Want a NOOK? Explore Now
This book is not endorsed, sponsored, or affiliated with CBS Studios Inc., Paramount Pictures, or the "Star Trek" franchise.
(FAQ). Star Trek FAQ tells the complete story of Star Trek , from the before the beginning (the books, films, and TV shows that inspired producer Gene Roddenberry to create Star Trek ) until after the end (when the show emerged as a cultural phenomenon in syndication), and including dramatic behind-the-scenes stories (e.g., Leonard Nimoy's struggle with alcoholism and actress Grace Lee Whitney's controversial firing) often omitted from "authorized" histories of the program. Along with in-depth looks at the pre- and post- Trek careers of the show's iconic leads, Star Trek FAQ includes profiles of guest stars and "redshirt" extras alike, as well as the many writers, technicians, and artisans whose efforts enabled Star Trek to take flight. The book also explores the show's unprecedented resurgence in the 1970s with chapters devoted to early Star Trek fiction, merchandising, and the short-lived animated series. Combining a wealth of fascinating information about every facet of the show's production with original analysis of Star Trek 's enduring appeal and cultural influence, Star Trek FAQ goes where no Star Trek book has gone before.
Foreword David Gerrold ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: Tomorrow Is Yesterday|xv
All Our Yesterdays: The Prehistory of Star Trek
1 Great Bird of the Galaxy: The Pre-Trek Adventures of Gene Roddenberry 3
2 Space Seeds: Credited and Uncredited Influences on the Creation of Star Trek 10
3 The High Command: Executives Who Played Pivotal Roles in the Star Trek Story 23
4 Caged: Revealing Differences Between Star Trek and Its Unaired Pilot 29
5 Spock's Brain: Notable Pre-Trek Appearances by Leonard Nimoy 35
6 The Man Who Would Be Captain: Memorable Pre-Trek Roles for William Shatner 42
7 Spectre of the Gun: Memorable Pre-Trek Roles for DeForest Kelley 52
8 Report to the Bridge: The Pre-Trek Careers of Majel Barrett, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney, and Walter Koenig 61
Enterprise Incidents: Behind the Scenes, 1965-69
9 Alternative Factors: Roads Not Taken to the Second Star Trek Pilot 71
10 Ahead, Warp Factor One: Laying the Foundation 79
11 Engineering Department: The Screenwriters of Star Trek 89
12 Equipment Locker: Sets, Props, Costumes, Makeup, and Special Effects 96
13 Permission to Come Aboard: Unforgettable Guest Stars 104
14 Brief Lives: Untold Tales of Star Trek's "Redshirts" 116
15 Cloaking Device: Little-Recognized Contributors 122
16 Private Little Wars: Rivalries and Feuds 129
17 The Deadly Year: What Went Wrong with Season Three 137
18 Operation-Annihilate!: Shows That Beat Star Trek in the Nielsen Ratings 144
19 Mind Meld: Connections Between Star Trek and Other Classic Sci-Fi Tv Series 152
These Are the Voyages: On the Screen, 1966-69
20 Wolves in the Fold: Monsters and Madmen 163
21 Strange New Worlds: Alternate Earths, Time Travel, and Parallel Dimensions 172
22 New Life and New Civilizations: Vulcans, Klingons, Romulans, and More 179
23 Treknological Marvels: Miracle Gadgets of the Twenty-Third Century 189
24 Then Play On: Memorable Musical Moments 197
25 Blooper Reel: Goofs and Gaffes That Survived the Final Cut 204
26 Captain's Log: Evidence That William Shatner Was Really Quite Good 210
27 The Infinite Vulcan: Leonard Nimoy Discovers Spock 218
28 Errands of Mercy: The Unsung Heroism of DeForest Kelley 227
29 The Finest Crew in the Fleet: The Supporting Cast's Shining Moments 235
30 Data Bank: A Thumbnail Guide to the Original Seventy-Nine Episodes 246
Prime Directives: Social Commentary and Recurring Themes
31 A Most Promising Species: Human Exceptionalism 257
32 Whom Gods Destroy: Close Encounters with the (Practically) Divine 264
33 The Last Battlefield: The Corrosive Power of Hate 271
34 What Are Little Girls Made Of?: The Gender Politics of Star Trek 279
That Which Survives: Star Trek in the 1970s
35 Obsession: Syndication and the Power of Fandom 289
36 Amok Time: Post-Trek Projects by Gene Roddenberry, 1970-77 296
37 Shore Leave: Non-Trek Projects for the Enterprise Crew, 1969-78 305
38 Metamorphosis: The Animated Adventures 313
39 "The Damn Books": Early Star Trek Novels and Comics 321
40 A Piece of the Action: Vintage Star Trek Merchandising 330
41 Five-Year Mission: The Long Voyage Back, 1975-79 337
On the Edge of Forever: The Legacy of Star Trek
42 Personal Log: Spouses, Children, and Private Lives 347
43 "Beam Me Up, Scotty": The Quotable (and Misquotable) Star Trek 355
44 Highly Illogical: Notable and Notorious Star Trek Parodies 365
45 Starfleet Commendations: Awards Won (and Lost), 1966-75 373
46 Keep On Trekkin': Famous and Influential Fans 379
Bibliography 387
Index 393
Overview
This book is not endorsed, sponsored, or affiliated with CBS Studios Inc., Paramount Pictures, or the "Star Trek" franchise.
(FAQ). Star Trek FAQ tells the complete story of Star Trek , from the before the beginning (the books, films, and TV shows that inspired producer Gene Roddenberry to create Star Trek ) until after the end (when the show emerged as a cultural phenomenon in syndication), and including dramatic behind-the-scenes stories (e.g., Leonard Nimoy's struggle with alcoholism and actress Grace Lee ...