Inside the West Wing: An Unauthorized Look at Television's Smartest Show

if you loved the show you will love this book. A absolute must for any fan of the show. Details at length character and actor profiles, a full episode guide for the first two seasons and the reasonings for the show's creation. A excellent companion when watching the show to help jog the memory.

This book, is not aimed at fans who have watched each episode numerous times, been to Internet chat rooms on the show, and don't need a book that merely tells them what they already know. It is aimed at the majority of "West Wing" viewers who watch when they can and might tape the show but may have missed a few episodes and who would like an easily available reference to what they have missed or forgotten. Notes:1) There are numerous mistakes, but I can't think of any book on any show without mistakes. 2) The book is UN-official so none of the producers were interviewed --- but then a show shouldn't need its writers to explain what they meant.3) In the interest of full disclosure I should identify myself as one of the people interviewed for the book (due to running the "Continuity Guide to the West Wing" website).

While I quite enjoyed this book, I wasn't sure if it was because I'm a devoted fan of the show, or because it was actually good. I loved the summaries of the episodes, but thought they could have done away with the online aspects of the fandom (except for the excellent features on jedbartlet.com and the sadly now-missing testytoads sites). Although I'm a fanfic writer, I appreciate the author not including very much detail about sites where fic can be found. A few of Mr. Challen's observations about the series were confusing. He offers wonderful insight into a few of the characters, but some of his critizisms are based on scenes that either didn't happen or weren't in the final script. (For example, he is incredulous that Donna could stroll into the White House and decree herself Deputy Deputy Chief of Staff. (My words, not his. His involve better English than mine :) If I remember "ITSOTG Pt.2" correctly, Donna did this while they were on the campaign trail.) At any rate, a piddling annoyance in an otherwise fine book. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves the West Wing and cannot bear to wait for the 'authorized' novels to be printed.

As a devoted Winger, I jumped at the chance to own this book. It was well worth the money.With cast/character bios, critic reaction analysis, a look at the fans online (yay Susannah and Testy!), and an episode summary guide for the first two seasons, this is a must have for any fan.Make this a stocking stuffer for the Wingnut you love.

I thought the book was good. I enjoyed reading about how the West Wing is written and produced. The summary on the characters, actors, and episodes were awesome. I agree that The West Wing was smart to make Janel Moloney a regular. Janel is amazing as Donna. She is really talented, she's a gem. I also thought the book should of had more photos and more on Dule Hill and Janel Moloney.