Hitchhiker, A Biography of Douglas Adams

Simpson, M. J. (Mike) with a Foreword by John Lloyd and historical consultation by Kevin Davies

ISBN 10: 0340824883 / ISBN 13: 9780340824887

Published by Hodder and Stoughton / Hodder Headline, London, 2003

About this Item

First edition, first impression with full number line. 'Special Limited Edition' signed and numbered, with special edition mock bookplate and handwritten notebook page by the author, written in blue biro from M. J. Simpson's notes and research pasted to ffep. SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY M. J. SIMPSON, IN BLUE PEN, ON TITLE PAGE 'Don't Passo! M. J. Simpson 29/30 Seacon 03'. Some slight edge wear to top and bottom of jacket and spine, top corners very slightly bruised, not price clipped (£18.99), no other inscriptions, internally clean tight and square, overall a vg++ copy. 393pp, illustrated. Douglas Adams will be most fondly remembered for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' series and its idiosyncratic humour, but this biography covers his life from his days as a struggling sketch writer to his untimely death at the age of 49 in May 2001. His was an extraordinary life. He started his career as a comedy sketch writer, but then became an overnight success after his 'Hitchhiker' series was first aired by the BBC in 1978. Arthur Dent's adventures through space with his friend Ford Prefect became a popular cultural phenomenon, spawning bestselling novels by Adams, hit television and stage shows and cult status. As well as a bestselling writer, Adams was an avid ecologist and technophile and this book aims to tell the story of this remarkable life and includes interviews and anecdotes from friends and colleagues. The author M. J. Simpson, was kind enough to write to me with some history of this book, he says: 'I thought you'd like to know that what might seem a "mock handwritten notebook page" is in fact a genuine page from the exercise book I used for all my notes while writing this. 30 copies had a page inserted (after redacting personal phone numbers and emails) and were sold by the Hitchhiker's Guide fan club, ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha, at the 2003 British National SciFi Convention (Seacon). I've never seen one come up for resale before. Good find!' Very scarce in this 'Special Edition' with pasted in notes, signed.

Seller Inventory # 007309

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Hitchhiker, A Biography of Douglas Adams
• Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton / Hodder Headline, London
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340824883
• ISBN 13: 9780340824887
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Jacket photo by Craig Stennett
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Douglas Adams will be most fondly remembered for the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series and its idiosyncratic humour, but this biography covers his life from his days as a struggling sketch writer to his untimely death at the age of 49 in May 2001. His was an extraordinary life: he started his career as a struggling comedy sketch writer, but then became an overnight success after his "Hitchhiker" series was first aired by the BBC in 1978. Arthur Dent's adventures through space with his friend Ford Prefect became a popular culture phenomenon, spawning bestselling novels by Adams, hit television and stage shows and cult status. As well as a bestselling writer, Adams was an avid ecologist and technophile and this book aims to tell the story of this remarkable life and includes interviews and anecdotes from friends and colleagues.

About the Author

MJ Simpson is acknowledged as the world's leading authority on the life and career of Douglas Adams, having collected information and material on him for twenty years. When Adams' personal assistant required information on her boss' career, it was Simpson that she phoned. He has been interviewed about Douglas Adams on Channel 4's 'Top Ten TV: Sci-Fi' series and BBC2's 'Reading the Decades', and on many radio stations. He has interviewed Adams several times, edited the world's only 'Hitchhiker's Guide' magazine and co-founded Britain's bestselling science fiction magazine SFX.