Dusted: The Unauthorized Guide to Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Also included: Loads of behind-the-scenes information, detailed coverage of the "Buffy" comic book series, appendices to the "Buffy" novels, the music performed on Buffy and much, much more.

Customer reviews:

BtVS fans who dislike this book need to grow up, 2008-07-29
Contrary to what this book's "haters" say, it's actually quite good (if you overlook all the typographical and grammatical errors). Compared with the writers of two of the more popular Buffy episode guides, Keith Topping and Nikki Stafford, the writers of "Dusted" are very objective in their critiques of the episodes and sound like they've matured since their high school years (they also aren't "mookish" like Topping). What I especially liked about this book are the "It's Really About ..." sections of the guide which explain the metaphors and themes of each episode (in this regard, it's a good companion piece to Roz Kaveney's "She Saved the World. A Lot: An Introduction to the Themes and Structures of BUFFY and ANGEL" in her book, "Reading the Vampire Slayer"). Other interesting sections of the book are "At the End of the Day" (a relatively short summation of the episode's merits), "Firsts and Lasts" (notable first and last occurances in the series), "Character Notes" (how that particular episode adds to what we know about each character's character), and "The Slayer's Total Kill-Count So Far" (a running count of all the vampires and demons that Buffy has "slayed"). I should, perhaps, also point out that I liked the fact that the writers are open about their poor opinion of the last two seasons of the show - I didn't think much of them either - something that one doesn't hear very often from genuine Buffy fans, many of whom allow their love of the series to affect their judgement (maybe it's just me, but the fans who LOVE the last two seasons seem to me to be Troika-like sci-fi and fantasy geeks, emotionally immature girls and women who are enamoured with Spike, existentialists, Jungians, or soap opera fans). All in all, I have to say that Dusted is the best Buffy episode guide aside from "The Watcher's Guide, Volume Two" (which covers seasons 3 & 4).

The best Buffy episode guide, 2006-11-13
"Dusted" is definitely the best Buffy episode guide I've read thus far. Compared with Keith Topping's inane "The Complete Slayer", "Dusted" is funnier, more insightful, more informative and MUCH more accurate than Topping's boring, trite and remarkably inaccurate guide.

Like all episode guides, "Dusted" offers an episode synopsis and employs several "subsections" in its account of all 144 episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." What separates it from other guides is these subsections are well organized and well thought out. The subsections include "Character notes" (explaining new things that are revealed about the main and secondary characters over the course of each episode), "Glitches" (which points out mistakes and/or illogical occurences), "Demonology" (offering insights into the demon/vampire world in which Buffy must battle), "Best lines" (in which the authors pick their favorite quips from each episode...and, unlike Topping, the ones "Dusted"'s authors choose are actually funny!), and "It's Really About..." (a section that discusses what each show's subtext and metaphors are really addressing). Also, there is an amusing running death count, that tabulates the number of Sunnydale humans who buy the farm, as well as the number of vampires and demons Buffy dispatches from this earthly dimension. Finally, each episode discussion ends with a "Did you know...?" section that reveals interesting trivia about the cast, writers, producers and crew culled from various sources. Included are frequent discussions of the show's pedigree, history and background, as well as sections devoted to Buffy novels and the terrific music used in the show.

Granted, and as several reviewers here have noted, the editing could definitely have been tighter, as there are a fair number of errors that indicate sloppy proofreading. But, one must remember, it's a trivia book we're talking about here folks, not epic literature! Despite these mistakes, they never truly interfere with your enjoyment of the book.

As to those who criticise this book as being too negative...well, I, for one, like the fact it is criticial of the show, and not just another Buffy-loving puff piece. It seems a lot of Buffy fans love the show SO slavishly, that anyone who speaks critically of it is, in their eyes, traitors to the cause. In fact, the show is SO good, it can withstand criticism, and shouldn't be treated like a religious text, above honest critique. As much as I enjoy the show and count among the very finest programs ever broadcast, it is far from perfect. The authors of "Dusted", while criticial where it is warranted, obvious love the show, and are never disrespectful of it.

If you interested in a lively, insightful, amusing and intelligent "Buffy Guide", this one comes highly recommended. If you are looking for a fan book, that blindly accepts every episode as pure, unadulterated genius, undeserving of critique or analysis, go with Topping's dull-witted lovefest.