Comprehensive, Entertaining, But One Flaw...

... the episodes are not presented in the order they were aired. I have no idea why they are not. Otherwise, this is a great listen. Each episode is covered well and critically (there are more successes than failures, of course, but the author isn't afraid to point out the latter). We're given short biographies of, I believe, all the writers and directors who contributed to the show. Many of them are fascinating. If you're a fan of the series, this is a must listen.

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Pretty good

Where does The Twilight Zone Companion, 2nd Edition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks very high among the books I have listened to so far because it covers the impressions of the writers and actors who actually worked on the show rather than some 3rd party commentator. The author covered all of the stories to include the ones that were not included in the syndication.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Like the author, I favored the stories with Burgess Meredith. He was a brilliant actor in any genre.

What does Tom Weiner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The accents were pretty good and his Rod Sterling impressions brought the humor that should have been there. There was also tragedy and bewilderment, well portrayed by the narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did want to listen to the entire book in one sitting. I kept going back over the parts I wanted to hear over again.

Any additional comments?

This is a reading of a compendium so listeners shouldn't expect this to listen like other nonfiction works.

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4 people found this helpful

Loved it

Being a big fan of Serling and the original TV show, I absolutely loved listening to this title and hearing about every single episode. Just can't wait til Fourth of July weekend so that I could watch the next Twilight Zone marathon and tell everyone about all the fact I learned from the companion book.

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5 people found this helpful

Great story about a piece of history

I found this audiobook very entertaining as it describes the history behind the Twilight Zone production and gives a aynopsis of every episode as well as episodes after the original series concluded.
Now I know that there was a great deal of various stories in this book written by a traveller returning from the Tqilighr Zone

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A great book for a great show!

I have purchased Zicree's work on Twilight Zone many, many times. My first copy practically fell apart from reading, re-reading and constantly making notations in the margins. My second copy was loaned out and subsequently lost during college. My third copy was my constant companion while watching every episode on DVD. Now with a handicap that makes book reading difficult at best, my fourth copy is the Audible choice. That is the kindest praise I can bestow upon this book...it is one of the only books in my lifetime that I felt necessary to continually buy and re-buy since age 15. Rod Serling's creation (and each reincarnation of it) has been a big part of my life, and this book wonderfully captures the magic of those original episodes, as well as the man who made it possible.

Each Twilight Zone episode is covered in detail. You'll learn all the names, both behind and in front of the camera. The plots are given and often discussed. Serling's history is also given a great deal of attention. As a factual episode guide and history lesson, there isn't any better. But please note, it IS a fact book...despite the narrator's quality performance, one could consider it "dry", especially if you are unaware of the book's purpose. However, if you are a fan of the television show, looking for a great viewing companion, I believe you'll be satisfied. Definitely worth my Audible credit.

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3 people found this helpful

"That's the signpost up ahead."

What made the experience of listening to The Twilight Zone Companion, 2nd Edition the most enjoyable?

The anatrrtino is excellent.

What other book might you compare The Twilight Zone Companion, 2nd Edition to and why?

NOne that I can think up.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

He could imitate accnets very well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt bad when he talked about them filming Mighty Casey and the leading actor was dead.

Any additional comments?

The only issue I have is it tends to jump around from ep to ep.

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1 person found this helpful

All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone

The title of Rod Serling's legendary television series has always seemed to have a dual meaning to me. At its best, "The Twilight Zone" was about taking people out of their comfort zones, and making them question what they think and feel. Analyze the assumptions in their life. Debate their preconceived notions. Think about whether or not they are close-minded, and need to rethink how they see the world.

"Zone" was obviously a wonderful, groundbreaking show, which entertained millions of people. This book is a highly entertaining overview of the series, complete with summaries of each episode. There are some broadcasts that receive more attention than others, which is understandable. The fabulous writers from the show, like Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont, are also written about. Serling himself is discussed at great length, as well as the legacy of the series.

It is also interesting to note how difficult it was for this show to exist. A weekly science fiction/fantasy/horror series was not an easy sell in the late 50s, and CBS was always looking to save money producing it (including those visually horrible videotaped shows from season 2). This also explains why there have been no real successful attempts to resuscitate the show in the decades since. Networks just don't want to put this stuff on the air. The 1980s revival is discussed some. Given when this version of the book was produced, there was no mention of the Jordan Peele production from a few years back (and maybe less said the better about that mostly woke trash the better).

All in all, if you love the original series, and you watch reruns every year on Syfy Channel like I do, you will enjoy this book. Submitted for your approval, a mostly worthwhile journey into discussing a wondrous landscape.

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a blast from the past

I grew up on this show. really enjoyed it then and still do all these years later. I 1st found this book while at my favorite ride at Disney World, tower of terror. Then I found this audio version after reading book.

Have thot why I like it so much, other then that my wife does NOT want anything to do with it. I have been a sci-fi fan my whole life, along with time travel and other what if stories. But this show is great on several levels. Walking Distance has a great ending when the father says maybe you are looking in the wrong places to go home again. You need to watch that show to realize you don't have to go into the past to find a place to enjoy your self.

This book highlights many of these thots, and how they came to be. Other favorites are time enough at last, obsolete man, amazing mr. bemis, hocus pocus and frisbee, and many others.

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3 people found this helpful

A Fave-- Glad It's Finally On Audio...

I got this book for Christmas when I was a kid, and have read it many times. I'm glad that I can now listen to it while working or traveling. My only quibble is with the reader, Tom Weiner. He's done a fine job on other books I've listened to, but here he has an unfortunate tendency to do a REALLY bad impression of Rod Serling's distinctive clipped vocal delivery whenever Serling's quoted. Also, I was annoyed that he mispronounces the last name of noted TZ writer Earl Hamner, Jr.'s last name (a surname I share, incidentally) as "Hammer."

Aside from these two minor annoyances, though, this is well worth the download.

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10 people found this helpful

The Twilight Zone - always a nice place to visit!

Some books just fit what the reader was looking for. This book did it for me. I think the thing that was most enjoyable was how thoroughly research the book was. The author clearly did his homework and each of the vignettes about the episodes was a treat.

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1 person found this helpful