Kit Pedler – författare

Based on the classic sci-fi series Doomwatch, Mutant 59 imagines one of the most terrifying tragedies that modern science could create, a chilling and topical story of what happens when scientific research goes wrong and spreads terror through London (and endangers the world). When an airplane crashes the Ministry of Transport investigates, what caused it to fall out of the sky and could it happen again? Slowly they discover that science has unleashed a genetically engineered bacteria that feeds on (and destroys) all plastic materials. No-one takes any notice of the material used to build gas pipes, electrical insulation, cars and planes until it begins to disintegrate and explode. Has science created a biological time bomb? A jet plane crashes near Heathrow, in the Atlantic a nuclear submarine disappears without trace, central London grinds to a halt. As power stations explode and London''s population is evacuated Anna Kramer and Luke Gerrard search for the scientific key to a fiery holocaust that is capable of infecting the world.

Kit Pedler, the scientist who co-created the ''Doomwatch'' television series to warn us of the dangers of technology, presents his vision of a totally different way of being in the world. Mankind, Pedler believes, stands at a critical point in history and has to reassess its relationship and the web of interactions that make up the total life-form of the planet. Pedler calls this life-form Gaia, after the Greek earth mother goddess, a being whose sole concern is the survival of the planet itself. Mankind is provoking the wrath of the life-form by its high technology, accelerating entropy and production of planetary disorder. Can we halt the technological Behemoth and live in harmony with the planet again? Kit Pedler says ''yes, we can, indeed, that we have no choice but to do so''. He outlines highly practical ways every individual can change his or her way of life to reduce our personal entropy debt. Do we need to eat factory-farm beef rather than, the sun-product, grain? Must be build homes from steel and concrete rather than, the renewable earth-product, timber? Is there an alternative to expensive, and ecologically destructive, drugs? From experiments with his own lifestyle Kit Pedler comes to some profoundly optimistic conclusions. He demonstrates how low-entropy living can have unexpected rewards, from restoring our respect for the creatures with which we share the earth, greater independence and freedom through learning abandoned skills and, above all, by the recovery of a lost vision, once possessed by our forefathers, which enables us to see and feel in ways forgotten by industrial man. The Quest for Gaia is an exhilarating and optimistic book, and a challenge to capture a rewarding and sustainable future for ourselves and our earth. It is a blueprint for the Age of Gaia.

First published in 1981, Mind Over Matter stems from Kit Pedler’s TV series of the same name and is an engrossing, open-minded survey of all aspects of the paranormal. It controversially suggests that metal-bending, telepathy, precognition and out-of-body experiences may not after all be the domain of frauds alone. Although criticised over the years, the book still fills the readers with creativity and wonder, and maybe even provides some explanation for inexplicable events in life.

''Millions of years ago, there was a twin planet to Earth...'' The year is 1986, and at the South Pole the crew of the Snowcap Base have detected a new planet on their radar. The arrival of the Doctor, Ben and Polly at the Base coincides with another landing - that of a spaceship whose humanoid passengers have used cybernetics to replace their limbs and vital organs. The new arrival in the solar system is in fact a tenth planet, and Earth''s twin. Its return has brought with it the emotionless Cybermen, their sole aim to ensure the survival of their race. To this end they plan to drain Earth''s energy into the dying Mondas, whilst using the human population as fodder for a continuing programme of cyber-conversion. Battling alongside the humans to save their planet, the Doctor appears to weaken and age before the eyes of his companions. An ultimate collapse appears to signal his death - but then... In an exclusive bonus interview, Anneke Wills - who also narrates the story''s soundtrack - recalls her memories of making The Tenth Planet.

''You will be like us...'' On the planet Telos, the Doctor and his friends encounter a party of archaeologists intent on uncovering the mythical tomb of the Cybermen. Only the Doctor seems aware of the folly of this venture, but suddenly it’s too late - the ice tombs are open and the Cybermen are coming back to life... Trapped underground with the Cyber Controller and his acolytes, including the vermin-like Cybermats, the Doctor and company learn that they are to be turned into a new generation of Cybermen. To make matters worse, there is treachery and double-crossing amongst the humans. Can the Cyber menace be made dormant before it spreads out to the galaxy once again - and will the Doctor, Jamie and Victoria escape with their lives? Frazer Hines, who played Jamie in these four BBC TV episodes from 1967, provides linking narration for the story. In a bonus interview, he also recalls the making of The Tomb of the Cybermen.

Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker star as the Doctor in these seven narrated full-cast TV soundtracks of classic Doctor Who TV serials. The stories are The Tomb of the Cybermen (narrated by Frazer Hines); Doctor Who and the Silurians (narrated by Caroline John); The Sea Devils (narrated by Katy Manning); The Curse of Peladon (narrated by Katy Manning); The Monster of Peladon (narrated by Elisabeth Sladen); The Pirate Planet (narrated by John Leeson) and Destiny of the Daleks (narrated by Lalla Ward). Also includes bonus interviews with the narrators in which they each recall their time as the Doctor''s companion in the BBC TV series. Duration: 14 hours approx.