The War Machines (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1966 television serial The War Machines.

1989 edition
London, 1966 — when the TARDIS materialises outside the Post Office Tower The Doctor becomes aware of a powerful and evil force nearby, so he and the ever-curious Dodo set off to investigate.

Inside the tower they track down the source of power to Professor Brett and WOTAN, his revolutionary new computer.

Designed as a universal problem solver, WOTAN has suddenly begun to think for itself and has formulated a deadly plan. Using its phenomenal power it will programme humans to build mobile fighting computers, and with these indestructible war machines WOTAN will take over the world...

Chapter titles

 * 1) The Home-Coming
 * 2) The Super-Computer
 * 3) A Night Out
 * 4) Servant turned Master
 * 5) Putting the Team Together
 * 6) Working for the Cause
 * 7) A Demonstration of Power
 * 8) The One Who Got Away
 * 9) Attack and Defence
 * 10) Taking to the Streets
 * 11) Setting the Trap
 * 12) The Showdown
 * 13) We Can't Stay Long

Deviations from televised story

 * The Doctor gains access to the Post Office Tower with forged credentials and the fact that he and Brett have a mutual acquaintance in Ian Chesterton.
 * The Doctor defeats the first War Machine by burning out its circuit with a radiowave, rather than it simply stopping.
 * The second War Machine is named as Valk. It is not armed prior to going rogue, meaning the Doctor has to fit it with an automatic rifle after reprogramming it.
 * The Doctor enters the tower on realising humans are in danger from Valk's attack.
 * The battle between WOTAN and Valk is more involved, with the computer trying to defend itself with electrical charges.

Writing and publishing notes

 * This story was released as an audiobook read by Michael Cochrane.
 * The original Target edition featured the artwork of Alister Pearson with circles by Graeme Way.

Additional cover images
to be added

British publication history
First publication: Paperback (February 1989) Re-issues: (November 1992)
 * Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 21,000, priced £1.99 (UK).
 * Target / Virgin Publishing, priced £2.99 (UK).