Entertaining guide to the history of Doctor Who through different versions of his character over the years
589498
The Doctors Are In covers each version of Doctor Who, previous and modern (including The Warrior played by John Hurt). As part of their effort to answer What made him the way he is? What motivates him?, each chapter, one per version, includes the following sections:

A profile of the actor and his approach to the role
A short history of the context of his run
An important companion and foe
Who is the Doctor?, the meat of the character study
Three great and two embarrassing moments during his run
Each authors analysis, most entertaining when they sometimes disagree
Reviews of the five episodes most essential to each incarnation

Tom Bakers era is divided into two chapters, due to his long run and the shows change in direction during that period. The first covers the gothic horror episodes, ending with The Talons of Weng-Chiang; the second, what they term The Tom Baker Comedy Half-Hour, playing off the stars eccentricities. There are also appendices listing episodes, companions, and descriptions of multi-Doctor stories, as well as Recommended Resources for further reading. The authors previously wrote&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Who-s-50-The-50-Doctor-Who-Stories-to-Watch-Before-You-Die-An-Unofficial-Companion/dp/1770411666/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Who's 50: The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die - An Unofficial Companion</a>.

The Doctors Are In gave me new insight on a show Ive been watching a long time. I devoured the chapters. I found it particularly educational when it came to the older doctors, since relatively few of their stories are available to watch.

Its helpful to read the book with this Doctor Who episode list open, since the authors do assume a certain number of shared references. Theres a list in the first appendix, but it only has title, year, and episode length, not description. Since I don't know the episode titles and stars as well as they do, putting the shows in context for the series was helpful for me to follow along. I fear my wallet will never recover, since I now have many more Doctor Who DVD sets on my wish list. (Review originally posted at ComicsWorthReading.com. The publisher provided a digital review copy.)
4407538
This book features two Doctor Who stories in Issues 11-15.

The two issue story, the Sin Eaters finds the Doctor in an institute for the criminally insane for originally murdering his companion Tana with Rose undercover as an Earth Examiner. The institute's treatment involves sucking all the negative aspsects of a person into a Sin Eater. The problem when doing that Doctor leads to a disaster.

The three issue story is about Captain Jack and his quest to find out about his past, recover memories, and stop himself from killing someone. There are a lot of twists in this story and some sure to please fans. The ending of Tana's story (for now) is thought.

Overall, I enjoyed both of these stories, but really thought they could have been better with more space. The big concepts in the first story really could have gone in three issues. The same could be said of the next story, though I think the Doctor lite issue of the Arc is a bit over-indulgent in that regards. The art in the last issue isn't quite as good as the rest of the book.

Still, I enjoyed this quite a bit. The Ninth Doctor Series didn't get a Second Year, so this is all we're going to get. I have to say I'm really thankful for Titan for giving us 20 issues with the Ninth Doctor. It's practically another season and given Eccleston's all-too brief time as the Doctor, this has definitely been welcomed.
3967576
My 8yo son saw this at a bookstore prior to his birthday and put it on the top of his birthday list.  Anytime he wants a book, I usually get it for him.  He has poured over other Star Wars character encyclopedias, so I figured this would be a good addition.  He has enjoyed looking at it, but it is definatly beyond his reading level.  This will be a book he can enjoy for many years.  As I looked through it I found it interesting how it lay s out alot of history of the times before and what happens after the "movie years".  I also liked the in depth write ups about characters and places.  There is a neat section at the back featuring lots of Star Wars products and it was fun to see items we have.
233984
Fifty years is a long time, especially when it comes to television. For a program to last that longthrough changes in cast and cultureis quite a feat. Doctor Who debuted in November, 1963, and enjoys more popularity nowfifty years laterthan ever before. Children and adults adore the program, and it is finally more than just a cult hit in America.

Comic book historian Alan Kistler examines the classic British program from its very genesis, including the original pitch and evolution of the premise and characters. Each of the first eleven personalities to take on the role of The Doctor are profiled, with background information on the actors and the mannerisms they brought to the role. Special attention is given to the companions and other supporting characters, and of course the TARDIS. The behind-the-scenes players, from Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert to Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat, are given their proper due.

From beginning to end, this is a comprehensive look at one of the most beloved television shows in history. Any fan will absolutely love Doctor Who: A History.
1845407
Sharpe Companion is a guide book to the world of Richard Sharpe, Bernard Cornwell's fictional British rifleman of the Napoleonic Wars. This guide book deals with life of this fictional character's early years as written by Bernard Cornwell. Presented here are the first five books: Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe's Triumph, Sharpe's Fortress, Sharpe's Trafalgar and Sharpe's Prey which represent Richard Sharpe's "early adventures" (1777-1808).

The book is basically divided into two parts. First part deals actually with the real British army of which this fictional character is part of. The study of Sharpe's British army organization, tactics, leadership, culture and society are well presented and easy to understand. Of course, throughout this history lesson, the author take pains to insert how Richard Sharpe fitted into and within the content of the series. This part of the book come with diagrams which help things along very nicely.

The second part of the book dealt with the actual novels inwhich the author goes over each of the previous mentioned Sharpe novel with a historical eye. Included in each chaper which dealt with each novel are useful maps, sidebars of historical fact within the context of the novels and information on historical and fictional characters from each novel.

As an avid reader of this series, I found this book to be highly useful in understanding the life and time of Richard Sharpe character as Bernard Cornwell wrote him and within the context of military history. It will surprised most readers of this series how much history Cornwell did put into his books. The book also come with useful section on Sharpe's early life before he joined the army as well as a time line of his life during the period covered by this book. The book also covered the period of Sharpe's life which wasn't covered in the novels.

Its pretty clear that Mark Adkin wrote this book with a complete cooporation with Bernard Cornwell. This book should proves to be an super useful book to have for any fan of Richard Sharpe series who wishes to have a deeper understanding of the world inwhich this fictional character lives in. From one Sharpe fan to another, this book come highly recommended.
388668
very informative with good side stories of personalities and happenings,a great read both technically and historically
4356647
The Fountains or Forever is actually the first Tenth Doctor book where one storyline runs through the entire book as the Doctor tries to intercept a powerful artifact and when that fails, he has to unlock its mystery and things more complicated when an aging Hollywood startlet is re-invigorated. The story also has a nice call back to a classic series villain.

Overall, this is a story that holds a reader's interest. Gabby's friend Cindy is an interesting character that I'd like to see more of. As usual, the art on this series is top notch with Elena Casagrande turning in some superb work.
508149
The gap between 10 leaving all his companions and facing his regeneration is a great time for the books to fill.  I like the temporary companions that are with the Doctor for a one shot, in this case it was two teenage twins.  This book explores the Sontarans and the Rutan ands provides some backstory to the 50,000 year war the species have been having.  It also references some episodes where the Sontarans appeared and the Doctor's past victories.  The voice of 10 is audible in this book and the bad guys (you get two for the price of one here) are threatening enough to make them seem like a credible threat to 10.  The ancillary characters were developed well as was the backstory of the outpost on Saturn where the story takes place.  All and all I can recommend this as a nice way to spend a few hours with the 10th doctor.
984084
An adventure in a style similar to H. G. Wells, this is the story of Denis Borel and his uncommon meeting with the mysterious Doctor Omega.  Borel has recently retired and settled in a small village in Normandy, France.  He soon becomes curious about a neighbor whose inventions are the cause of explosions and excitation in his newly adopted home.  His neighbor, Doctor Omega, is building a vessel that can traverse time and space with plans to explore Mars' past.

There are a number of similarities with this Doctor and that other Doctor of BBC fame.  This includes a textual likeness between William Hartnel and Omega and a common relationship with a young niece.  Omega is also the name of a time lord in the Doctor Who series but it's obvious that Omega and this one could not be the same. There are also references to a race of people of whom Omega is a member and allusions that he is in fact trapped and unable to use the more powerful vessels that his people have access to.  All of this seems very similar to the newer doctor we know and love but it's hard to know how much of this is the invention of Arnould Galopin and how much has been added for interest by Randy Lofficier.  Quarks, atomic relationships, and science that should have been unknown to Galopin makes it into this tale as part of Lofficier's update.  Thus some of the exciting similarities between this and the Doctor Who series come off as less amazing given how many liberties appear to be have been taken with the source material.

While this edition may be more interpretive than interpreted, it's a fun story and well written.
430762
What is there to say? A must for Dr. Who fans.
323584
I first read Doctor Who A Celebration way back in 1984.  Back when Doctor Who was popular in the United States.  Back when there was a Doctor Who convention to attend every couple of months. Attending conventions was  loads of fun, and so was reading this book.  A Celebration was written by  Haining as a tribute to the success of this remarkable program.  This book  covers all of the important aspects of the show.
The first third of this  book covers the first five doctors.  There are articles on each Doctor, as  well as articles written by each of the Doctors.  They give their unique  perspectives on the show and the role they played in its success.  Next,  the book covers a variety of Doctor Who facts.  The TARDIS, K9, the Master,  Gallifrey, the companions, and articles from the producers and creators of  the show are all here.  The final portion of the book is entitled The  Whoniverse.  It is a twenty year travel log of the Doctor's adventures.  This is the best part of the book.  It lists each episode.  The episode is  described and small production facts are given.  This is not all of the  topics that are covered by this remarkable book.  There is still much, much  more that is worth reading.  If you are a Doctor Who fan this book is a  must have.  It is a great book covering the first twenty years of the show.
1430624
A solid historical adventure from Patrick Troughton's era of Doctor Who. This was one of the many adventures that the BBC in their stupidity destroyed in the early 1970's. Thankfully, thanks to intelligent, dedicated fans of the day, the soundtrack exists in its entirety and is presented with linking narration that allows the theater of the mind to take over. Definitely worth purchasing for fans of Classic Doctor Who.
1853840
i bought this book,after buying another handbook about the third doctor.i really found this book to be fascinating! it tells of the beginning of the show,`doctor who',when william hartnell was the first actor to play the doctor.i loved reading how the show was first thought up,the episode guide,and also the way that mr.hartnell felt doing his portrayal of the first doctor.the only part of the book that i didn't like was the part about how much it cost the studio ,the producers etc.,to make each episode of the hartnell era.but,other than that,it was a great book!
1459774
Wonderful book that helps answer some more questions from the Steven Moffatt/Matt Smith era and it also closes some loopholes when it comes to the 50th anniversary and the Amy and Rory Williams story lines. Enjoy the read!
286920
An entertaining book, about a fascinating person with a great motorsports history
847843
Though this book did not have as many twist and turns as I am use to, I think it is a great book for new Doctor Who fans, it has adventure and drama with just a dash of gotcha without losing the young reader.
3351840
I read it to seethe different TV versions of the book!