Complete and interesting take on Doctor Who.

When I was a child, Doctor Who was not something regularly on screen. I was born a year after the original was axed so I only saw the occasional episode, but I became a big fan during the early days of the revival. As I didn’t know much about the original series, the availability of this book seemed too good to miss.

The book starts with an overview of the series, from its beginning to its axing and its return. It then goes into detail about some of the other characters that appear, before touching on the cultural impact. For me, it’s this last part that is the most impactful.

Part 3 deals with gender, race and the wider impact Doctor Who has had on popular culture. Some of these topics are currently quite divisive but I’m glad that the author has included them as they are an integral part of Doctor Who. The author deals with these topics sensitively. In fact, the entire book is written well. It has a lot of information but is written in an accessible and engaging way. I feel like I now have much more of an understanding of Doctor Who and its impact.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield for this ARC.

This is a very informative but at times overly detailed dissertation on Doctor Who in three parts, covering everything from origins and history, characters and species to cultural impact and influence.

The author displays a lot of knowledge and research but also acknowledges plot holes, inconsistencies and things that plain make no sense at all because the show is "not limited by the boundaries of realism", which is a lovely way of saying it's plain bonkers.

I'm a Dr Who fan but only from 2005 onwards and I'm not interested in some of the complex details and plot discussions but I am sure others will be. Personally I liked Part III about the cultural impact and gender identity best.

"For a show that appears to be about an alien and his space-time machine, it is a celebration of humanity and human nature, unafraid to expose the very worst of it, but unashamed to embrace the very best of it."

The book „The Cultural History of Doctor Who“ by Graham Gibson is a compendium of the history, characters, cultural influence and impact of the cult TV show Doctor Who. The author talks about many interesting topics which vary from a short introduction of each Doctor, their companions, some of the most notable villains and re-occuring characters since the beginning of the show in the 1960s, to issues such as censorships, controversies, gender identity and so on.
It’s overall a fun and delightful read, especially if you are new to the Whoniverse or if you’re someone like me, who didn’t have much knowledge about the classic era Doctor Who and would like to briefly get to know the most important facts. Just know that this book is more of a short introduction and works toward/around the main topic of the cultural history of the show. In addition to that, it’s also important to note that the book is written in a more subjective manner/ is not entirely objectively written. All in all , it’s a great collection of information and topics surrounding Doctor Who and could be very helpful for new fans who are looking for a brief introduction to the wonderful world that is the Whoniverse.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers for giving me access to the digital ARC.

I received an e-Galley of this book from Rowman and Littlefield and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a newer fan to Doctor Who and, as such, was eager to learn more about the history of the show, especially the classic era. While some of the discussion in the book about the show may seem basic to long-time and hardcore fans, I appreciated the inclusion of even basic information such as “what is the Tardis?” as it also included history of the concept of the Tardis in the show that I would have have otherwise known.

This books serves as a good broad overview of all aspects of the cultural phenomenon that is Doctor Who and as such does not delve into great detail about any one part.

I particularly enjoyed the parts of this book that explored the true cultural significance of Doctor Who - both how it reflects the cultural values and biases of the time in which each season was created and the social commentary about the issues that face humanity. After all, an outsider can often give us the best perspective on our concerns and who better than an alien who adores humanity?

I did find odd Gibson’s decision to group all representation of LGBTQIA+ identities as “nonbinary.” I truly don’t understand this choice. First off, this is very reductive, erasing specific identities. Also, nonbinary has a specific meaning within the LGBTQIA+ community - not everyone who is within the LGBTQIA+ umbrella is nonbinary and using this terms to categorize all identities erases those who are nonbinary. Why not use the word “queer” instead if LGBTQIA+ feels cumbersome? That is, after all, the language we in the community use.

I also struggled with the impossible position that Gibson places Jodie Whittaker’s 13th Doctor in - she both has to justify having a female doctor with unique storylines that *only a woman could do* (what?!) and also maintain continuity from all her male predecessors. I suppose, as we do see Ncuti Gatwa’s 15th Doctor face racism in Dot and Bubble, 13 could have seen a similar episode. Still, the overall criticism of her stories and her characterization feel unfair given the enormous expectations Gibson ( and it seems the entirety of the fandom) placed on her shoulders.

These concerns aside, I enjoyed reading this book.

Graham Gibson's Doctor Who: A Cultural History is a delightful and insightful expedition through the vast, time-traveling universe of a beloved cultural institution. It's a book that manages to be both a nostalgic celebration for seasoned fans and an accessible introduction for those curious about the Doctor's enduring appeal.

Gibson's approach is refreshingly broad, moving beyond a simple recounting of plotlines to explore the show's profound influence on society. He deftly navigates the complex tapestry of Doctor Who, weaving together historical context, cultural analysis, and personal anecdotes. From the show's inception during a period of national mourning to its more recent, groundbreaking casting choices, Gibson demonstrates how the Doctor's adventures have consistently mirrored and challenged the times.

The book's strength lies in its ability to illuminate the show's thematic depth. Gibson explores how Doctor Who has grappled with complex issues such as religion, politics, gender, and technology, often with remarkable prescience. He highlights the show's capacity to hold a mirror to humanity, forcing us to confront our own strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of an alien observer.

Gibson's writing is engaging and accessible, striking a perfect balance between scholarly analysis and fan enthusiasm. He seamlessly blends historical details with insightful commentary, making even the most complex concepts easy to understand. The book is peppered with references to iconic moments, beloved characters, and notorious villains, ensuring that fans will find plenty to relish.

The journey from the First Doctor to the Fifteenth is handled with care, providing a comprehensive overview of the show's evolution. Gibson pays due attention to the fan-favorite Doctors, such as David Tennant and Matt Smith, while also celebrating the significance of the first female and Black Doctors. The book also delves into the rich lore of the series, exploring the origins of the TARDIS, the importance of the Doctor's companions, and the enduring threat of the Daleks and the Master.

Doctor Who: A Cultural History is more than just a retrospective; it's a testament to the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world. Gibson's book is a must-read for any fan of Doctor Who who wants to delve deeper into the show's cultural significance. It’s also an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to understand why this seemingly simple science fiction show has captivated audiences for over six decades. Gibson has created a truly enjoyable and informative read that will leave you wanting to rewatch your favorite episodes.

As a fan of the Doctor Who reboot who hasn't watched the older episodes, I really appreciated the background information this book provided. I particularly enjoyed reading about the historical events that affected the show and cultural influence the show had at times.

The book is straightforward and well organized. I was able to learn more about the lore of the show. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the show, or to anyone who recently has started watching it and would like background information.

Gibson is a longtime Whovian and it shows. This self-described “cultural history” is a very entertaining look into the Whoniverse. From the Doctors, their specific backgrounds and the actors who played them, to the villains, the companions and the most significant episodes, this is a must-read for serious and casual fans. As many Americans, I only got to know the series when it was rebooted, and I introduced my nephew to it when he turned 10. This cultural history taught me more about the classic era. I haven’t watched these old episodes, but the writing here is so accessible that it’s not hard to follow. It is also an interesting look at the time and societies that created it, as well as its influence in pop culture and even societal changes. If you know nothing about the series, you probably won’t even understand this book but if you are a fan, or even curious about the Time Lord, this is a great way to get to know him better.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Rowman & Littlefield.

Rowman and Littlefield provided an early galley for review.

Like Gibson, I was born after the show launched in 1963. I've been a Doctor Who fan since watching weekly runs on PBS in the earlate 70's though I fell off after college on the back end of the 80's. My apartment-mates (my weekly D&D and comic book buying crew) were big fans too. I got back the show thanks to Netflix in 2012, basically catching up on on the shows since the relaunch in 2005. Now, I never miss a new drop while still watching the occasional classics over on YouTube. Suffice to say, I am very much in the target audience for this new book.

I enjoyed learning the early history of the program, how the original concepts evolved and what went into bring those first serials to air. There was also a good bit of character profiles of the many incarnations of the Doctor, his various companions, and his assorted enemies. While those heavily into the fandom might find this information excessive and unrequired, I was happy to have some refreshers.

The final third focuses really on the cultural impacts of the show. Gibson takes a very even stance in presenting all of this. The only point where this study let me down was where it cuts off, only tracking up to the Christmas Special of 2023 and not being able to include a more thorough look at the first season of the 15th Doctor (which ran through the late Spring of 2024). Given this as a 2025 release, I think it could have and should have been included.

This is a comprehensive compendium of the one of televisions most endearing character’s, the people and places that surround them. The evolution of the show is a triumph for the visionaries that believed in this children's show with heart & soul throughout the decades. It's the ideal book for those fans that have recently joined this timey-wimey world. The Doctor’s most recent regeneration has brought a younger audience into the fold, and they will rejoice at the vast knowledge that is straining to burst out of these pages.

As a Whovian, there weren’t many surprises for me to uncover, but the presentation was really well done and meant it was an entertaining read. Devouring this book gave me a few hours of joy while revisiting some of my favourite characters and episodes.

Bring on the new series in April!

Focusing on the TV show from inception to the beginning of the 15th Doctor, the first part of this book is an overview of history of the show, including info on the Doctors, major companions and foes (both alien and the Master), show writers, and other things that make Doctor Who the show it is, sprinkled in with some of the author's observations and opinions. Reading this book as someone who has watched some of the classic series and all of the modern seasons but who doesn't consider myself a hard core fan, I feel like this book tries to find a middle ground for its audience. Hardcore fans will find the information in here basic. Newbies will likely be overwhelmed with the information and the complexity of some of the content (it is a long running show with lots of internal reference and complex overarching plots), but for them it can serve as a resource to help them understand some of the in-show history and references. The final part of the book looks at cultural impact, so relevant to anyone interested in the show. This includes a look at gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, spin off series, and the impact on other media and the culture at large. The essays on gender, race, and ethnicity are heavily laden with the author's personal opinions. This book would serve as a decent companion to the show, but not an academic treatment of the topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers for the ARC of this title.

I read the entry in this series on [book:Mystery Science Theater 3000: A Cultural History|203873574] last year and ADORED it - it managed to split the difference between the show's contributions to culture while also explaining the television landscape it both emerged out of and altered. We're not here to talk about that, though, so let's talk about this volume

I was hopeful this would do the same thing on a larger scale - Doctor Who's been around for 60 years and counting, and the many producers and head writers over the years, not to mention changing focuses at the BBC, have had an effect on the show, similar to different eras of MST3k. That feels like a fascinating topic, and it's not something that's really covered across various other books about Doctor Who I've read.

I was hopeful this would add something to the conversation, but I think it gets off the rails in trying to hit the broadest possible audience. A good chunk of the book is basically explaining the elements of the show and trying to sketch out its overall premise and characters - who is The Doctor? What are Time Lords? What's the TARDIS? Who have the companions been?, etc. This is handy if you're coming into this blind, but for a fan audience, this is largely stuff that's already known and while the personal touch from the author in explaining it is nice, a lot of this exists elsewhere. This could have been a lot more high-level/appendix-y in service of digging into the actual history of the show.

The actual cultural history stuff I was looking for - how did the show happen? how did different producers and head writers steer the ship different directions? When did the show reflect the culture of its time, and when did it influence the culture of its time? - gets short shrift. There's some fantastic material on the origin of the show, and a little behind-the-scenes scuttlebutt around John Nathan-Turner's influence on the classic series mid-Tom Baker's run, plus a little dive into the various producers of the most recent series, but that's it! There's a lot of TV history behind Who, and more info there would have been nice.

For all that I found lacking above, I did find the section on the show's cultural impact more robust. Because the show has existed for 60 years, it's had a chance to really speak to the society in which it existed, and the author does a good job calling out the ways it's positively handled issues of gender and sexuality.

Basically, there's not enough of the stuff I didn't know, and too much of the stuff I did.

This is a wonderful book for any Doctor Who fan! It is full of rich descriptions and detailed history. If you love Doctor Who, pick up this book!

Highly detailed and rich with history, character rundowns, the evolution of the show, and the author’s own opinions, this has got to be one of the most comprehensive books on Doctor Who.

An absolute must-have addition for the bookshelf of any Doctor Who fan!



Thank you to Rowman & Littlefield Publishers and NetGalley for the DRC

Back in 1963, the BBC launched a new TV series about a mysterious old man who could travel through space and time in a vessel disguised as a police telephone box (apparently a common enough sight in Britain at the time). Viewers liked the fact the machine was somehow magically much larger on the inside and loved the character's enemies, the Daleks. The show became a hit. Cleverly, it was decided that the Doctor who was an alien could 'regenerate' into a new actor whenever the show's star tired of the role, as usually happened after three or four years. By the late Seventies, the show was on its Fourth Doctor and at the peak of its popularity.. A decade later, however, the show was flagging. It was never officially cancelled, it just stopped. In 1989, after seven Doctors and 26 years, Doctor Who came to an end.
Happily, after 16 years, the show triumphantly returned. Having been previously treated with scorn by the Beeb, Doctor Who now became a flagship show. Between 2005 and 2010, the series was bigger than ever. Since then, it's popularity has diminished although it retains a strong following. If it continues beyond 2031, it will have outlasted the original version.
This volume from Graham Gibson fills in all the blanks about the history of the show itself and all the mysteries of the Whoniverse. Which planet do the Daleks come from? Who was K9? Who were the chief villains in Blink? What did the Fifth Doctor dress like? What was Class? Find all your answers here!

An excellent comprehensive book for Dr Who fans, detailing its history, evolution coupled with the author’s own thoughts on the show.
The presentation and format could have been more engaging, and the facts slightly more incorporated into a flowing narrative.
This is one of the most detailed books on Dr Who I have ever read.

This book was far more text dense than I would have initially expected. It gives a rather in depth history of Doctor Who, including main characters, villains, plot lines, critical reception, and much more. There were a few portions that felt like they were opinion pieces and that took me out a bit. As a Doctor Who fan, this hit a lot of necessary points and would be great for Doctor Who lovers who maybe need background on the early years of the series.

Thanks to Rowman and Littlefield and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Such a great guide for fans of the beloved Dr Who series. I love learning about the history and behind the scenes of different pop culture phenomenons and really enjoyed this one!