Dalek Survival Guide

by April Warman (Editor), Rebecca Kincaid (Editor), Stephen Cole

In the (rather unlikely) event of an invasion by the most feared creatures in the galaxy, then make sure you have a copy of The Dalek Survival Guide to hand (or are in easy reach of a staircase). This slim, handy volume tells you everything you need to know in order to stay one step ahead of Dr Who's most diabolical enemies. Similar in style to the popular Worst Case Scenario series it features the history of the Daleks, detailed schematics of Dalek machines, their weaponry and cities, plus handy hints on to how to use whatever is to hand, should you find yourself cornered by one. Likely to be of even less use realistically than the far-fetched Worst Case Scenarios The Dalek Survival Guide will still be a hit with Dr Who fans, mixing seriously in-depth facts and a healthy dose of humour that would even raise a grating-giggle with the most exterminating-obsessed of Daleks. A good gift, but should the pesky pepperpot invasion actually occur, it still won't be as useful as a flight of stairs. --Jonathan Weir

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2002

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute guide to daleks. First of all there are no photographs of actual daleks from Doctor Who they are all just pencil sketches and as such they are very beautiful. There are several different history of the daleks given from different shows and books. There are also descriptions of the different daleks used in different episodes.

Without a doubt though my favourite section was How to survive forced captivity with a dalek. It was just hilarious. Things to avoid saying and doing with a dalek. How to tell when you were in danger. How to avoid getting exterminated. How you must never make the mistake of thinking the dalek likes you or is in anyway sympathetic to an inferior life form. The accompanying illustrations were equally brilliant.

[Michael Towers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little book so much. It's funny, It's fun, and a quick read. Great illustrations and a whole bunch of information on how to survive a Dalek attack. No photos. All awesome sketches of the different varieties of Dalek from the classic series and Expanded Universe novels.

If you can find it, buy it.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and very readable guide to the Dalek menace that threatens our planet. Of especial interest to those living in bungalows and first-floor flats.

[Damon Habbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a silly but fun read more of a novella than a book so quick to get through.

[Terrence Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not call this the authoritative book on those salt and pepper shakers of doom, but it does give you a lot of insight into the inner workings of the Daleks along with many of the versions that existed at the time of the book's printing. And that's the rub. The problem with Daleks is they seem to slightly change with every iteration. Almost to a point where anybody who wants to lock them down on a technical sense will be a bit frustrated. This book is the best you can find on that aspect, even if it lack updated details.

The book is written as a "what do to if you meet a Dalek" kind of guide. It has a fair share of comedic and entertaining entries, which makes this more a light-hearted resource than a hard tech-manual style reference.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculously dumb, but ridiculously fun.