Doctor Who And The Crusaders

By: David Whitaker

Narrated by: William Russell

Within minutes of the TARDIS' arrival on twelfth-century Earth, the First Doctor and his companions are in serious trouble. They happen to intercept a Saracen attack on Richard the Lionheart, therby enabling the English King to escape otherwise certain capture. But Barbara is kidnapped and carried off by the Saracens to the Sultan Saladin's court. Saladin spares her life -- on condition she entertains his court by telling stories. And, like Scheherazade, if she fails, then she must die... William Russell, who played Ian in the original 1965 TV serial on which this book is based, reads David Whitaker's complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1973. 'They’re well-written books-adventure stories, of course, but with some thought… the creation of the character of the Doctor had a touch of genius about it.’ - Westminster Press.

Critic reviews

The Crusaders is a book alive with colour, impact and surprise (Gary Russell)

A wonderful way to fill in the gaps

I’m grateful that I discovered these novelizations as a way of filling in the gaps from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton years. All of the ones I’ve listened to have been a delight, with first-rate narration enlivened with generous helpings of music and sound effects. This one is no exception. The writing is dated in places: I grimaced a bit when hearing Vicki and Barbara referred to as “the two girls.” But it’s a rousing yarn, and William Russell does a wonderful job. It includes brief snippets of an interview with him talking about the novel and contrasting it with his memories of the serial itself.

Excellent (If A Little Dark) Historical Doctor Who Tale

It’s a little crazy they end this saga with everyone laughing on the TARDIS, after everything that happens to Barbara. Anyway, fantastic story though, and well-read by William Russell, who played Ian Chesterton in the original TV serial. I enjoyed his tidbits at the end!

There's a problem here.

Okay, historical fiction is not usually intended to be entirely accurate, and Doctor Who is always to be enjoyed for its humor and adventure. Still, for a story that is clearly trying to be about cultural understanding, there is a problem. I just can't get past the repeated references to the Muslims drinking wine! This is just too wrong for me. Yes, there are some interesting characters and some fun scenes, and the narration is quite well done. I just cannot get past the one major cultural gaff of Saladin and his men serving wine.