DUE SOUTH: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE
by John A. Macdonald
Key Porter Books
ISBN # 1 55013 966 5
$18.95 CAN, $12.95 US

At $18.95 (Canadian), "Due South: The Official Guide" is a pricey book for its size (6" x 9") and page count of 112 (titles and credits included). However, it seems more reasonably priced at US $12.95 and can be had at greater discounts at some bookstore web sites. It took going through a stack of several books on the shelf in a store to find one in a condition I was willing to pay for: the book is thin, so it can be bent easily if stacked improperly. Readers should be careful about cracking the spine too far because the construction may not allow you to bend back properly. The slick cover, however, looks like it can be easily wiped with a damp cloth in the event of fingerprints or drool. ;)

The cover is predominantly white, with a picture from first season of Fraser, arms crossed, in red serge. On the stock I saw, the shot of Fraser was a bit on the dark side. A cute Dief sits to his side, looking up (appears to be Draco, the third season Dief). The back cover follows corporate advertising, more than actual fandom, as it states that "this lavish guide to the Fraser phenomenon...." and ignores the fact that both Rays have quite a number of fans.

It's written by John A. Macdonald. This name is yet another play on a Canadian politician; in fact, it was 'produced, written and compiled' by Michael Mouland.

For its size and content, I didn't consider the guide to be all that 'lavish,' as indicated on the back cover. One thing that struck me is how much information appeared to be derived from fan web sites; in some instances, it's pretty obvious from which sites the information was gleaned. It was disappointing to read the acknowledgements at the end, and see not a single fan page credited, as phrases such as "Duesies", "Duesers" and "The Stetson of Invincibility" are all internet fan creations.

Alas, this official guide has its share of errors....

Page 10 - The bottom photo should be credited to "Burning Down the House," not "Strange Bedfellows"
Page 28 - Fraser lives at 221 West Racine, not #15 W. Racine.
Page 30 - Fraser doesn't retire to his father's cabin for vacations; he was there once after his father died, then Victoria burned it down.
Page 32 - The chart of Fraser's injuries. The bullet wound in the back was between the shoulders, not in the lower back as indicated.
Page 44 - Photo credited to "Perfect Strangers," but should be "Mountie & Soul."
Page 47 - Stan's tattoo is on his right upper arm, not his shoulder (speaking from a technical standpoint).
Page 49 - Photo credited to "Eclipse," but looks more like it's from "Asylum."
Page 51 - Photo credited to "Dead Guy Running" should be "Perfect Strangers."
Page 55 - Just a personal note: Elaine has never 'tarted up.'
Page 55 - It says Elaine seeks excitement by 'eating ice cream'; it appeared that she was drowning her sorrows in that one incident.
Page 63 - Just a personal note: I don't think the author has seen 'big hair' hairdos (said that Frannie has them; also can't recall a single episode that stated Frannie had traveled to Long Island, which was never mentioned once in the series.
Page 65 - Says Welsh is near-sighted and wears glasses for reading; he's actually far-sighted.
Page 67 - Under 'Mishaps' for Huey, states "bullet in left shoulder;" that should be 'shot in left shoulder', as the previous statement implies the bullet still remains, like the bullet remains in Fraser's back from "Victoria's Secret."
Page 65 - Fraser is arrested for murder in that photo, not for 'passing numbered bills.'
Page 79 - It says "Menu Planner for DueSies"; that should be Duesers.
Page 86 - Typo: 'distrught' should be 'distraught'.
Page 92 - Should be Sam Browne belt, not Sam Brown.
Page 92 - The sea otter was swung by a school bully; not an 'intoxicated individual.'
Page 94 - 95 - "Call of the Wild" is listed as episode #161-162 and "Say Amen" is listed as the final episode
Page 96 - 101 - The information is unfortunately dated, for several have changed addresses or vanished.
Page 104 - DMEB should be DMOB (as the Australian spelling is the correct one: oestrogen vs. estrogen)
Page 104 - Just a personal note: Due South Web Heads. 'Web heads'??


Overall missing - Any mention of the creative mind behind the series, Paul Haggis, and fellow writer/producers Kathy Slevin and Jeff King.

The book was broken down in small sections on each character, with 'in person' comments from those characters (not the actors), plus small bits of information on each character.

The highlight of the book is the compilation of photos; which are comprised of a nice variety from all the seasons. I only wish more of the B&W photos had been in color, especially of Dewey as those shots were *gorgeous* in color. And our favorite dimwitted Constable, Renfield Turnbull, was conspicuously absent from the guide.

DUE SOUTH: THE OFFICIAL COMPANION
by Geoff Tibballs
Titan Books
ISBN # 1 85286 928 3
10 UK Pounds
Out of Print - Approx. June 1, 1999

The first of the official 'guides' to come out on Due South, the Official Companion is a more worthy companion than the latter Canadian version. Although it may be difficult for North American fans to obtain, and does not go the end of the series, it makes for an enjoyable read.

This guide contains a variety of photographs, all in color compared to the mixture of color and B&W on the Canadian companion above, in a pleasing format. The only complaint, and mind you this is just a personal bugaboo, is the overwhelmingly mixture of red serge and Army green lettering/background. Third season fans may find the guide lacking, as this book concentrates predominantly on the first two seasons (the BBC had not yet aired the final season), but it touches briefly on the third season, concluding its episode guide with "Mountie on the Bounty."

An overview of the creation of the television series is included, as well as overviews on the main cast and characters, supplying basic information.

A few inaccuracies were noted:

Page 36 - The photo is labeled "Asylum," but is from "Perfect Strangers."
Page 62 - Fraser was explaining how the '71 Riv was no match for an Army truck, and not relaying another "Inuit tale."
Page 65 - In the RCW 139 box, the Due South Internet Discussion List is mistakenly labeled 'The Friends of Due South' mailing list. Also, fans have estimated around 500-700 people attended the Due South Day event in August, 1997 (news reports have fudged the numbers up to 2,500 in one article!)
Page 80 - The photo is labeled for "Asylum" when it should be for "Perfect Strangers."
Page 86 - The photo is labeled for "Asylum" when it should be for "Perfect Strangers."

As with the Canadian Guide, this book appears to rely on fan-derived information, such as the inclusion of "DueSies," and the significance of the Stetson to Fraser's vulnerability.

For a Due South fan who is looking for a decent and simple guide, I recommend this book.