Published: Nov. 16, 2011
Words: 131,050 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465823595

Short description

The first volume of essays from the acclaimed blog TARDIS Eruditorum traces the evolving critical history of the hit television show Doctor Who. This volume covers the first three years of the program, with William Hartnell in the starring role.

Extended description

"He has some really serious and fascinating points to make about how television was made and viewed back in the 1960s, while all we do is bicker about the length of Barbara's skirts." - Adventures of the Wife in Space

"Absolutely fascinating, and hugely persuasive." - Rob Shearman, writer of Dalek.

TARDIS Eruditorum is a sprawling and very possibly completely mad critical history of Doctor Who from its first episode in 1963 to the present. In this first volume, we look at topics like how acid-fueled occultism influenced the development of the Cybermen, whether The Celestial Toymaker is irredeemably racist, and whether Barbara Wright was the greatest companion of all time. This book aims to be the most staggeringly thorough look at the evolution of Doctor Who, Great Britain, and the world from 1963 to 1966 ever published. (Read more) "He has some really serious and fascinating points to make about how television was made and viewed back in the 1960s, while all we do is bicker about the length of Barbara's skirts." - Adventures of the Wife in Space

"Absolutely fascinating, and hugely persuasive." - Rob Shearman, writer of Dalek.

TARDIS Eruditorum is a sprawling and very possibly completely mad critical history of Doctor Who from its first episode in 1963 to the present. In this first volume, we look at topics like how acid-fueled occultism influenced the development of the Cybermen, whether The Celestial Toymaker is irredeemably racist, and whether Barbara Wright was the greatest companion of all time. This book aims to be the most staggeringly thorough look at the evolution of Doctor Who, Great Britain, and the world from 1963 to 1966 ever published.

Includes:

* Revised and expanded versions of every entry from the acclaimed blog TARDIS Eruditorum from the start to finish of William Hartnell's tenure as the Doctor.
* Essays on every single Doctor Who story from the Hartnell era looking at its historical context and significance in the development of Doctor Who.
* Essays on selected novels written later but set in the Hartnell era, major non-televised Doctor Who stories, and major cultural events outside of Doctor Who.
* Eight new essays exclusive to this volume.
(Less)

Tags

doctor who, tardis eruditorum, william hartnell, about time

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Reviews

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Review by: Dave Versace on Feb. 01, 2013 :
An astonishing critical rereading of the Hartnell era, encompassing the cultural context, BBC politics, political theory, occultism and every other weird thing going on in Britain and the wider world during William Hartnell's tenure as the Doctor. Culled from a collection of blog essays, Sandifer has created a remarkable body of work here, which encourages the modern Doctor Who fan to completely revise their critical viewing of the show's early years. It brings fresh insights to beloved episodes and overturns some long-cherished fan wisdom - I will never look at 'The Ark' or 'The Celestial Toymaker' the same way again, and Sandifer makes me want to rewatch 'The Gunfighters', which is something I never thought I would say.

If this volume is any indication, then Sandifer has built a piece of Doctor Who criticism every bit as essential as anything that has gone before. It's a remarkable work of literary criticism. I've already snapped up the next volume and know that when it's done I will be impatient for the third...
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Maurice 19 on Jan. 09, 2012 :
Frighteningly in depth
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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