Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks ( novelisation ) Originally published in 1964 as Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks and later retitled Dr Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks , Doctor Who and the Daleks and Doctor Who - The Daleks , this novel by David Whitaker was the first " Doctor Who " novelisation and indeed , the first " Doctor Who " novel of any kind . When republished by Target Books in 1973 , along with two other mid - 60s novelisations , strong sales resulted in Target launching its extensive series of novelisations . It was based on the 1963 television serial " The Daleks " . Publisher ' s summary . 1965 Armada edition . The story from the beginning ! Here is the exciting adventure of Dr . Who , Susan , Barbara , Ian , from the moment they meet one foggy autumn night on a lonely common beside a Police Box ( Ah , but what a curious Police Box ! ) to the time they encounter the weird Dalek s . It is a thrilling story , and we know this book will be one of the most popular published in the Armada series . Can you wait any longer ? Start reading ! 1967 Avon edition . THE DALEKS HAVE ARRIVED Free . . . free . . . He thought when he woke in the strange machine that had whisked him away from despair on Earth . But the flight through space had ended and he and the hollow - eyed girl he found by his side were strangling in the poisoned air they swallowed with every breath . And around them lay a world in ashes controlled by a hidden city of monstrous machines . To sleep on earth . . . and awaken to interplanetary horror ! 1973 Target edition . This is DOCTOR WHO ' s first exciting adventure – with the DALEKS ! Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright travel with the mysterious DOCTOR WHO and his grand - daughter , Susan , to the planet of Skaro in the space - time machine , Tardis . There they strive to save the peace - loving Thal s from the evil intentions of the hideous DALEKS . Can they succeed ? And what is more important , will they ever again see their native Earth ? 2011 BBC paperback edition . " The voice was all on one level , without any expression at all , a dull monotone that still managed to convey a terrible sense of evil . . . " The mysterious Doctor and his granddaughter Susan are joined by unwilling adventurers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright in an epic struggle for survival on an alien planet . In a vast metal city they discover the survivors of a terrible nuclear war - The Daleks . Held Captive in the deepest levels of the city , can the Doctor and his companions stop the Daleks ' plan to totally exterminate their mortal enemies , the peace - loving Thals ? More importantly , even if they can escape from the Daleks , will Ian and Barbara ever see their home planet Earth again ? This Novel is based on the second Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 21 December 1963 - 1 February 1964 . This was the first ever Doctor Who Novel , originally published in 1964 . Featuring the First Doctor as played by William Hartnell , and his companions Susan , Ian and Barbara . 2016 BBC hardcover edition . A thick fog and a girl in distress are just the things that Ian Chesterton needs to escape from a life of dull routine . He has no idea that this is merely a prelude to an advernture quite beyond any normal conception of the word . Or that Barnes Common on a foggy autumn night is the last view of Earth he may ever have . Both he and the girl he tries to help , Barbara Wright , are transported to a distant planet named Skaro by a mysterious old man known to them as the Doctor . With his grand - daughter Susan , the Doctor sets them down in a world all but destroyed by atomic warfare , the only survivors being a peace - loving and cultured people called the Thals and their bitter enemies the Daleks , horribly mutated both in body and mind . Thrust into constant danger , his courage and determination tested almost beyond endurance , Ian is forced to struggle against alien creatures and superior enemies with no other weapons than surprise and ingenuity . The rewords of victory are life for Ian and his new friends . . . but life where ? Can the Doctor return him and Barbara to Earth again ? Audio release . This story was initially released as an audiobook in a single mp3 - CD format , read by William Russell ( Ian ) . It was later released on 5 CDs in the limited edition Travels in Time and Space tin alongside the audio releases of " Doctor Who and the Crusaders " and " Doctor Who and the Zarbi " , which were also read by Russell . The audiobook was later broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra to celebrate Doctor Who ' s 50th anniversary , between 16th - 17th November 2013 . British publication history . Second edition : Re - issues : External links . " to be added "