The Autobiography of James T. Kirk

by David A. Goodman, Russell Walks (Illustrator)

Overview

The Autobiography of James T. Kirk chronicles the greatest Starfleet captain's life (2233–2371), in his own words. From his birth on the U.S.S. Kelvin, his youth spent on Tarsus IV, his time in the Starfleet Academy, his meteoric raise through the ranks of Starfleet, and his illustrious career at the helm of the Enterprise, this in-world memoir uncovers Captain Kirk in a way Star Trek fans have never seen. Kirk's singular voice rings throughout the text, giving insight into his convictions, his bravery, and his commitment to the life—in all forms—throughout this Galaxy and beyond. Excerpts from his personal correspondence, captain's logs, and more give Kirk's personal narrative further depth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783297474
Publisher:	Titan
Publication date:	09/08/2015
Series:	Star Trek Autobiographies Series
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

David A. Goodman has spent the last 26 years writing for television. His credits include The Golden Girls, Star Trek: Enterprise, Futurama (where he wrote the Nebula Award nominated Star Trek homage “Where No Fan Has Gone Before”), and Family Guy where he was head writer for six years. He is the author of Star Trek Federation: The First 150 Years. He lives in Pacific Palisades, CA with his family.

Editorial Reviews

A fascinating look at the exploits of one of pop culture’s greatest and most wonderfully flawed heroes” - Pop Culture Vulture

"Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the Trek fan in your life? This might just be it...A fantastic book." - Nerdophiles

“Another great touch was the addition of "editor's notes" throughout the narrative that lent a feeling of verisimilitude to the pages of the book. Little things that Kirk gets wrong in the book that are "corrected" by the editor make this feel like a real autobiography. Also, a full color insert of pictures in the middle of the book from Kirk's life, including his Academy graduation photo and travel documents to Tarsus IV, lend even more credibility.” - Trekcore

"The Autobiography of James T. Kirk" is a wonderful addition to the stories of the fabled captain who sat in that center seat aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for longer than any other leader in Starfleet history." - The News Hub

"An accomplished, stirring tribute to a beloved sci-fi series that will captivate fans and newcomers alike." - Kirkus - Starred Review

"A cause to celebrate for any fan." - City of Films

"For readers like me, who loved that show and remember it with extreme fondness, it is an absolute treat of a book. I read it in one sitting, mostly with a smile on my face. And occasionally with a pang in my heart." - Reading Reality 

"The Autobiography of James T. Kirk serves as the perfect accompaniment for any fan looking to revisit the series with a refreshing new perspective on the well-known and beloved character." - Hypable

“If you are a Star Trek fan, you will enjoy this book. In fact, the bigger a fan you are, the more you will appreciate it.” - Popmatters

From the Publisher

★ 2015-08-17
A faux memoir of Star Trek's iconic Capt. James T. Kirk that draws on nearly half a century of the franchise's history. Star Trek, in all its various forms, has become an indelible part of the American science-fiction landscape. And while its fans may continue to debate which fictional captain was best at his or her job, its first, James Tiberius Kirk, is certainly the best known. This book, an autobiography presented in an in-universe style, covers everything from Kirk's childhood to his disappearance from the Enterprise (as seen in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations). There are plenty of nods and winks to the fandom—Goodman, the book's "editor," also wrote for Star Trek: Enterprise and penned a Star Trek-themed, Nebula Award-nominated episode of Futurama—but the references never get in the way of the storytelling. If anything, the book is refreshingly accessible; readers won't need any knowledge of Star Trek in order to enjoy the overall tale. In fact, this book could just as easily serve as a primer to the entire franchise. Its strength lies in how it takes elements from disparate moments over the Star Trek canon and weaves them together in unexpectedly thoughtful and emotionally moving ways. For example, Kirk's relationship (or lack thereof) with David, the son he had with old flame Dr. Carol Marcus, is a running thread throughout the book; Kirk himself is painted as a child of absent parents who didn't want to repeat that mistake with his own son but who realized too late that he'd done just that. However, in a surprisingly touching afterword "written" by Spock, the Vulcan points out that Kirk's regrets over not having a family were unfounded: "His children are the crew members who revered him and carry his legacy now to the limits of known space. His family lives on." An accomplished, stirring tribute to a beloved sci-fi series that will captivate fans and newcomers alike.

Kirkus Reviews