"Destination: Moonbase Alpha" book

s99fan wrote:That makes more sense. Was this outlined in the book, and I missed it?

So, if I make a series two (7.5) equal a series one (5) and extrapolate from there, all is well again.

No, it wasn't specified in the book (although I have a feeling that I say something about judging each year on its own merits, but I'm not sure if that made it through the editing period, or not). I think if I had spelled it out, it would have seemed rather directly insulting to Year Two, and I certainly didn't mean to do that.

We have a lot of Year Two fans amongst us, and I wanted the book to treat that season fairly, on its own merits, and with respect. And I hope I did so.

CalgaryAlphan wrote: I think if I had spelled it out, it would have seemed rather directly insulting to Year Two, and I certainly didn't mean to do that.

Year Two: New producer, new writers, new costumes, new sets, new music, new main characters, new personalities for few remaining main characters. You could argue only Alan Carter and his Eagles had any vestige of their old selves left. Pointing that out in a factual manner and then stating you were only comparing each series internally would be no insult. It would be fair to each series. I put forth that by not 'directly insulting' fans of the second series, you unintentionally insult series one aficionados.

s99fan wrote:

CalgaryAlphan wrote: I think if I had spelled it out, it would have seemed rather directly insulting to Year Two, and I certainly didn't mean to do that.

Year Two: New producer, new writers, new costumes, new sets, new music, new main characters, new personalities for few remaining main characters. You could argue only Alan Carter and his Eagles had any vestige of their old selves left. Pointing that out in a factual manner and then stating you were only comparing each series internally would be no insult. It would be fair to each series. I put forth that by not 'directly insulting' fans of the second series, you unintentionally insult series one aficionados.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree. If I had compared Year Two directly against Year One, it would have resulted in Year Two rating far lower. Judged on its own merits, as its own entity, Year Two rates rather well, as it does when compared against other sci-fi series. But I firmly believe that Year One is the finest example of television science fiction ever produced, and I think that comes across quite clearly in the book.

I wrote this book for all fans of Space: 1999.

CalgaryAlphan wrote: But I firmly believe that Year One is the finest example of television science fiction ever produced....

Fully agree.

I just finished reading DESTINATION MOONBASE:ALPHA by Robert E. Wood(CalgaryAlphan) it is an intimate look at the making of the TV series as told by first hand by those that actually worked on it. Simply brilliant, it is the best production book on the making of SPACE:1999 ever written.

Robert, just finished reading your book and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to laugh at the bloopers for The AB Chysalis where it mentioned Martin Landau lifting up his toupee during the blast procedure! I wasn't sure if he wore a hairpiece or not but now I know. I'll have to freeze frame that one

It is a very good book. I enjoyed reading it and will place it proudly in my Space:1999 library next to the Muir book and 'The Future is Fantastic!' and my growing Powys collection.

Thanks for the positive comments!

On another note - I am re-scheduled to appear on the Roger Noriega Show on Blog Talk Radio on Monday April 12. Details will follow, but if anyone wants to start thinking about questions to send in, feel free. And calls will also be taken during the show, so maybe some of you will phone in?

I've just added a few sentences of review from Martin Bower to the website. Here is a direct link:
http://www.destinationmoonbasealpha.net/page8/page8.html

Robert, what is going on with availability? I have referred your book to two friends and they inform me it is no longer readily available. Amazon.uk and the Book Depository are out of stock, and even Telos is warning 'Please do not query non-receipt of orders until 28 working days'. I was under the perception Telos is print-on-demand, am I in error? Is this book being forcible withdrawn like the last?

No - no problems at all. And nothing to worry about.

The book is NOT print-on-demand. Telos prints a run of a book, and when sales warrant it, they print another run of the book... and so on.

I know that we were on the verge of going into the next printing, and so that is a distinct possibility.

And the Telos line about not querying non-receipt until 28 working days is a standard line, I believe, that one always gets with Telos. I think it's actually a standard policy description on their website... so nothing to worry about there, either.

I'd advise putting an order in with Telos for the fastest service.
But if your friends are fine with waiting until Amazon or other sellers get stock in again, they can go that route as well.

Thank you. I will inform my friends of your words. In a way, this is good news, no? Your first run has sold out and now they must plan on a second? How many books does Telos print in a run?

Yes, it's very good news that the book is popular, and is selling well. The print run size varies depending upon the book title and how many copies Telos think they can sell (without being left with boxes and boxes of unsold books lying about!).

CalgaryAlphan Robert E. Wood your DESTINATION:MOONBASE ALPHA book is simply brilliant. I purchased two copies and extremely enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. It is the best book ever published on the making of SPACE:1999.

Robert, on the whole I enjoyed your interview on Blogtalk radio. You are very articulate and interesting to listen to— and this is from one who has English as a second language.

I completely understand why you left information out in your answers given the newness of the book, but the answers were frustrating and vague, exactly as you cited in your answer. As such, my partner gave over listening early on, and I must wonder if you lost others in the audience over this. I would enjoy an interview in the future where you can more clearly discuss the most interesting parts of your book without such evasion.

well, I'm afraid I have to keep some things vague and not give away major "spoilers", considering many listeners have not yet read the book.

People can read the most interesting parts of the book... in the book.

I thought the show was fun, and it was very nice that they extended me to 2 hours.

Following up on suggestions from a couple of people (including Prentis Hancock), I am happy to report that the new printing of "Destination: Moonbase Alpha" includes a Table of Contents, which will make surfing through the book that much easier.

This new edition is now available for sale through the publisher at www.telos.co.uk .

And thanks to all who have bought the book - it's proving a challenge for Telos to keep in stock, which is a nice problem to have!

CalgaryAlphan (Robert), you researched and wrote the most impressive book ever published on the making of Space:1999. I purchased two copies myself. One that I immediately read cover to cover and the other to save. Good idea addition of a table of contents (Prentis Hancock is a brilliant actor and man ).

CalgaryAlphan wrote:- it's proving a challenge for Telos to keep in stock, which is a nice problem to have!

Congratulations. That is very a very grand accomplishment indeed for such a niche book.

hi

i have just ordered a copy of this book and i hope it will be a good companion book because i now have the Network DVD Set Of Space 1999 Series 1.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for ordering the book - I hope you will enjoy it, and look forward to hearing your comments!

Best,
Robert

www.destinationmoonbasealpha.net

do i email you through your website or here on the forum

Andrew

You can post messages here on the forum if you'd like. It's always nice to have comments about my book online for others to see!

Hi Robert

Ok

Andrew

i now have my copy of the book and there are some very intersting things. have just read about Breakaway. what Martin Landau said about the globe in commander koenings office. Martin landau wanted it painted the same colour as the set. i tried to picture the globe in that set of commander koening's office and i would agree with Martin landau about having it painted the same colour. also read about the director Ray Austin having a few problems with Martin Landau whenever he would have to talk to one of the other characters he would walk around them thus being filmed on his right side. and also Barry Morse talking about the uniforms they had to wear you could tell he didn't like them. so far i am really enjoying reading the book.

Andrew

Robert,

I just listened to your interview on NDB Radio. Very interesting and nicely done.

Thanks for using your abilities and interest in Space to keep the flame alive and give us all something new to renew our passion in Space. Books and projects like "Destination Moonbase Alpha" and "The Return of Victor Bergman" bring this fan community closer together and I wanted to thank you for that.

P.S. I will be ordering "Destination Moonbase Alpha" this fall...