Doctor Who

A Cultural History

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by Graham Gibson

Type: Studies
Subject: One Film > Doctor Who (TV Series)
Keywords: TV Series, science fiction
Publishing date: 2025 (May 06, 2025) (Upcoming)
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Collection: The Cultural History of Television
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Hardcover • 224 pages
6 x 9 inches (15.5 x 23 cm)

ISBN

978-1-5381-9240-5

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Book Presentation:
A nostalgic journey through sixty years of the cult-favorite television series Doctor Who and its cultural impact.

From its first airing in the immediate wake of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Doctor Who has been a fascinating portal through which viewers observe changing times and standards. For over sixty years it has told the story of not just the central protagonist, the Doctor, but also of humanity. To understand the Doctor is to understand ourselves through the eyes of a stranger.

In Doctor Who: A Cultural History, Graham Gibson highlights the incredible impact of the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who on television by guiding readers through the show’s history and evolution to remain a fixture of popular culture for over six decades. Investigating a range of topics from religion and politics to gender and technology and even the very nature of good and evil, Gibson demonstrates how the show reflects our society, sometimes showing a powerful prescience, sometimes not. Beginning with the first Doctor through to the fifteenth, this book covers everything from fan-favorite Doctors played by David Tennant and Matt Smith to the introduction of the first female and Black Doctors, respectively, as well as iconic lore such as the Tardis’s origins, the Doctor’s essential companions, and key foes from the Daleks to the Master.

A fun and informative look at one of science fiction’s most enduring shows, Doctor Who: A Cultural History is perfectly balanced for avid fans who want to better understand the history and societal impact of their favorite show while reliving the Doctor’s best moments throughout time and space.

About the Author:
Graham Gibson is a lifelong science fiction fan, growing up reading H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Arthur C. Clarke. A highly successful and published playwright, Gibson’s last project toured both the UK and Europe. He is also a sought-after screenwriter and journalist whose reviews and opinion pieces have appeared in various online blogs and news sites including Geek Native and The Technologian. Helives in Edinburgh, Scotland with his partner and two sons.

Press Reviews:
A love-letter to Doctor Who, and a welcome reminder that the world's longest-running sci-fi TV show has a lot to say about current affairs, Doctor Who: A Cultural History is designed to be refreshingly accessible, with Graham Gibson walking you through Doctor Who's long history and exploring the significance of so many different characters. I grew up with Doctor Who, and it will always be my first love (sorry, Star Wars!), and yet I have to admit that I learned a lot from this book. A pleasure to read! -- Tom Bacon, Screen Rant

Graham Gibson's Doctor Who: A Culture History is an impeccably thorough exploration of the beloved "Madman in the Box." Guiding readers through the show’s evolution, Gibson traces the journey of the Doctor from a "frail old man lost in space and time" to the dashing and dapper Time Lord we know today. This richly detailed manuscript not only chronicles the Doctor’s adventures but also examines the show’s vast cultural impact, diving into its portrayal of vile villains and captivating companions, and its commentary on gender identity, race, ethnicity, and class. A delightful journey through time and space, Doctor Who: A Culture History is a must-read for sci-fi fans, devoted Whovians, and television historians alike. -- Erin Maxwell, The Village Voice, LA Weekly and BUST Magazine

This Tardis-like book may look small, but it’s packed to the brim with facts and stories from the Doctor’s adventures throughout space and time. Prepare to feel very clever indeed… -- Kayleigh Dray, The AV Club

See the publisher website: Rowman & Littlefield

See Doctor Who (TV Series) (1963–1989) on IMDB ...

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