Amazon Thirty Years of The Rockford Files ASJA Press Category:  Arts/Entertainment Publisher: ASJA Press ISBN-10:  0595342442 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 497 Copyright: February 28, 2005 ISBN-13: 9780595342440 A behind-the-scenes history of THE ROCKFORD FILES (NBC, 1974-1980), one of the most successful and influential television series ever made, featuring interviews with series star James Garner, series co-creator and executive producer Roy Huggins, writer/producers Stephen J. Cannell, Charles Floyd Johnson, and Juanita Bartlett and other production personnel, plus a comprehensive episode guide, analysis of the show’s success, and insight into the television industry. Excerpt James Garner changed television as Jim Rockford, the wry private eye loved by audiences worldwide for over 30 years. Fueled by stellar writing, unforgettable characters, and the star power of Garner, The Rockford Files (NBC, 1974-1980) is one of the most popular, successful and influential shows ever made. TV’s first whimsical detective series, Rockford’s humor paved the way for Magnum, p.i., Simon & Simon, Monk and The Closer. Rockford’s innovative approach to TV drama also shaped such shows as Law & Order and The Sopranos. Winner of five Emmys, Rockford is one of the few series that never really left television. Millions of viewers enjoy reruns of the show every day on independent stations and national cable. Get the inside scoop on this landmark TV classic in THIRTY YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring interviews with James Garner and other cast and crew members, a comprehensive episode guide, behind-the-scenes photos, and more.

Lee Goldberg, Edgar Award-nominated television writer/producer and bestselling mystery novelist
If you're as into TV... and TV Private Eyes... as I am, you've got to buy yourself Ed Robertson's "Thirty Years of THE ROCKFORD FILES." The book covers every aspect of the classic series, from the making of the pilot through the production of the eight reunion movies (as well as unproduced scripts and the tie-in books by Stuart Kaminsky among other things). Robertson interviews all the key players in front of, and behind, the camera, including James Garner, Steve Cannell, Roy Huggins, and Charles Floyd Johnson, and provides detailed episode synopses.

Technically, this isn't a new book. It's an update and revision of two earlier books Robertson wrote about THE ROCKFORD FILES ... "This is Jim Rockford" and "The Rockford Files: A 20th Anniversary Tribute." I have both of those books, too (told you I was a geek) and, like improved software, it's well-worth "upgrading" to this new edition.

Stuart Galbraith, DVDTalk.com
Beyond its use as an excellent episode guide, Robertson's book goes into impressive detail on the business of '70s television (the relationships between studios and networks, actors and producers, etc.), the labyrinthine road developing a continuing series and its scripts, all while offering a superb analysis of the show's characters and their changes over Rockford long run.