Interesting things previously available on official websites mixed with new bits of shiny background data.

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Product Description

Separate from the Government Outside the police Beyond the United Nations. Founded by Queen Victoria in 1879, the Torchwood Institute has long battled against alien threats to the British Empire. The Torchwood Archives is an insider's look into the secret world of this unique investigative team. In-depth background on personnel, case files on alien enemies of the Crown and descriptions of extra-terrestrial technology collected over the years will uncover more about the world of Torchwood than ever previously known, including some of the biggest mysteries surrounding the Rift in space and time running through Cardiff. Beautifully designed throughout with full-colour photos and original illustrations, The Torchwood Archives will be an essential guide for all Torchwood fans.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41709 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

About the Author
WARREN MARTYN is an experienced journalist and broadcaster who has written books on diverse subjects, from the TV sitcoms Th e Simpsons and Frasier to exposes of the Kennedy dynasty, the long-lasting eff ects of the use of fluoride in water in the 1970s and a history of North Sea Gas. He won a RTS Award for his BBC3 TV series Digging in the Dirt about Neolithic Life in Britain and an American Emmy for the Lives of the Edwardians special. He lives in South East London.

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Customer Reviews

A must for any dedicated Torchwood fan
This book purports to be research notes into his investigation of Torchwood by a Warren Martyn which Torchwood has prevented from being published and is now locked up in the Torchwood basement as information for employees only.

In fact this book has been compiled by Doctor Who writer Gary Russell (with acknowledgements to other Torchwood writers such as James Moran and Joseph Lidster amongst others) from material from the BBC's Torchwood websites as well as original writing. Rather than being a straight guide to what happened in each episode (Series 1 & 2, and Lost Souls) the book uses fictitious archive notes, personnel forms, photographs, newspaper clippings and staff memos to provide additional background information to each story. For example, we learn that PC Andy is commended for bravery and Jack overrules Torchwood protocols when it comes to Tosh in "Exit Wounds". It would therefore be completely baffling to anyone who has not watched the relevant programme, but it is a real delight to the hardcore fan.

There are many touches of subtle humour throughout, for example, I particularly like "Owen's" and "Ianto's " snarky notes scattered throughout and "Captain Hart's" personnel file. However, Jack does need to work on his limericks. I am pleased that the "Captain's Blogs" from the BBC America site are reproduced as "Ongoing archive files" where we find out some of the enigmatic Jack's thoughts. My favourite line is "Need to requisition a new stopwatch. Old one damaged while moving a desk". And if you don't find that funny you obviously haven't seen "They keep killing Suzie". (Or don't have a sense of humour.)

This book won't give you any insight into what goes into the making of the series, but it does provide entertaining background into the Torchwood world and has obviously been put together with a lot of care and attention to detail. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this to any dedicated fan.

Awesome
As the previous reviewer said this is a beautifully designed, solid and highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes at Torchwood. Rather than lots of information about how the series began and its cast and crew, the book takes the stance that it is a genuine collection of letters, notes, anecdotes and vignettes from the top-secret Torchwood organisation. Made to sit on a coffee-table and be browsed through every now and again; the book just looks and feels so damn good it's not true.

A must read for Torchwood fans
Quirky, interesting, mysterious and really witty are just a few keywords to describe this book. Learn more about the aliens, the team (present and past)and Torchwood in general. Get your thinking cap on and discover the world of aliens, secrets and the people who live with them...