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The Official Quotable Doctor Who: Wise Words From Across Space and Time
"All of time and space. All things that ever happened or ever will. Where do you want to start?"
From a junkyard in Totter's Lane to the fields of Trenzalore, the last of the Time Lords has navigated the past, present, and future using knowledge gathered from centuries of adventures in space and time. Now the authors of the bestselling Who-Ology have collected the best of that timey-wimey knowledge into one place. Covering themes of home and work, travel and technology, the history of the Earth and the fate of the future—you'll find a Doctor-y bon mot for every occasion here.
Collecting half a century of quips and quotes, and beautifully illustrated throughout, The Official Quotable Doctor Who is your indispensable guide to life, love, mirth, and monsters.
From a junkyard in Totter's Lane to the fields of Trenzalore, the last of the Time Lords has navigated the past, present, and future using knowledge gathered from centuries of adventures in space and time. Now the authors of the bestselling Who-Ology have collected the best of that timey-wimey knowledge into one place. Covering themes of home and work, travel and technology, the history of the Earth and the fate of the future—you'll find a Doctor-y bon mot for every occasion here.
Collecting half a century of quips and quotes, and beautifully illustrated throughout, The Official Quotable Doctor Who is your indispensable guide to life, love, mirth, and monsters.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2014
98 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
About the author
Cavan Scott
844 books434 followersis a freelance comic writer and author. He is best known for his work on a variety of spin-offs from both Doctor Who and Star Wars, as well as comics and novels for Vikings, Pacific Rim, Sherlock Holmes, and Penguins of Madagascar.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 3, 2015
While it is certainly fun to page through, and it did add to the need to watch Classic Who, there were a lot of problems with it. I thought that there were quite a number of quotes that in no way needed to be included in this collection, seeing as how they either could have been from anything, or it wasn't even a special quote. They weren't funny or important or unique to DW and they left you questioning why they were in the book. Also, the book is divided into sections and I found a lot of quotes that seemed misplaced and should have been located in a different, more appropriate, subdivision. But every once in a while, I'd come across a quote that was quintessential DW and it was beautiful and made you want to drop the book in favor of watching DW for 15 straight hours.
December 5, 2023
This was just a fun book read. Awesome if you are a Doctor Who fan. The best thing about this book is that you can read the whole thing, put it away, and later pick it up and use it for a fun reference. Very cool.
August 18, 2014
A delightful collections of quotes from Doctor Who.
Arranged by subject, this delightful little book is a must for all Doctor Who fans, and lovers of quotations.
As my all time favourite Doctor Who quote, from the Brigadier, is present, I was definitely pleased with this book.
A little light fluff to while away a few hours.
Does have a useful list of all the writers of Doctor Who in alphabetical order, and an excellent index for cross referencing at the back.
Arranged by subject, this delightful little book is a must for all Doctor Who fans, and lovers of quotations.
As my all time favourite Doctor Who quote, from the Brigadier, is present, I was definitely pleased with this book.
A little light fluff to while away a few hours.
Does have a useful list of all the writers of Doctor Who in alphabetical order, and an excellent index for cross referencing at the back.
June 20, 2018
I really would have liked to given this a higher rating, but it's just a book of quotations - some which don't seem all that overly original - and while some were quite wonderful and brilliant, there were others that left me wonder if the only reason they were included was to fill up space. Still this is certainly something that every Whovian should own.
June 14, 2025
2025 Alphabet Challenge - The Letter Q
Who wouldn't love a book of quotes from Doctor Who? It was lovely, and it really makes you want to watch the show.
However, some of the quotes felt like they really didn't need to be there, and a lot of them felt like they were in the wrong sections.
Who wouldn't love a book of quotes from Doctor Who? It was lovely, and it really makes you want to watch the show.
However, some of the quotes felt like they really didn't need to be there, and a lot of them felt like they were in the wrong sections.
July 1, 2016
I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I'd expected to. It surprised me that even taken out of context, a lot of these quotes are very witty, impactful or just plain awesome, and it was fun to read through them. Obviously some weren't as good as others, but that's a given with a book like this. I loved the sections the book was split into, especially the list at the end of all the Doctors' last words before their regeneration, and the illustrations were really cool. One thing I would have liked was reference numbers or something telling us which Doctor, series and episode number each quote was from - having not seen much Classic Who I had no idea which Doctor was saying lots of the quotes, and I was often confused on which series the New Who episodes referenced were from as well. Some kind of character encyclopedia would have been cool too, so I might have had more of an idea who all the Classic Who characters were. This was still a well-polished and entertaining book though, which I'm sure any Doctor Who nerd would enjoy.
February 15, 2018
A must have for all the fans of the show. I simply can't list all my favorites quotes here, but I'll add a couple, because one thing is for sure, the messages behind the stories and adventures that this show is filled with it's part of what makes it so special, for me at least.
"The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world or a relationship, everything has its time. And everything ends."
"No one knows how they're going to be remembered. All we can do is hope for the best."
" People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.”
"Every great decision creates ripples, like a huge boulder dropped in a lake. The ripples merge, rebound off the banks in unforeseeable ways. The heavier the decision, the larger the waves, the more uncertain the consequences."
:D
"The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world or a relationship, everything has its time. And everything ends."
"No one knows how they're going to be remembered. All we can do is hope for the best."
" People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.”
"Every great decision creates ripples, like a huge boulder dropped in a lake. The ripples merge, rebound off the banks in unforeseeable ways. The heavier the decision, the larger the waves, the more uncertain the consequences."
:D
July 9, 2016
I really liked the idea of going back to "Doctor Who" through quotes, however I wish there were quotes from the more recent characters on the show as well.
Here are some quotes that stood out to me:
"As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves." - The Doctor
"Fear itself is largely an illusion. At my age, there's little left to fear." - The Doctor
"Death is always more frightening when it strikes invisibly." - The Master
"Arms. Legs.Neck. Head. Nose. I'm fine. Everyone else?" - The Doctor
"Romana: Doctor - are you all right?
The Doctor: Well, of course I'm all right. But supposing I wasn't all right? Well, this thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about someone else feeling like this about that. Do you understand? "
"Envy is the beginning of all true greatness." - The Master
"A man is the sum of him memories, you know. A Time Lord even more so." - The Doctor
"Rose: If you are an alien, how comes you sound like you're from the North?
The Doctor: Lots of planets have a north."
"A straight line may be the shortes distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting." - The Doctor
"There's always a way out. If only we can find it." - The Doctor
"Every problem has a solution" - Dalek
"We're all just stories in the end." - The Doctor
"You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greates arsenal we could have." - The Doctor
"It's hard to leave when you haven't said goodbye." - River Song
"If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing.That's all, one thing.Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life." - The Doctor
Here are some quotes that stood out to me:
"As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves." - The Doctor
"Fear itself is largely an illusion. At my age, there's little left to fear." - The Doctor
"Death is always more frightening when it strikes invisibly." - The Master
"Arms. Legs.Neck. Head. Nose. I'm fine. Everyone else?" - The Doctor
"Romana: Doctor - are you all right?
The Doctor: Well, of course I'm all right. But supposing I wasn't all right? Well, this thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about someone else feeling like this about that. Do you understand? "
"Envy is the beginning of all true greatness." - The Master
"A man is the sum of him memories, you know. A Time Lord even more so." - The Doctor
"Rose: If you are an alien, how comes you sound like you're from the North?
The Doctor: Lots of planets have a north."
"A straight line may be the shortes distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting." - The Doctor
"There's always a way out. If only we can find it." - The Doctor
"Every problem has a solution" - Dalek
"We're all just stories in the end." - The Doctor
"You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greates arsenal we could have." - The Doctor
"It's hard to leave when you haven't said goodbye." - River Song
"If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing.That's all, one thing.Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life." - The Doctor
August 17, 2014
"Fantastic!" "Brilliant!" "Cool!"
I love quotes, I love Doctor Who, do I even need to say that I love this book!
All thirteen Doctors, tons of companions, friends, enemies and bit players all get their say in this book. Funny quips, sadness and anguish, deep thoughts and frivolous claims, they can all be found in here. The book is completely up to date (well, for a few weeks more), containing quotes from An Unearthly Child all the way up to, and including, The Time of the Doctor. For its eight minutes, The Night of the Doctor manages to contribute three quotes (even though they skipped my favourite), probably making it the most quotable episode!
As a kind of logical bookend, the book begins with the first thing we heard each Doctor say, and ends with the final words of each of them (except the twelfth of course). Minor detail but a nice touch.
Highly recommended to any Whovian!
"The Doctor in the TARDIS. Next stop, everywhere!"
I love quotes, I love Doctor Who, do I even need to say that I love this book!
All thirteen Doctors, tons of companions, friends, enemies and bit players all get their say in this book. Funny quips, sadness and anguish, deep thoughts and frivolous claims, they can all be found in here. The book is completely up to date (well, for a few weeks more), containing quotes from An Unearthly Child all the way up to, and including, The Time of the Doctor. For its eight minutes, The Night of the Doctor manages to contribute three quotes (even though they skipped my favourite), probably making it the most quotable episode!
As a kind of logical bookend, the book begins with the first thing we heard each Doctor say, and ends with the final words of each of them (except the twelfth of course). Minor detail but a nice touch.
Highly recommended to any Whovian!
"The Doctor in the TARDIS. Next stop, everywhere!"
June 12, 2017
“Wit, Wisdom and Timey Wimey Stuff: The Quotable Doctor Who” by Cavan Scott, Mark Wright
Massive compilation of Whovian folklore
Adelaide Brooke: State your name, rank and intention.
The Doctor: The Doctor. Doctor. Fun.
The Water of Mars (p6)
Palmerdale: Are you in charge here?
The Doctor: No, but I'm full of ideas.
Horror of Fang Rock (p16)
Shakespeare: How can a man so young have eyes so old?
The Doctor: I do a lot of reading.
The Shakespeare Code (p26)
Your mind is beginning to work. It's entirely due to my influence, of course. You mustn't take any credit.
- The Doctor to harry, The Ark in Space (p53)
You're a mother, aren't you … There's kindness in your eyes. And sadness, but a ferocity too.
- Kahler-Jex to Amy, 'Doctor Who: A Town Called Mercy'. (p56)
Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know … It's being afraid an doing what you have to do anyway.
- The Doctor, Planet of the Daleks (p60)
Better a broken heart than no heart at all.
- The Doctor, A Christmas Carol (p65)
“Don't run. Now, I know you're scared, but never run when you're scared.”
- The Doctor, An Unearthly Child (p87)
“I sometimes think that military intelligence is a contradiction in terms.”
- The Doctor, Terror of the Autons (p99)
The Doctor: Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?
Joseph Green: Would you rather silent but deadly?
Doctor Who: Aliens of London (p117)
It may be irrational of me, but human beings are quite my favourite species.
The Doctor, The Ark in Space (p148)
"As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves." - The Doctor
"Fear itself is largely an illusion. At my age, there's little left to fear." - The Doctor
"Death is always more frightening when it strikes invisibly." - The Master
"Arms. Legs.Neck. Head. Nose. I'm fine. Everyone else?" - The Doctor
"Romana: Doctor - are you all right?
The Doctor: Well, of course I'm all right. But supposing I wasn't all right? Well, this thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about someone else feeling like this about that. Do you understand? "
"Envy is the beginning of all true greatness." - The Master
"A man is the sum of him memories, you know. A Time Lord even more so." - The Doctor
"Rose: If you are an alien, how comes you sound like you're from the North?
The Doctor: Lots of planets have a north."
"A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting." - The Doctor
"There's always a way out. If only we can find it." - The Doctor
"Every problem has a solution" - Dalek
"We're all just stories in the end." - The Doctor
"You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have." - The Doctor
"It's hard to leave when you haven't said goodbye." - River Song
"If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing.That's all, one thing.Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life." - The Doctor
The Doctor: Between you and me, in a hundred words, where do you think Van Gogh rates in the history of art?
Curator: Well... um... big question, but, to me Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all. Certainly the most popular, great painter of all time. The most beloved, his command of colour most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world, no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.
- - -
Amy Pond: We didn't make a difference at all.
The Doctor: I wouldn't say that. The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Hey.
[hugs Amy]
The Doctor: The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant.
- - -
Vincent Van Gogh: “Hold my hand, Doctor. Try to see what I see. We are so lucky we are still alive to see this beautiful world. Look at the sky. It's not dark and black and without character. The black is, in fact deep blue. And over there: lighter blue. And blowing through the blues and blackness, the winds swirling through the air and then, shining, burning, bursting through: the stars! Can you see how they roar their light? Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes.
- Vincent and the Doctor (p146)-
Vincent Van Gogh: It seems to me there's so much more to the world than the average eye is allowed to see. I believe, if you look hard, there are more wonders in this universe than you could ever have dreamt of.
The Doctor: You don't have to tell me
- - -
Yes, it all started out as a mild curiosity in a junkyard, and now it's turned out to be .. quite a great spirit of adventure, don't you think?
The Doctor, The Sensorites (p194)
For some people, small,beautiful events is what life is all about.
The Doctor, Earthshock (p236)
Oh, look down there, you've got a little shop. I like a little shop.
The Doctor, Smith and Jones (p243)
Donna: Are we safe here?
The Doctor: Of course we're safe. There's a little shop.
Silence in the Library (p243)
The Doctor: It’s a world. Literally. A world. The whole core of the planet is the index computer. Biggest hard drive ever. And up here, every book ever written. Whole continents of Jeffrey Archer, Bridget Jones, Monty Python’s Big Red Book. Brand new editions, specially printed. We’re near the equator, so… checks the wind. This must be biographies! I love biographies!
- The Doctor, Silence in the Library
Books. People never really stop loving books. Fifty-first century. By now you've got holovids, direct-to-brain downloads, fiction mist. But you need the smell. The smell of books.
The Doctor, Silence in the Library (p255)
I expect chocolate for breakfast.
- 'Doctor Who: The Almost People.' (p273)
Massive compilation of Whovian folklore
Adelaide Brooke: State your name, rank and intention.
The Doctor: The Doctor. Doctor. Fun.
The Water of Mars (p6)
Palmerdale: Are you in charge here?
The Doctor: No, but I'm full of ideas.
Horror of Fang Rock (p16)
Shakespeare: How can a man so young have eyes so old?
The Doctor: I do a lot of reading.
The Shakespeare Code (p26)
Your mind is beginning to work. It's entirely due to my influence, of course. You mustn't take any credit.
- The Doctor to harry, The Ark in Space (p53)
You're a mother, aren't you … There's kindness in your eyes. And sadness, but a ferocity too.
- Kahler-Jex to Amy, 'Doctor Who: A Town Called Mercy'. (p56)
Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know … It's being afraid an doing what you have to do anyway.
- The Doctor, Planet of the Daleks (p60)
Better a broken heart than no heart at all.
- The Doctor, A Christmas Carol (p65)
“Don't run. Now, I know you're scared, but never run when you're scared.”
- The Doctor, An Unearthly Child (p87)
“I sometimes think that military intelligence is a contradiction in terms.”
- The Doctor, Terror of the Autons (p99)
The Doctor: Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?
Joseph Green: Would you rather silent but deadly?
Doctor Who: Aliens of London (p117)
It may be irrational of me, but human beings are quite my favourite species.
The Doctor, The Ark in Space (p148)
"As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves." - The Doctor
"Fear itself is largely an illusion. At my age, there's little left to fear." - The Doctor
"Death is always more frightening when it strikes invisibly." - The Master
"Arms. Legs.Neck. Head. Nose. I'm fine. Everyone else?" - The Doctor
"Romana: Doctor - are you all right?
The Doctor: Well, of course I'm all right. But supposing I wasn't all right? Well, this thing makes me feel in such a way I'd be very worried if I felt like that about someone else feeling like this about that. Do you understand? "
"Envy is the beginning of all true greatness." - The Master
"A man is the sum of him memories, you know. A Time Lord even more so." - The Doctor
"Rose: If you are an alien, how comes you sound like you're from the North?
The Doctor: Lots of planets have a north."
"A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but it is by no means the most interesting." - The Doctor
"There's always a way out. If only we can find it." - The Doctor
"Every problem has a solution" - Dalek
"We're all just stories in the end." - The Doctor
"You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have." - The Doctor
"It's hard to leave when you haven't said goodbye." - River Song
"If you want to remember me, then you can do one thing.That's all, one thing.Have a good life. Do that for me, Rose. Have a fantastic life." - The Doctor
The Doctor: Between you and me, in a hundred words, where do you think Van Gogh rates in the history of art?
Curator: Well... um... big question, but, to me Van Gogh is the finest painter of them all. Certainly the most popular, great painter of all time. The most beloved, his command of colour most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world, no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived.
- - -
Amy Pond: We didn't make a difference at all.
The Doctor: I wouldn't say that. The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Hey.
[hugs Amy]
The Doctor: The good things don't always soften the bad things, but vice-versa, the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant.
- - -
Vincent Van Gogh: “Hold my hand, Doctor. Try to see what I see. We are so lucky we are still alive to see this beautiful world. Look at the sky. It's not dark and black and without character. The black is, in fact deep blue. And over there: lighter blue. And blowing through the blues and blackness, the winds swirling through the air and then, shining, burning, bursting through: the stars! Can you see how they roar their light? Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes.
- Vincent and the Doctor (p146)-
Vincent Van Gogh: It seems to me there's so much more to the world than the average eye is allowed to see. I believe, if you look hard, there are more wonders in this universe than you could ever have dreamt of.
The Doctor: You don't have to tell me
- - -
Yes, it all started out as a mild curiosity in a junkyard, and now it's turned out to be .. quite a great spirit of adventure, don't you think?
The Doctor, The Sensorites (p194)
For some people, small,beautiful events is what life is all about.
The Doctor, Earthshock (p236)
Oh, look down there, you've got a little shop. I like a little shop.
The Doctor, Smith and Jones (p243)
Donna: Are we safe here?
The Doctor: Of course we're safe. There's a little shop.
Silence in the Library (p243)
The Doctor: It’s a world. Literally. A world. The whole core of the planet is the index computer. Biggest hard drive ever. And up here, every book ever written. Whole continents of Jeffrey Archer, Bridget Jones, Monty Python’s Big Red Book. Brand new editions, specially printed. We’re near the equator, so… checks the wind. This must be biographies! I love biographies!
- The Doctor, Silence in the Library
Books. People never really stop loving books. Fifty-first century. By now you've got holovids, direct-to-brain downloads, fiction mist. But you need the smell. The smell of books.
The Doctor, Silence in the Library (p255)
I expect chocolate for breakfast.
- 'Doctor Who: The Almost People.' (p273)
May 31, 2014
It's exactly what it says on the cover, and it's organized into very useful chapters. But as much as I'd like to give five stars to a book that compiles 50 years of quotable greatness, I have to hold back for two reasons. First of all, where are all the double entendres & the so-bad-they're-hilarious lines of dialogue that "Doctor Who" fans adore, as part of our love for the show? The book threatens to become a little too reverent without them. Secondly, the beautiful artwork (from the same artist who graced the pages of "Who-ology") is rather lacking. Surely even more of this gorgeous artwork should have been on display? There's simply too much text for something that isn't a novel. Minor points, perhaps...but enough to make me sigh at what could have been.
January 6, 2016
Quotes from our favourite Time Lord and his friends relating to travel, danger, monsters and the Doctor himself. Great fun, and a good reference if you like to quote the show!
The quotes are organised into helpful chapters, The Doctor, The Light, The Darkness, The Universe, The Journey, The Tools, The Simple Things, The Past, and The Future.
Now please excuse me while I go plant myself in front of Netflix for the day :)
The quotes are organised into helpful chapters, The Doctor, The Light, The Darkness, The Universe, The Journey, The Tools, The Simple Things, The Past, and The Future.
Now please excuse me while I go plant myself in front of Netflix for the day :)
August 5, 2015
Loved this book. It's everything I've loved about Doctor Who since I started with Four!
Dialogue like this is why it's lasted 50 years, and (I hope) will carry it through the next 50! If you're truly mad, you may find yourself using some of these in conversations.
Dialogue like this is why it's lasted 50 years, and (I hope) will carry it through the next 50! If you're truly mad, you may find yourself using some of these in conversations.
January 3, 2015
It was a joy to read this book. I've always wanted to have all the Doctor's quotes at hand and this book is the perfect way to do that. Every whovian should enjoy it if possible.
July 10, 2015
Doctor Who, Doctor Who, Doctor Who,
September 5, 2024
This is a fan-girl read. The book was also a GREAT WAY to get through two weeks of post-COVID-19 flu.
The book is a collection of witty, silly and fun quotes from the show from the start to the end of No 11-Matt Smiths Dr.
Dr Who is a long-running BBC Science-Fiction television programme. The hero is an alien who loves the Earth and travels time and space in a machine resembling a 1960s Police box.
My favourite Science Fiction pulp TV shows tackle modern-day issues by taking them to extremes, which is why I love this show. I also love this show because of the dry English humour in this book in the bucket loads.
This book is a scriptwriting student's dream.
THE ONLY QUOTE I wish it had was Baby Stormaggedons introduction speech to the Doctor in the episode Closing Time. Oh, and The Doctors line "Baby! I speak Baby!" However, there are shed loads of witty, fun and poignant quotes.
Enjoyed this book, grateful for the information at the back about the episode writers. I did not know that there were women writers of Dr Who. J W Campbell's ghost looms large until Russel T Davies revived the show in the 2000s. I also loved the INDEX. Yep, and it saved me a huge amount of time, for writing this review.
This book is a good present for people who need to buy a present for a Dr Who fan who has everything, It is good as an academic tome because of the references, and it's a great read if you are a fan and want to relive the episodes but can't get behind the paywall and a holiday read.
The book is good for young who fans or Whovians who are slow readers but LOVE the show. I would have used this to help my seven-year-old learn how to read.
The book is a collection of witty, silly and fun quotes from the show from the start to the end of No 11-Matt Smiths Dr.
Dr Who is a long-running BBC Science-Fiction television programme. The hero is an alien who loves the Earth and travels time and space in a machine resembling a 1960s Police box.
My favourite Science Fiction pulp TV shows tackle modern-day issues by taking them to extremes, which is why I love this show. I also love this show because of the dry English humour in this book in the bucket loads.
This book is a scriptwriting student's dream.
THE ONLY QUOTE I wish it had was Baby Stormaggedons introduction speech to the Doctor in the episode Closing Time. Oh, and The Doctors line "Baby! I speak Baby!" However, there are shed loads of witty, fun and poignant quotes.
Enjoyed this book, grateful for the information at the back about the episode writers. I did not know that there were women writers of Dr Who. J W Campbell's ghost looms large until Russel T Davies revived the show in the 2000s. I also loved the INDEX. Yep, and it saved me a huge amount of time, for writing this review.
This book is a good present for people who need to buy a present for a Dr Who fan who has everything, It is good as an academic tome because of the references, and it's a great read if you are a fan and want to relive the episodes but can't get behind the paywall and a holiday read.
The book is good for young who fans or Whovians who are slow readers but LOVE the show. I would have used this to help my seven-year-old learn how to read.
April 11, 2020
‘The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. Hey. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant.’
Doctor Who in Vincent and the Doctor
Lately, I really need an escape from current events and this book provides it in spades. Die-hard Whovians (Did you notice my hand frantically waving???) have heard many of these lines throughout the series. I'm particularly fond of the writing done during Steven Moffat's tenure although that is sometimes a hot button issue amongst Whovians. Say what you will, the series hasn't lasted for 50+ years for nothing.
This book is a decent size and broken down into categories: love, death, darkness (sometimes being a Time Lord can be depressing), etc.
I'm currently reading several other 'heavier topic' books so have enjoyed this gem.
By the way, don't you love that quote at the top? It is one of my favorites and just seems so appropriate for present day events.
Doctor Who in Vincent and the Doctor
Lately, I really need an escape from current events and this book provides it in spades. Die-hard Whovians (Did you notice my hand frantically waving???) have heard many of these lines throughout the series. I'm particularly fond of the writing done during Steven Moffat's tenure although that is sometimes a hot button issue amongst Whovians. Say what you will, the series hasn't lasted for 50+ years for nothing.
This book is a decent size and broken down into categories: love, death, darkness (sometimes being a Time Lord can be depressing), etc.
I'm currently reading several other 'heavier topic' books so have enjoyed this gem.
By the way, don't you love that quote at the top? It is one of my favorites and just seems so appropriate for present day events.
April 4, 2018
I love Doctor who and this book brings back so many memories for me and it reminds me why I love this show so much! I know this is an unpopular opinion but I wasn't really fond of Rose Tyler, I prefer her mother. She's so much cooler to me. I like that Mickey Smith goes from a cowardly sort of person to a brave and efficient person by the end of the series. And the Face of Boe - OMG, when you find out who he is, you won't believe it!!!
The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances episodes are so good I love it so much. "Everybody lives, Rose. Just this once, everybody lives!" - the Doctor.
The Satan Pit episode was very chilling and very creative. I enjoyed the linking threads between the Doctor and the Beast as well as how the story slowly built to its conclusion. "This one knows me and I know him. The killer of his own kind."
- The Beast
The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances episodes are so good I love it so much. "Everybody lives, Rose. Just this once, everybody lives!" - the Doctor.
The Satan Pit episode was very chilling and very creative. I enjoyed the linking threads between the Doctor and the Beast as well as how the story slowly built to its conclusion. "This one knows me and I know him. The killer of his own kind."
- The Beast
December 20, 2020
A brilliant gathering of quotes of the first eleven Doctors of Doctor Who.
A definite want of any Doctor Who fan. For those never entering the Time and Space of Doctor Who, this will give you a good idea of who the Doctor is, what his companions are like, and what they endure as a group.
Hats off to Cavan Scott and Mark Wright for plucking quotes that capture the series and its characters in a way that would give anyone not familiar with the series, a good idea of who the Doctor is, and what his adventures entail.
I recommend this to all to enjoy.
A definite want of any Doctor Who fan. For those never entering the Time and Space of Doctor Who, this will give you a good idea of who the Doctor is, what his companions are like, and what they endure as a group.
Hats off to Cavan Scott and Mark Wright for plucking quotes that capture the series and its characters in a way that would give anyone not familiar with the series, a good idea of who the Doctor is, and what his adventures entail.
I recommend this to all to enjoy.
March 10, 2018
As a Whovian I wanted to absolutely love this collection of quotes from Doctor Who. In the end I just liked it a lot.
I liked the fact that it did span the history of the programme until the publication date but it missed a lot of lines that stuck in my head while featuring a lot of lines that seemed like filler both in the show and in the book.
Definitely a worthwhile purchase for a Whovian. Just not a perfect quotes collection.
I liked the fact that it did span the history of the programme until the publication date but it missed a lot of lines that stuck in my head while featuring a lot of lines that seemed like filler both in the show and in the book.
Definitely a worthwhile purchase for a Whovian. Just not a perfect quotes collection.
May 29, 2020
"The quotable Doctor Who"
Amd thats all it is really, a book of quotations. Its a OK read but if you have never watched the Classic Doctor Who then most of the quotes mean nothing to you, you have no memory to put to the quote so it becomes obsolete.
However if you are interested in both the classic and new gen Doctor Who then you may find some pleasure from the "Wit and Wisdom" of Doctors gone by.
Amd thats all it is really, a book of quotations. Its a OK read but if you have never watched the Classic Doctor Who then most of the quotes mean nothing to you, you have no memory to put to the quote so it becomes obsolete.
However if you are interested in both the classic and new gen Doctor Who then you may find some pleasure from the "Wit and Wisdom" of Doctors gone by.
July 9, 2021
Este libro es exactamente lo que te imaginas al leer el título de la obra: un conjunto de citas de Doctor Who, algunas muy buenas y otras de absoluto relleno. Que vale que son 50 años de historia (a fecha de la publicación), pero 350 páginas son muchas páginas. Aún así, recomendaría este libro a todo fan de la serie británica, quizás no como para leerlo entero; pero sí como acompañamiento en la mesita de noche para leer algunas frases antes de dormir.
September 28, 2025
"We all change, when you think about it. We're all different people all through our lives. And that's OK, that's good - you've gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be. I will not forget one line of this. Not one day. I swear. I will always remember when the Doctor was me...Hey." - The Eleventh Doctor, The Time of the Doctor
November 19, 2020
It was most enjoyable to canter through quotations from all the Doctors. As the book is arranged in themes, rather than in chronological order it was interesting to see different Doctors on the same topic.
February 27, 2022
A short and sweet review today. This is quite simply a collection of quotes from the Doctor Who series 50 year run. There are some fantastic quips, some inspiring speeches, and some absolutely ridiculous outbursts. It's a really fun read for any Whovian and I'm grateful I was gifted this!
January 11, 2020
MARTHA: But is it real, though? I mean, witches, black magic and all that, it's real?
THE DOCTOR: Course it isn't!
MARTHA: Well, how am I supposed to know? I've only just started believing in time travel. Give me a break.
THE SHAKESPEARE CODE
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.224)
You tell him, Martha. Give us all a break.
I could go through a long review winding my way to the point, but this is a book of quotes and that'd be difficult so I'll jump to the end instead and work my way out. This book is a horrible, horrible cash grab that's banking on the influx of new viewers to the New Who episodes, while at the same time written to exclude them in favor of the 'real fans' who've watched since the beginning.
The way the book excludes new fans is thus: there is absolutely no context whatsoever for any of the quotes, and many are nonsensical because of it.
'If you're bleeding, look for a man with scars.'
LEELA, THE ROBOTS OF DEATH
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p. 107)
What's the situation? Why is a man with scars relevant to someone else bleeding? Who is she saying this to? Why? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'I know you can't wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet.'
THE DOCTOR, THE IDIOT'S LANTERN
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.273)
Is this in response to a joke? Is someone trying it and he's pointing out the obvious? It is a metaphor? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'You can't always go by the manuals.'
THE DOCTOR, FULL CIRCLE
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.228)
What's going on? Who is he talking to? What's the situation? What's wrong with the manuals? Why do they need to ignore them? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'I would like a hat like that.'
THE DOCTOR, THE HIGHLANDERS
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.249)
What hat? Where is he? Why is a hat relevant to the situation? What is the situation? Does he need a hat? Why are they talking about hats? What the actual F makes this line important enough to be included in a F-king quotes book?
Compare for a moment with another quotes book I'll be reviewing later, Advanced Banter compiled by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson, which, when it comes upon a quote requiring or benefiting from some context, F-ing gives it.
Even the dullest things have meaning.
STEPHEN BAYLEY Design guru once described as 'the second most intelligent man in Britain'. He is talking about coat hangers.
(John Lloyd & John Mitchinson , Advanced Banter, p.208)
If you want to reminisce about iconic scenes maybe this book will do you some good. But if you, like me, were hoping for something that captured examples of the wonderful writing and often powerful and thought provoking words of wisdom, playfulness, or charm... Well, those words are in here somewhere, too, but by far that most common thought being provoked when reading this book was 'Why is this quote even here?'.
EDITING:
I don't understand why there's no context included. The quotes would make so much more sense. Or they'd make sense, period. I'm assuming all the quotes make sense with context, but maybe they still don't, we'll never know.
ENJOYABILITY:
Sometimes I wish I had a way to score in the negatives. I felt like I was wasting my time while reading it but it was like tearing my eyes away from a train wreck.
THEME:
At first I was like 'the theme is Doctor Who quotes' so it's going to get an automatic five stars. But then I looked at the cover and it specifically says 'Wise Words From Across Space and Time', and that describes, like, 20% of the book if I'm being extra generous, so...
THE VERDICT?
THE DOCTOR: Course it isn't!
MARTHA: Well, how am I supposed to know? I've only just started believing in time travel. Give me a break.
THE SHAKESPEARE CODE
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.224)
You tell him, Martha. Give us all a break.
I could go through a long review winding my way to the point, but this is a book of quotes and that'd be difficult so I'll jump to the end instead and work my way out. This book is a horrible, horrible cash grab that's banking on the influx of new viewers to the New Who episodes, while at the same time written to exclude them in favor of the 'real fans' who've watched since the beginning.
The way the book excludes new fans is thus: there is absolutely no context whatsoever for any of the quotes, and many are nonsensical because of it.
'If you're bleeding, look for a man with scars.'
LEELA, THE ROBOTS OF DEATH
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p. 107)
What's the situation? Why is a man with scars relevant to someone else bleeding? Who is she saying this to? Why? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'I know you can't wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet.'
THE DOCTOR, THE IDIOT'S LANTERN
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.273)
Is this in response to a joke? Is someone trying it and he's pointing out the obvious? It is a metaphor? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'You can't always go by the manuals.'
THE DOCTOR, FULL CIRCLE
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.228)
What's going on? Who is he talking to? What's the situation? What's wrong with the manuals? Why do they need to ignore them? What makes this line important enough to be included in a quotes book?
'I would like a hat like that.'
THE DOCTOR, THE HIGHLANDERS
(Cavan Scott & Mark Wright, The Official Quotable Doctor Who, p.249)
What hat? Where is he? Why is a hat relevant to the situation? What is the situation? Does he need a hat? Why are they talking about hats? What the actual F makes this line important enough to be included in a F-king quotes book?
Compare for a moment with another quotes book I'll be reviewing later, Advanced Banter compiled by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson, which, when it comes upon a quote requiring or benefiting from some context, F-ing gives it.
Even the dullest things have meaning.
STEPHEN BAYLEY Design guru once described as 'the second most intelligent man in Britain'. He is talking about coat hangers.
(John Lloyd & John Mitchinson , Advanced Banter, p.208)
If you want to reminisce about iconic scenes maybe this book will do you some good. But if you, like me, were hoping for something that captured examples of the wonderful writing and often powerful and thought provoking words of wisdom, playfulness, or charm... Well, those words are in here somewhere, too, but by far that most common thought being provoked when reading this book was 'Why is this quote even here?'.
EDITING:
I don't understand why there's no context included. The quotes would make so much more sense. Or they'd make sense, period. I'm assuming all the quotes make sense with context, but maybe they still don't, we'll never know.
ENJOYABILITY:
Sometimes I wish I had a way to score in the negatives. I felt like I was wasting my time while reading it but it was like tearing my eyes away from a train wreck.
THEME:
At first I was like 'the theme is Doctor Who quotes' so it's going to get an automatic five stars. But then I looked at the cover and it specifically says 'Wise Words From Across Space and Time', and that describes, like, 20% of the book if I'm being extra generous, so...
THE VERDICT?
August 9, 2017
This had some fantastic quotes, some silly, some insightful. My only complaint is I wish they identified which Doctor said what.
October 6, 2018
Fun compilation for a Dr. Who fan. Makes me want to go back and watch some of these episodes mentioned.
January 20, 2019
Beautiful quotes from classic and new Doctor Who
June 19, 2019
A fun read! I would have liked if they including the number of the Doctor for reference.
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