The Doctors Are In: The Essential and Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who's Greatest Time Lord

by Graeme Burk, Stacey Smith

Get acquainted with the eccentric alien known as the Doctor From his beginnings as a crotchety, anti-heroic scientist in 1963 to his current place in British pop culture as the mad and dangerous monster-fighting savior of the universe, the titular character of Doctor Who has metamorphosed in his 50 years on television. And yet the questions about him remain the Who is he? Why does he act the way he does? What motivates him to fight evil across space and time? Series experts, and authors of Who’s 50 and Who Is The Doctor , Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? answer all the questions in this guide to television’s most beloved time traveler. The Doctors Are In is also a guide to the Doctor himself ― who he is in his myriad forms, how he came to be, how he has changed (within the program itself and behind the scenes)… and why he’s a hero to millions.

Genres: Doctor Who, Nonfiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

275 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

GRAEME BURK is the co-author (with Robert Smith?) of the guides to Doctor Who, Who Is The Doctor and the upcoming Who's 50 (both published by ECW Press). He was co-editor of two anthologies of fan writing on the Classic and New Series of Doctor Who, Time Unincorporated (Mad Norwegian Press, 2010 and 2011). A finalist for a new screenwriting prize with the Writers Guild of Canada, he currently has a screenplay in development. He has had his work published by magazines, websites and small presses throughout North America and was the author of three stories in the Doctor Who short fiction anthologies, Short Trips. He loves Toronto but lives in Ottawa.

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this book so much better if it had been a pure book of information instead of two fanboys thoughts about all the Doctors, episodes, etc. I haven't seen the old classic Doctor Who so I thought it would be interesting to read about the series, but frankly it was too much about how Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? (Yes he really usees a ? after his name) thoughts about everything and anecdotes about their lives growing up with Doctor Who.



Still, there were some parts of the books I liked, the descriptions of each doctor was the best part, well until Robert Smith? decided to diss David Tennant and praise Matt Smith.



The only positive thing about that was that Graeme Burk thought vice versa.



The chapter about Christopher Eccleston was, however, really fantastic.



Also, I should probably have stopped reading after Matt Smith's chapters since they spoiled the season with Peter Capaldi that I have only seen the first episodes of. So, I kind of just skimmed the episodes they brought up (hell I skimmed some of the episodes from the classic show also, to much fanboys moments and I really do not need to know everything about the episodes before I watch them).



The worst thing is that I felt that I wasted time on the book and that is the worst feeling ever after reading a book...

I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review! Thank you!

Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading The Doctors Are In reminded me a lot of those heady days when I first got on-line and discovered there were fellow Doctor Who fans out there who loved to debate the show as much as I did. This shouldn't come as a surprise to me since I've had debates with at least one half of this writing duo about various aspects of my favorite television show long before I picked up this book.

But reading this in-depth look at each era of the good Doctor (wisely divided up into two eras for the fourth Doctor because, let's face it, there are two eras to Tom Baker's run on the show), I couldn't help but feel like certain only flames were being fanned and I kept looking around for the reply button so I could begin to debate Robert Smith? and Graeme Burke on various points they have about each era of the show. (This is especially true when they pick their five stories that represent each era of the show. Because really -- "Planet of the Spiders"?!? You must be messing with me!)

Reading Smith? and Burke's debates about various eras of the show and the actors who played the Doctor is entertaining and informative. And while this book isn't exactly breaking new ground, it has a leg up in that you can feel the passion and fandom these two have for the series.

This may be a selling point for some and it may be a detraction for others. If you're looking for a by the numbers look at the Doctors, you may want to look elsewhere. If you're looking for spirited debate among two long time fans who don't agree on everything, this is worth picking up and spending time with. It may even make you want to debate the two and it may even make you want to visit the stories they refer to in their top five of the era. And while I can find some points of contention I have with some of their arguments (I've finally found that one fan who doesn't love "Genesis of the Daleks." He's wrong, of course.), these come more from my feelings on the show than on Smith? and Burke laying out their points.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[~Geektastic~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

This is the second Doctor Who nonfiction to be co-authored by Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? (The question mark is indeed part of his legal name).

The first outing, Who is the Doctor, published in 2012, gave a rundown of every episode in the Modern Series from the first through sixth seasons, with color commentary. The Doctors Are In takes the same approach and applies it to the individual Doctors from both the Classic and Modern Series, dividing each chapter into a basic overview, character analysis, main companion, and defining episodes, along with great and not-so-great moments that mark each Doctor’s tenure.

This is not an objective undertaking. The work is by definition one of personal opinion, as one fan’s stand-up-and-cheer moment is another's embarrassment, and an episode that defines Who for one person is forgettable for others. The authors try to right any imbalance by comparing and contrasting their analysis, which helps promote a wider view of the various hits and misses of a show that is known for a huge variance in quality over its 50 year span. There is a lot of agreement, but there is some very pointed disagreement as well. For example, one is a decided Tennant fan, the other very much not, and both give fanboyish but evenhanded reasons why.

Stylistically it is simple enough, as each chapter is broken down into identical components and the same criteria are applied for each entry. The writing style is also very transparent, but with exceptions for some cutesy wordplay (like acrostics, etc) that reflect the overall feel for the episodes under discussion. While some may find this annoying, most of the time I found it fun and a nice way to break up what could very quickly become monotonous.

Burk and Smith? are obviously very devoted fans. They have a great deal of experience with the Classic Series as well as the Modern, but were not around for the originals, so they are also left in the dark about certain things, as is anyone who was not around to see the original BBC broadcasts of the Hartnell and Troughton years (like me) or who didn’t even discover Doctor Who until late in the Modern Series (like me again).

Again, this is not an encyclopedic guide. The choices the authors have made to include certain episodes and companions and exclude others is very much an extension of their own personal fandom, and mileage will vary according to how much you agree or disagree with their selections.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it were up to me, I'd give this a rating of 3.5 stars. In terms of style, opinion, and analysis, this is on par with the authors' previous book, "Who's 50". Unlike many of the other reviews I've seen here, I knew exactly what I'm getting out of these critical texts: humour, wit, personal memories, and reviews that make me glow when I agree with them...and infuriate me when I don't. In a long line that includes "The Discontinuity Guide", "About Time", and "TARDIS Eruditorum", this is another keeper. This is a strand of writing I've lapped up ever since picking up John Peel's "Files Magazine" reviews years ago.

That said, it's the review section that bothers me for two reasons: (1) there are episode choices missing that I believe are essential to an understanding of the Doctor's character, such as the traumatic events of "Inferno", or "Elightenment" -- an episode where there are intriguing observations of the Doctor from the p.o.v.'s of other characters; (2) if the point of the reviews are to look at the Doctor's character, some of them are general, overall opinions...and much shorter than I thought they should be, and stray from the overall point that the authors are trying to make.

But if making me long for more and deeper analysis is the worst offence a book can make, then it's certainly doing many things to my satisfaction. So I round it up to four stars, as it's too enjoyable to be merely three stars.

[Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

So first things first! I am not a Whovian! I'm more like a Screw-ballian! I do like Dr Who though, but don't ask me about episode 25 of season 12 of serial 82....because I'll just tell you that Captain Kirk flew in with the Enterprise and a bunch of Stormtroopers jumped out and fired a bunch of magic missiles at the Doctor and his latest companion. Of course I just typed all that as I'm about to head off to a Dr Who Fan Club meet up here in Reno. I don't know....my life is complicated...but I swear I'm not a Whovian!

Anyway, I did enjoy this book although I did mostly skip past the first 7 or 8 Doctors till I got to some Doctors that I recognized. Some purist Whovians have given this book some mediocre reviews and to that I say...much like The Shat said, "Get a life!" This is a fun book with two esteemed British gents that sit back and give their thoughts and reviews of all the different Doctors. So if you know who Siskel and Ebert were and you like Dr Who...then this book is for you! It's funny at times, as well as incredibly Geeky and really breaks down the doctors and some key episodes. Give it a chance, just have fun with it, and don't let that inner Geek stifle you so much!

And here's a quick plug for some friends of mine-check out the Weekend TARDIS group on Facebook or the MarkWho42 group.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Doctors Are In: The Essential and Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who's Greatest Time Lord - Graeme Burk, Robert Smith? Well, I learned something important: I'm not that much of a fan. The book is quite good at giving one an overview of the various Doctors over the years, and pointing out the episodes in which that character was best exemplified, and I couldn't recommend it too highly for anyone who does want to go back and catch key historical episodes. Turns out that is just a level of detail I don't require. It is always a pleasure to see people geeking out on a subject they are passionately interested in, and these chaps are passionate.
 
Library copy

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might have played out better as a podcast instead of a book. That way you get "witty" banter between these two guys, that you know nothing about, who are telling you their opinions on the Doctor.

At least I know nothing about them.

We do get to know more about all the Doctors; but really, it's just their thoughts. Much like the thoughts in this review are mine.


I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[TK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a little longer to get threw it but mostly due to not wanting to rush. Really enjoyed the stories and information presented, made for a very enjoyable read.
arc from NetGalley

[S.C. C. Cardenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry for the long wait, but I finally have the chance to review this book everyone. : D

First thing first, I won this ARC (Advance Reader Copy) from Goodreads giveaway (my first win : 3). Second thing, I like the cover; all twelve Doctors in a circle like a clock, and the color scheme of blue and white.

I got to admit, when I first sign up and won the giveaway I thought the book would be different. How different? Well, that it would be all about the twelve doctors and giving all the details: what they wore, what monsters they face against, the companions they traveled with, etc. And will also come with color pictures (black and white for the older doctors). A book that would be great for a person that is slowly getting into the Doctor series, but wants to learn more about the main character without having to look in wikia and websites.

Am I saying is book is awful? No, it is still pretty good to read. Though... I do have to say the two authors, Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? (little amusing to know that his last name does have a question mark at the end), they put their inputs for the doctor and other stuff.

In the beginning they do put information about themselves and how they are big time fans of the series. Next...

The categories for each doctor: Basic data, changing face of Doctor Who, Who is [the actor]?, Top Companion, Classic Foe, Who is the Doctor?, 3 great moments, 3 embarrassing moments, Option of the Doctor by the author, Second opinion by co-author. Pretty interesting to read on each category and reading the inputs of the two authors. Two sides instead of one. They're different people that have few similar things they like and other different things they disagree on. So you can read it with a wide mind rather than a focus one and not see the bigger picture of the individual Doctor. (They bring good points that I would never thought of in few of the Doctors)

Like I said before I did enjoy the book even if it was not what I expected. I guess I recommend this book to the ones that are slowly getting to the Doctor Who series and like to learn more about the doctor and the actor, and who enjoys reading. Or maybe for someone that you know who likes the Doctor Who series, but doesn't own a book, so they can finally have one in their bookshelf looking pretty? ; 3

Until next time...
~GreenFantasy64

[Sheldon Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two whole-hearted Whovians wrote The Doctors Are In - an examination of each of the twelve Doctors (and a Warrior) to date.

Greame Burk & Robert Smith? have worked together on previous books of the type and frequently refer back to them - a bit of a sticking point for anyone who hasn't read their previous titles.


The Doctors Are In is an examination of the Doctor in all his incarnations. Burk & Smith? set up each section (Tom Baker gets two for providing us with 7 season) and give their assessments of the Doctors and their Top Companion - plus a brief look at the actors who played.

What's the most fun about The Doctors Are In is that Burk and Smith? don't agree one hundred per cent of the time - and have no qualms about letting that be know.

The tone of their writing falls somewhere between pure fanboy and pure researcher. The result is a lot of fun to read - especially when they feel the need to play with the foremat (Burk writing an acrostic to explain his love for the Fifth Doctor's adventure, Castrovalva, Smith's essay on Tom Baker's serial The Ark in Space (where Burk write a straightforward essay, Burk writes an essay for The Ark, an early William Hartnell serial that bares many points in common).

The result is a fun book that imparts a great deal of knowledge and some well-defended opinions.

If you like Doctor Who, this is worth picking up.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book did a good job of giving individual profiles and providing info on the Classic series that I honestly didn't know. The two authors are clearly long time fans and it shows most clearly when discussing the older incarnations of the Doctors. Their outright adoration persuaded me to give viewing some Classic Who another chance. I do have to say though that I still can't do it. The old episodes are something I just can't force myself to watch, having tried repeatedly.

So... In the New Series, the two contributors start to waffle more. The profiles are still on point, but this starts to be where I hold issue with the sections where the authors each offer their individual opinions of each Doctor. While it was quirky and fun to see their various styles of adoration for all 8 prior versions, here it seems forced.

In addition, one author just plain doesn't like Tennant. So there's that.

Final point: they also include what they consider as iconic episodes for each Doctor. And I found myself disagreeing with nearly every choice for all four of the New Series leads. Not that the authors didn't argue their choices well, but their personal preference colors it too much. Arguably, mine would as well, but that's why I rated the book the way I did. That and the particular repetitious style of one of the episode profiles really bothered me.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the past couple of years I have become a huge Doctor Who fan. Well, by my standards I am a huge fan. By the standards of someone like Graeme Burk or Robert Smith? (yes, the question mark is part of his name- according to this article he added it as a teenager to distinguish from the many other Robert Smiths in the world), I am just a newbie. I was thrilled, however, when I was offered the e-galley of The Doctors Are In to review. I will admit that I skipped over the original incarnations of the Doctor and right to the 2005 reboot Doctors. I remember being so upset that the Ninth Doctor changed at the end of the first series (that I watched, anyway), but I came to really love the Tenth Doctor. However, the Eleventh Doctor's storylines are my favorite because they have Amy, Rory and possibly my most favoritest (yes, that's exactly what I meant to say) fictional character of all time, River Song. I haven't yet warmed to the Twelfth Doctor yet, but I've only watched his first series and only once. I've learned to reserve judgement.

This is a fun book that is pure fan love. It explores the actor who plays each Doctor, the best (and sometimes worst) episodes of that Doctor and some of the little knows facts about the show. If you're a fan (or even if you're a newbie like me) this is a book you would really enjoy.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't technically finished this book, as I am reserving the last chapter until after I actually watch the seasons with the Next Doctor aka Matt Smith.

Well, my original review got cut off for some reason? Hmm. Well, as I was saying, I would consider myself a moderate whovian, as I love the show but am not obsessed or immersed in the depth of whovian fandom. Being such, I found this book to be incredibly fascinating. I enjoyed that it was a mixture of facts about the history of the Doctors, their backgrounds, and each "era", tied together with some deep fandom analyzation and loving. It was very informative to someone like me who is only new to the world of Doctor Who through the modern series beginning with Eccleston.

Upon observation I can't help but notice such hardcore fandom/obsession is a bit religious. To be sure no one would ever say they have faith in Doctor Who, but it's spelled out in a million other ways, the devotion, the idolization, and the sheer worship of it all. Some people wrap their lives around it, it seems.

So while I would certainly not be a fan to that point of obsession, I will admit to liking and finding Doctor Who and The Doctor to be addicting. That's my confession and I'm sticking to it.

Overall

[Miriam Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic way to end the year. This book is a clever, fun and rather thorough guide to everyone’s favourite Time Lord. As someone who started watching Modern Who and who has watched only a few episodes of the Classic Series, I enjoyed having a book with so much insight into the Doctor. From the First to Twelfth Doctor, it serves as a reminder of who the Doctor was and who he’s become (to Note: the book was printed before series 9 and 10 so the co-authors have no idea of the 13th Doctor and the sheer awesomeness of having a female Doctor next). With that in mind, it’s a good work for Whovians looking for further information on the past incarnations of the Doctor.

PS. It’s REALLY easy to read. I started yesterday and finished today.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun to read, and also interesting for me, because I've apparently seen more of the show than I thought. It's written by two people with two differing opinions about a lot of things, so it's often frustrating and you end up maybe yelling, which is still kind of fun. Not sure who this book is for, since anyone who would be interested in reading it is probably well-versed enough a Whovian not to need it. Kind of pointlessly reflective, in a way - something to read before the next Who novel you've got on your shelf, maybe.

[Jon B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the enormity of this subject, 50 years of a seminal television program, a dozen different doctors, the whims of the viewing public, multitudes of writers and producers all with differing views of the show, it's a wonder that such a book is even possible. And it is. And it's good. After interviews with people who've been involved in the show though I was left wanting SO much more...perhaps this is the result of the size of the subject, but it really think so much more could have been covered. Perhaps this is just because I'm a Whovian and am always wanting more of the Doctor(s).

[Sarah Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I thought I would like this book. I really enjoyed some of the facts that are throughout, and I loved learning about the Doctors I had never seen before (1-8). It was just too much of an opinion piece for me to enjoy. If it had been straight facts about The Doctor, I would have loved this book, but in the end, I didn't even finish it. I read all the beginning sections for each Doctor, but I stopped reading the parts about the episodes after the fourth doctor.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

You learn a little bit more about the Doctor as you read through. Not having seen very much of the old seasons before the revival, Burke and Smith? place personal experiences and opinions on each Doctor. So if you don't have access to the old seasons, you can glean some history about the Doctor through this book.

I really enjoy the banter between the two. Keep an eye out at comic cons for these authors. Their real life dynamic is even better in person!

[Cin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book a 3.5. I like the fact that I gained new insight and new information. However, I cannot say I enjoyed reading this book very much. Maybe it’s the style of having two authors. Anyway I am still happy that I have read this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Tessa's Books and Tea Room · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my review at Tessa's Books and Tea: http://wp.me/p3EoiQ-gJ
@tessa_books

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all Dr.Who fans run get this bookThis is loaded with tons of information a fun read.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for fans of Doctor Who that want to know about the history of the shows, actors, and some fan favorite episodes.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book covering the first 12 doctors in Doctor Who with highlights from each doctors tenure.

[Ara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's wonderfully written, and by the end you feel as though you know the authors.

[MJ Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't like Dr. Who