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Title: Making of Star Trek by Stephen E. Whitfield ISBN: 0-345-34019-1 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 August, 1986 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.83 (6 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Blood, Sweat, And Tears In Space
Comment: Throughout Star Trek's three decades plus history, there have been plenty of making of books, to choose from. What sets The Making of Star Trek apart from all of those others (especially the books written about the original series), is the fact that it was first published, while the show was still in production.
Since 1968, the book has been a mainstay, and even after dozens of printings, it still holds up. Stephen E. Whitfield's book is for anyone who wants to get into the television industry and/or considers themself a classic series fan. There is a treasure trove of infomation--from inception, every memo between creator Roddenberry and the studio is there and then some. The book is divided into 5 sections taking us through the first two years. There are dozens of black and white photos and sketches throughout the 414 pages. It's great to have a seemingly fresh perspective on things. Highly recommended
Rating: 5
Summary: A Trekker's joy
Comment: I read this in the Seventies and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I've bought it again and enjoyed it all over again. Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at TOS. You have to read this book to understand what a groundbreaking series Star Trek was. You also learn how grueling a TV series is to work on. This book is fascinating, and sometimes hilarious!
Rating: 5
Summary: A real look behind the scenes
Comment: This is a classic. It is the first book of its kind, and probably the first book about Star Trek at all. But The Making of Star Trek is much more than any of the later books with similar names. This book doesn't idealize or simplify the making of the series. It doesn't enthusiastically praise everything and everyone involved in its production. It is an authentic and meticulous report on how TOS in particular and a TV series in general comes to life. It shows that it is a process of try and error, that aspects have to be taken into account the viewers wouldn't think of, and that the responsible persons don't always know exactly what they want ("I need some device that does something...").
The story how Stephen E. Whitfield (aka Stephen E. Poe) asked Gene Roddenberry if he could write a book about the series sounds like a fairy tale, but is true. The Great Bird was very forthcoming, and Whitfield was granted access to everything behind the scenes of the still running show, seemingly without any restriction. The book shows production schedules, budgets, private notes, script drafts, production sketches, all things that are usually kept secret or simplified for a larger public. I don't think that something like this would be still possible today. Compared to The Making of Star Trek, Whitfield's last book (he passed away in 2000) on Voyager seems rather superficial.
The Making of Star Trek may be over 30 years old, but it is of more than only historical value. It demonstrates that TV is a business that sometimes doesn't allow technical or artistic perfection. It also shows how many things we may take for granted and that are essential parts of the Star Trek Universe today have taken a rather surprising course change. Who would like Vulcans with names like "Spook, Spork, Splak, ..." as frequently suggested in the early days, or who would think that one race was originally described with the words, "Honor is a despicable trait.", namely the Klingons?
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Title: Inside Star Trek: The Real Story by Herbert F. Solow, Robert H. Justman ISBN: 0671896288 Publisher: Pocket Star Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: The World of Star Trek by David Gerrold ISBN: 0312944632 Publisher: Bluejay Pub. Date: June, 1984 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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