Douglas Adams

Easton Press Douglas Adams books

Mostly Harmless - Signed First Edition of Science Fiction - 1992

The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy - Masterpieces of Science Fiction - 1998

5 Volume Douglas Adams set including the following books :
The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy - signed edition
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish
Life, the Universe and Everything
Mostly Harmless
The Restaurant at The end of the Universe

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy - 2015 

Who is Douglas Adams?

Douglas Noël Adams (March 11, 1952 – May 11, 2001), also known (to fans) as Bop Ad or Bob (after his illegible signature), or by his initials "DNA", was a cult British comic radio dramatist, musician and author, most notably of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series (HHGG or H2G2). Hitchhiker's began on radio, and developed into a "trilogy" of five books (which had sold more than fifteen million copies by the time of Adams' death) as well as a television series, a computer game and a feature film that was completed only after Adams's death.

In addition to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams also wrote or co-wrote three stories of science fiction staple Doctor Who, and served the series as Script Editor during the seventeenth season. His other written works include the Dirk Gently novels, co-author credits on two Liff books and Last Chance to See, itself based on a radio series. His fans and friends also knew Adams as an environmental activist, a lover of fast cars, cameras, the Apple Macintosh and other "techno gizmos". He was a keen technologist, using such inventions as e-mail and Usenet before they became widely popular, or even widely known.

Adams was a self-described "radical atheist." Towards the end of his life, he was a sought-after lecturer on topics including technology and the environment. Since his death at the age of 49, he is still widely revered in science fiction and fantasy circles.

Education and early works

Adams first attended Primrose Hill Primary School in Brentwood, Essex. He took the exams and interviewed for Brentwood School at age six, and attended from 1959 to 1970. Adams attended different divisions of the school, including the Prep School and the Middle School. While at the prep school, he had an English class, taught by Frank Halford, where Halford awarded Adams the only ten out of ten of his entire teaching career for a creative writing exercise. Adams remembered this for the rest of his life, especially when facing writer's block. Some of Adams's earliest writing was published at the school, such as a report on the school's Photography Club in The Brentwoodian (in 1962) or spoof reviews in the school magazine Broadsheet (edited by Paul Neil Milne Johnstone). Adams also had a letter and short story published nationally in the UK in the boys' magazine The Eagle in 1965. Adams also met Griff Rhys Jones at the school; the two appeared together in a production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in 1968. He was six feet tall by the time he was 12, and he stopped growing only at 6'5" (1.96 m).

On the strength of a bravura essay on religious poetry that mixed the Beatles with William Blake, he was awarded a place at St John's College, Cambridge to read English, entering in 1971. Adams attempted early on to get into the Footlights Dramatic Club, with which several other names in British Comedy had been affiliated. He was, however, turned down, and started to write and perform in revues with Will Adams (no relation) and Martin Smith, forming a group called "Adams-Smith-Adams." Later, on another attempt to join Footlights, Douglas Adams was encouraged by Simon Jones and Adams found himself working with Rhys Jones, among others. In 1974, Adams received a B.A. (and later, an M.A.) in English literature.

Some of his early work appeared on BBC2 (television) in 1974, in an edited version of the Footlights Revue from Cambridge, that year. A version of the same revue performed live in London's West End led to Adams being "discovered" by Monty Python's Graham Chapman. The two formed a brief writing partnership, and Adams earned a writing credit in one episode (episode 45: "Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Liberal Party") of Monty Python's Flying Circus. In the sketch, a man who had been stabbed by a nurse arrives at his doctor's office bleeding profusely from the stomach, when the doctor makes him fill out numerous senseless forms before he can administer treatment (a joke he later incorporated into the Vogons' obsession with paperwork). Adams also contributed to a sketch on the album for Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Douglas also had two "blink and you miss them" appearances in the fourth series of Monty Python's Flying Circus. At the beginning of Episode 42, "The Light Entertainment War," Adams is in a surgeon's mask (as Dr. Emile Koning, according to the on-screen captions), pulling on gloves, while Michael Palin narrates a sketch that introduces one person after another, and never actually gets started. At the beginning of Episode 44, "Mr Neutron," Adams is dressed in a "pepperpot" outfit and loads a missile onto a cart, driven by Terry Jones, who is calling out for scrap metal ("Any old iron..."). The two episodes were first broadcast in November 1974. Adams and Chapman also attempted a few non-Python projects, including Out of the Trees.

Some of Adams's early radio work included sketches for The Burkiss Way in 1977 and The News Huddlines. He also co-wrote, again with Graham Chapman, the 20 February 1977 episode of Doctor on the Go, a sequel to the Doctor in the House television comedy series.

As Adams had difficulty selling his jokes and stories, he took a series of "odd jobs" in order to have some income. A biography from an early edition of one of the HHGG novels provides the following description of his early career:

After graduation he spent several years contributing material to radio and television shows as well as writing, performing, and sometimes directing stage revues in London, Cambridge and at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has also worked at various times as a hospital porter, barn builder, chicken shed cleaner, bodyguard, radio producer and script editor of Doctor Who.
Adams held the job as a bodyguard in the mid-1970s. He was employed by an Arab family, which had made its fortune in oil (and were from Qatar, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica). He had a couple of favourite anecdotes about the job: one story related that the family once ordered one of everything from the hotel's menu, tried all of the dishes, and sent out for hamburgers. Another story had to do with a prostitute, sent to the floor Adams was guarding one evening. They acknowledged each other as she entered, and an hour later, when she left, she is said to have remarked, "At least you can read while you're on the job."

In 1979, Adams and John Lloyd wrote the script for two half-hour episodes of Doctor Snuggles: "The Remarkable Fidgety River" and "The Great Disappearing Mystery" (episodes seven and twelve). John Lloyd was also co-author of two episodes from the original "Hitchhiker" radio series (Fit the Fifth and Fit the Sixth (a.k.a. Episodes Five and Six, see explanation below)), as well as The Meaning of Liff and The Deeper Meaning of Liff. Lloyd and Adams also collaborated on an SF movie comedy project based on The Guinness Book of World Records, which would have starred John Cleese as the UN Secretary General, and had a race of aliens beating humans in athletic competitions, but the humans winning in all of the "absurd" record categories. This latter project never proceeded past a treatment.

After the first radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide became successful, Adams was made a BBC radio producer, working on Week Ending and a pantomime called Black Cinderella Two Goes East. He left the position after six months to become the script editor for Doctor Who.

When did Douglas Adams die?

Tragically, Douglas Adams passed away on May 11, 2001, at the age of 49. Despite his relatively short life, his contributions to literature and comedy continue to resonate, and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" remains a cultural touchstone celebrated for its wit, imagination, and enduring popularity. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy

Published in 1979, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy introduces readers to the hapless Arthur Dent, a quintessentially British everyman who finds himself thrust into an interstellar adventure of cosmic proportions. As the Earth faces demolition to make way for an intergalactic bypass, Arthur embarks on a journey through space with his extraterrestrial friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the eponymous "Hitchhiker's Guide" and a perpetually bemused alien. Adams's narrative unfurls like a supernova, bursting with absurdity, satire, and existential musings. With a deft touch, he skewers the foibles of human society while probing the mysteries of the universe. From the bureaucratic absurdity of the Vogon Constructor Fleet to the existential crises of sentient mattresses, Adams's universe is as bizarre as it is brilliant.

Yet amidst the cosmic chaos, Adams weaves a thread of philosophical inquiry, exploring profound questions about the nature of existence, the search for meaning, and the absurdity of life itself. Through the enigmatic figure of the Guide, a repository of wisdom and whimsy, Adams invites readers to ponder the mysteries of the universe with a blend of irreverence and insight. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy quickly achieved cult status, captivating readers with its blend of humor, imagination, and philosophical depth. Adams's unique voice and narrative flair earned him a devoted following, propelling the book to international acclaim and inspiring adaptations across various media, including radio, television, film, and stage.

Beyond its entertainment value, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy endures as a timeless exploration of the human condition in all its absurdity and wonder. Adams's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of fans who continue to embrace the book's message: in a vast and incomprehensible universe, it's okay to be a little lost, as long as you keep your towel handy and your sense of humor intact. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy remains Adams' magnum opus—a cosmic journey unlike any other, where the ultimate answer may just be found in the question itself.

The Restaurant at The end of the Universe

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe stands as the second installment in the iconic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, a literary phenomenon that has captured the imaginations of readers around the world. Born out of Adams' boundless creativity and irreverent wit, this cosmic adventure takes readers on a journey through space, time, and the absurdities of the human condition. Published in 1980, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe picks up where its predecessor left off, following the misadventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and their eclectic companions. Fleeing the destruction of Earth, the motley crew embarks on a series of escapades that lead them to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and beyond.

At the heart of their odyssey lies the eponymous restaurant—a dining establishment located at the literal end of time. Here, amidst the swirling chaos of the universe's final moments, our intrepid travelers indulge in gastronomic delights while pondering the mysteries of existence. With its blend of absurd humor and philosophical inquiry, the restaurant serves as a metaphor for the human quest for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Yet, amidst the cosmic chaos, Adams weaves a thread of humanity, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the search for belonging. Through the eyes of his colorful characters, he reflects on the quirks and foibles of human nature while celebrating the resilience and absurdity of the human spirit.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is more than just a sci-fi romp through space—it is a profound meditation on life, death, and everything in between. With its razor-sharp satire and poignant insights, Adams invites readers to laugh at the universe's absurdities even as they grapple with its existential mysteries. Since its publication, it has captivated generations of readers with its wit, imagination, and irrepressible charm. Douglas Adams' legacy endures in the hearts and minds of fans who continue to be enchanted by his unique vision of the cosmos—a vision that reminds us that, in the vast expanse of the universe, there's always room for a good meal and a hearty laugh.

Life, the Universe and Everything

Life, the Universe and Everything stands as the third book in Douglas Adams' acclaimed Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, a literary journey that transcends the bounds of space and time. Born out of the irrepressible imagination of Adams, this cosmic odyssey takes readers on a rollicking adventure through the far reaches of the galaxy and the depths of existential inquiry. Published in 1982, Life, the Universe and Everything picks up where its predecessors left off, following the bewildered Earthling Arthur Dent and his eclectic companions as they navigate the peculiarities of the universe. From the enigmatic H2G2—a peculiar handbook offering both sage advice and nonsensical trivia—to the eccentricities of the planet Krikkit, Adams weaves a tapestry of absurdity and wit that delights and confounds in equal measure. Yet beneath the surface humor lies a deeper exploration of the human condition and the mysteries of existence. Through the lens of science fiction, Adams tackles weighty philosophical questions about the nature of reality, the meaning of life, and humanity's place in the cosmos. With a blend of satire, wit, and existential musing, he challenges readers to confront the absurdity of their own existence while reveling in the sheer joy of the journey.

Life, the Universe and Everything is more than just a comedic romp through space—it is a profound meditation on the absurdities and contradictions of the human experience. Through the misadventures of Arthur Dent and his companions, Adams invites readers to laugh at the universe's absurdities even as they grapple with its profound mysteries. Since its publication, Life, the Universe and Everything has captivated audiences around the world with its wit, imagination, and philosophical depth. Douglas Adams' legacy endures in the hearts and minds of readers who continue to be enchanted by his unique vision of the cosmos—a vision that reminds us that, in the vast expanse of the universe, it's okay to be a little lost, as long as we're laughing along the way.

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish is the fourth installment in Douglas Adams' uproariously funny Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Set against the backdrop of a perplexing universe where the absurd is the norm, this whimsical tale follows the adventures of Arthur Dent as he returns to Earth after a bizarre intergalactic odyssey. Filled with witty dialogue, imaginative scenarios, and existential ponderings, this book is a delightful continuation of Adams' cosmic saga that will leave readers both chuckling and contemplating the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

Mostly Harmless

Mostly Harmless concludes Douglas Adams' iconic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series with a cosmic bang. As Arthur Dent continues his quest for meaning across the universe, hilarity ensues amidst a backdrop of intergalactic chaos, existential musings, and, of course, the ever-present Guide. With its signature blend of wit, satire, and philosophical ponderings, this fifth installment delivers a fittingly absurd and satisfying conclusion to one of the most beloved series in science fiction.

Douglas Adams quotes

"The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything is 42."

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be."

"The President in particular is very much a figurehead — he wields no real power whatsoever. He is apparently chosen by the government, but the qualities he is required to display are not those of leadership but those of finely judged outrage."

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by."

"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job."

"The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them."

"The impossible often has a kind of integrity to it which the merely improbable lacks."

"The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."

"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."

Additional information and source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Adams