About Time

Book excerpt: Constituting the largest reference work on "Doctor Who" ever written, the six-volume "About Time" strives to become the ultimate reference guide to the worlds 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 3 examines "Doctor Who" Seasons 7 to 11 (1970 to 1974)the five-year run starring the late Jon Pertwee. Among other things, About Time 3 examines how the 1970s energy issues and the producers Buddhist tendencies impacted the show, plus answers such vitally important "Who" questions as "When are the UNIT Stories Set?", "Just How Chauvinistic is Doctor Who?" and "When was Regeneration Invented?"