These two volumes present “The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek” in an entertaining fashion. Each episode, each movie, and all the trivia you could imagine–it’s all here. I’ve only read the first volume, but plenty of memories fired up as I encountered the decisions made at the beginning of Star Trek to focus on stories based on science fiction short stories. If you’re a Star Trek fan, these books are as good as it gets. Do you have a favorite Star Trek episode or movie? GRADE: A
George, this reminds me of the “Novelisations” of the original Star Trek episodes by James Blish – some of them I read before watching them on tv. And I was astonished to see that some of the episodes had been written by famous SF authors.
My favourite Star Trek material is the really funny film “The Voyage Home” – and it seems I’m not the only one!
Especially the scenes from San Francisco were fun to watch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_IV:_The_Voyage_Home
Wolf, these two books focus on the oral history of STAR TREK organized by the episodes and movies. Plenty of great inside info here! I remember when James Blish was doing novelizations decades ago.
I have the two volume collection of Star Trek, by James Blish, which has all the stories which comprised the first season (or two? It’s been a while since I read them). I like his version of the episodes better than the TV ones.
Rick, those early Blish stories based on the STAR TREK episodes are classics!
I don’t think The Voyage Home was intended to be funny.
Really?
Imho it was a kind of self parody – and wiki agrees with me!
One of the most surprising things was the low regard with which Roddenberry was held as a writer. Numerous complaints of his ruining scripts in rewrites. The reason he was more fondly regarded as a creator/producer rather than writer. He was eventually “kicked upstairs” on both the movies and Next Generation.
Bill, I learned that Gene Roddenberry wrote scripts for HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL from reading THE FIFTY YEAR MISSION: THE FIRST 25 YEARS.
While he didn’t create HGWT, Roddenberry wrote the bulk of its scripts during its six years – probably the only writer Richard Boone didn’t fire. His scripts were liberal, filled with diversity. An idealized look at the past in much the same way as Trek would envision the future. The book even makes the point that Paladin embodied the best aspects of Kirk/Spock/McCoy.
Bill, I always considered Roddenberry an optimistic visionary.
Although I have watched a lot of these episodes, I don’t think I am enough of a fan to read this. TNG is my favorite series.
Patti, these two books are being marketed to hardcore STAR TREK fans. Someday I’d like to watch all of DEEP SPACE NINE which I only saw sporadically over the years.
The blog won’t let me comment.
Now they did. WTF? Maybe they didn’t like what I wrote? (Maybe they’re a fan of VOYAGER?)
Just checked again. It was definitely something in the comment that someone found offensive.
I said I like THE NEXT GENERATION best, and THE VOYAGE HOME of the movies.
Jeff, it wasn’t me! WORDPRESS has a mind of its own. Sorry for the hassle!
won’t let me comment… just says it “can’t find what I’m looking for”.
I liked the original series okay,
I thought Stewart was the quintessential captain, the writing was better and the production values superior. I watched and liked (as in they were okay) some, maybe a third, of the DS9 episodes, and disliked Voyager enough that after only 2 or 3 episodes I stopped watching.
The books do look interesting. I wonder if the library will get them? – – goes and checks – – not so far.
Rick, just ask the librarians to order THE FIFTY-YEAR MISSION and they will.
Rick, like Jeff I was a fan of VOYAGER, too.
Rick, WORDPRESS is being difficult today. Sorry for the hassle.
So as far as I can figure out, the name of the pointy eared guy is what your WordPress filter doesn’t like.
I thought it was either Kate Mul grew or Orange is the New Black that they didn’t like.
Apparently not.
My library seems to have the books, plus audio book and ebook versions. But I already have two downloaded library ebooks so I’ll wait.
Jeff, THE FIFTY-YEAR MISSION is fun to browse!
Rick, WORDPRESS probably thinks it’s a virus.
I only watched the original series and I liked it. I don’t remember a favorite, though tribbles stuck with me as one I always remembered as funny.
I’ve watched all the movies, except maybe the last one, and enjoyed them.
That said, the book is probably not for me due to time constraints.
Maggie, I’m a fan of “The City on the Edge of Forever.”
Was that the one with Joan Collins? that was a good one as well
Maggie, yes that was the episode with Joan Colins. “The City at the Edge of Forever” was written by Harlan Ellison.
I liked the original incarnation! There were a lot of memorable shows but the one that sticks with me most is the one about the recreational planet!
Bob, that’s a favorite episode of mine, too!