Doctor Who: How to Be a Time Lord - Official Guide

The Doctor’s Official Guide #1

by Craig Donaghy

This ancient Time Lord manual has been kicking around the TARDIS for over 1200 years, giving the Doctor plenty of time to 'improve' it with scribbles, doodles and post-it notes as a gift for his successor, the Twelfth Doctor. He's even ripped out the middle of the book and replaced it with a scrapbook packed with everything important to our hero, and how to be just like him! So if you have ever wondered if you'd cut it in the Time Lord Academy, how to fly the TARDIS, or the correct way to dip a fish finger into custard, this is the book for you! Essential reading for all aspiring Time Lords!

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Media Tie In, Fantasy, Young Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2014

Reviews

[Eilonwy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goodreads is marking this as "Read." But more accurately, this book is "as read as it's going to be." Which means, flipped through and groaned and cringed at.

I bought it for my 18-year-old goddaughter, a HUGE fan of the Eleventh Doctor. But I'm not even sure I can give it to her and feel good about it, because this book appears to be aimed at 10-year-olds. Which was not what I was expecting ... because while the show can certainly be enjoyed by kids that age, I think of it as being written for adults, and I expected this book to be written for older teens and adults, as well. If you look here on GR, the publisher is identified as Penguin Books, with no children's imprint indicated. But this book itself mentions "BBC Children's Books" on the interior, and had I known that, I probably wouldn't have ordered it.

So, for me, this is a big disappointment.

Does anyone know a 10-year-old I can palm it off on? And can anyone recommend a better Dr Who book I can give an 18-year-old without embarrassment?

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not what i expected when i bought it - although that said ,it's still a lot of fun.Basically it's a manual written from the eleventh Doctor to the twelve Doctor on all things Who.More one for the kids than the grown ups but fun all the same.

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant if you want a mostly concise guide to Gallifreyian and Time Lord society which is what I find interesting in Doctor Who novels and tie ins.
While there were parts that were added to or removed by the Eleventh Doctor (which was brilliantly in character), I found these unnecessary and kind of annoying.
Overall, this was a good guide book but it was obviously aimed at a younger audience than I.

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically Eleventh Doctor.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My two hearts definitely best Whovian and when I saw this in the Scholastic Book Order I absolutely had to have it. (Along with the Doctor Who Coloring Book and Time Lord Fairy tales, of course! Thanks Scholastic! My teacher points are being put to good use!)

It sounds like most of the negative reviews were expecting a more adult read, but that's not what I was looking for so I liked it just fine. Definitely written in a Doctor Eleven style it's whimsical and silly most of the time. The scrapbook style gives it a casual feel that is easy to read.

Definitely only for people who are all caught up in Doctor Who, otherwise spoilers abound and a lot of it won't make much sense. As I'm not a fan of the original doctors, I was pleased it mostly focused on Doctors 9-11. (Love Peter Capaldi so I wouldn't have minded some bits of him, but as it was "written" by the Eleventh Doctor, it makes since there wasn't any.)

[Mary Arkless · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gift from my daughter. It is cutesy and jokey, aimed at children. The basic idea is there was a How To Be A Time Lord Official Guide, which was then added to by the Eleventh Doctor. He wrote that he ripped out unnecessary pages and taped in other bits he thought more helpful, with whatever kind of tape was lying around. Jelly babies are scattered everywhere, and fezzes are cool. Do not, however, wear your fez near River Song, as she always shoots hats. Think I will donate this one to the primary school library. I think it was aimed at that age group. ~Lord Venturer

[Jorge Rosas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Do not open this book unless you’ve seen the entire Matt Smith Series and the 50th anniversary. Having been written under 11th perspective it’s, of course, a bit childish. It’s written as a guide for the Doctor’s future regeneration (Capaldi), he talks about Gallifrey’s hard facts and he’s experience as a doctor with fun and practical facts. Oh, and we get the explanation about fifth’s celery and seventh’s umbrella!

[Galy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really funny book. When I first read about it I thought it was cool, then when I saw it I couldn't wait to read it. Now that I've read it I may consider re-reading it because I loved it. And one quote from Doctor Who comes to my mind when I see this book: "There's no point being grown-up if you can't be childish sometimes".

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole lot of Doctor-y fun!

[JaylenG. B8]

ifinshed this book yesterday it is very funny

[HaHwm · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading some disappointed reviews and expecting a very small book aimed at young children, I was pleasantly surprised by this.
It’s obviously not a coffee table book, but has a decent size, it's a nicely designed hardcover, and all the pages (about 170) are fully coloured- and have that amazing new-book-smell. The content provides a superficial overview of the Doctor-Universe, probably nothing new for diehard fans.
But for me, who just got into the whole thing with the 12th doctor, it’s just fine as an introduction and makes me want to watch all the older series. It’s not a long read, but I feel that’s obviously not the point of it, so I didn't mind.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect gift for a fellow Whovian! I got this for my brother's bday and ended up reading it before I wrapped it for him. Lol. Had to make sure it was legit! Right?! Hehe. Anyway, it was such a fun read! And the cover art is beautiful. I particularly enjoyed the layout of 11's own personal additions. Very fitting to his personality! Haha. Altogether, a very fun read! I may end up buying this for myself someday! =p

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never watched Doctor Who until July this year when a Whovian friend got me hooked on the show. I watched all 7 seasons of Doctor Who (Revived) within 2 months, and found myself waiting every week for a new season 8 episode. I saw this book in Dymocks, and I just had to pick it up. I needed to get my fix, you know. This book didn't disappoint.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those ideal "Doctor Who" books for all ages -- it's clearly aimed at the junior set, but only adults will get all of the sweet, annoying, eye-rolling, and hilarious in-jokes. Fans of all ages will also appreciate that all 50 years of the series are covered her with great conciseness. It's a sweet & silly book...just like the Doctor himself is sweet and silly.

[andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why this book is amazing:

1. It's written by my fav Doctor, the ever beloved Matt Smith
2. It's British
3. It's Doctor Who-what else must I say?

And yes I put it in non-fiction because DOCTOR WHO IS REAL!!!!!!

[Lindsayann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed this book. Loved this book. Became an official time lord by the time I was finished !! Now off to the TARDIS I go!!

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really short, and yet adorable. It was a fun read and didn't take me long to get through.

[Ronald Schoedel III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun little book. Loads of illustrations. A Christmas gift from my daughter. There does seem to be some confusion on GR as to the target audience. It is published by BBC Children’s Books, and is probably well-suited to an adolescent. But I think it’s fun for any Whovian, especially since it’s written from the perspective of the 11th Doctor, who is a bit juvenile. Also a bit endearing to me because I first became a Whovian during the run of the 11th Doctor.

In summary: just good fun, some trivia, and tons of photos and art. What’s not to enjoy? Anyone expecting an academic treatise on the rules of being a time lord will not find that here. But then again, would the 11th Doctor ever write an academic treatise?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I bought this book, but I was amused that it turned out to be a "textbook" about the Time Lords of Gallifrey, with notes and illustrations added in by the Doctor to clarify or disagree with the content. It's very cute with nice illustrations and serves as a history of the Doctor as well as his companions and enemies. I don't have children, but I think it would be a really nice book to give to younger Whovians who aren't ready for something like 'The Psycho-Social Implications of Surviving a Dalek Encounter' or whatever super-serious analysis of Doctor Who is published this year.

[Joe Kessler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Doctor Who children's book was a bit of a disappointment. It's presented as a manual prepared by the Eleventh Doctor for his successor regeneration(s), but in practice is more of a mini-encyclopedia of various elements from across the show's history. Supplemental material like this can often, well, supplement a show like Doctor Who, but this book is entirely made up of things already presented by the show itself and here just regurgitated and sporadically leavened by the Doctor's manic tone. I'm sure some younger fans might still enjoy it, but there's really nothing in this book that you wouldn't learn just by watching the show.

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Doctor Who for years. Tom Baker initiated me into the story of the Time Lords. This guide to becoming a Time Lord has many nice pictorial flashes back into the TV history of the Doctor. The text is more than just a little corny, filled with inside jokes and wacky comments.

The guide was first published in 2014 and only includes insights through the 11th doctor (Matt Smith)
so some of the most recent guidelines are not included. All the information was communicated in good fun with very few serious or technical insights provided.

[Isabel S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read perfect for any fan of Doctor Who. It’s written like a history book on all things Gallifrey with the Eleventh Doctor’s handwritten notes over it. It shows Eleven preparing himself for future regenerations by writing down everything about himself and what it is like to be a Time Lord. It has many references and pictures from the show, and it is a really interesting book that reminds me of everything I love about Doctor Who.

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a bit confused who the target audience is. For a fan the informatiom is super surface level and for someone who is not into the show, they should not buy it or should watch the show first. Sure it just took me 1,5 hours to read it and get condenced information, but id rather watch some episodes. The book tries to be funny, but it did not even get chuckle out of me. And I was also surprised that they did not finish the timline.
Just watch the show, some episodes are good.
-the Vortron

[Srivithyaa Vilashine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short good read on various aspects that make the doctor the doctor. It introduces various aspects of the doctors through time and space and even mentions his companions and teaches the uninitiated even about his beloved Tardis. A power packed read that will enable the reader to know all about the doctor, his race, his planet, his enemies, his friends, his companions and Tardis.

[JASON A WOLD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful little book for youngsters narrated by the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith). It was presumably a how-to manual given to the 12rh Doctor, with plenty of notes and revisions by number 11. Great gift for a young Doctor Who fan, though it might have missed its moment in history. Ultimately charming.

[Sharon Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best friend went to London.

Now, a normal person would buy a t-shirt or any other souvenir. Her? She brought me this book.

I read this back in 2015, she gave it to me at the mall and I finished it on my way home. It's super funny and adorable, even if I'm not a super huge fan of Eleven.

[Shadowsword · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool additions and comments by the doctor. you only need one though: either the companions guide or how to be a timelord. they are very similar and repetitive. like the timelord more. companion was too much focused on clara since she is writing it.

[Diana Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it but not what I was expecting. For a much younger readership than I envisaged. If I had been browsing in a book shop I may not have bought it, but I was browsing on line. For all that it was amusing.

[Jessie Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was rather adorable and I believe aimed at a younger audience either for young adults or juveniles. The book provides some details with humorous additions from the 11th Doctor himself. Definitely worth a look.

[yavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book but it feels like the author relied on the show to much for their information and didn’t think of anything by themselves. I enjoyed doing the little games in the book, it would be fun for children to do as well.