Wow, just finished reading this book now I see HBO is filming a mini-series of it. Anyone else read it? It's by far the most epic book I've ever read and I enjoyed it immensely. Not sure if even a miniseries can capture everything needed from the book but I'm loving Sean Bean as Eddard Stark! HBO Trailer Here's a better link: HBO Site
Here is a good site for information about the TV series. There is an active forum there as well although you might want to avoid it if you care about spoilers from the rest of the series.
Good to hear that you liked it. I have bought it but have not started it yet. A friend told me that I had better purchase Book 2 because I will want to start it as soon as I finish Book 1.
The first 3 books are amazing. The fourth was supposedly too large for one volume so Martin split it into two books. The first "half" (4th book overall - the split was by set by character location) was released in 2005; after several re-writes the 5th book still hasn't come out yet. His characters and their development are really what sets the series apart from others. I don't want to give too much away so I won't say much more. There is a moral ambiguity for almost every character that slowly unfolds into some great revelations.
I had several friends who raved about the series but I was determined to not start it until he finished writing it. HBO changed that plan and I started it day before yesterday and am now on page 324. I went ahead and bought the second book at the same time as the first and I'm thinking I'm going to have to go back and get the third before I leave for vacation on the 24th. Clearly I am really enjoying it and I'm looking forward to the HBO series. Love the idea of Sean Bean as Eddard.
Casting info on imdb: A Game of Thrones Cast Apparently there is only one dwarf in Hollywood. Odd that they have cast dark haired actor/actress for Jaime and Cersei Lannister...The Lannisters are supposed to be blonds....Daenerys is HOTTTT
