Customer Reviews

About Time 2: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who: 1966-1969, Seasons 4 to 6 (About Time)

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This is the second book in the About Time series, covering Patrick Troughton's three seasons as the Doctor. Much as I was blown away by the wealth of information in the first volume, I continue to be impressed by what Wood and Miles are able to pull together in this book. As usual, the details and lore about each episode and the essays (Whatever Happened to the USA? Does Plot Matter? Was There Any Hanky-Panky in the TARDIS? and more) are very well done.

If I have a disappointment in this volume, it's that Wood and Miles seem to consider Troughton's tenure as the Doctor a low-point in the series. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, and the authors are very conscientious about remembering that the show was in black and white at this time, it was watched in episodes (unlike the way we watch in complete stories now), and many of Troughton's episodes are missing; still, I think they are unduly dismissive, in some cases. I am fond of Troughton's work and some of my favorite stories are from his era ("The Mind Robber," "The Krotons," "The War Games"). I also think it's important to remind any American fans, like myself, that there are a number of references the authors make to British culture that are hard for Americans to follow.

That being said, any fan of Doctor Who would be a fool not to have this in his/her library. I have never seen a guide as filled with information as this. I've been reading it slowly since, according to the publisher's website, the second edition of volume 3 won't be ready until May, 2009. That's a real disappointment, considering that their website used to imply that it would be out sooner and the first edition is out of print. Enjoy the others until then.

If you want Doctor Who (2nd Doctor, seasons 4-6) information, this is the place to go. Great sidebar discussions on all of the fan debates. Coverage of the actors, the stories, plot holes, locations, and more. I can't imagine a more detailed guide unless the BBC allowed the About Time folks to use images from the show. That's the only possible more complete book.

The ABOUT TIME series is the most in-depth (though currently incomplete) guide to Doctor Who. Volume two in the series examines Seasons 4-6, the adventures of the second Doctor. In addition to production notes and an critique of each episodes, there are notes and essays on continuity and the series in a cultural context. While not as handy as a one volume guide, the ABOUT TIME series makes for a much more interesting read.