- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Titan Books Ltd; 3rd Revised edition edition (21 Jun 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1840235012
- ISBN-13: 978-1840235012
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,012,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"It's all devastatingly true - except the bits that are lies" - Douglas Adams
Locus
Indispensable ... a treasure trove of quotes and anecdotes.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I originally bought this book when it was first published in 1987. It has now been revised and brought up to date to reflect Douglas Adams' more recent work and, of course, his death in May 2001.
The book, despite its title, is really a biography of Douglas Adams and not just The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy (H2G2), although as this is his major work, it obviously features quite heavily. Also covered though are other works including the Dirk Gently books and The Meaning of Liff (not to mention his early work for Monty Python!)
There is some good information on Adams' early life and works obtained through interviews with people like Simon Brett, John Lloyd (who were influential in giving Adams his break in radio) and of course, Douglas himself.
Interesting items include a copy of the original H2G2 synopsis and comparisons between the different versions i.e. books, radio, TV, stage and records. Also of interest is the first story Douglas Adams ever had published, a short story on the letters page of Eagle Magazine in 1965.
The book is well written by Neil Gaiman, better known for his novels and comic book stories.
Altogether an essential read for all fans of H2G2 and Douglas Adams.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Don't Panic is sort of a biography of Douglas Adams. But it concentrates almost exclusively on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the events and circumstances in Adams's life that contributed to the creation and development of the Hitchhiker-phenomenon. It was originally published back in 1988, then revised in 1993, and now revised again, after the untimely death of Adams.
Don't Panic is written in the same style as the Hitchhiker novels, and is at times quite amusing. There are no less than 31 short chapters (the first one is chapter 0) in the book, dealing with various distinct subjects. This is followed by five appendixes. There are a lot of direct quotations from various people surrounding Adams, and from Adams himself, but there is never any information given about when or where these people said these things, which is a major drawback.
There is a lot of trivia here, but a lack of depth, and the book does seem to repeat certain myths (for example, the well-known one that Adams first got the idea for Hitchhiker while lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck). Still, if you're a fan of Adams, this is essential reading.
Don't Panic is written in the same style as the Hitchhiker novels, and is at times quite amusing. There are no less than 31 short chapters (the first one is chapter 0) in the book, dealing with various distinct subjects. This is followed by five appendixes. There are a lot of direct quotations from various people surrounding Adams, and from Adams himself, but there is never any information given about when or where these people said these things, which is a major drawback.
There is a lot of trivia here, but a lack of depth, and the book does seem to repeat certain myths (for example, the well-known one that Adams first got the idea for Hitchhiker while lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck). Still, if you're a fan of Adams, this is essential reading.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Gaiman's biography is characteristic of his style of writing and here he writes with his usual wit and dry humour. His admiration of Adams and his work shines through his well paced account. The book concentrates more on the genesis of the Hitch-hiker's and goes into Adams life only when it is needed to offer background or insight into Hitch-hiker. The later chapters are written by David k. Dickson and M.J. Simpson and this shows. Although they offer good insight their contributions do not display the same wit. A must read for all Hitch-hiker fans.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Last chance to see Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman. What can you say about these two? A perfect pair of writers. It's almost poetic that Gaiman should have shouldered the mantle of writing a book that... Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Firebird
Chumble Spuzz
It's a good book, a very lightweight read so you can zoom through it if you're not in a mood for something taxing. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2008 by Mr Clag
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