"60 Moments in Time"

In the absence of a Radio Times special edition (yet again), I would heartily recommend the latest bookazine from DWM - 60 Moments in Time.

It's the thickest volume they've ever produced, running to 224 pages (only 100 less than the lacklustre Whotopia book which is the official BBC Books contribution to the anniversary), and comprises a collection of 60 essays on different aspects of the programme.

Some are about the production of the series, some about its internal narrative, some about fans, some about merchandise. It's a real mix of material, with the essays varying from 2 - 4 pages each.

It is lavishly illustrated throughout with images from Hartnell to Whittaker stories, but the best stuff is the rare peripheral stuff (comedy spoofs, adverts, publicity images, fan photos etc).

The layout eschews the conventional chronological order, leaping instead from one subject to the next.

For example, the first three pieces are: Is Doctor Who actually a Sci-Fi series?; Doctor Who on Blue Peter; and a look at the DVD / Blu-ray Collections. The last three cover fluctuations in audience viewing figures; prop and costume auctions; and the role of continuity - and fan reaction to it - in the series.

The only chronological narrative is a small box-out for each essay which looks at a particular moment when the series attracted wider attention.

If you already love the DWM yearly "Chronicles", you'll be familiar with the visual style / content here - though this has to embrace all eras under each essay.

A bit pricey at a penny under £20, but well worth it in my opinion.