Widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows ever made, The Wire, often called a novel-as-television, is a Dickensian masterpiece that weaves together complex stories and complicated characters into a sprawling, textured portrait of an American city in decline. The Wire: Truth Be Told is the ultimate companion to this spectacular show. Essays from David Simon, George Pelecanos, Laura Lippman, William F. Zorzi, and others join interviews with the show s creators, entertaining summaries of all sixty episodes and overviews of each of its seasons. Above all, The Wire: Truth Be Told offers a captivating behind the scenes look at the show, from the struggle to get it on the air, to the response from Baltimore s residents and politicians, to the fascinating true stories and real life inspiration behind favorite scenes and characters. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of photos, this is a must have book and a fitting guide to, and celebration of, a monumental show.