Star Trek Memories by William Shatner, Chris Kreski
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Book Reviews of Star Trek Memories
Book Review: The Welcome Reprint of Shatner's ST Experiences...
Summary: 5 Stars
With the amazing longevity of William Shatner as a media celebrity, and the release of the reimagined "Star Trek" in theaters and on DVD, it's a pleasure to see Shatner's own insights of his best-known television series back in print. "Star Trek Memories" may be the chattiest, most entertaining of all the "Trek" books, with Shatner's wit, understanding, and, occasionally, his ego, wonderfully unrestrained!
To the movers who made "Trek" happen, he is remarkably fair and supportive, particularly to those who have passed away. While Gene Roddenberry is de-mythicized (his errors and often bizarre quirkiness are not glossed over), the vision and legendary audacity that created a unique series is not shortchanged, either...and the vital importance of Gene L. Coon, Robert H. Justman and Matt Jeffries in making a nearly impossible concept 'work' on a weekly basis is gratefully given the attention it deserves.
Shatner is magnanimous in sharing the performance credit with his castmates (particularly Leonard Nimoy and Dee Kelley), but admits it could be a battle getting screen time and scripts that played to the actors' individual strengths. He acknowledges that he could 'walk over' others in this, but I suspect it was more of an issue than he presents it, on the basis of the ill will James Doohan, George Takei, and others, had, and in some cases, still have towards him (and in his revelation of Nichelle Nichols' affair with Roddenberry before her own book was released, he effectively broadsided the actress, which reveals a lot about his being occasionally self-serving). Still, you end up feeling that Shatner, by and large, is a pretty terrific, likable person, and deserves the credit he's received for the show's extraordinary longevity. He never 'signed on' expecting the series to become the touchstone of his 50-year career as an actor, but has come to accept it with humor and grace.
This is certainly a 'must have' book for "Trek" fans!
Book Review: Treasure Trove of Nostalgia, Laughter and Trek Anecdotes
Summary: 4 Stars
William Shatner writes with passion, humility (most of the time) and humor. He offers up lots of anecdotes and bits of information large and small--all interesting--on the show and its players. And includes extensive excerpts from interviews by many personalities, like Nimoy, Justman, Freiberger, Jefferies, Fontana, Kelley, Koenig, Nichols, Takei, Barrett and Whitney. (Too bad the late Jimmy Doohan wanted nothing to do with Shatner's book.) All make for interesting stories (that I had never heard before) and gems of information that any Trekkie will eat up.
One shortcoming of the book is that the black and white photos sprinkled throughout are typically too small and of low quality on newsprint. They should have been gathered together on better quality, glossy paper.
And I wish there was more about De Kelley.
Still, a thoroughly enjoyable book for any fan of the original show.
Book Review: Star Trek fan
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed the book. Lots of inside info about how the episodes were made. The history was very interesting and suprising! Shatner is extremely open and honest and funny. I love Star Trek and now when I watch the episodes I can remember what the actors said about the episodes and stuff that went on during production. I can't believe how short sighted the network was. Thank god we have 3 seasons of it.Book Review: worth taking a look at for the interesting and quirky side of the captain
Summary: 4 Stars
good info on the way it looked from the man in command. lots of quotes from the cast and crew. some stories similar to ones in the Nimoy/Spock biographies. very light hearted and a fun read.Book Review: surprisingly modest, fun inside trivia
Summary: 3 Stars
If you are the kind of ST fan that I am - growing up on it, surviving for many years on re-runs alone, then delighted when the show re-booted with the first film - you will enjoy this book. Shatner, who will forever be my favorite scifi character on TV, gives his point of view on the making of the show. While he can be quite critical and revealing, such as Roddenberry's omnivorous sexual appetite, throughout he strives to sound nice and even to reconcile with fellow cast members who cannot stand him. Indeed, he admits that "actors are children" and jokes about himself as well. Of course, we know he isn't all that nice a guy, but he tries.
When I was young, I wanted to be Captain Kirk, as silly as that sounds. Here you get a wonderful behind-the-scenes peek, not too deep but interesting enough. It is strictly perishable stuff, with a lot of fun tidbits, the kind of thing you might pick up while procrastinating or over a glass of wine for a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon. It is fun for die hard fans. Recommended.