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Book Details

Doctor Who - Four to Doomsday

78.6% complete
Copyright © Terrance Dicks 1983
1983
Novelization; Science Fiction; Television Tie-In
1984
1 time
See 12
1 - Ship of Mystery
2 - A Meeting with Monarch
3 - The Transformation
4 - The Invaders
5 - The Explorers
6 - The Android
7 - The Convert
8 - Tegan's Gamble
9 - Death Warrant
10 - Reprieve
11 - Riot!
12 - Spacewalk
Book Cover
Has a genre Has an extract Has a year read Has a rating In my library In a series 
1125
 Doctor Who - Novelizations (UK)*
#77 of 157
Doctor Who - Novelizations (UK)*     See series as if on a bookshelf
The original Target novelizations for the television show Doctor Who.

1) Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen
2) Doctor Who and the Android Invasion
3) Doctor Who and the Androids of Tara
4) Doctor Who and the Ark in Space
5) Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor
6) Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion
7) Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius
8) Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters
9) Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters
10) Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos
11) Doctor Who and the Creature from the Pit
12) Doctor Who and the Crusaders
13) Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon
14) Doctor Who and the Cybermen
15) Doctor Who and the Daemons
16) Doctor Who and the Daleks
17) Doctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth
18) Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks
19) Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin
20) Doctor Who - Death to the Daleks
21) Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks
22) Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion
23) Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon
24) Doctor Who and the Enemy of the World
25) Doctor Who and the Face of Evil
26) Doctor Who - Full Circle
27) Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks
28) Doctor Who and the Giant Robot
29) Doctor Who and the Green Death
30) Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear
31) Doctor Who and the Horns of Nimon
32) Doctor Who and the Horror of Fang Rock
33) Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors
34) Doctor Who and the Image of the Fendahl
35) Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time
36) Doctor Who and the Invisible Enemy
37) Doctor Who and the Keeper of Traken
38) Doctor Who and the Keys of Marinus
39) Doctor Who and the Leisure Hive
40) Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster
41) Doctor Who - Logopolis
42) Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora
43) Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon
44) Doctor Who and the Mutants
45) Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden
46) Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks
47) Doctor Who and the Planet of Evil
48) Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders
49) Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll
50) Doctor Who and the Pyramids of Mars
51) Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen
52) Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation
53) Doctor Who and the Robots of Death
54) Doctor Who and the Sea-Devils
55) Doctor Who and the Seeds of Doom
56) Doctor Who and the Sontaran Experiment
57) Doctor Who and the Space War
58) Doctor Who and the State of Decay
59) Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood
60) Doctor Who and the Sunmakers
61) Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang
62) Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet
63) Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons
64) Doctor Who - The Three Doctors
65) Doctor Who and the Time Warrior
66) Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen
67) Doctor Who and the Underworld
68) Doctor Who and an Unearthly Child
69) Doctor Who and the Visitation
70) Doctor Who and the War Games
71) Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate
72) Doctor Who and the Web of Fear
73) Doctor Who and the Zarbi
74) Doctor Who - Time-Flight
75) Doctor Who - Meglos
76) Doctor Who - Castrovalva
77) Doctor Who - Four to Doomsday
78) Doctor Who - Earthshock
79) Doctor Who - Terminus
80) Doctor Who - Arc of Infinity
81) Doctor Who - The Five Doctors
82) Doctor Who - Mawdryn Undead
83) Doctor Who - Snakedance
84) Doctor Who - Kinda
85) Doctor Who - Enlightenment
86) Doctor Who - The Dominators
87) Doctor Who - Warriors of the Deep
88) Doctor Who - The Aztecs
89) Doctor Who - Inferno
90) Doctor Who - The Highlanders
91) Doctor Who - Frontios
92) Doctor Who - The Caves of Androzani
93) Doctor Who - Planet of Fire
94) Doctor Who - Marco Polo
95) Doctor Who - The Awakening
96) Doctor Who - The Mind of Evil
97) Doctor Who - The Myth Makers
98) Doctor Who - The Invasion
99) Doctor Who - The Krotons
100) Doctor Who - The Two Doctors
101) Doctor Who - The Gunfighters
102) Doctor Who - The Time Monster
103) Doctor Who - The Twin Dilemma
104) Doctor Who - Galaxy Four
105) Doctor Who - Timelash
106) Doctor Who - Vengeance on Varos
107) Doctor Who - The Mark of the Rani
108) Doctor Who - The King's Demons
109) Doctor Who - The Savages
110) Doctor Who - Fury from the Deep
111) Doctor Who - The Celestial Toymaker
112) Doctor Who - The Seeds of Death
113) Doctor Who - Black Orchid
114) Doctor Who - The Ark
115) Doctor Who - The Mind Robber
116) Doctor Who - The Faceless Ones
117) Doctor Who - The Space Museum
118) Doctor Who - The Sensorites
119) Doctor Who - The Reign of Terror
120) Doctor Who - The Romans
121) Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death
122) Doctor Who - The Massacre
123) Doctor Who - The Macra Terror
124) Doctor Who - The Rescue
125) Doctor Who - Terror of the Vervoids
126) Doctor Who - The Time Meddler
127) Doctor Who - The Mysterious Planet
128) Doctor Who - Time and the Rani
129) Doctor Who - The Underwater Menace
130) Doctor Who - The Wheel in Space
131) Doctor Who - The Ultimate Foe
132) Doctor Who - The Edge of Destruction
133) Doctor Who - The Smugglers
134) Doctor Who - Paradise Towers
135) Doctor Who - Delta and the Bannermen
136) Doctor Who - The War Machines
137) Doctor Who - Dragonfire
138) Doctor Who - Attack of the Cybermen
139) Doctor Who - Mindwarp
140) Doctor Who - The Chase
141) Doctor Who - Mission to the Unknown
142) Doctor Who - The Mutation of Time
143) Doctor Who - Silver Nemesis
144) Doctor Who - The Greatest Show in the Galaxy
145) Doctor Who - Planet of Giants
146) Doctor Who - The Happiness Patrol
147) Doctor Who - The Space Pirates
148) Doctor Who - Remembrance of the Daleks
149) Doctor Who - Ghost Light
150) Doctor Who - Survival
151) Doctor Who - The Curse of Fenric
152) Doctor Who - Battlefield
153) Doctor Who - The Pescatons
154) Doctor Who - The Power of the Daleks
155) Doctor Who - The Evil of the Daleks
156) Doctor Who - The Paradise of Death
157) Doctor Who
No dedication.
The ship was like a city.
May contain spoilers
They were on their way.
No comments on file
Extract (may contain spoilers)
The Doctor looked at the two elegant figures with astonishment, remembering the form in which he had last seen them, the frog-like features and green corrugated skin.  'My, how you've changed!'

It was not surprising that they should be able to copy the clothes in Tegan's drawing, but to copy the human bodies which wore them...

Tegan was still taking in the astonishing transformation.  'But you're what I sketched!'

Enlightenment smiled.  'Yes.  You are an excellent draughtswoman, my dear.'

Tegan edged closer to the Doctor.  'I want to go.'

'There is no need to be frightened,' said Enlightenment calmly.  'Please stay.'

'I'm not frightened,' muttered Tegan defiantly.  But she was.

Adric was staring at the two tall elegant figures in awe.  'How did you do it - just change like that?'

'We enjoy the most advanced technology in the universe.'  There was a hint of complacency in Enlightenment's voice.

'Magical,' said the Doctor politely.

'No, not magic, Doctor.  A skill, like any other.'

Adric stared at her.  'You mean anyone can do it?'

'Yes.'

'Even me?'

'If you wished,' said Enlightenment placidly.  'But you have no need.  Yet.'

'But you have?' asked the Doctor casually.

'As you have seen, Doctor.  Earthlings find our native form... disturbing.'

Persuasion said smoothly, 'The dominant emotion on planet Earth is fear.  When last we were there, our reception was hostile.'

'That doesn't surprise me,' said Tegan, remembering the sinister frog-like creatures on the three thrones.

'We must read your history books,' said the Doctor brightly.

Enlightenment inclined her head.  'You will be welcome to do so.  It will also be necessary for me to instruct you in our computer language.'

'One couldn't wish for a more charming teacher.'

Persuasion said, 'A very elevated one, Doctor.'

'Yes, indeed.  Enlightenment herself!'

'Minister of Enlightenment.'

'Yes, of course.'  The Doctor looked thoughtfully at him.  'And you?  Now, let me guess...  Minister of Persuasion?'

 

Added: 01-Jan-2001
Last Updated: 15-Jan-2025

Publications

 21-Jul-1983
Target
Mass Market Paperback
In my libraryI read this editionOrder from amazon.comHas a cover imageBook Edition Cover
Date Issued:
21-Jul-1983
Format:
Mass Market Paperback
Cover Price:
£1.35
Pages*:
128
Read:
Once
Internal ID:
1145
Publisher:
ISBN:
0-426-19334-2
ISBN-13:
978-0-426-19334-0
Printing:
1
Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Credits:
Photograph  - Cover Artist
When the TARDIS happens to materialise on an alien space craft the commander of the ship, the reptilian Monarch, invites the Doctor and his companions to continue their journey to Earth in his company.

Monarch's hospitality even extends to a generous offer to liberate the time-travellers from the shortcomings of their bodies and replicate them as androids - so much more practical.

Although Adric finds this proposal extremely attractive, the Doctor has good reason to be suspicious of Monarch's motives...

Among the many Doctor Who books available
are the following recently published titles:
Doctor Who and the Visitation
Doctor Who - Full Circle
Doctor Who - Logopolis
Doctor Who and the Sunmakers
Doctor Who Crossword Book
Doctor Who - Time-Flight
Doctor Who - Meglos
Doctor Who - Castrovalva
Cover:
Book CoverBook Back CoverBook Spine
Notes and Comments:
No printing listed
First printing assumed
Australia: $3.95
Malta: £M1.35c

Novelisation copyright © Terrance Dicks 1983
Original script copyright © Terence Dudley 1982
'Doctor Who' series copyright © British Broadcasting Corporation 1982, 1983

Numbered 77 on title page
 01-Jun-1991
Doctor Who Books
Has a cover imageBook Edition Cover
Date Issued:
Cir 01-Jun-1991
Internal ID:
1146
Publisher:
ISBN:
0-426-19334-2
ISBN-13:
978-0-426-19334-0
Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Credits:
Photograph  - Cover Artist
'HEAVEN. HE SAYS WE'RE ALL GOING TO HEAVEN.'

On its way to Earth the TARDIS unexpectedly materializes on an alien spaceship. The occupants invite the Doctor and his companions to accompany them to Earth; but their hospitality is not all it seems...

On board are people from all eras of Earth's history and the aim of the Urbankans and their reptilian leader, Monarch, is to colonize Earth. Three billion minds are aboard the ship, three billion memories awaiting new, android bodies that will enable them to escape their own dead planet and live forever...
Cover:
Book Cover
Notes and Comments:
Image File
21-Jul-1983
Target
Mass Market Paperback

Image File
01-Jun-1991
Doctor Who Books


On Target

Publication Information
Author: Terrance Dicks
Cover artist: photographic / Alister Pearson (1991)
Publishing date: 21st July 1983
Episode Information
TV serial: Four to Doomsday
Writer: Terence Dudley
Transmission Dates: 18th - 26th January 1982 (4 episodes)
Fact and Findings
Number 77 in the Doctor Who library and the first novelisation to record this fact on its inside cover, the first time the number had been noted anywhere on the book itself.

First edition cover price - £1.35

Classic chapter title: Riot!

The original Target edition was published by W. H. Allen (ISBN 0 426 19334 2). It was rejacketed and rereleased by the Virgin Publishing Ltd. in June 1991. The new edition had the same ISBN and was priced £2.50.

The reprint incorrectly names Fiona Cumming as the TV show's director (it was John Black).

Christine Donougher was Target editor for this release and Dicks' manuscript was proofread by Martin Noble on the 5th of January 1983. (Noble was an author in his own right who would later do some non-Who novelisations for Target and Star, including one based on the film Bullshot).

The hardback had been released in April 1983.

The paperback was included in The Third Doctor Who Gift Set, released in Autumn 1983. The set was made up of Castrovalva, Four to Doomsday, Earthshock and Terminus.

Terence Dudley's later scripts - Black Orchid, The King's Demons and the pilot for K9 and Company - were adapted by the writer himself.
Cover Data
The photographic cover has Peter Davison as the fifth Doctor superimposed over a photograph of Stratford Johns in full make-up as Monarch.

Alister Pearson's artwork cover, released in June 1991, shows Monarch.
Reviews
"Terrance Dicks has done a remarkably good job in turning my least favourite Nathan-Turner story into an enjoyable read for a DWAS member, and perhaps even a brilliant book for a twelve year old, and let's face it, that is perhaps the perfect reader for Mr Dicks' novelisations. And why not? I find it very amusing to look at the pompous mock-depression shown by fans older and supposedly wiser than myself when merchandising quite obviously aimed at a market ten years younger than themselves doesn't meet their expectations.
As far as I'm concerned Four To Doomsday was entertainment, and every minute of it entertained me... Consequently when reading the novelisation, I did not expect anything more than to be entertained. I was. And it's cheaper than the video too."
- Graeme Wood, Antony Dexter & David Owen, 'Shada' (number 15), May/June 1983

"I was wondering how Terrance Dicks would write his novels about the fifth Doctor. After the weak Meglos he produced a superb novel with Four To Doomsday, lively, interesting and value for money... From the beginning of this story to the end Terrance creates a suspenseful atmosphere, giving the impression of the vastness of the ship in space very well. The first scenes in the TARDIS are written so well they seem almost as good as those in The Visitation."
- Robert Hill, 'Demnos' (number 2), 1984

"The description of the Urbankans didn't please me at all, as it gave me the feeling that I was six years old - the style just strikes me as being very basic (unlike the excellent style of Ian Marter)."
- Russ Mould, 'Eye of Horus' (number 4), October 1983
UK Editions
YEARDATEPUBLISHERCOVER ARTISTLOGOSPINE COLOURSPINE NUMBERTARGET LOGOISBNPRICENOTESOWNED
198321st JulyW. H. Allenphotoblue neonred-colour0 426 19334 2£1.35first edition, numbered but not on spineY
1983-W. H. Allenphotoblue neonred77colour0 426 19334 2£1.35--
1984-W. H. Allenphotoblue neonred--0 426 19334 2---
1987-W. H. Allenphoto-----£1.95re-jacketed using 1984 contents-
1991JuneVirginPearsonMcCoy bannerdark blue77outline0 426 19334 2£2.50-Y
Miscellaneous
Author


Terrance Dicks

Gift Set


The novel formed part of The Third Doctor Who Gift Set, released in 1983. These sets comprised four recently released (or re-released) novelisations in a cardboard slip case. This set was made up of Castrovalva, Four to Doomsday, Earthshock and Terminus. The box cover featured a photograph of Peter Davison as the Fifth Doctor (taken on location for The Visitation). The gift set had ISBN 0 426 194225 and cost £5.75. In all there were nine gift sets released between 1982 and 1986. The first and second were flimsy cardboard slip cases but the remainder were quite sturdy.
  • On Target was a website dedicated to the Target Novelizations of Doctor Who and had a lot of information on each book.
  • I cannot find it anywhere on the web now so I have used the Wayback Machine to get information for these books.
  • I originally had permission to use covers from On Target, for books that I do not own, on this site.
  • Anything that idicates that a book is owned within the "On Target" section is referring to the owner of that site and not to my library.
  • This is currently unfinished, but a work in progress...

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*
  • I try to maintain page numbers for audiobooks even though obviously there aren't any. I do this to keep track of pages read and I try to use the Kindle version page numbers for this.
  • Synopses marked with an asterisk (*) were generated by an AI. There aren't a lot since this is an iffy way to do it - AI seems to make stuff up.
  • When specific publication dates are unknown (ie prefixed with a "Cir"), I try to get the publication date that is closest to the specific printing that I can.
  • When listing chapters, I only list chapters relevant to the story. I will usually leave off Author Notes, Indices, Acknowledgements, etc unless they are relevant to the story or the book is non-fiction.
  • Page numbers on this site are for the end of the main story. I normally do not include appendices, extra material, and other miscellaneous stuff at the end of the book in the page count.






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