"Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin~The HBO Series!

SUMMARY :

Based on the bestselling book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, this sprawling new HBO Drama is set in a world where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the mysterious darkness beyond, the powerful families of the Seven Kingdoms are locked in a battle for the Iron Throne. This is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest and triumph. In the Game of Thrones, you either win or you die.

PARTICULARS OF THIS PRODUCT :

Produced by:  HBO Home Video
Inspired by author:  George R.R. Martin
Book Series:  "Game of Thrones"  series
See author's website:  http://www.georgerrmartin.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :   

(Mr. Martin prefers not to have his photo displayed without written permission.  Please see his website for more information and a picture of him...)

George R.R. Martin was born September 20, 1948 in Bayonne, New Jersey. His father was Raymond Collins Martin, a longshoreman, and his mother was Margaret Brady Martin. He has two sisters, Darleen Martin Lapinski and Janet Martin Patten.

Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he became a comic book fan and collector in high school, and began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin’s first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: “The Hero,” sold to Galaxy, published in February, 1971 issue. Other sales followed.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern.

As a conscientious objector, Martin did alternative service 1972-1974 with VISTA, attached to Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation. He also directed chess tournaments for the Continental Chess Association from 1973-1976, and was a Journalism instructor at Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa, from 1976-1978. He wrote part-time throughout the 1970s while working as a VISTA Volunteer, chess director, and teacher.

In 1975 he married Gale Burnick. They divorced in 1979, with no children. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979. He was writer-in-residence at Clarke College from 1978-79.

Moving on to Hollywood, Martin signed on as a story editor for Twilight Zone at CBS Television in 1986. In 1987 Martin became an Executive Story Consultant for Beauty and the Beast at CBS. In 1988 he became a Producer for Beauty and the Beast, then in 1989 moved up to Co-Supervising Producer. He was Executive Producer for Doorways, a pilot which he wrote for Columbia Pictures Television, which was filmed during 1992-93.

Martin’s present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers’ Guild of America, West.

His awards and honors are too numerous to list here, please see his website for details!

Second Season of the Series

Third Season of the Series!

One of the box sets... "A Song of Ice and Fire" inspired the HBO series


THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :

I'm probably the last to see this magnificent series inspired by George R.R. Martin's books.  Now, needless to say, I've been spending a marathon of days and nights over this past weekend and today watching the DVD's, hoping to catch up.  I'm only on season #3 at this point.  Hooked!!!  This has to be the best of any series I've seen, and I highly recommend it to those of you who have been waiting or have missed out as I have.

Not ordinarily a huge fan of fantasy, I discovered "Game of Thrones" one day when I was bored and browsing at Barnes & Noble about six years ago.  I took a notion to ask one of the stocking guys to tell me what some of his favorite books were.  This isn't something I do on a regular basis...I usually ask the women clerks!  His eyes flared and he said, "Game of Thrones," you have to read it!"  I bought it on a lark and started it as soon as I got home.  The writing was gorgeous and lush.  I was truly bowled over.  Not like any fantasy book I'd read before. But, I somehow put it down.  Something else called to me...could have been a review I needed to write.  Could have been that I wanted to buy the whole series before I started it.  I can't remember.  Then, I had a huge physical problem that put me out of commission, and the book fell to the wayside...

Once the HBO series hit the news in force, I was determined not to watch it.  I wanted to get back to reading the book.  It was so good, and I didn't want to spoil the prose by watching the acting.  Time went by; however, and my health got worse.  So, I decided this weekend to break my promise to myself and go ahead and get the DVDs.  I'm so thrilled I did.  I've rarely enjoyed anything more!

There is a medieval tone to the story.  The characters are rich and deeply involving.  The plot is intriguing.  Everything about the series is seductive and exciting.  I'm particularly drawn to the "Mother of the Dragons."  This is a story of war and hardship, love and family, betrayal and honor.  There's so much to love and enjoy about the fantasy and the characters.  The acting is superb and the stage sets are fabulous.  Even Queen Elizabeth is a fan!

Of course, I could never summarize here the entire show.  Suffice it to say that if you haven't yet tried it, please go find a copy of a DVD (I purchased mine...just had to).  It's well worth your time.

Primarily, I recommend getting a copy of the book(s) which are simply outstanding.  George R.R. Martin is a literary genius.  The books are easy to read, and are just gorgeously written in every way.

Loving this series on DVD, and I've sent for the box set of books for my library!

5 stars

Deborah/TheBookishDame