It's another week with two new Trek book releases, both of them non-fiction hardcovers.
Star Trek:
Discovering the TV Series:
The Original Series, The Animated Series and The Next Generation
by Tom Salinsky
An interesting new Star Trek hardcover is out today, written by a man who wanted to get to know Star Trek better. What higher pursuit can there be than that? His goal was to watch through all of Star Trek from TOS to Enterprise, one episode per day, learning all about this landmark franchise as he went.
Check out the back cover blurb below, along with links to purchase the hardcover and e-book editions from Amazon!
Publisher's description:
In 2022, a devoted science fiction enthusiast embarked on a two-year journey to watch every piece of Star Trek media, offering insights into the series' evolution, trivia, and cultural impact, essential for fans and TV history buffs alike.
How well do you know Star Trek?
Lifelong science fiction fan, podcaster and author Tom Salinsky decided that the answer was “not well enough”, and so at the beginning of 2022, he embarked on a two-year mission to watch everything from the start of The Original Series to the end of Enterprise, at the rate of one episode per day. This book is the first part of that odyssey, covering the 79 television episodes which started it all, the animated series which briefly brought it back in the 1970s, the first six original movies and the full run of The Next Generation.
As well as having fun saluting the show’s triumphs, cringing at its lapses in taste, and admiring its willingness to swing for the fences, there’s lots of fascinating behind-the-scenes information here. Why were salt-cellars unchanged in the 23rd century? Was Gene Roddenberry really not allowed to show a woman’s belly button? How many characters get killed during the run of The Animated Series? Who actually wrote the script for Wrath of Khan? How did Paramount get Next Generation on the air when no network would touch it?
But you’ll also get the benefit of a complete overview of this landmark series, watching it unfold and familiar elements appear – often much later than you think. When’s the first mention of the Federation? Of Kirk’s time being the 23rd century? Of there being no money in the future? And some elements appear rather earlier than you might think – which episode is the first to feature a Holodeck?
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual viewer, or just someone interested in the history of television, you’ll adore coming on this daily journey though the highs and lows of one of the most significant and much-loved media properties in the world.
Purchase Star Trek: Discovering the TV Series: The Original Series, The Animated Series and The Next Generation by Tom Salinsky:
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca
Also out today is a new collection of interviews and articles from the official Star Trek magazine by Titan Publishing:
Star Trek:
The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast
by Titan Publishing
This hardcover book chronicles Star Trek's early history, showcasing the cast of the original Star Trek television series from their beginnings in the 1960s all the way to the end of their journey in 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
The publisher's description can be found below, along with links to purchase the hardcover from Amazon.
Publisher's description:
The story of Star Trek as told by the people who know it best: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and the cast and crew!
This lavishly illustrated oral history of the Star Trek phenomenon covers the exploits of the original crew across three seasons of live action television, two seasons of animated adventures, and the six movies.
Featuring interview material with all seven regular cast members -- William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Nichelle Nichols – this volume also includes contributions from guest stars, writers, and directors.
Highlights include:
- Gene Roddenberry talking about Star Trek’s difficult start and why Star Trek had to “entertain or go off the air.”
- Story editor D. C. Fontana on shaping some of the best-loved episodes and her part in establishing the enduring character of Mr. Spock.
- Why William Shatner wanted Star Trek to “have more humor and be more fun.”
- Leonard Nimoy discussing how Spock emerged from being a co-star to a breakout iconic character.
- DeForest Kelley on how the fractious relationship between Doctor McCoy and Mr. Spock was developed.
- Nichelle Nichols on the overwhelming reaction to Uhura around the world.
- Guest star William Campbell on his role in “The Squire of Gothos” and the dangers of the Star Trek set!
- The unusual circumstances that led to a first time writer scripting the award-winning episode, “The Tholian Web”.
- George Takei on how Leonard Nimoy stood up for his crewmates during the making of Star Trek: The Animated Series and why Sulu is a pioneering character.
- Majel Barrett Roddenberry on the secret ingredient that has made Star Trek endure.
- William Shatner on the struggle to make Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Purchase Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast:
Next Release: Star Trek: Holo-ween
