All The Pieces Matter In Jonathan Abrams' Oral History Of "The Wire"

A decade after it went off the air, the groundbreaking HBO show "The Wire" looms large over our peak TV era. David Simon’s sprawling look at the Baltimore drug trade, politics, media and the decline of the white working class didn’t garner many viewers or awards in its time, but remains a cultural touchstone today. It also introduced viewers to a new generation of black actors, and brought bestselling authors into the writers room. Now, sportswriter and author Jonathan Abrams has released a terrific oral history of the show — “All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of The Wire.” It’s a perfect complement for Honey Nut Cheerios on a 40-degree day.