The Pocket Essential Hitchhiker's Guide (Pocket Essentials) [Paperback]

M. J. Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001 | Series: Pocket Essentials

Don't panic! The Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy is a unique phenomenon which started life as a radio series in 1978 and was subsequently adapted into five best-selling novels, remade as a BAFTA-winning TV series, re-recorded as a chart LP, reinvented as a computer game, dramatised for the West End stage and translated into more than 30 languages. For the first time, the full story behind Hitch-Hiker's Guide is told in all its bizarre detail: the Finnish radio series, the German one-man stage show, the modern jazz suite, the two-headed teddy bears...Every variant of the story, every spin-off and cash-in, is documented in context, including the feature film, which has been stuck in development hell for more than 20 years. What's in it? Every version of Hitch-Hiker's Guide is described and compared: the contradictory storylines are explained, the background to the many adaptations is chronicled, the success of the different versions is analysed. Based on twenty years of research and extensive interviews with the cast and crew of Hitch-Hiker's Guide, including Douglas Adams. Also includes details of Douglas Adams' other projects - including Dirk Gently, The Meaning Of Liff and Starship Titanic - plus his early work on series such as Doctor Who and Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Pocket Essentials is a dynamic series of books that are short, snappy, and easy to read. Packed with facts as well as opinions, each book has all the key information you need to know about such popular topics as film, television, cult fiction, politics, and more. In addition to an introduction to the subject, each topic is individually analyzed and reviewed, examining its impact on popular culture or history. There¹s also a reference section that lists related web sites and weightier (and more expensive) books on the subject. For media buffs and students, these are great entry-level books that build into an essential library.

About the Author

MJ Simpson is a freelance journalist specialising in science fiction, and the former deputy editor of SFX magazine. He is Research Archivist for the Official Hitch-Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy Appreciation Society, having previously been President and Editor of the society magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square; paperback / softback edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903047404
• ISBN-13: 978-1903047408
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,652,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Utterly Complete Guide to Hitchhiker's Guide, July 29, 2001

By 

Björn Andersson (Göteborg, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pocket Essential Hitchhiker's Guide (Pocket Essentials) (Paperback)

This is a very complete (it didn't mention the Swedish radio series, but that's no big loss ;-) and informative guide to all incarnations of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (as well as the other works by Douglas Adams). It is a must for every fan of this master.