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The ABOUT TIME Books

Dukhat said:
Yes, I have all the books, and they are extremely well-written and interesting to read. And if the internet (and specifically Amazon) didn't exist, I never would have been able to get these books, as they're not the type of books that are sold at regular bookstores.
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So true. I haven't bought a book from an actual store in years. Most stores have such a paltry movie/tv/music section it's just depressing being there. Plus in the US, there is no sign of the original series at all, though I did purchase some novelizations here in 1980.
 
To give an example of the kinds of essays these books contain, here are the About Time 4 (the Tom Baker years minus season 18). Why, why, oh why can't Star Trek have this?

“Does This Universe Have an Ethical Standard?”
“Why Couldn’t They Just Have Spent More Money?”
“Which is Best, Film or Video?”
“How Badly Does Dalek History Suffer?”
“September or January?”

“What Does Anti-Matter Do?”
“Where (and When) is Gallifrey?”
“Why Does Earth Keep Getting Invaded?”
“Who Are All These Strange Men in Wigs?”
“Is He Really a Doctor?”

“Does the Universe Really Speak English?”
“Did Rassilon Know Omega?”
“Is This Really an SF Series?”
“Cultural Primer #1: Why Top of the Pops?”
“Bad Effects: What are the Highlights?”

“When was Doctor Who Scary?”
“Cultural Primer #2: Why Blue Peter?”
“Is This the Quatermass Continuum?”
“Just How Involved are the Time Lords?”
“How Might the Sonic Screwdriver Work?”

“What Do the Guardians Do?”
“Cliffhangers: What are the High and Low Points?”
“The Obvious Question: How Old is He?”
“How Hard is it to be the Wrong Size?”
“War of the Daleks: Should Anyone Believe a Word of It?” “When Did the Doctor Meet Leonardo?”
“How Do You Transmit Matter?”
“What Else Didn’t Get Made?”
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I have all these books and generally I do really like them - they are great to dip in and out of and when a story is released on DVD (or audio) that I haven't seen for a while I will always go back to them after watching it.

It's slightly annoying that the books got more in depth later on so the Tom Baker & Davison years are less well covered than Colin Baker/McCoy & the revised Pertwee.

Other than that, though they try and pose as factual a lot of their stuff about UK culture is very subjective and I don't agree with all of it.

Sometimes they are a little too anal - there's a long diversion into explaining how Liz Shaw could have the multiple degrees the Brig says she does where I spent the whole time wanting to scream at them - leave it alone it doesn't matter!!!

They also do the same silly thing that a lot of references books do and forget that real people round dates up and down so it doesn't actually matter if a character says 80 years when it was actually 77.

Oh and sometimes they get a bit carried away and start writing things that look good and sound like they make sense but actually don't - I spend a lot of time looking through people's presentations and striking out bits like that so I probably notice things like that more!

Other than that - great books.
 
I just ordered all six on Amazon today and I can't wait to get them. I wanted to order from the publisher (where the boxset is cheaper) but you have to order via PayPal (and I'm currently having issues with them...long story).
 
VDCNI said:
though they try and pose as factual a lot of their stuff about UK culture is very subjective and I don't agree with all of it.

Sometimes they are a little too anal - there's a long diversion into explaining how Liz Shaw could have the multiple degrees the Brig says she does where I spent the whole time wanting to scream at them - leave it alone it doesn't matter!!!

They also do the same silly thing that a lot of references books do and forget that real people round dates up and down so it doesn't actually matter if a character says 80 years when it was actually 77.

Oh and sometimes they get a bit carried away and start writing things that look good and sound like they make sense but actually don't - I spend a lot of time looking through people's presentations and striking out bits like that so I probably notice things like that more!

Other than that - great books.
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I thought vol 5 had some of that "nonsensical" blabbering, but I thought it was just my chick-pea brain screaming for help.:cool:

The thing to remember is that the About Time books are written by fans for fans. There's nothing in those books that one wouldn't find in, say, a TrekBBS topic.:lol: By and large, the essays are fantastic and well worth reading.

I thought the Tom and Davison years were well covered, but the authors have stated that the Pertwee era is where their allegiance lies and when Tat Wood goes it alone in vol. 6, it's because he believes that's when the series went horribly, horribly wrong.:rofl:
 
Just so happens I've been rereading the first volume. Such entertaining stuff, even if the 'Thing that don't make sense' sections do seem a bit overly harsh at times.

Personally though I'm mainly interested in the pre-Pertwee volumes since I know so little about the early history of the series.
Speaking of which, has it gotten any easier to find Volume 2? Back when this topic first started I seem to recall that book was rather hard to find and was selling for big bucks if you could find it.
 
Emh said:
Amazon has all eight volumes in stock.
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There are only six volumes (not counting the second edition of vol. 3), though there are several references to nuWho in the revamped vol 3, so perhaps we can expect a Vol. 7 in the near future. I guess that would cover Eccleston's only and Tennant's first?
 
My copies have finally arrived. I flipped through the fourth volume and read most of the The Talons of Weng-Chiang entry. I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed by not only how in depth it is, but it's willingness to be honest and critical (of even the often-claimed best serial). I look forward to reading more entries, although I think it would be better to watch the stories again before reading the entries, which of course means I have to rewatch the whole series. Ah, rats!

Is there any possibility that they'll do entries for the Ninth and Tenth Doctors?
 
Emh said:
Is there any possibility that they'll do entries for the Ninth and Tenth Doctors?
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First of all, welcome to the elite club of The Annointed! You're truly beyond all help with your love of The Doctor now!;)

When you get around to reading Vol. 3 (second edition), you'll notice several references to the first two series of nuWho, so it's highly likely that ol' Tat is hard at work on a Volume 7.

Also, I must repeat my mantra: "Don't you wish Star Trek had a book series like this?":lol:
 
Steve67 said:
Emh said:
Is there any possibility that they'll do entries for the Ninth and Tenth Doctors?
Click to expand...

First of all, welcome to the elite club of The Annointed! You're truly beyond all help with your love of The Doctor now!;)

When you get around to reading Vol. 3 (second edition), you'll notice several references to the first two series of nuWho, so it's highly likely that ol' Tat is hard at work on a Volume 7.
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Not right now - he's far too busy setting up his imminent wedding. :)
 
Mad Norwegian is definitely planning an About Time 7, probably covering the 2005 and 2006 series. There's no publication date yet, but Wood has been working on it since early 2010 at least.
 
If he's at the Tav next week I'll check how he's getting on, but he's defeinitely got a lot else on his plate right now.
 
Steve67 said:
Emh said:
Is there any possibility that they'll do entries for the Ninth and Tenth Doctors?
Click to expand...

First of all, welcome to the elite club of The Annointed! You're truly beyond all help with your love of The Doctor now!;)
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Oh, I was beyond help a long time ago as evidenced by seeing every single existing serial (and listening to the audio for the lost episodes) and deep into Big Finish's audio plays. The only place I'm not in the thick of things is the books.

Steve67 said:
When you get around to reading Vol. 3 (second edition), you'll notice several references to the first two series of nuWho, so it's highly likely that ol' Tat is hard at work on a Volume 7.
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I've already noticed this in Volume 6 (and I think there were a couple of mentions in Volume 2 for The War Games).

Brendan Moody said:
Mad Norwegian is definitely planning an About Time 7, probably covering the 2005 and 2006 series. There's no publication date yet, but Wood has been working on it since early 2010 at least.
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Good to read. I look forward to reading it when it eventually comes out.
 
Emh said:
Steve67 said:
First of all, welcome to the elite club of The Annointed! You're truly beyond all help with your love of The Doctor now!;)
Click to expand...

Oh, I was beyond help a long time ago as evidenced by seeing every single existing serial (and listening to the audio for the lost episodes) and deep into Big Finish's audio plays. The only place I'm not in the thick of things is the books.
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That's what I was getting at; if one takes the About Time step, there truly is no "hope"! :lol:

They've spoiled me for all other essential books. I'd stop short of calling them "refrence" books, but rather more like analytical guides.
 
I haven't read these but they sound great! I've just ordered a set of 6 from the publisher for $102!

Mr Awe
 
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