The Target Book: A History of the Target Doctor Who Books

A history of a book publishing line is, due to the nature of the business, not going to make for the most exciting of stories. However, the author does a good job of making this an interesting book. The author has clearly interviewed many of the people involved with Target and this feeds into some insights and personal views in the main text. There are also short biographies of all the authors and artists and, of course, plenty of cover and other art reproduced throughout, as well as an appendix containing all of the covers.

Had been meaning to buy this for some time, as I was a keen reader of he Target books in my youth. Indeed, in the days before video releases they were the only source of Doctor Who for many. I can safely say I have read more Terrance Dicks books than any other author, and whilst his style has been criticised by some, I have no doubt his prolific work fuelled my own dreams of becoming a published author (which I am still working at!).As an illustrated record of the splendid book covers The Target Book has no equal, but I found the text a little un-engaging- no fault of the author, it's just the history of a book publishing company was never going to be as exhilarating as the Doctor Who novelisations themselves. Yet I would recommend this wholeheartedly to any fan young or old.

As an avid reader of Target storybooks as a kid I was really looking forward to this book. The first edition is long out of print and the second is disappearing fast. Even so, fifty quid for a 178 page book seems excessive. The content is great. It’s packed with information, illustrations and facts. I hadn’t realised it was mostly sourced from earlier magazine content, but seems no less for it. However, the pages of the book are poor quality - like cheap porous cartridge paper. As a result the reproduction isn’t as sharp as it could be. Aside from the lustrous hardcover, it feels like it's been made on the cheap as it's glue bound too. A book of this size, at that price really should be sewn and printed on glossy stock. These aren’t really criticisms of the content, but doubling the price for a cheaply produced is excessive.

Simply a must for us lovers of Target Dr.Who classics. RIP Uncle Terry. I had the privilege to have met you when I was young and still cutting my literary teeth on your wonderful adaptions.

Excellent purchase that arrived in excellent condition. Delighted!

I was waiting for this to be back in print for year. Such an entertaining read especially if you grew up reading Target novelisations (but then again, not sure who else would buy this).

Gives a detailed history of the Target Doctor Who novels, plus the Alastair Pearson reprints. A must for any fan of the 'Classic' series.

A marvellous compendium of the nostalgic Target Books - a great trip down memory lane.