Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary

by Jason Loborik, Kerrie Dougherty, Jacqueline Rayner

The successful guide to the Doctor's world – now updated and expanded for 2014 and the new Doctor. This lavishly illustrated guide to the Doctor's world is now expanded to include all the action from the new series with Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor. With 32 new pages of material, including new companions, aliens and adventures across time and space, Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary offers details to pore over and enjoy as well as behind-the-scenes information on this hit TV series.

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Reference, Time Travel, Fantasy, Media Tie In, Tv

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2007

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former graphic designer, I've always loved Random House's DK books — lots of pictures, not a lot of text, great design — and this is an EXCELLENT addition to their long-running series, (I bought my first one — Skeleton — back in 1988).

Some reviewers complain that this book focuses too much on the 11th and 12th Doctors, but I only started watching the show with Matt Smith (and am equally enjoying Peter Capaldi), and so this was in fact a positive for me — I just don't care about anything earlier, and frankly find David Tennant pretty annoying (what sacrilege!!). That said, the book does cover a lot of the cooler aliens/creatures from the 10th Doctor, so gave me some (but not too much) useful background on that era — so again, perfectly structured for a fan like me.

My one negative comment was that a lot of the "comments" on the photos (those little descriptors linked to the larger pictures with little lines) were just insanely stupid/obvious — "arm raised in glee at destruction," "confident face hides self-doubt," "steely gaze," "smart suit for office work," "wooly hat for autumn," "holster for pistol," etc. — but I'll give DK the benefit of the doubt and assume these were intentionally tongue-in-cheek. But otherwise, just a wonderful book to be savored slowly — I probably went through about 2-3 pages a day.

[Travis Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary mostly deals with the 2005 revival of the show, so any events and people in the show prior to that are most likely missing. However there is still a wealth of information contained in the book covering pretty much everybody and everything that has happened since the show was revived. This is definitely a must have if you're a Doctor Who fan.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The proliferation of Doctor Who books continues unabated by the BBC as they have reissued a new edition of DW: The Visual Dictionary, updating it to include the Eleventh Doctor’s latest shenanigans, adventures, monsters, and allies. I would argue that it’s an improvement on the first edition which came out shortly after season three, when Martha Jones was the Tenth Doctor’s companion.

The writing staff of this new edition kept many of the original entries from the first – which was smart, as it reinforces that although the Doctor has many faces, he’s basically the one and the same adventurer that legions of fans have adored for nearly five decades – but includes plenty of new entries to make this very much a new edition that surpasses the first. Nods to the old series include a brief overview of all eleven Doctors, as well as the major characters and settings from the entire new run of Doctor Who since its revival in 2005. And let’s not forget the stunning four-page foldout spread of the new TARDIS interior, as well as all of the new entries detailing the Eleventh Doctor’s exploits, friends, and enemies.

With the DVD/Blu-Ray release of season 5 this week, this new edition of DW: The Visual Dictionary has whet my appetite to re-watch all thirteen of Eleven’s glorious first outings. Not to mention the upcoming 2010 Christmas Special and season 6 premiering this coming spring. (And let’s not forget that the first two episodes of this upcoming season will be set and partially filmed here in the States. Yee-haw!)

[chamilet · Rating 4 out of 5]

From reading some other reviews, it looks like one would do well to check the edition that you pick up (if you can find earlier editions) based on the Doctor you're interested in. The one I read featured mostly the Eleventh Doctor and some of the Twelfth Doctor's reign. I would love to get my hands on an earlier edition as up until recently, Nine was my favorite Doctor and there isn't much of Nine or Ten in this edition. I also hope they come out with a new edition featuring the rest of Twelve's run and including Thirteen.

It's organization is a bit hap-hazard. I think it's chronologically, to an extent, but there is an index so long as you know the name of the piece of lore that you want more information about. The pictures are beautiful and this would be a wonderful coffee table book if you can get the version with your favorite Doctor featured on the inside.

[Tayler Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

We actually bought this book years ago when Matt Smith became the 11th doctor. We’ve both flipped through it a few times, but I have never actually sat down and read it cover to cover. I decided to put it in the bathroom to read while Rhys was taking a bath or trying to go on his training potty, or for my own entertainment. It was fun to relive the 9th, 10th, and 11th Doctors and looking back at the different episodes and characters.

This book is set up like a children’s Discovery World books I used to check out from the library as a kid. It’s mostly pictures with captions. Rhys has also gotten in the habit of flipping through it. I’ve started teaching him the different characters in Doctor Who. He knows Daleks are robots, and that the Weeping Angels either look like they are crying or going “boo”. He also knows who Davros, creator of the Daleks, is and can say his name. It’s so cute!

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3093324.html

This is a very gorgeous catalogue of the concepts of New Who; not much more to say about it except again to emphasise that it looks very nice.

[Mole Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thing (the Visual Collection) was effectively my entry into Doctor Who. I bought it years ago and still have it to this day. I might eventually review its contents but this is effectively just a place for me to mention my slight nostalgia for this book.

[711Rami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cool!

[John Peel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of pretty pictures, very little information. If that mixture is fine with you, so will this book be.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to Doctor Who a bit half-assed when it first piqued my interest in the late 80s when I attempted to follow some of John Pertwee’s and then Sylvester McCoy’s adventures courtesy of KBTC. But as they were relatively random airings that failed to account for the fact that most of Doctor Who needs to be sequentially told, my interest waned pretty quickly. As a result of being disappointed with what I thought was a promising premise, I relegated the cult BBC show to the dustbin of uninteresting sci-fi shows.

Now fast-forward almost twenty years later. Last year I decided to take a different tack, as I ordered up all three seasons of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood – which, being a darker and edgier series, is aimed strictly for an adult audience. Although I quickly became enamored with it – being in the same genre as either X-Files or Fringe, here in the States – I was still hesitant to jump in on the new Doctor Who series, still slightly deflated from my initial disappointment oh-so-many-years-ago. Yet I knew that at some point, I would likely try courting the dear Doctor again.

Several personal recommendations later (gushing ones, I might add), as well as after attending the San Diego Comic-Con panel with producer/head writer Russell Davies and the tenth Doctor himself, David Tennant, I finally worked up the nerve in the new year to queue up all four seasons of the new Doctor Who run on my Netflix account. Now, just two months later, I’ve emerged fully immersed and completely infatuated with all things Doctor Who. I don’t think I have the wherewithal to be considered a Whovian – as I never have been much of Trekkie or Trekker, despite my adoration of Star Trek:The Next Generation. But I am not in the least bit embarrassed to say that Doctor Who is my new, geekish obsession. He’s just so much fun!

Now, for the review of the book at hand. Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary, a DK publication, is a delightfully entertaining and informative read. From a viewer’s point-of-view, it helps to clarify many of the questions that were left lingering after many of his adventures. It also serves as a great summary of the main and supporting characters in the series, all of whom remarkably develop full personalities throughout the course of the series – which used to be hard to come by in a lot of much-older science-fiction programs. If there’s any complaint about this book, it’s that I wanted even more. Personally, I could read about the Doctor, his charming companions and allies, as well as his quirky enemies, for hours on end, and never be bored. And that’s a compliment to BBC of the highest order.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jason Loborik & Emma Grange (eds) etc, “Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary: Updated and Expanded” (London: Dorling Kindersley, 2015).
Published 16 Jan 2015, 176 pages

Updated to include mid-way through Season 8, Peter Capaldi's “12th Doctor” in 2014.

So many scary monsters!
- - -
It is a compilation of images, facts and summaries of the Whoniverse's population and technology drawn from the TV episodes but with no mention of actors, directors, writers, producers or even episode titles. The arrangement of the dictionary seems to be random.

Interesting to learn that TARDISes are organic vessels. In addition to a chameleon circuit each one has a perception filter making them seem less conspicuous. Also, Captain Jack is reputed to be the Face of Boe and 'John Smith' is a frequently reoccurring pseudonym that the Doctor uses when going undercover.

Lots of visual images as promised.
- - -
This beautifully illustrated Doctor Who Visual Dictionary is now updated and expanded to include the latest Doctor Who facts including the Twelfth Doctor and Doctor Who season 8 storylines

Bursting with action-packed images and little-known facts Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary Updated and Expanded is ideal for any fan of Doctor Who. Covering the very latest facts and details, including Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor and Doctor Who season 8 storylines. With 32 pages of material including new companions and aliens, you'll have all the tricks and secrets of Doctor Who at your fingertips.

Step into the TARDIS, battle Cybermen and Daleks, and discover all the Doctor's secrets in this visually stunning guide to the Doctor Who universe.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started watching this series about a year ago and pretty much fell in love with it from the start so when I saw that my library had this book I had to have it. The book is a great companion to the show. Its filled with all sorts of facts that one wouldn't necessarily pick up in the course of the show, such as the Doctor's body temperature is 59 degrees. Its also a nice refresher for whats happened in the last 5 or 6 seasons of the show. There was a lot I had forgotten about. Its in the regular DK format which I, who grew up with all the Eyewitness books, LOVE. The pictures are awesome.

My only problem really is that the book focuses a LOT on the 11th doctor almost to the detriment of the 9th and 10th doctors, though they are discussed a bit. Fans of the classic Doctor Who may be disappointed as they are hardly mentioned at all. There was so much I felt should have been included but I guess you have to draw the line somewhere. All in all, I highly recommend this to all the Whovians.

Genre Bingo: Your Choice
Paranormal Scavenger Hunt: Alien

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neil Corry, Jacqueline Rayner, Andrew Darling, Kerrie Dougherty, David John, Simon Beecroft, “Doctor Who: The Visual Dictionary” (NY: DK, 2010).

Other than a small profile picture of each of the Doctors on page 13 this book is about the BBC TV series from 2005 until 2009, although only the 10th and 11th Doctors are referenced.

It is a compilation of images, facts and summaries of the Whoniverse's population and technology drawn from the TV episodes but with no mention of actors, directors, writers, producers or even episode titles. The arrangement of the dictionary seems to be random.

Interesting to learn that TARDISes are organic vessels. In addition to a chameleon circuit each one has a perception filter making them seem less conspicuous (p15). Also, Captain Jack is reputed to be the Face of Boe (p32) and 'John Smith' is a frequently reoccurring pseudonym that the Doctor uses when going undercover (p40).

Lots of visual images as promised.

*** 3 stars

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seriously wish I could have rated this book higher. If I based my rating solely on my experience, the rating would be a 5. Anything Dr. Who related is a 5 in my book. :)
However, the actual writing and structure of the book leaves much to be desired. Though the book is a "visual dictionary", it is not organized alphabetically. If one is just reading through the book (as I was this time) the non-alphabetical arrangement is not as important. However, if one wanted to use this book as a reference, the lack of alphabetization would be a severe detriment.
Additionally, many of the facts pointed out about each particular event or character would elicit a "no duh" reaction from ardent Dr. Who fans.
I will be looking at the book again, of course. It has tons of awesome pictures from Dr. Who and one can never get enough of that. :)

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, so the two star rating is more of a personal thing than a commentary on the quality of the work. It's a great book. For what it is. Which is extremely focused on the twelfth Doctor and the other new Doctors. I gave it two stars because there was hardly any mention of the older series and older Doctors. I know it's impossible to fit everything Doctor Who into one book, but it would have been nice to see some more references. The section on the Great Intelligence could have mentioned the Doctor's previous encounters with it, the pages for bad guys that appeared in the original series could have showed a few "older models", and the pages on the Doctor himself could have given more than just a one line note of how each Doctor died. But for fans who just want to know about the very newest parts of Doctor Who it's a good book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this Visual Dictionary would be a Volume 2 and continue with the chronological information not contained in the last dictionary. I was wrong. This book contains all the information from the time of Doctors 9 - 11 up to the episode ‘The Big Bang’. I skipped many pages because they were the exact things I’d read in the last book. The information that was in the last book is quoted verbatim and summarized a little. Then we also get the unseen details from the 10th Doctor’s specials and the first season of the 11th Doctor. The new information covered was very nice to see. I just wish I didn’t have to wade through all the old stuff to find it. The photos are great and I did enjoyed getting some time to reminisce about Doctor Who.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/903592.html[return][return]Back in my day, we had to be satisfied with the almost-all-text The Making of Doctor Who. Kids these days can get this brilliant Dorling Kindersley illustrated book all about the Doctor, and featuring all the monsters from the first and second seasons, plus the Judoon (but nothing else from Season Three as far as I noticed). Perfect gift for the young Who fan; maybe also for the less young Who fan. (And one of the labelled components in the Tardis console room is the "mercury fluid link"!!!)

[Kelly Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit as much as I love doctor who, and as cool as this book was I was expecting it to be better. This book mainly focused on Matt Smith Amy Pond and Rory which made me mad. I was hoping for more about all the companions and more of the doctors. For example they wasted two pages to describe the town that the ponds lived in where some companions that did not even make it in to this book could have been.

However besides that I thought the rest of the book was really cool, and it was put together in a way that makes it very easy to read and visually appealing.

[T.M. Carper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guide to the world and creatures of the BBC's hit show, "Doctor Who", focuses on the Tenth Doctor, while mentioning creatures from series 1 through series 4. It also goes indepth as to the inside of the TARDIS and the history and family of the Doctor's various companions (Rose, Martha, Donna, Jack). A neat look into the world of the new Doctor Who with full-color photographs. Easy to read, even for younger fans, but interesting enough that older fans will enjoy it as well.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a really beautifully designed book. It just looks at Doctor Who during a certain time period and jumps around within that time period. It's a "dictionary," but it's not in any kind of order. I think it'd be more helpful to have a dictionary of the earlier Doctor Who instead of episodes that are so readily available everywhere.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly organized, painfully simple and dull. Was hoping for things not revealed on the show, or interesting tidbits. Didn't really get that. Would love my time back. Could have been so much better. Didn't care for half of the images they picked either. Did find it hilarious that Twelve shows up in the book at least twice, and yet they never show Nine, and obviously it's written before Eleven.

[Anneli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one.
Fitting for Doctor Who fans of all ages.
Well done and a great look back across 8 Series since it's continuation in 2005.
Less about the story of The Doctor's life but more of the facts of the Universe's population and technology.

Also greatly illustrated with lots of pictures, large and small.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As a Whovian, this book served as a reminder of most of the new series. There didn't seem to be much information about any of the doctors before 10, just a snippet. Also, there should have been more about Rose. All in all a good book. Kept me entertained. Will re-read.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most gorgeous coffee table reference book on "Doctor Who" you could imagine...except it's even better than what one could imagine. It's primarily focused on the series since its return in 2005, but it's also packed full of facts and anecdotes from the past fifty years. Children will never put it down...and neither will adults like me, who never grew up.

[John Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks again to our neighbor Roz Warren (a self proclaimed Whovian) I had the pleasure of reading this book in conjunction with our watching of the entire Doctor Who reboot in preparation for the next season which will feature the first female Doctor. Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining eye candy I recommend this for fans of all levels.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great presentation and gorgeously done, but it ultimately kind of amounts to a rehash of the episodes in the new series. Fun for serious hardcore Dr. Who fans but I'm not so sure it really brought much to my experience of the series.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly great resource for Doctor Who nerds. You get to learn cool obscure things like the Doctor's body temp being only 59-61 degrees. Who knew? The unfortunate thing is that is mainly a resource for the Doctors 9-11.

[Kurt Criscione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, though once again geared more to current series rather than the show as a whole... though i have to say there are some nice sidebars that mostly get the older information right (few things off with the Daleks and the Cybermen, etc)

[Paul Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Encyclopedia for all Whovians with visuals and details of major characters, creatures, companions, enemies, places, objects, ships, & more -- covering the eras of Rose Tyler through the epic Pandorica episode. Full of all sorts of Timey-Wimey wibbly wobbly cool stuff!

[Danika at The Lesbrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate something like this. It didn't change my life or anything, but for what it is, it's well done. More detailed than I expected, but it's definitely New Who based, and specifically much more focused on the Eleventh Doctor.