Rafael Alvarez Knihy

"The Wire has been widely hailed as the greatest television series of all time. It portrays the war of attrition between the city's hardened police force, and its drug dealers, and the blurring of good and evil, justice and injustice, right and wrong. Over its five series it has built up a detailed, rich and layered portrait of Baltimore: from its corner boys touting dope and its dock workers facing extinction, through the strained education system and tainted halls of power, to the crumbling media establishment. Rafael Alvarez - a reporter, essayist and staff writer for the show - brings the reader inside this world, detailing many of the real-life incidents and personalities that have inspired the show's storylines and characters. Packed with photographs and featuring an introduction by series creator and executive producer David Simon, as well as essays by acclaimed authors George Pelecanos, Nick Hornby, Laura Lipmann, and William F. Zorzi, it covers all five series in glorious detail."--Publisher's description.

El libro definitivo sobre la mejor serie de televisión de la historia Esta guía cuenta con cientos de fotografías en blanco y negro y color, y con una serie de ensayos y entrevistas de periodistas, directores, guionistas y novelistas, entre los que se cuentan George Pelecanos, Laura Lippman y Nick Hornby. Aparecen también entrevistas con los actores y con personajes como Little Melvin Williams, el legendario capo de la droga de Baltimore en el que se basó el personaje de Avon Barksdale. Por supuesto, se incluye una lista de capítulos con sus tramas y de personajes, pero además cada temporada se abre con un texto explicativo que hará las delicias de los seguidores de la serie. Por si fuera poco, el volumen se abre con una introducción de cuarenta páginas del propio David Simon que es un pequeño ensayo por derecho propio, seguida de la carta que envió a HBO cuando la cadena dudaba sobre si aceptar o no el proyecto. Desde el silbido de Omar hasta el sofá naranja de D’Angelo, pasando por los personajes reales que inspiraron a Stringer Bell o Prop Joe, nada queda fuera de The Wire: Toda la verdad.

A passionate love affair unfolds between the author and the city of Baltimore, revealing both its flaws and its unique beauty. Rafael Alvarez embraces the city's violence and corruption while celebrating its resilience, dignity, and vibrant community. Through his heartfelt narrative, readers are invited to see Baltimore in a new light, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of its complex character and rich history. Azar Nafisi's endorsement highlights the transformative power of Alvarez's perspective on urban life.

Tales from the Holy Land is the third collection of short fiction from the Baltimore author and screenwriter. The stories take place along the narrow streets and alleys of Alvarez's heartbreaking hometown, charting secret histories of the last 100 years through the difficult and hopeful lives of tugboat men, junk collectors, beautiful women, short order cooks and an artist who captures it all in house paint on the sides of abandoned buildings.