About Time 1: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who (Seasons 1 to 3)

Constituting the largest reference work on "Doctor Who" ever written, the six-volume "About Time" strives to become the ultimate reference guide to the world's longest-running science fiction program. Written by Lawrence Miles ("Faction Paradox") and long-time sci-fi commentator Tat Wood, "About Time" focuses on the continuity of "Doctor Who" (its characters, alien races and the like), but also examines the show as a work of social commentary. In particular, Miles and Wood dissect the politics and social issues that shaped the show during its unprecedented 26-year run (from 1963 to 1989), detailing how the issues of the day influenced this series. As part of this grand opus, About Time 5 examines "Doctor Who" Seasons 18 to 21 (1980 to 1984)-the end of Tom Baker's time with the show, the whole of the Peter Davison era and the introduction of Colin Baker as the Doctor. Among other things, About Time 5 answers such vitally important "Who" questions as "Why Are There So Many Doubles in the Universe?", "Which Stories Have the Best Body-Counts?"

Since the far-off days of About Time 7, when most people were reasonably sure what number came immediately before 9, Tat Wood has been working further About Time installments and totally non-Doctor-Who-related works (one of which, World History in Minutes, is available through Quercus Books and all good remaindered book shops).

Lawrence Miles is the author of. hold on. yeah, eight novels now, and is best-known for creating the time-bending Faction Paradox series. Recovering academic Tat Wood is the person most compilers of previous guidebooks went to for advice and cultural context. Despite having written for just about every major fanzine going, he has a rich, full and complex life.