The Rough Guide to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

by Marcus O'Dair

The hitchhiker's galaxy is ever expanding, but don't panic, there's still time to catch up. Since its opening night as a BBC radio series, Douglas Adams's The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy has taken the form of five bestselling novels, an award-winning television series, record and CD albums, stage productions, a computer video game, a website, nine comics, a feature film, and even a towel set. This Rough Guide encompasses all of those Hitchhiker incarnations, key concepts, central characters, science and gadgets, and much, much more.

Genres: Science Fiction, Inspirational, Reference, Humor

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable little read about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe universe, published in 2009. I have to admit that I read it mainly to cheat--and find out what the last book in the series was about. That was Book 5--"Mostly Harmless." It appeared eight years after the fourth one (so that would be 1992) and, as author O'Dair says, it was finished only because Douglas Adams was locked in his hotel room by his publishers! Adams had A Lot of trouble meeting deadlines! It's the bleakest of the series and Adams planned a sixth book to end the series on an upbeat note. However, Adams died suddenly in 2001, so never finished his saga.
This book not only summarizes all the books but follows the saga as it appeared as a radio series, TV show, and, finally, the movie. There's a chapter on the science of Hitchhiker's Guide, and most interesting, the story of the remarkable man himself, Douglas Adams, a man who died too soon ( at the age of 49, wayyy too soon!).

[Elysa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine. It's a bit out of date now, but the history of Hitchhiker's it presents is still great. I liked the writing style. It's good overview history, and I think it works for the type of book it is. It isn't extensive, but it's interesting.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I enjoyed fast-reading this more than I enjoyed my recent re-read of HHGTTG. It's a fun little book with some interesting sidenotes and a very lighthearted approach. A good companion piece for the HHGTTG world if you're looking for one.

[Amy Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting idea, more like 3.5. Nothing that really shook me about the series but still quite a cool little read. Didn't take me long at all and would have read it quicker if I wasn't so busy this week! Would recommend to fans of the guide who want to learn more, maybe people who have just read the series of the first time. For people who already know a lot or don't know anything at all then it might appeal less.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy this is pretty much essential reading. Although much of what it has to say has already been written in other books, this does provide links to many more obscure links, including fan fiction sites.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was one of my favorite books growing up, but I haven't read it in well over a decade. This book is both an entertaining look at the history of the story from it's first incarnation as a radio show to the 2005 movie, and a critical review of all those incarnations.

I learned a lot that I didn't previously know, and gained a greater appreciation for the TV show and movie, while learning some things that helped me better understand my somewhat ambivalent attitude towards the latter books in the series.

Worth checking out if you're a fan of any version of the story.

[Ivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful guide to understanding the series, as well as having a lot of background information about other media.

[Robin LMD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too deep and didn't delve too much into things I hadn't already thought about, but it was a good and easy read with a few surprises.

[B. Doane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! It discusses and elaborates the Guide in a great way. It has a nice blend of science and humor.

The picture of God taking time off of creation to do a little dance is pure genius.