The definitive oral history of the iconic and beloved TV show The Wire, as told by the actors, writers, directors, and others involved in its creation

Since its final episode aired in 2008, HBO's acclaimed crime drama The Wire has only become more popular and influential. The issues it tackled, from the failures of the drug war and criminal justice system to systemic bias in law enforcement and other social institutions, have become more urgent and central to the national conversation. The show's actors, such as Idris Elba, Dominic West, and Michael B. Jordan, have gone on to become major stars. Its creators and writers, including David Simon and Richard Price, have developed dedicated cult followings of their own. Universities use the show to teach everything from film theory to criminal justice to sociology. Politicians and activists reference it when discussing policy. When critics compile lists of the Greatest TV Shows of All Time, The Wire routinely takes the top spot. It is arguably one of the great works of art America has produced in the 20th century.

But while there has been a great deal of critical analysis of the show and its themes, until now there has never been a definitive, behind-the-scenes take on how it came to be made. With unparalleled access to all the key actors and writers involved in its creation, Jonathan Abrams tells the astonishing, compelling, and complete account of The Wire, from its inception and creation through its end and powerful legacy.

**

“A book that is sure to delight… Fans of The Wire can spend hours debating the merits of their favorite characters. The book features incisive recollections by all of them.” – Associated Press

“From the moment The Wire ended, all I have wished for is one more season. Jonathan Abrams has given us something just as valuable -- the complete story of how something this wonderful, rich, and intricate came to be. I treasured every episode of the show, and I loved every word of this book. All The Pieces Matter is a must-read for any fan of The Wire, or anyone who wants to know how great art is made.” – Mike Schur, creator of Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place
 
“Amazing…the stories Abrams tells deliver the same mix of humor and despair that made The Wire worth writing so much about.” – The AV Club
 
 “All the Pieces Matter makes for compulsive reading, whether you're just getting up on The Wire or you know every episode by heart. The Wire is like a book you pick up and reread every few years. Now that book has the perfect companion.”—Dallas Morning News