Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos

In this surprising, humorous, and heartfelt trip down memory lane, HBO’s groundbreaking series The Sopranos is fondly remembered by those most involved in its creation and phenomenal success. With coauthor Philip Lerman (Dadditude), Sopranos actors Imperioli and Steve Schirripa draw from their podcast Talking Sopranos as they break down each season with behind-the-scenes stories and forthright conversations with series creator David Chase, other actors, and crew members—including the sound engineer and stunt coordinator—among others. Imperioli and Schirripa attribute the show’s success to Chase’s impeccable attention to detail, his avoidance of Italian American stereotypes (particularly in his depiction of complicated, strong Italian American women), and his insistence on a large budget for music. They weigh in on the best lines from the series and the most effective uses of songs, and delve into technical challenges, like hiding microphones and making fights appear realistic. The presence of the late, great James Gandolfini’s presence looms large throughout this oral history; coworkers both praise his generosity and admit that working with the sometimes-prickly leading man could be tense.