!
Point 2 (very important): view pictures -> marvellous!!
Point 3: read -> in progress...
Well, I'm very content with it! |
Glad to hear it, Sinus. And yes, there are some particularly gorgeous pictures in the book. You have many happy hours of reading ahead of you.
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Sinus1994
Winged Avenger
Joined: 07 Dec 2011
Posts: 604
Location: Hidden under Mrs Peel's bed
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, I have indeed!
It is a pleasure, sitting relaxed in the bus in the afternoon, after a long working day, and reading this book.
I love the pictures in the book, there are also some I haven't seen before.
Sincerely yours,
Sinus1994 |
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Andrew Pixley
Have Fingers... Will Type!
Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 422
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Sinus1994 wrote: | MY BOOK ARRIVED TODAY!
I'm so glad to have a new book about The Avengers to read.
My little list I worked off:
Point 1: checked the cover -> great!
Point 2 (very important): view pictures -> marvellous!!
Point 3: read -> in progress...
Well, I'm very content with it!
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So pleased to hear that it's the sort of book you're after ... and that another copy has found a home where it'll be looked after and enjoyed.
All the best
Andrew |
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