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The 47th issue in a quarterly series of magazine releases by the publishers of Doctor Who Magazine from Panini UK, titled Referencing the Doctor, looked at reference guides researching the making of Doctor Who.

Publisher's summary[]

"There was a lot of 'assumed fact' around Doctor Who as no-one had ever taken the trouble to find out what the real facts were." David J Howe

More has been written about Doctor Who than any other television series in history. What prompts this exhaustive analysis? And how was research into the show's complex production conducted in the years before home video, conventions and dedicated magazines?

This unique publication tells the story behind some of the landmark books devoted to Doctor Who, revealing the extraordinary efforts that fans and historians have made to better understand their favourite programme.

Contents[]

  • Through the Magic Door
An overview of various books documenting Doctor Who
  • The History of Doctor Who
A look at outgoing story editor Dennis Spooner's episode guide to the early Doctor Who serials
  • Mac Books
Feature on Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks' book The Making of Doctor Who
  • Special Occasion
Feature on the Radio Times' Doctor Who 10th Anniversary Special
  • Monster Mash
A look back on the legacy of Terrance Dicks' The Doctor Who Monster Book
  • STINFO Maniacs
The Doctor Who Appreciation Society's early research into the history of the programme
  • The Foundation Trilogy
Interview with The Doctor Who Programme Guide writer Jean-Marc Lofficier
  • Making History
A look back on "official historian" Peter Haining's book A Celebration
  • Texting the Doctor
A history of cultural studies texts on Doctor Who
  • Mail Order Man
Interview with mail order supplier of Doctor Who merchandise John Fitton
  • The Stuff of Legend
Interview with historian and The Early Years writer Jeremy Bentham
  • The Power of Three
Interview with prolific reference book authors David J Howe, Mark Stammers and Stephen James Walker
  • Inside the Archives
The twelve-year history of DWM's Archive feature
  • A Brief History of Time
Doctor Who fandom and historians' attempts to reconcile the series' continuity
  • The Publisher's Tale
Interview with BBC Books' publishing director Albert DePetrillo
  • The Indie Scene
A look at independent reference guide publishers including Miwk, Fantom, Mad Norwegian and Obverse
  • Writers' Tales
Interview with journalist Benjamin Cook and head writer and executive producer Russell T Davies about their book The Writer's Tale
  • Graphic Detail
A look at the recent trend of infographic-filled reference works
  • The Bookkeeper
Interview with brand manager Edward Russell
  • Historical Accuracy
Feature on the ongoing partwork series The Complete History
  • What's in a Name?
How new research into Doctor Who helped define the series

Credits[]

BBC Worldwide, UK Publishing
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