First Edition Reviews

Howe's Transcendental Toybox was published to great acclaim in November 2000. The first print run sold out very quickly and it is now in its third printing. Since it was first published we have received a large number of very positive comments from readers and in addition very positive reviews have appeared online and offline. On this page, we offer you the chance to read highlights from these.

Hopefully this will whet your appetite for the 'wonders' of the Toybox, or, if you have bought the book already you can relax and let the comments on this page reinforce what you already know, namely that Howe's Transcendental Toybox is the essential guide to Doctor Who merchandise.

So, if you're sitting comfortably, let's begin:

Magazine Reviews:

From Doctor Who Magazine Issue 299, 10 January 2001.

"Thought (that) a Doctor Who Merchandise guide would be about as thrilling as a bus timetable? Wrong. Howe's Transcendental Toybox is a can't-put-it down sort of book ....

Authors David J Howe and Arnold T Blumberg .... establish their purpose in an informative introduction, concluding the book with A Brief History of Doctor Who Merchandising ....

The (book is) full of good advice .... Hold on to a copy of Howe's Transcendental Toybox.... With it's limited print run, the irony is that one day it could well be worth something."

From Celestial Toyroom Issue 279, December/January 2000/1.

"After a long wait, a guide to 'Who' merchandise finally arrives, but was it worth the wait? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. If there is something that David Howe knows inside out then it is 'Who' merchandise and that certainly comes across here in that this is so obviously a labour of love.

Yes, £25 is a lot for any normal book. However this is not a normal book. It is a limited edition, definite guide to 'Who' merchandise. Moreover it will undoubtedly remain the seminal text on the subject - until the second edition comes along.

If you have any interest in 'Who' merchandise, then buy this book. You will not be disappointed."

Online Reviews:

From Teletronic Archives - The Television Ezine, by David May.

"Howe's Transcendental Toybox ... is ... absolutely indispensible to anyone who has an interest in [Doctor Who Merchandise].

... if you're a big kid like me who continues to buy Weetabix in the hope that they will run another Doctor Who promotion, you should have bought the book long before reading this review!

10 out of 10"

General Comments:

The comments below have been taken from e-mails received by Telos following the publication of Howe's Transcendental Toybox.

Justin Richards:
"Thanks a lot for the book - it's terrific! A labour of love if ever there was one, it deserves to do well."

Jon Preddle:
"All I can say is WOW! Congratulations on doing such a superb job! I look forward to perusing the book in greater depth over the coming weeks."

Matthew Forrester:
"I bought your Transcendental Toybox just after Christmas, and thought I should congratulate you on a fantastic book. At £25 I was a bit concerned about value for money.. considering the size, however I am very pleased with it, it's worth every penny. Thanks again for a super book!!"

Andrew Shenton:
"I recently purchased a copy of your excellent book, 'Howe's Transcendental Toybox', and would like to congratulate you on a first class job. No doubt many fans will seek to test the comprehensiveness of your work by checking specific items of obscure merchandise known to them against the contents of the 'Toybox'. I must confess to playing this game myself but I have not identified any important omissions."

Keith Barnfather:
"Just let me add my humble praise to the bus loads you must already have had. Lovely design. Great on the eye and a REAL collectors guide. Rare."

Jeffrey Miller:
"Can't put your book down. It's marvellous. Thank you!!!"

Paul Cornell:
"I thoroughly enjoyed the Toybox. The list of comic strips and Harlequin Miniatures were especially worth it, as I'm trying to get copies of all my strips, and every miniature. Not to mention the Collectible Card Game, which continues to frustrate me. Listing all those was really beyond the call of duty!"

Tim Neal:
"The book is fantastic. It's fascinating. The amount of work put in is phenomenal. Not a day has passed when I haven't been browsing it."

Lance Parkin:
"Your book is really great - all those lovely foreign covers and Japanese McGann DVD's. Just when I thought I was on the verge of having everything I wanted..."

Stuart Burns:
"I am very impressed. Each page is crammed with pictures and facts. It certainly brought back a few memories and I was amazed how many things I had (or still have). I still haven't forgiven my mother for throwing out my Radio Times 10th Anniversary special and I wish I'd held on to the Weetabix cards!"

Roger Anderson:
"I feel sure that this is what a lot of fans and collectors have been waiting for, I certainly have. I had high expectations and they've been exceeded. Great introductions and background information as well as useful and concise descriptions of the merchandise, very impressive."

Shaun Lyon:
"Wonderful book, you guys. You should be very, very proud... this is a treasure!"

Andrew Raymond:
"I got your book and it's absolutely lovely! The Novelization section is unbelievable, and the collector's card section is exactly what I was looking forward to!"