Tinderbox is built on the gambit of having two elements operating in parallel. The first is the business history of HBO and the second is brief synopses and dirt around the creation of many[1] of their most popular shows.

I assume the more casual reader is interested in bunches of details about the tribulations involved in making The Sopranos instead of a multi-generational [b:Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco|781182|Barbarians at the Gate The Fall of RJR Nabisco|Bryan Burrough|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442897076l/781182._SY75_.jpg|1011004]-style story of corporate intrigue and idiocy, but it was the latter that I found fascinating. As regards the intertwining of the personal and political when it comes to ostensible leadership, I’ve not read anything better.

But eventually, as maverick personalities are replaced by standard company types the interesting part of the story becomes inert, and all that is left is, well, Game of Thrones the TV show, rather than the game of thrones happening behind the scenes that became depressingly predictable.

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[1] Comedies such as Tenacious D and Mr. Show are not even mentioned. ( )

“Peak TV” fans will be interested in this oral history of HBO. Incorporating the voices of both behind the scenes execs and actors, this book attempts to touch on every HBO highlight, even the ones you’ve forgotten about. Anecdotes about shows and actors include the good, the bad, and the ugly, including fan favorites. But real drama also can be found in the network boardroom, where there’s so much intrigue you’ll think you’re reading Game of Thrones (with golden parachutes). 

I simply loved this book. Yes, it is tremendously huge, probably contains more information than the average television viewer needs to know and yes I didn't read it in its entirety but the information it does contain is enlightening and worthy of trivia lovers everywhere. After reading the introductory section on HBO's beginnings I focused on HBO's offerings that I have enjoyed. Soprano's, Sex and the City, Game of Thrones, The Larry Sander's Show, not to mention concerts and Comic Relief.
Remarks from the creators and actors of each show shed's light on just how special HBO is and continues to be. The venue has touched most everyone's lives and is certainly worthy of a look through. You just may find that once you get started, you won't be able to stop. ( )

Everybody knows about HBO today, its status as the original premium network and Warner Bros. flagship streaming platform, but do you know the history of the channel? Told in the oral history style so all the people involved have their actions spelled out in their own words. ( )

When "Tinderbox" became available in the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, I was interested. I've always been interested in media, and I was assuming that this was a straightforward business history of HBO. I was wrong. It is not so much an objective history but an oral history, splicing together interviews from hundreds of people associated with HBO with little commentary by the author. The problem with this, for me, is that I haven't heard of most of the people quoted here and I don't know their credibility. If two of them (or more) recall an event differently, who am I to believe? Who didn't grant interviews to the author that might paint a different picture. Additionally, it goes into far too much detail about things I have little interest in -- nearly 1000 pages worth. I gave up. ( )