The Incomplete History of Secret Organizations: An Utterly Unreliable Account of Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events

by Joe Tracz, Neil Patrick Harris (Introduction)

This mysterious illustrated tie-in to Netflix's award-winning A Series of Unfortunate Events--featuring an introduction by Count Olaf's legal representative, Neil Patrick Harris--shares insider secrets about the Baudelaire family and the making of the show.


In every library there is a single book that can answer the question that burns like a fire in the mind...

In this collector's companion you will discover never-before-seen photographs, never-before-told stories, and never-before, revealed secrets spanning all three seasons of the hilariously twisted, critically acclaimed hit series. You will encounter original concept art, annotated script excerpts, and interviews with the creative team and all-star cast, as well as glossaries, recipes, lyric sheets, hidden Easter eggs, shocking backstories, and suspicious pages from the titular tome, unredacted, and revealed here for the first time.

Featuring interviews with:

Tony Hale
Daniel Handler
Aasif Mandvi
Sara Rue
Barry Sonnenfeld
Patrick Warburton
Bo Welch
Alfre Woodard
and more...
Perhaps you are wondering how a noble person such as yourself might become a member of a secret organization. Like so many things in life, it starts by picking up the right book. So go ahead, read at your own risk.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Media Tie In, Books About Books

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2018

Reviews

[TraceyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how well this worked as an audiobook. It did come with a PDF but I was worried it would all be "See image 42" and stuff like that. Instead it did give quite a few interesting stories and interviews with the cast and crew of the Netflix series.

Of course, you have to have seen the entire show and loved it to get anything out of this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST-READ FOR ALL ASoUE FANS - 5*

I'd like to thank Amy for getting me this for my birthday.
I LOVED this book. It is around 200 pages of glory. You find out things about ASoUE series you never thought you would and how the adaptation was perfectly and painstakingly made.

I feel quite emotional that it's quite over.

AND of course because it's ASoUE book, there's a hidden code that I had to work through (that has now given me a headache - it was that difficult).

If you love ASoUE and the Netflix adaptation, you'll love this.
If you don't, you're wrong.

[Aliyah Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

well this is spoilery but i loved it my heart is full and i am ready for the very bittersweet third and final season

[Spens (Sphynx Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5

I absolutely loved going behind the scenes of one of my favorite shows of all time! So much heart went into the show and in this book as well. It made me appreciate and become more aware of the countless references in the show that made it brim with so much intelligence and creativity. Also the secret message here just made my heart soar.

[ReadBecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in a lazy weekend afternoon a couple weeks ago, and totally forgot to log it. It is, as one would expect, a Giant coffee table book about the show... however if you are like me and absolutely loved the care it was crafted with you will likely enjoy giving this a gander. There are profiles and some notes from the actors and explanations of their characters, backstory & easter eggs, and most importantly to me: big sections on costume and set design. Great for what it was, as a fan of the show.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read for anyone who has a deep love of soue! It gives such detail into the unfortunately beautiful show as well as some of the original books! And what book on the soue would be complete without a secret code! Loved every second of this book!

[Joseph Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic behind-the-scenes look at what might possibly be the great book-to-film adaptation ever made.

[kait rania · Rating 5 out of 5]

its everything ive ever wanted and more!!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Full Disclosure, I have not finished reading this book because there's Just. So. Much. In. It. It's a delight for the eyes (ha! - eyes! I'm looking at you, VFD)
But for any fan of the original book series, any of the ancillary volumes, and especially of the three seasons you can stream on Netflix, this is a treasury not to be missed.
Neil Patrick Harris, one of the stars of the show, wrote the foreward and also had this to say on fans' tendency to remove the sticker on the front of the cover so the book looks like the one featured in the series:

'LOVING this new coffee table book chronicling the entire Series Of Unfortunate Events production... You can even peel off the label on the cover, but don't 'cuz, you know, my face..!'

This was more temptation than I could take, so I made this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX_NI...,
urging him to "look away" as I did just that.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pros:
- Very Factual Discussions
- the fact that even the writing in here is book/tonally accurate makes me so happy
- seeing the love and care that the writers, producers, designers, and actors all put into this series makes my heart so so so happy
- secret codesssss
- the baby has a toupee
- the design of the book is a true highlight I will also say
- I agree they should make Snicketland
- the Very Fierce Devotion that is present on every page and every episode just warms 5 year old J's heart. Like this was my childhood and seeing how seriously the directors and showrunners took what is ostensibly a children's series is just so... lovely
- I'm chewing on the set design or at least I'm trying to but they destroyed it every TWENTY FOUR DAYS WHAT

Cons:
- longer? more?

Overall:
so happy to have this on my little Snicket Shrine and I will be rewatching the series immediately

[Perrilyn Pringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its nice giving the people behind the scenes, who truelly put in the work, who make movies their just dues. It was wonderful as the books, movie, and show. Everyone put they're hearts into the magic of this world and you can tell. Loved it.

[Tessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an actual incomplete history of secret organizations-like, basically a big book of VFD lore. That is not what this is, but it was still very interesting! All the images were great, and it was fun to read about the routes of the show.

[Aleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! Recommended to any fan of the series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Series of Unfortunate Events fan since forever, so when the series came out I was extremely happy. This amazing book is just the perfect accompaniment for fans. It's got all the details into how the series was done, why they decided to cast certain actors, how it was working with the kids, all the costumes and make up actors went through for the transformations, the amazing job decorators did for the sets. It's got it all. And on top of that, there's a secret message for you to decipher, it reads like a true VFD book, while you enjoy the inner makings of the series.
And it's got amazing facts, like how Presley was wearing a wig until she grew her own hair. And how Olaf costumes had to be really well thought of because he is described as a master of disguise, however, kids have to be able to see through him. Olivia's transformation from librarian to miss Lulu was just amazing. And even how they composed the music and the lyrics. I just love everything about this show, and I get to love it more after reading this.

[ellie ❦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

just really great for anyone who is a huge fan of the universe, series, books and movies.
the visuals in this book are SO satisfying and just so awesome to see, along with the interviews woven in and behind the scene knowledge you get!!
i love the way this is written in the iconic daniel handler style and you really feel like you’re one of the baudelaires finally finding this book and reading it for the first time.
so grateful for this masterpiece allowing big fans to explore the universe even more, understanding more secret mysteries and codes found throughout the series.
i read this back in 2019 but as i have entered my ASOUE phase again i couldn’t help but re read this!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a secret code throughout the book, which shouldn’t be surprising if one is a true Snicket fan. In-depth look at the awesome Netflix series. People complained of spoilers for season three, but if you read the books, you’d know what’s happening (they’ve been published for years, no excuses people). The sticker can be peeled off, so it looks like the book seen in Seasons 1 and 2. It’s a must for any ASOUE fan.

[Jasmine Kettledon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing and lacks accessibility

I'm not sure what I was expecting besides more about the close they created diverge film and more closure from the show. Yes, the books were just as open ended, but they didn't tease with the Beatrice letters at the end leaving us wanting more. The book was nearly impossible to read on my kindle. I couldn't flip the images to actually see all the words without squinting.

[Filipe]

Ok, I'm not sure why I bothered to listen to this in the first place, but it actually got me very curious about the Netflix series, seeing it from the creators perspectives. Besides, I've always held a great respect for Neil Patrick Harris, which doesn't have anything to do with the value of this audiobook, but did further encourage me to venture into this misadventures. I'll probably update this review once I do watch the series, though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time avid fan of the Series of Unfortunate Events, I was scared and excited when I heard Netflix was adapting them. Each season was everything I could have wanted it to be. This book adds so many layers to understanding the creation of the show. I love all of the behind the scenes information, interviews with creators, cast, and crew, plus the secret message (how very VFD)!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars.

This was fun.

I love the main series of books, and I loved the Netflix show, so having a book about how it was made, all the intricate little details and tidbits that made the series special was great.

It's also stunningly designed too; very visually pleasing.

[Maribeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I am in love with this show. It has been my favorite show for about a year now! My favorite characters in this show were Olivia, Kit, Jacques, Jacquelyn, and Violet. It was so amazong to see how the behind the scenes worked for this show.

[Alicia Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried at a non fiction book about how a tv show was made. That is probably the most pathetic thing ever but I’d not care 😭😭😭😭 If you haven’t seen the show and have or even haven’t read the books WATCH IT!!!!!

[Joshua Nightingale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Netflix series and so this was definitely an interesting read. I enjoyed that they kept the humor and tone of the series throughout the book (including a secret code hidden throughout the pages).

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool book

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5

[bluerose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t decoded the VFD message in this book yet, but if I wait for that I’ll never be done.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing.

[Kiera McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Fun Dive into the creation of the Netflix show. It was really neat to see some of the behind the scenes work that went into the show.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was designed so well.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book!