The Complete Slayer: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Seven Seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

As an American, it hurts to admit that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the quintessential expression of American cheekiness and derring-do, has been best chronicled by a Britisher. Of course, I'm teasing a bit. But there is no question that Keith Topping seems to have a better grasp of what is important in the Buffyverse than many of his contemporaries on this side of the ocean.What Topping does not do is write one agonizing reprise after another of all the episodes of Season Six of the show. As viewers will no doubt remember, Season Six was quite agonizing itself without that point being hammered home all over again. Instead, Topping provides very short synopses, followed by myriad details of things that are unique, funny, or perplexing about each episode.You will be treated to paragraphs on 'A little learning is a dangerous thing' (the power of misinformation), 'Denial they name is...' (Self-delusion in Sunnydale), 'It's a designer label..' (clothes, of course), valley-speak, geek-speak, logic errors, and ever more items that bring to light the aspects of the production which the viewer, caught up in the story, is likely to miss. All of this is done in a style that is an enjoyable mix of tongue-in-cheek and respectfully serious.Topping is an excellent researcher. His ability to find countless relationships, both intentional and accidental, to other atavars of popular culture is uncanny. Nor does he hesitate to introduce the reader to the more analytic writings on Buffy and the Scooby gang. Despite the spottiness of Season Six, Topping manages to ferret out all the good parts - to the point where I have to admit that the book is better than the season.If you are a fan then you will want this book. And you will want to track down Topping's other efforts on the show that nearly ate South California.

For those who liked Keith Topping's British perspective in his earlier 'Slayer' volume, here is an update. This book covers only the 6th season - Buffy's resurrection, the Trioka, the musical, Willow-as-evil, etc. Each episode receives 5-to-8 pages of coverage, organized under various thematic headings: Plot summary, music, memorable quotes, comments on the women's clothing, continuity errors, logic flaws, pop culture references, etc. Topping seems to have caught everything, down to the tiniest continuity error.There are also separate essays on (1) series creator Joss Whedon, (2) the network switch to UPN, (3) an update on BtVS novels (about a paragraph on each), (4) an update on BtVS and the internet, and (5) predictions for the 7th season, which was the last season of this underappreciated series that never gained the viewership it deserved.

Put quite simply, this is the best book of Buffy that you could ever buy. Every possible aspect is covered, and done so in a intelligent and passionate way. This is a book written by an author and a fan, and as such you get an elequent and researched account of the series, yet more importantly you can relate to him. Quite often I disagree with his opinion of a particular episode, yet that is part of the quality of the book: you don't get all the sentimentality and slush of official books. Topping writes his opinion, and isn't afraid to say when something on the show just doesn't work. I have constantly returned to the book other the years: it isn't something you read just once. This book is refreshing and honest and I await each new addition with far too much anticipation! In all honesty, I feel as much affection for the book as I do Buffy itself.

It gives Pop Culture References, such as "Authority Sucks!" and "It's a Designer Label." This book a "must" for all fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It covers season 1 through 5 in great detail. Its a good read for everyone.

A refreshing change to stuffy old Guides to T.V show. I especially loved the fashion reports on each episode listed. It was well written, and achieved a funny, interesting, information packed guide to the worlds greatest T.V. shows! (Except for Angel)The only thing I could fault(and I am very, very picky) was the lack of pictures.