It’s called Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills. It has gorgeous photos, essays by the actors, an episode guide, original newspaper articles and letters.
In addition, and most important, Milch sheds some light on questions and speculation about several plot points. Did Seth and Martha ever consummate their marriage? Why did Doc ask Al to take the ailing Rev. Smith to the Gem? Did Wolcott commit suicide or did Captain Turner kill him on Hearst’s orders? Why did Alma assume that Seth wouldn’t take Sophia with them if they left Deadwood together?
This is good stuff, and makes me even madder that this wonderful series ended before its time. I’m still not convinced that we’ll ever see the movies. None of the actors have been signed yet, and as we’ve seen, many of them are busy with other projects.
But get the book! There’s also a Reading Deadwood book out, by David Lavery, but I haven’t explored that one yet.
How serendipitous! NPR’s talking about Ricky Jay right now. 
Thanks for the heads up. I’m still holding out hope that we’ll see more than just the 2 hour specials, but it’s probably a false hope.
Speaking of Ricky Jay, I just saw him last night in The Prestige.
Wow, thanks for the info, AuntiePam! Gonna put this on my Christmas wish list. If I am very, very good, maybe hubby will get me this book and also get me the “Deadwood” and “Brisco County” DVD sets. Or maybe that’s what happens if I’m very, very naughty. Hmmm. Must think this through.
RogueRacer, I subscribe to posts that come to the HBO board from someone who works with Milch. I get e-mail notices when he posts, so I don’t have to read those boards.
It sounds like the pilot for John from Cincinnati is behind schedule (imagine that). Last thing I read was that it would be at least June before they could start filming the movies. There was some confusing discussion about what has become of some of the major props and the sets. Either the Gem is gone, or the interior is cleaned out, I’m not sure.
pinkfreud, the DVDs are worth a lot of naughty or nice, whatever you decide.
Brisco County compares to Deadwood? I never watched that. It’s pretty good?
In I think about two weeks Milch is speaking at the main branch of the LA library. Tickets are aleady sold out (they were free) but I intend to go and try to get a standby ticket.
Good luck! A couple of folks at TWOP have tickets and have promised to ask the hard questions. I wonder if something like that would be on-line, a podcast or something. ??
Milch writes a few paragraphs in the book about the end of the show. “I’ve been quoted as saying I had a plan to end the series at the end of a fourth full season. As a sociopath, I answer the questions of interviewers to achieve an impression of cogency and farsightedness rather than hewing slavishly to the truth. The truth is, I never had a master plan for Deadwood. <snip> But as I’ve said here, I work moment-to-moment; this includes acknowledging the variability of opportunity each moment affords.”
Possible translations: I got bored with it. Something better came up. Mmmmmmm. Donuts.
I can’t be angry with him anymore though. Look what he gave us!
I didn’t mean to imply that Brisco County and Deadwood were two of a kind. I happen to love 'em both, but they aren’t much alike, beyond the fact that both are nominally “westerns.” I’d say that Brisco County is, to westerns, what Buckaroo Banzai is, to sci-fi.
Does the book explain why he spent so much time on the tedious and pointless plot with the actors?
Max, nope.
He didn’t talk about what he intended for the fourth season either, except that the movies wouldn’t have the one day-one episode format.