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 same: 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.

Graeme Burk's profile page

Without really intending, Robert Smith? appears to have accidentally created the subdiscipline of Mathematical Modelling of Zombies. By day, he’s a professor of biomathematics at the University of Ottawa, studying infectious diseases such as HIV, human papillomavirus and various tropical diseases. By night, he’s a writer, having written or edited Outside In: 160 New Perspectives on 160 Classic Doctor Who Stories by 160 Writers (ATB Publishing, 2012), Who Is The Doctor: The Unofficial Guide to the New Series (ECW Press, 2012), Braaaiiinnnsss: From Academics to Zombies (UOP, 2011), and Modelling Disease Ecology with Mathematics (American Institute of Mathematics Sciences, 2008).

Robert Smith?'s profile page

“These two always find new points of interest on even the most well-worn paths. Of great interest to any Doctor Who fan, and entirely suitable for a beginner, too. That’s a neat trick, and this book pulls it off with aplomb. A refreshing willingness to look again and to look for themselves.” — Paul Cornell, author of The Severed Streets and writer of the Doctor Who episodes “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood”

“Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the world’s most famous time traveller from the two most qualified Whovian experts (on this planet, anyways). Burk and Smith? take you through each incarnation of the Doctor and dissect what makes him tick. Fascinating, fun, and fantastic.” — Sam Maggs, author of The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy

“The Doctors Are In gave me new insight on a show I’ve been watching a long time. I devoured the chapters.” — Comics Worth Reading

“Burk and Smith?’s casual conversational tone, humor, and extensive knowledge of the subject give the reader a sense of the passion the two, along with millions of other fans, have for this beloved sf series. Although not an official BBC tie-in, the book nevertheless makes for an out-of-this-world read for both Classic and New Who fans.” — Library Journal

“If you’re open to hearing criticism about your favorite Doctors and episodes, and even mentally debating with the authors, give this a read.” — Tessa’s Books and Tea Room