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To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu
by
George Takei
Best known as Mr. Sulu, helmsman of the "Starship Enterprise"TM and Captain of the "Starship Excelsior, " George Takei is beloved by millions as part of the command team that has taken audiences to new vistas of adventure in "Star Trek"®--the unprecedented television and feature film phenomenon.
From the program's birth in the changing worl
...morePaperback, 416 pages
Published
December 1st 1995
by Star Trek
(first published 1994)
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I thought about starting this review off with the sentence, “This book is the perfect reason I don’t go into bookstores any more”, but that might tease you into thinking I’m about to describe a terrible read.
Nothing could possibly be further from the truth!
I was walking around a local big box bookstore one evening with a friend and, knowing my propensity to buy books just for the thrill when I know I’ve got bookshelves filled with unread books, I gave in and bought the autobi...more
Nothing could possibly be further from the truth!
I was walking around a local big box bookstore one evening with a friend and, knowing my propensity to buy books just for the thrill when I know I’ve got bookshelves filled with unread books, I gave in and bought the autobi...more
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I actually listened to the newly released audio book version read by Takei himself. An excellent insight into the man and some behind-the-scenes history of Star Trek.
The first few chapters are emotionally powerful, when he talks about his youth and time spent inside US internment camps with his family, but it does get lighter later on. Lots on his early acting career and even his brief dabbling with politics.
The first few chapters are emotionally powerful, when he talks about his youth and time spent inside US internment camps with his family, but it does get lighter later on. Lots on his early acting career and even his brief dabbling with politics.
george takei is fan-freaking-tastic.
really enjoyable autobiography - well written and concise. definitely not gritty or juicy - george is far too circumspect for that. it was fascinating to read about his early family life in the internment camps, about how his father dealt with his desire to go into the arts, and what he felt his role was in furthering asian americans in theater and film.
i'd also never realized that he was so much into politics - he loved the democra...more
really enjoyable autobiography - well written and concise. definitely not gritty or juicy - george is far too circumspect for that. it was fascinating to read about his early family life in the internment camps, about how his father dealt with his desire to go into the arts, and what he felt his role was in furthering asian americans in theater and film.
i'd also never realized that he was so much into politics - he loved the democra...more
I loved this heartfelt memoir of a Japanese American who became one of TV's most recognizable (and important) characters. George Takei went from LA to an internment camp and back again, from dubbing voices in movies to starring in them. As he recounts these tales his wonder and humility (and winning personality) are ever present.
My one quibble is that Mr. T doesn't go into his sexuality at all - no small detail for a man so well known for his LGBT advocacy. Then again, the book was ...more
My one quibble is that Mr. T doesn't go into his sexuality at all - no small detail for a man so well known for his LGBT advocacy. Then again, the book was ...more
A fascinating biography by George Takei. The biography actually has only a little to do with his stint as Sulu on Star Trek.
What fascinated me was his description of growing up in the internment camps in the US during WWII. I knew the US interned Americans of Japanese decent during the war (our neighbors when I was growing up are Japanese and were interned during the war), but I did not stop to think about what it was like until I read this book. Strangely enough I read this book du...more
What fascinated me was his description of growing up in the internment camps in the US during WWII. I knew the US interned Americans of Japanese decent during the war (our neighbors when I was growing up are Japanese and were interned during the war), but I did not stop to think about what it was like until I read this book. Strangely enough I read this book du...more
One night in Sept 1966, I sat down in front of the old black-and-white TV in my bedroom to watch a new TV show called Star Trek. From the very first episode all the way until today, I am still proud to be a big fan of the whole Star Trek world!
It should be no surprise that when I discovered "To The Stars" by George Takei (Mr Sulu to you), I downloaded it from audible.com and listened. A relatively short book (about 3+ hours of audio) it covered the life story of our favorit...more
It should be no surprise that when I discovered "To The Stars" by George Takei (Mr Sulu to you), I downloaded it from audible.com and listened. A relatively short book (about 3+ hours of audio) it covered the life story of our favorit...more
This was an interesting read. George Takei writes about his time in a Japanese internment camp, his struggle to become a successful minority actor, the drama of working on Star Trek, and his involvement in the creation of the subway system in Los Angeles. Again, not being a professional writer has led to many flowery details that are not as interesting to others as George may has thought. Overall, more an account of an admirable Japanese American and all of his contributions to society than a...more
Simply delightful. George Takei is a lovely, thoughtful man, with a delightfully personable writing style. Throughout his rich life -- he begins by describing his experiences as a small boy in the Japanese American internment camps -- he maintains a clear sense of joy, a belief in the potential of humanity, and a wonderful sense of humor. As a Trekkie, I also love seeing the same stories from yet another perspective. His perspectives on the show, and on his fellow actors, are fascinating win...more
As a veteran of the American internment camps during WWII and an aspiring actor during a time when the parts for Asian leads in movies were still going to the likes of Sir Alec Guinness, George Takei's perspective on race relations in the US is fascinating. This would be a worthwhile story from any author, but it carries special interest coming from someone who portrayed such a famous, groundbreaking character.
Plus, there are awesome behind the scenes Star Trek stories.
Plus, there are awesome behind the scenes Star Trek stories.
It was fascinating. Seriously. I loved the theme, returned to throughout the book, about American ideals. How they're worth fighting for, in spite of our country's past and imperfections, and how individuals can make a difference. I was grateful to see into a time, circumstances, areas and cultures I wouldn't have otherwise. He met Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr.! I related to his "thespian yearnings". And I love that he studied architecture and admired the work of Frank ...more
I really enjoyed this book. As a Trek fan, I've made it my personal business to read all the books about the history of Trek that I possibly can, and I'd say so far, this one has been my favorite. Mr. Takei speaks very eloquently about his time in Japanese internment camps, his parent's sacrifices to him and his siblings and to their country. He writes with a heartbreaking sense of openness about some things that I'm sure a lot of people in America would like to forget, but he doesn't do it with...more
The first half of this autobiography, which describes Takei's family life in the shadow of Japanese internment, is stunning. Although his prose is imperfect (and prone to weird grandioseness, which seems fitting only if you imagine it read in the voice of . . . George Takei!), there's a real solid emotional resonance here. His affection for his family is the glue that holds the narrative together.
But the second half of the book flounders, except when Takei discusses some of the relat...more
But the second half of the book flounders, except when Takei discusses some of the relat...more
It's not bad. Many aren't aware that George Takei spent a good part of his childhood behind barbed wire in a concentration camp for Japanese Americans during WWII. An early gig was a dubbing artist for a "Rodan" movie. Humorous, witty, but nothing profound. Ran for City Council in L.A. and has many anecdotes behind the scenes of Star Trek. Does not portray a good picture of Shatner. Enjoyable light reading.
This was a surprisingly good read of the life of a very interesting actor. Grew up in the WW2 internment camps, had an interesting and successful career even beyond Star Trek. Written in 1994, before he came out as gay, there is no mention of any aspect of his personal life, relationships, etc.
I read most of this one in the bookstore. It's by far the best of the Star Trek cast's biographies, many of which I have read or skimmed in the store. Seriously, Takei actually talks about his family's experience with the Japanese interment camps.
A solid autobiography and memoir of growing up in an American internment camp. The fact that the author was so circumspect about his love life gave me my first clue that there would never be a Mrs. George Takei.
Adding to the fun of the experience: I actually heard this one on a books-on-tape recording, read by Takei himself with that insane baritone of his. Great stuff.
George Takei is more than Sulu, that is for sure. He went through so much as a young child, being in a Japanese-American Interment Camp with his parents and siblings...yet he never lost his positive attitude toward things, and neither did his parents for the most part. Of course this book has a lot of things about Star Trek, and of Mr. Takei's interests in politics as well, however that is not what drew me to this book, nor kept me reading it(because I have probably only seen one or two episod...more
This touching memoir will delight Trekkers and non-Trek fans alike.
Takei's especially fascinating in recounting his childhood as an interred Japanese American in World War II.
Takei's especially fascinating in recounting his childhood as an interred Japanese American in World War II.
To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu by George Takei (1994)
Katy
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Obligatory biography with some interesting information.
best book i ever read.
Of all the casts' memoirs, Takei's autobiography is the most poignant. He spent several years with his family (his father a former doctor in San Francisco) in an American "internment camp" during WWII and their family lost everything.
I appreciated his honesty and ability to delve into such painful memories to bring to life that atrocity, but more importantly his conquest over racial prejudices that marred that period of history
I appreciated his honesty and ability to delve into such painful memories to bring to life that atrocity, but more importantly his conquest over racial prejudices that marred that period of history
Ha. I read this before meeting George Takei at a Trek convention, so I think that proves how super-cool I am. It was actually pretty good. Takei's life was much more interesting than I realized. Give it a shot.
This is one of those great autobiographies in which you realize that the thing a person is most famous for is not the most interesting thing about him.
Kelly
marked it as to-read
Was really enjoying this and got distracted. I'll finish soon.
Alyssa Gutierrez
added it
Krista
marked it as to-read
Hilary
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George Hosato Takei is an American actor best known for his role in the TV series Star Trek, in which he played the helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the USS Enterprise, as well as his dreamy voice and upbeat country singing. Most recently, he played Hiro Nakamura's father Kaito Nakamura on the NBC television show Heroes.
Takei is also known for his baritone voice and catch phrase, "Oh my!"...more
More about George Takei...
Takei is also known for his baritone voice and catch phrase, "Oh my!"...more
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