Doctor Who: Timeframe: The Illustrated History

by David J. Howe

In 1963 Doctor Who first appeared on British television. It became the world's longest running science fiction TV series and a British institution.

In 1973 three Doctor Who novels, first published in the 60s, were reissued, and began an unbroken programme of book publishing that has produced over 150 novelizations, with 8 million copies sold worldwide, and a growing series of original New Adventures. This volume celebrates both achievements with a remarkable collection of photographs, cuttings, and full page reproductions of paintings in the most lavishly illustrated Doctor Who book ever published.

David J. Howe has been researching Doctor Who and collecting Doctor Who memorabilia for more years than he cares to remember. He also writes prolifically: he is the co-author of the 60s and the 70s, the definitive works about Doctor Who's first two decades and of the Handbook series which studies Doctor Who Doctor by Doctor; He also writes regularly for Doctor Who Magazine and Starburst.

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Reference, Art

122 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 1993

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does what it says on the tin, an illustrated guide to the original series. It explains how it all began back in 1963, contains cast and monster information and "magic moment" storyboards, a photo guide to cliffhangers on several stories. The book contains artwork, newspaper clippings and great photos from the adventures of the Doctor, and explains how the show continued in the literal world after it finished in 1989. A very impressive guide to the series, a must have for DW fans.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my son was very young back in the 1990s, he and I would watch Doctor Who on the local public TV affiliate. This was our Saturday night ritual. It was kind of an escape for the two of us, to share a little sci-fi adventure and quality time. And he wasn't yet too jaded to sneer at the show's pedestrian special effects or hopelessly padded story lines. If he hadn't been along for the ride, I probably couldn't have enjoyed the show by myself. I found it barely watchable then, and unwatchable now. It was the sense of event and occasion that made it fun, as did the eccentric tics of the British actors who played the doctor.

The imagination and suspension of disbelief must kick in majorly when watching Who - and those are not bad skills to develop. As companions (no pun intended) to the show, I bought several guides or fan-type books that he and I could look at, and this particular one is a lovely large-format visually oriented show guide, mainly directed at show aficionados. It contains a pithily short overview of the history of the show, and is crammed with beautifully reproduced photos.

My son is now grown and working, so this book is just a nice memento on the shelves. I may get it out and thumb through it again sometime; a more likely prospect than sitting through an actual episode again.

(KevinR@Ky, revised 2016)

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book with a great cross-section of cuttings, stills and - best of all - Target novelisation artwork. The story stops at it's publication date of 1993, this is still a fantastic visual scrapbook of the classic run of the series.

[DJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a scrapbook or coffee table book. Interesting newspaper clippings.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Doctor Who - Timeframe: The Illustrated History” by David J. Howe

Interesting 'extras' of the public history of the sci-fi TV show. Lots of new and fascinating information and images.

What caught my attention was:

A young Julian Glover (today known as Maester Pycelle on Game of Thrones) as Richard the Lionheart, in 1965. (p8)

Jon Pertwee sang a 'Doctor Who' related music single. (p38)

I must look up 'Doctor Who - The Three Doctors” by Terrance Dicks (1975) {Porirua library has it} and 'The Green Death' by Malcolm Hulke (1975) and 'Doctor Who and the Horror of Fang Rock' by Terrance Dicks (1978).

“... Tom Baker has established himself well and truly as Dr. Who IV.”
“With his 10ft. Scarf, floppy hippy hat and crumpled clothes, he's less dandified than Jon Pertwee, slightly more up-to-date than Patrick Troughton and a whole generation away from William Hartnell, the original marque.
Said Tom: 'It's pointless to compare us.'” (newspaper article, 1975). (p50)

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text of this book is, quite frankly, irrelevant. Scavenge it instead for the gorgeous, full page paintings of "Doctor Who" book covers, from the 1970s to the 1990s -- they are ALL begging to be made into posters for your walls. This is the book for all the "Doctor Who" fans out there (myself included) who would pull out their Target novels, lay them out, and revel in the evocative cover images that transported you through time & space as easily as the prose inside each novel.

[Paul Doody · Rating 5 out of 5]

David J Howe has written several books about the history of Doctor Who. This book takes a photographic history of the programme from 1963-1989. Excellent presentation.

[Becci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great article - even better photos covering the actors, the production and the history.