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Inside HBO's Game of Thrones II: Seasons 3 & 4
Each episode of HBO's Game of Thrones draws millions of obsessed viewers who revel in the shocking plot twists, award-winning performances, and gorgeously rendered fantasy world. This official companion book reveals what it takes to translate George R. R. Martin's bestselling series into a wildly popular television series. With unprecedented scope and depth, it showcases hundreds of unpublished set photos, visual effects art, and production and costume designs, plus insights from key actors and crew members that capture the best scripted and unscripted moments from Seasons 3 and 4. Required reading for the die-hard fan, and the perfect way to catch up on the series before the much-anticipated Season 5 debuts, this special volume offers an exclusive window into cable's highest-rated show.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2014
47 people are currently reading
2255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 9, 2016
I would recommend this book, more to fans of the television show over those who have read all books. If yo have read the series you might not enjoy reading simplified description of the character’s background stories; that you already know in more intimate detail. That being said, I bought the book anyway because, I enjoy reading about the filming locations and the costume design.
-For fans of the TV show- 4/5*
-For fans of A Song of Ice and Fire- 3/5*- Your better of reading an Untold History of Westeros
The visuals in the book are great; some of the more memorable scenes have been captured in one image, such as Daenerys freeing of the Unsullied from Astapor.
The most enjoyable feature of the book, for me, was the actors commenting on their characters and their experience within the show. Also, something I found quite amusing: George. R. R Martin originally wanted to be an extra in the Red Wedding having his throat slit in the background as the slaughter began! That would thoroughly amusing.
The book is set out like the sequence of the episodes. This works fairly well as it has an authentic feel. But, some of it seems a little disjointed. For example, we have an explanation of how the giants were filmed, at the end of the book when most of the descriptions for that part of the story are near the beginning. Also, I noticed, as with the first book that the character’s family tree seem to be the wrong way round. What I mean is the oldest ancestor is at the bottom and then the generations work upwards; it sound a little petty but I found that a little bit annoying.Why does this book try to break a simple covention?
Overall, it is worth owning if you’re a massive fan of everything A Song of Ice and Fire or if you just want to find out a little bit more about the characters in the television show, if you have not read the books.
-For fans of the TV show- 4/5*
-For fans of A Song of Ice and Fire- 3/5*- Your better of reading an Untold History of Westeros
The visuals in the book are great; some of the more memorable scenes have been captured in one image, such as Daenerys freeing of the Unsullied from Astapor.
The most enjoyable feature of the book, for me, was the actors commenting on their characters and their experience within the show. Also, something I found quite amusing: George. R. R Martin originally wanted to be an extra in the Red Wedding having his throat slit in the background as the slaughter began! That would thoroughly amusing.
The book is set out like the sequence of the episodes. This works fairly well as it has an authentic feel. But, some of it seems a little disjointed. For example, we have an explanation of how the giants were filmed, at the end of the book when most of the descriptions for that part of the story are near the beginning. Also, I noticed, as with the first book that the character’s family tree seem to be the wrong way round. What I mean is the oldest ancestor is at the bottom and then the generations work upwards; it sound a little petty but I found that a little bit annoying.Why does this book try to break a simple covention?
Overall, it is worth owning if you’re a massive fan of everything A Song of Ice and Fire or if you just want to find out a little bit more about the characters in the television show, if you have not read the books.
May 24, 2015
Een van de mooiste boeken in mijn boekenkast! Mijn recensie kan je hier lezen:
http://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie/...
http://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie/...
January 3, 2018
fewgerg
November 10, 2014
Geweldig boek voor de echte Game of Thrones fanaat. Binnenkort vertel ik er meer over op mijn blog!
December 22, 2015
I swear I didn't mean to read this all in one sitting
June 27, 2022
Partiendo de la base que adoro los libros "Detrás de escenas" imaginaros todo lo que me ha gustado y apasionado esta lectura.
Lo mejor: En primer lugar la parte de vestuario, como no podía ser menos. Aunque tan solo se tratan algunos ejemplos simbólicos de estas temporadas (seis ejemplos para ser más específicos). Mi segunda parte favorita ha sido la creación y busqueda de set. Ambas temporadas se llevaron a cabo entre el estudio de Belfast, en Irlanda del Norte, Islandia y Croacia.
Lo "peor": Tan solo trata las temporadas 3 y 4, para saber más de la producción y behind the scenes de otras temporadas hay que completar con otros libros que se encuentran en el mercado. Otro punto negativo es que la serie de estos libros dedicados a las temporadas 1&2 y posteriores a la cuarta temporada son imposibles (al menos yo no los encuentro) de encontrar. Para ello mejor hacerse con las guías completas de temporada 1 a 8.
Puntuación total: 5/5 ✨
Lo mejor: En primer lugar la parte de vestuario, como no podía ser menos. Aunque tan solo se tratan algunos ejemplos simbólicos de estas temporadas (seis ejemplos para ser más específicos). Mi segunda parte favorita ha sido la creación y busqueda de set. Ambas temporadas se llevaron a cabo entre el estudio de Belfast, en Irlanda del Norte, Islandia y Croacia.
Lo "peor": Tan solo trata las temporadas 3 y 4, para saber más de la producción y behind the scenes de otras temporadas hay que completar con otros libros que se encuentran en el mercado. Otro punto negativo es que la serie de estos libros dedicados a las temporadas 1&2 y posteriores a la cuarta temporada son imposibles (al menos yo no los encuentro) de encontrar. Para ello mejor hacerse con las guías completas de temporada 1 a 8.
Puntuación total: 5/5 ✨
November 10, 2025
Another behind-the-scenes officially licensed book from HBO, focuses on seasons three and four from the TV series, Game of Thrones.
This installment focuses more on interviews with cast and crew, along with other aspects that were overlooked in the first book. Some aspects were still sparse, but still a beautiful book overall. A great book for fans looking for information about two superb seasons.
This installment focuses more on interviews with cast and crew, along with other aspects that were overlooked in the first book. Some aspects were still sparse, but still a beautiful book overall. A great book for fans looking for information about two superb seasons.
January 26, 2015
Let me put on my Captain Obvious cape and state... well, the obvious - the book is simply beautiful. No coffee table is too good for this one. You have to give credit where credit is due, everything that has to do with Game of Thrones (the novels, the show, the production, the acting, the budget and even these "making of" books) is just Quality.
Not only is this book easy on the eyes, it's also a nice tight summary of seasons 3 and 4. When I watch the series in real time, it is so saturated with characters and events that it's almost like I'm on a wild ride and when the "ride" is over, I'm left sitting there, trying to connect the dots and wrap my head around what just happened. Reading through this book was a great way to neatly tie together everything that happened in the last two seasons, before this coming April's premier of season 5.
An added bonus of this fun book is the remarks and comments of producers, directors, actors and everyone involved in the creation of this HBO treasure. For example, I just had to lol at this quote by George R. R. Martin on the Red Wedding:
Not only is this book easy on the eyes, it's also a nice tight summary of seasons 3 and 4. When I watch the series in real time, it is so saturated with characters and events that it's almost like I'm on a wild ride and when the "ride" is over, I'm left sitting there, trying to connect the dots and wrap my head around what just happened. Reading through this book was a great way to neatly tie together everything that happened in the last two seasons, before this coming April's premier of season 5.
An added bonus of this fun book is the remarks and comments of producers, directors, actors and everyone involved in the creation of this HBO treasure. For example, I just had to lol at this quote by George R. R. Martin on the Red Wedding:
"In 90 percent of fantasies the father is murdered and the son picks up his mantle and avenges him. I wanted a switch, where you seem to be getting the heroic son, but whoops - he's dead, too."If he's not an awesome guy, then I don't know who is.
October 23, 2015
This was another brilliant companion book. Most of the Houses and characters had already been covered in the first book, so this one focused a lot more on locations and key moments from the TV show.
There were many new locations visited in seasons three and four and there seemed to be plenty of significant moments and it was very interesting finding out the background details on how they were created and filmed.
Again, there were insightful interviews with the cast and crew and of course, lots of beautiful photos and concept art images.
This is another must-have addition for the collection of any Game of Thrones fan.
There were many new locations visited in seasons three and four and there seemed to be plenty of significant moments and it was very interesting finding out the background details on how they were created and filmed.
Again, there were insightful interviews with the cast and crew and of course, lots of beautiful photos and concept art images.
This is another must-have addition for the collection of any Game of Thrones fan.
October 9, 2016
This isn't an encyclopedia of the world like The World of Ice & Fire so don't go into this looking for some expansive backstory. This is a behind-the-scenes view of the, arguably, two best seasons of the show, complete with cast interviews, insight from the crew, GRRM's views and summaries of especially important/impressive episodes.
There was the occasional "A brief history of...", but it is that, brief. It's a very condensed version of mythology and history that can serve as a nice way to refresh your memory without getting bogged down in all the characters, context and detail of The World. The fact that I read this in an afternoon, while it took me 5 days to read the world book, should tell you about the difference of depth.
Now, personally, the fourth season of GOT is my favourite thing to have ever been put on television, with The Watchers on the Wall being my favourite episode, so there was no way I wouldn't love this.
The bits I found most interesting were actually the crew going into detail about their contributions. Like the amount of thought that went into Sansa's wedding dress (the band was inspired by the opening sequence and tells Sansa's story, beginning with the Tully's fish and the Stark's direwolf, and ending with the lion). Or Margaery's dress which looks all pretty but has thorns everywhere. There was a lot on scouting locations and preparing sets, but also fun stuff like the Epilogue with the actors choosing who'd they want to be put on Arya's list (and subsequently eliminated). I found a lot of the cast's input superfluous because, when they weren't discussing their process, they'd just be retelling the story of a certain character (the most fascinating was Richard Madden talking about filming the Red Wedding). Emilia Clarke consistently offered actually interesting perspectives on relationships and characters:
And she's just the most charming person ever:
Now, because I'm a freak and watch all BTS videos the moment they're available, this threaded a lot of familiar ground, but it was still nice to see all the information collected in such a beautifully designed book.
This might just be the prettiest book I now own. LOOK AT THAT SPINE!
There was the occasional "A brief history of...", but it is that, brief. It's a very condensed version of mythology and history that can serve as a nice way to refresh your memory without getting bogged down in all the characters, context and detail of The World. The fact that I read this in an afternoon, while it took me 5 days to read the world book, should tell you about the difference of depth.
Now, personally, the fourth season of GOT is my favourite thing to have ever been put on television, with The Watchers on the Wall being my favourite episode, so there was no way I wouldn't love this.
The bits I found most interesting were actually the crew going into detail about their contributions. Like the amount of thought that went into Sansa's wedding dress (the band was inspired by the opening sequence and tells Sansa's story, beginning with the Tully's fish and the Stark's direwolf, and ending with the lion). Or Margaery's dress which looks all pretty but has thorns everywhere. There was a lot on scouting locations and preparing sets, but also fun stuff like the Epilogue with the actors choosing who'd they want to be put on Arya's list (and subsequently eliminated). I found a lot of the cast's input superfluous because, when they weren't discussing their process, they'd just be retelling the story of a certain character (the most fascinating was Richard Madden talking about filming the Red Wedding). Emilia Clarke consistently offered actually interesting perspectives on relationships and characters:
In some ways Missandei is her constant reminder that there will always be another woman. There is always more good to do in the world.
And she's just the most charming person ever:
[On seeing the dragons for the first time] I actually heard them first, and my reaction was visceral. I ran to the other room thinking, "My babies!" It's quite incredible to see them brought to life.
Now, because I'm a freak and watch all BTS videos the moment they're available, this threaded a lot of familiar ground, but it was still nice to see all the information collected in such a beautifully designed book.
This might just be the prettiest book I now own. LOOK AT THAT SPINE!
April 21, 2022
I liked Game of Thrones (the series, not the exhausting books), but not to the extent of reading this much about them. I devoured everything about the Lord of the Rings films, happily read the salute to Schitt's Creek, and yet this volume left me cold ... and bored. Perhaps if I'd started with the first book about the first 2 seasons, but this was a gift from my sister who's not great at reading small print and probably just saw "Game of Thrones" and thought good enough.
Instead of talking more about the challenges of filming, wardrobe choices, set design, special effects, etc., there's a lot of time wasted (IMO) on the many characters, most of whom I've already forgotten. Do I need to know that Edmure is delighted with Roslin's beauty? I don't remember either of them, so probably not.
If you're a huge fan, you may love it. If you're just a fan, as I was, it's just not captivating enough in its own right.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
Instead of talking more about the challenges of filming, wardrobe choices, set design, special effects, etc., there's a lot of time wasted (IMO) on the many characters, most of whom I've already forgotten. Do I need to know that Edmure is delighted with Roslin's beauty? I don't remember either of them, so probably not.
If you're a huge fan, you may love it. If you're just a fan, as I was, it's just not captivating enough in its own right.
(5* = amazing, terrific book, one of my all-time favourites, 4* = very good book, 3* = good book, but nothing to particularly rave about, 2* = disappointing book, and 1* = awful, just awful. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
September 3, 2018
This second volume is as visually stunning as the first book, inside and out. I think a map would be a nice addition to it. I loved seeing the exotic locations they filmed in. The comments from the cast and crew shed light on why things were shot in a specific way and what really happened behind the scenes…I always love that.
I loved the display of the costumes upclose to allow a view of the immaculate details-spectacular. Daenery’s costumes are some of my favorites. She has such drastic interesting changes as she goes from a sort of masculine peasant style to a fierce feminine dragonesque style (if that’s such a thing). Different styles in regions far and wide were described-Dorne with fabrics resembling snakeskin for a hot climate, wildlings cloaked in furs for the unbearable cold, Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell’s wedding gowns were especially stunning. Impressive White Walker costumes and their skeletal makeup is fantastic and eerie.
I loved the display of the costumes upclose to allow a view of the immaculate details-spectacular. Daenery’s costumes are some of my favorites. She has such drastic interesting changes as she goes from a sort of masculine peasant style to a fierce feminine dragonesque style (if that’s such a thing). Different styles in regions far and wide were described-Dorne with fabrics resembling snakeskin for a hot climate, wildlings cloaked in furs for the unbearable cold, Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell’s wedding gowns were especially stunning. Impressive White Walker costumes and their skeletal makeup is fantastic and eerie.
October 2, 2025
A Storm of Swords is arguably the most intense and emotionally impactful book in the series so far. George R.R. Martin takes the complex threads introduced in the previous volumes and brings many of them to a brutal and unforgettable climax.
This book is packed with major events that redefine the story — betrayals, deaths, reversals of fortune — all handled with masterful pacing and character development. Readers who have grown attached to the characters will likely be shocked, heartbroken, or both.
Despite its length, the book maintains strong momentum, shifting effectively between character arcs and regions of the world. The fantasy elements also grow more pronounced, deepening the mythological scope of the series without losing its political edge.
A powerful and well-crafted installment that raises the bar for epic fantasy
This book is packed with major events that redefine the story — betrayals, deaths, reversals of fortune — all handled with masterful pacing and character development. Readers who have grown attached to the characters will likely be shocked, heartbroken, or both.
Despite its length, the book maintains strong momentum, shifting effectively between character arcs and regions of the world. The fantasy elements also grow more pronounced, deepening the mythological scope of the series without losing its political edge.
A powerful and well-crafted installment that raises the bar for epic fantasy
May 19, 2020
Der Nachfolger zum ersten Teil, der die ersten beiden Staffeln von Game of Thrones umfasst hat. Auch dieser ist wieder aufwendig und sehr schön gestaltet und aufgebaut worden.
Zu diesen Büchern eine Frage, vielleicht kann mir hier einer weiterhelfen: Es sollte dieses Jahr ja noch einer erscheinen für die letzten Staffeln, allerdings ist das nie passiert. Könnte "Ein Führer durch Westeros und darüber hinaus" nun dieses Buch sein, ich blicke da, ehrlich gesagt, nicht so ganz durch. Danke für eure Hilfe, egal, ob und wie sie ausfallen mag. :)
Zu diesen Büchern eine Frage, vielleicht kann mir hier einer weiterhelfen: Es sollte dieses Jahr ja noch einer erscheinen für die letzten Staffeln, allerdings ist das nie passiert. Könnte "Ein Führer durch Westeros und darüber hinaus" nun dieses Buch sein, ich blicke da, ehrlich gesagt, nicht so ganz durch. Danke für eure Hilfe, egal, ob und wie sie ausfallen mag. :)
September 10, 2017
This was a book that I brought to feed my Game of Thrones fixation. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Snippets on costumes, locations and sets are interspersed with brief backstories on certain houses and characters. What I found most interesting were how the actors interpreted the thoughts, mechanizations and actions of their characters during some memorable scenes.
A rich, colourful keepsake for all we Seven Kingdom fans.
A rich, colourful keepsake for all we Seven Kingdom fans.
September 21, 2022
I really wish they continued this series with the rest of the show. It is fascinating to read about the design choices, motifs/themes, and character development that went into the various aspects of this story. Also the multiple-page spreads and pictures were beautiful as well as the page design and maps. Although drastically missing the depth of the book series, the Game of Thrones show and these books are still very meaningful and interesting.
August 19, 2025
Incroyable le 3 encore mieux que le 4 vu que dans le 4 tout le monde est déjà mort et qu’on passe à l’histoire des Greyjoy (j’en ai rien à foutre) donc le 3 je met 5 étoiles mais le 4 je n’en mets que 4
July 2, 2019
As good as expected...
July 30, 2020
It provides a good background for some scenes in the show and it complements the lore very well. The artwork is superb. Loved it.
August 25, 2024
Behind the scenes
Loved this book!! This has behind the scenes for seasons 3 and 4 of the hit show Game of Thrones.
It was interesting learning about both seasons.
Loved this book!! This has behind the scenes for seasons 3 and 4 of the hit show Game of Thrones.
It was interesting learning about both seasons.
January 17, 2025
This was also great !
January 11, 2017
I've never reviewed Non Fiction before so this one was a totally new experience for me. I really love 'behind the scenes' books and have spent many many hours reading through my Harry Potter one, so thought I couldn't go wrong with a Game of Thrones one as I love the TV series so much!
Firstly, this book is gorgeous. When I signed up for a review copy of this book no way did I know I was going to be getting something so beautiful. A stunning hardback with padded and embossed covers this is one book you will be proud to have on your bookshelf! Each page features at least one glossy photo, drawing or diagram that you will gaze at for hours!
We get tons of interview chat from the actors about their own characters, the major plot events and other fun things like who they want to die next! It's really interesting to learn about the actors thoughts on their own characters and where they think/hope their story will go next. Hearing about the actors experiences whilst filming some of the major plot events, like the Red Wedding, and seeing the whole thing from their POV was great.
I really really liked all the information we were given about the filming locations and set construction. Things like The Wall, which in the series is this massive thing, when in actually fact is only a few meters high!
The costume information as well is so interesting, an even someone who doesn't care about clothing will find the amount of effort that goes into these works of art utterly fascinating. Each costume page has drawings alongside which show the original vision for the costumes, and these just emphasis the beauty of these items of clothing.
The way this book is structured splits it into two, Season 3 and Season 4. There are some introductory pages first, information on general Game of Thrones things that are not specific to any season like the starting credits. I was really interested to find out that the map featured in the starting credits has actually changed slightly through the seasons to reflect that changes in the Game of Thrones world.
Each Season in the book contains an episode by episode breakdown alongside a detailed look at any major plot events. There is also extra information added in for specific characters who may feature heavily in a season and extra sets that were specially constructed for a season.
Structuring the book in this way made it very easy, and enjoyable to follow, my only qualm being that the episodes where not featured in any kind of order, which meant flicking around the pages a bit if you wanted to read about them in the order they appear.
As well as interviews with the actors, there is also a lot of stuff from the directors, producers etc in here and their explanations of any deviations from the books. Now I have not read the books yet, so these things are not normally apparent to me when watching the series, but it was nice for the to be in there too, along with comparisons between the book and series.
Also featured is some interviews with George R. Martin who gives us an insight into the Games of Thrones world, his opinion on the series as well as giving us some little bits of gossip, like the fact that he really wanted to be present in the Red Wedding episode and get his throat slit!
One of my favourite things to read about was the construction if the Unsullied army, which was created using just 100 extras and a whole lot of talented CGI people who managed to turn this small group of people in to a great army of thousands!
These little bits of behind the scenes magic are the reason I love books like this one, and it makes watching the series even more entertaining when you know how everything was created.
You can find more of my reviews at Broc's Bookcase
Firstly, this book is gorgeous. When I signed up for a review copy of this book no way did I know I was going to be getting something so beautiful. A stunning hardback with padded and embossed covers this is one book you will be proud to have on your bookshelf! Each page features at least one glossy photo, drawing or diagram that you will gaze at for hours!
We get tons of interview chat from the actors about their own characters, the major plot events and other fun things like who they want to die next! It's really interesting to learn about the actors thoughts on their own characters and where they think/hope their story will go next. Hearing about the actors experiences whilst filming some of the major plot events, like the Red Wedding, and seeing the whole thing from their POV was great.
I really really liked all the information we were given about the filming locations and set construction. Things like The Wall, which in the series is this massive thing, when in actually fact is only a few meters high!
The costume information as well is so interesting, an even someone who doesn't care about clothing will find the amount of effort that goes into these works of art utterly fascinating. Each costume page has drawings alongside which show the original vision for the costumes, and these just emphasis the beauty of these items of clothing.
The way this book is structured splits it into two, Season 3 and Season 4. There are some introductory pages first, information on general Game of Thrones things that are not specific to any season like the starting credits. I was really interested to find out that the map featured in the starting credits has actually changed slightly through the seasons to reflect that changes in the Game of Thrones world.
Each Season in the book contains an episode by episode breakdown alongside a detailed look at any major plot events. There is also extra information added in for specific characters who may feature heavily in a season and extra sets that were specially constructed for a season.
Structuring the book in this way made it very easy, and enjoyable to follow, my only qualm being that the episodes where not featured in any kind of order, which meant flicking around the pages a bit if you wanted to read about them in the order they appear.
As well as interviews with the actors, there is also a lot of stuff from the directors, producers etc in here and their explanations of any deviations from the books. Now I have not read the books yet, so these things are not normally apparent to me when watching the series, but it was nice for the to be in there too, along with comparisons between the book and series.
Also featured is some interviews with George R. Martin who gives us an insight into the Games of Thrones world, his opinion on the series as well as giving us some little bits of gossip, like the fact that he really wanted to be present in the Red Wedding episode and get his throat slit!
One of my favourite things to read about was the construction if the Unsullied army, which was created using just 100 extras and a whole lot of talented CGI people who managed to turn this small group of people in to a great army of thousands!
These little bits of behind the scenes magic are the reason I love books like this one, and it makes watching the series even more entertaining when you know how everything was created.
You can find more of my reviews at Broc's Bookcase
October 31, 2025
What a ride! INSIDE HBO GAME OF THRONES had me glued to the pages from the first chapter. The plot twists were clever and unpredictable, and the emotional moments hit hard. C.A TAYLOR writing style is smooth and engaging , I could picture every scene clearly. It’s been a while since I’ve read something this immersive. Definitely deserves all the praise it’s been getting!
Read
June 14, 2015TV is a complex business to say the least, but in the case of a show like Game of Thrones (GOT) the complexities are magnified. From the use of computer generated images to the various locations and huge cast managing this behemoth must be a difficult task. Yet from the forward of Inside Game of Thrones by David Benioff and D.B.Weiss you get the idea that this is as much as passion project as it is an ordeal. They (I say they as they are always credited together in their responses) chat casually to the author about various facets of the show from its inception as a book adaptation to their favourite scenes. This helps set the scene for what feels like an informal tour of the making of the show. The Author had access to various cast and crew members other than the Double D’s and she has made great use of the quotes helping to give the book this backstage feel.
The contents of the book not only looks at each episode of Seasons 3 and 4 but starts out by looking at some of the themes that tie the whole show together namely the opening credits, theme tune and the locations that help to give the show just a dramatic backdrop. These sections are interspersed with a short interview with Bryan Cogman and Chris Newman, unfortunately both these sections are very brief and I would have loved to learn more about the writing process and the producer’s role but in keeping with the rest of the book a quick look is all we get.
This quick look idea will be either the making or breaking of the book in my opinion. As an armchair guide it helps to give the show some context and a voice to the players involved in the show at large, it is not however a detailed a Westeros that some may yearn for. In covering two seasons in one volume this is to be expected but what you get is still a great look at the show.
The rest of the book is split between the two seasons but in a twist (well it is GOT) you don’t get the usual chronological look at events that you would usually find. Instead we look at themes the first and probably best illustration of this is Part One; Beyond the Wall, The major episodes of series 3 are covered such as the epic episode 6 “The Climb” but summaries of the episodes are broken up with tales from a variety of sources including “Filming the Direwolves” and “A brief history of Dragon Glass”. I love this structure as it feels sections have a natural conversational flow instead of a rigid narrative dictated by the episode list.
There is another facet to this book that I have yet to mention and that is the imagery. The chapters are filled with photos some like the feast scene at the Red Wedding you will know and others are more from a behind the scenes perspective. The images are of high quality and give you a sense of where you are in the story of a Game of Thrones.
Overall this is a great coffee table book; it has delivers information in short sharp bursts and is a lovely companion to the series. However if you are looking for an encyclopaedia of Westeros then you may need to search out another source.
Original review
my link text
The contents of the book not only looks at each episode of Seasons 3 and 4 but starts out by looking at some of the themes that tie the whole show together namely the opening credits, theme tune and the locations that help to give the show just a dramatic backdrop. These sections are interspersed with a short interview with Bryan Cogman and Chris Newman, unfortunately both these sections are very brief and I would have loved to learn more about the writing process and the producer’s role but in keeping with the rest of the book a quick look is all we get.
This quick look idea will be either the making or breaking of the book in my opinion. As an armchair guide it helps to give the show some context and a voice to the players involved in the show at large, it is not however a detailed a Westeros that some may yearn for. In covering two seasons in one volume this is to be expected but what you get is still a great look at the show.
The rest of the book is split between the two seasons but in a twist (well it is GOT) you don’t get the usual chronological look at events that you would usually find. Instead we look at themes the first and probably best illustration of this is Part One; Beyond the Wall, The major episodes of series 3 are covered such as the epic episode 6 “The Climb” but summaries of the episodes are broken up with tales from a variety of sources including “Filming the Direwolves” and “A brief history of Dragon Glass”. I love this structure as it feels sections have a natural conversational flow instead of a rigid narrative dictated by the episode list.
There is another facet to this book that I have yet to mention and that is the imagery. The chapters are filled with photos some like the feast scene at the Red Wedding you will know and others are more from a behind the scenes perspective. The images are of high quality and give you a sense of where you are in the story of a Game of Thrones.
Overall this is a great coffee table book; it has delivers information in short sharp bursts and is a lovely companion to the series. However if you are looking for an encyclopaedia of Westeros then you may need to search out another source.
Original review
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June 6, 2018
Diesmal erhalten wir Einsicht in Staffel 2 und 3 der Serie. Wie schon der Vorgänger, ist auch dieser Teil wunderschön gelungen. Die Bilder sind richtig toll und wir bekommen eine Menge Hintergrund Wissen. Der Preis ist vollkommen gerechtfertigt. Für Fans der Serie oder/und der Buchreihe ein absolutes muss.
May 3, 2015
I love ‘making of’ books. Rather than detract from the magic, I think it enhances one’s viewing experience if you know how much work and effort goes into putting a show like Game of Thrones onto the small screen, which of course is a show with a Big Screen sensibility.
This book looks in particular at Seasons 3 and 4, which means that earlier season mainstays like the Iron Throne are not covered here. It is clear from the ebook that it is one of those sumptuous coffee-table tomes, in keeping with the overall quality of GoT itself.
The ebook is a bit of a wasted opportunity, I feel, as I am sure HBO could have embedded video and extra digital content and even galleries and clips by means of hyper links, much as the Star Wars ‘making of’ books have done quite successfully.
Also, a lot of the text here reads likes ‘George R.R. Martin for Dummies’. All the major characters, families, battles, feuds, locations, seats of power and power fractures are summarised. Many of the main actors are quoted extensively on their understanding of the motivations for their characters.
This is handy if you want to catch up on what has gone before, but it does mean, frustratingly, that there is a paucity of technical information – the VFX for the dragons are covered in a couple of pages, while I would have loved to learn more about the blocking and logistics of the 360 degree tracking shot in ‘The Watchers on the Wall’ (409), for example.
Perhaps the most interesting content here is the commentary by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on writing and producing for the show, and how they are frequently limited by budgetary constraints. It appears that as the show gets more complex, the more that HBO makes them squeeze out of every production dollar.
Unfortunately they do not reveal much of their process of adapting Martin’s doorstoppers. Both main writers have also directed episodes themselves, and state: “The arguments with the writers were very uncomfortable. Those guys are monumental assholes.”
This book looks in particular at Seasons 3 and 4, which means that earlier season mainstays like the Iron Throne are not covered here. It is clear from the ebook that it is one of those sumptuous coffee-table tomes, in keeping with the overall quality of GoT itself.
The ebook is a bit of a wasted opportunity, I feel, as I am sure HBO could have embedded video and extra digital content and even galleries and clips by means of hyper links, much as the Star Wars ‘making of’ books have done quite successfully.
Also, a lot of the text here reads likes ‘George R.R. Martin for Dummies’. All the major characters, families, battles, feuds, locations, seats of power and power fractures are summarised. Many of the main actors are quoted extensively on their understanding of the motivations for their characters.
This is handy if you want to catch up on what has gone before, but it does mean, frustratingly, that there is a paucity of technical information – the VFX for the dragons are covered in a couple of pages, while I would have loved to learn more about the blocking and logistics of the 360 degree tracking shot in ‘The Watchers on the Wall’ (409), for example.
Perhaps the most interesting content here is the commentary by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on writing and producing for the show, and how they are frequently limited by budgetary constraints. It appears that as the show gets more complex, the more that HBO makes them squeeze out of every production dollar.
Unfortunately they do not reveal much of their process of adapting Martin’s doorstoppers. Both main writers have also directed episodes themselves, and state: “The arguments with the writers were very uncomfortable. Those guys are monumental assholes.”
May 7, 2015
Inside HBO's Game of Thrones: Seasons 3 & 4 is an absolutely stunning hardback with a beautiful padded and embossed cover that just begs to be picked up and read. As a huge fan of the TV series when I was offered a review copy of this book I couldn't say yes fast enough. I have to admit that I've not read the first book yet but this book is so fantastic that I've now ordered my copy and I'm looking forward to reading all about seasons 1 & 2.
This book is jam packed with information about the show starting with scouting locations, creating the theme tune and title sequence and inventing a new language (High Valyrian was limited to just a few words and phrases in the books). Pretty much every single page has at least one (if not several) beautiful glossy photo, drawing or diagram - enough to keep you amused for hours if you're just flipping through the book - but there is so much more to it than that. It's also packed with interviews with both cast and crew members, insights into costume designs, family trees, information about the history of various characters and their families, discussions about the differences between the books and the TV show and a detailed look at the major plot events from each series along with an episode by episode breakdown.
If you're a fan of Game of Thrones then this book is a MUST read, it's the kind of book you can leave sat on your coffee table and just keep diving in and out of every time you have a few minutes to spare and I'm sure you'll find something different to hold your attention every time.
This book is jam packed with information about the show starting with scouting locations, creating the theme tune and title sequence and inventing a new language (High Valyrian was limited to just a few words and phrases in the books). Pretty much every single page has at least one (if not several) beautiful glossy photo, drawing or diagram - enough to keep you amused for hours if you're just flipping through the book - but there is so much more to it than that. It's also packed with interviews with both cast and crew members, insights into costume designs, family trees, information about the history of various characters and their families, discussions about the differences between the books and the TV show and a detailed look at the major plot events from each series along with an episode by episode breakdown.
If you're a fan of Game of Thrones then this book is a MUST read, it's the kind of book you can leave sat on your coffee table and just keep diving in and out of every time you have a few minutes to spare and I'm sure you'll find something different to hold your attention every time.
November 11, 2014
I blew through this in one sitting. I love behind the scenes stuff, especially the making of the costumes. There is a lot of extra material that is not mentioned in the extras of the DVD/ Blurays. A must read for fans of HBO's Game of Thrones TV show.
I got a good chuckle when they asked the actors who would they choose to kill next in Game of Thrones. Here are my favorite responses:
Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister): Littlefinger. He has to go - he's so oily. He is like a gas you can't see or touch, but it gets into your respiratory system and you don't know anything about it until it's too late. He is such a wonderfully Machiavellian character. I wouldn't want to see him survive too long.
NIKOLAJ COSTER- WALDAU (JAIME LANNISTER): I would like to see the dragons killed. They are weapons of mass destruction. We can’t have that. Horrible, horrible, evil machines of death. I have a feeling they’ll probably make it, though.
PETER DINKLAGE (TYRION LANNISTER): We’ve lost some winners in that category this season. I’m going to have to go with Hot Pie, never trusted that kid. Roose Bolton will get his somehow, but you’ve got to watch out for Hot Pie.
RICHARD DORMER (BERIC DONDARRION): Joffrey was a monster, but getting Catelyn killed? Walder Frey is just pure evil.
I got a good chuckle when they asked the actors who would they choose to kill next in Game of Thrones. Here are my favorite responses:
Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister): Littlefinger. He has to go - he's so oily. He is like a gas you can't see or touch, but it gets into your respiratory system and you don't know anything about it until it's too late. He is such a wonderfully Machiavellian character. I wouldn't want to see him survive too long.
NIKOLAJ COSTER- WALDAU (JAIME LANNISTER): I would like to see the dragons killed. They are weapons of mass destruction. We can’t have that. Horrible, horrible, evil machines of death. I have a feeling they’ll probably make it, though.
PETER DINKLAGE (TYRION LANNISTER): We’ve lost some winners in that category this season. I’m going to have to go with Hot Pie, never trusted that kid. Roose Bolton will get his somehow, but you’ve got to watch out for Hot Pie.
RICHARD DORMER (BERIC DONDARRION): Joffrey was a monster, but getting Catelyn killed? Walder Frey is just pure evil.
March 11, 2015
As with the companion book for seasons one and two, Inside HBO's Game of Thrones is absolutely gorgeous. It's a big, thick, heavy book that would look fantastic on any coffee table. The content felt a little more lacking than its predecessor, but I'm not sure if that's actually the case, or if I just wasn't quite as satisfied with it. Don't get me wrong, it made for marvellous company while I was tucked up ill in bed - disappearing to Westeros was a lovely escape. I just came away with the sense that we heard a lot more from the actors and about the creative process in the first book, whereas this one gives heavier focus to set-building, location scouting and costume designing. Those are all interesting things, and the amount and work and love that went into this series is staggering to behold - but there were a lot of times where I'd rather have been reading about creative decisions, for instance why Pyp and Grenn had to die, than how the top of the Wall set was assembled. Obviously there's more here for fans of the TV show alone than those who have read A Song of Ice and Fire, but that's only to be expected. It only took a few hours to read, and the quality alone makes it superb present material. It's not a must-have, but it's still an excellent companion.
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