Exterminate/Regenerate cover art

Exterminate/Regenerate

The Story of Doctor Who

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Exterminate/Regenerate

By: John Higgs
Narrated by: John Higgs
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About this listen

 'Absolutely wonderful. The book I've been waiting to read since I was ten years old. Full of surprising and piercing insights . . . The first thing I've come across that absolutely nails the extraordinary nature of the cultural phenomenon that is Doctor Who' JEREMY DYSON

On screen, Doctor Who is a story of monsters, imagination and mind-expanding adventure. But the off-screen story is equally extraordinary - a tale of failed monks, war heroes, 1960s polyamory and self-sabotaging broadcasting executives. From the politics of fandom to the inner struggles of the BBC, thousands of people have given part of themselves - and sometimes, too much of themselves - to bring this unlikeliest of folk heroes to life.

This is a story of change, mystery and the importance of imaginary characters in our lives. Able to evolve and adapt more radically than any other fiction, Doctor Who has acted as a mirror to more than six decades of social, technological and cultural change while always remaining a central fixture of the British imagination. In Exterminate / Regenerate, John Higgs invites us into his TARDIS on a journey to discover how ideas emerge and survive despite the odds, why we are so addicted to fiction, and why this wonderful wandering time traveller means so much to so many.©2025 John Higgs (P)2025 Orion Publishing Group Limited Entertainment & Performing Arts Europe Film & TV Great Britain History & Criticism Fiction

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Critic reviews

Absolutely wonderful. The book I've been waiting to read since I was ten years old. Full of surprising and piercing insights, and fascinating meditations on the nature of mystery. The first thing I've come across that absolutely nails the extraordinary nature of the cultural phenomenon that is Doctor Who. Like its subject, it's about so much more than it appears to be (JEREMY DYSON)
With his usual mix of cultural savvy and sharp philosophical insight, John Higgs frees Doctor Who from the rubber tendrils of fandom to reveal an unkillable British myth which millions of us helped create together (JOEL MORRIS)
Full of interesting tidbits and perfect for the Doctor Who fan in your life (JENNY COLGAN)
All stars
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I have little interest in Dr Who beyond loving the Pertwee era as a child and yet, as usual, John Higgs makes it all fascinating.

The longevity of the character is an extraordinary tale complete with ups, downs, heroes, villains, and cliff hangers.

I highly recommend this wonderful exploration into the world of the shapeshifting Doctor

Higgs does it again

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Some wonderful anecdotes and a deep knowledge of the creative talents that slowly created and morphed this legendary character over more than sixty years make this a truly special insight into the behind the scenes machinations of this ever changing franchise. A warts and all look back with many quotes from those who were there but always with an eye to the future of the show.

John Higgs’ calm and clear narration is perfectly suited to the material and his prose follows a strangely linear path considering the timey-wimey subject matter, giving equal time and space (see what I did there?) to both off and on screen moments.

I would love to hear a more detailed and in depth history if Higgs has more material for a future follow on (l would guess with the sheer volume of source material that he does) and would be the first to put my money down to enjoy it.

Now going back to listen again…thanks John

A great overview of the history of Doctor Who

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The best nonfiction audiobooks are generally read by their authors, but John is the absolute master of bringing his deeply researched, charmingly psycho-sociological take on the oddness and wonder of our nation, it's artists and scoundrels to vivid and fascinating life. Splendid stuff, as always. Highly recommended, even if you don't particularly like the subject matter, it offers a genuine and considered insight into the environment that created Dr Who, in all their many guises.

John Higgs is a fantastic aural companion

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And this one is no different . Well researched and very detailed , I’m sure there’s something in there that even a die hard fan may not know . It covers all aspects of Who and is great book for someone that only recently got in to Doctor Who. He’s also great to listen to which does not happen with all audiobooks . I would highly recommend. Very interesting as yesterday , Ncutis reign as the Doctor ended , giving this review a time stamp . The future eh . Who knows ….

John Higgs books are always good !

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Loved it! Comprehensive and well read! Listened 3 times in a week! Well done and can't wait to watch some who again now!

Amazing - I have been waiting for this for yonks!

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Well written and read by the author. It's a comprehensive and engaging history.

Beware though: Higgs has insisted in telling tales I never wanted to know about the dark sides of many classic Doctors in real life.

Some were, according to Higgs, fairly horrible people. If I'm going to enjoy the show, I'd rather not know that about them. But it's a warts and all book, so maybe it's OK.

I'm going to struggle to watch Tom Baker again, my favourite doctor and indeed "my" doctor after reading this. I've not yet finished re-watching those yet.

Nevertheless it's a book that the world needed.

Well researched but beware..

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Loved how this story starts and end and everything in the middle! Narrated beautifully and perfect chapters that make sense to put down and pick up

Fantastic and Fascinating

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this is a marvelous book, part heistory, part paen, part love letter to a great show. consider myself quite knowledgeable, it would be my specialized subject, and I learned new facts. it's fairly warts and all, but affectionate and warm. the narrator is engaging and the pace is excellent, not rushing, softly shining a torch into 60plus years of daft delightful programme making. not sure who the target audience is, but it's a great primer and one I'll listen to more than once.

a work worthy of the show

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The author analyzes the past present and attempts to look to the future of the iconic show Doctor Who.

A must listen for all fans.

An excellent listen

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