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Star Trek Memories
The star of the global cultural phenomenon of Star Trek reveals backstage anecdotes, personal rivalries, and network politics that were hidden behind the camera in this insider's expose+a7. Reprint.
411 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
128 people are currently reading
1728 people want to read
About the author
William Shatner
136 books810 followersWilliam Shatner is the author of nine Star Trek novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ashes of Eden and The Return. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Get a Life! and I'm Working on That. In addition to his role as Captain James T. Kirk, he stars as Denny Crane in the hit television series from David E. Kelley, Boston Legal -- a role for which he has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
July 19, 2023
4.5 stars
William Shatner as Captain Kirk
In this book William Shatner, the original 'Captain Kirk' from Star Trek, talks about the birth of the original TV series, the long struggle it took to get it on the air, and the people involved in making it a success.
Star Trek was created by producer and writer Gene Roddenberry, who was fascinated with space since childhood.
Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek
It took years, though - and a lot of missteps - before a studio picked up the show and a successful pilot was made. Eventually Roddenberry assembled the core cast, including Shatner (Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy), James Doohan (Scotty), ...George Takei (Sulu), William Koenig (Chekov), and Majel Barrett (Nurse Chapel).
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy
James Doohan as Scotty
George Takei as Sulu
William Koenig as Chekov
Majel Barrett as Nurse Chapel
An interesting tidbit: Majel Barrett was Roddenberry's girlfriend and played the first officer (Number One) in the original pilot, which failed. The public wasn't ready for a woman in the role.
Shatner's writing is light and breezy and contains fun interesting anecdotes. One Star Trek episode, for instance, featured alien women with green skin.
It was hard to get the color right on this alien woman with green skin
As a test before shooting an actress was slathered in green makeup and filmed....but the developed footage came back with flesh-toned skin. A more intense shade of green makeup was used, with the same result. In desperation, the makeup folks tried very thick, very dark green goop - to no avail....the skin still looked beige. Eventually a call to the film developers revealed that they were exhausting themselves, working overtime to 'fix' the skin color problem. (ha ha ha)
Another story details how difficult it was to get Spock's pointy ears right.
It took time to get Spock's pointy ears right
The studio, being cost conscious, wanted the ears done on the cheap. So one inexpensive fake ear after another was tried, but they all looked terrible....and Nimoy - not wanting to look ridiculous - was becoming seriously perturbed. In the end, 'expensive' ears had to be ordered behind the backs of the bean counters. Moreover, Spock was originally supposed to be half Martian with red skin!
Spock was originally supposed to have red skin
In any case it took a long time to get Spock's appearance just right (pointed ears, devilish eyebrows, the iconic hairdo), and required a lot of negotiation with network honchos. They thought the public wouldn't accept an alien-looking crew member. (How wrong they were!)
When Star Trek was in danger of being cancelled after the first season Roddenberry recruited a couple of avid fans to organize a 'keep Star Trek on the air' campaign. One enterprising woman sneaked into the VIP parking lot of a Hollywood studio and slapped a 'Star Trek' bumper sticker on every limousine and luxury car.
Star Trek bumper sticker
Johnny Carson probably went home with a Star Trek sticker on his car that night! The fans were convincing and the show was renewed. By season three, however, Star Trek was out of luck. It was stuck in a Friday night time slot (a death knell), the budget was slashed, and the episodes became mundane (or worse). Viewership fell and the show was cancelled. In a way this was a blessing because it led to many spinoff series and Star Trek movies.
Shatner covers every aspect of the original TV series, including the actors, costumes, set design, special effects, stories, scripts, directors, producers, lighting, editing, etc. To get the inside scoop Shatner interviewed many of the people involved with the show and includes their stories verbatim. This adds a lot of personality and interest to the book.
Star Trek costumes
Star Trek set design
Star Trek special effects
Though the Star Trek franchise eventually became a juggernaut, the original series wasn't a big success (at first) - and producing it wasn't all sweetness and light. Shatner reveals that Nimoy had serious disagreements with Roddenberry about many issues, including the sale of Star Trek merchandise (the actors didn't benefit) and the sale of blooper reels (which Nimoy thought were embarrassing).
Star Trek merchandise
Moreover, when Shatner interviewed his co-stars, many revealed hostile feelings toward him. In their opinion Shatner made it his business to inflate his role and cut theirs. In fact James Doohan refused to speak to Shatner and wasn't interviewed for the book.
From Shatner's point of view he doesn't recall doing this.....but he probably did. I remember Shatner - a married man - had a reputation for being conceited and trying to 'romance' (wink wink) all the female guest stars. (He doesn't talk about this in the book. LOL)
I've always liked Star Trek and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. My one caveat: I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Shatner, and he tends to talk too fast sometimes. This is a minor quibble though.
If you're Star Trek fan you'll like this book. Me....I'm inspired to go back and watch all the original Star Trek episodes looking for things that Shatner mentions.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
April 30, 2019
I had forgotten that I read this in the early nineties. He's sometimes controversial and I think he readily admits, rather egotistical and not particularly self-aware at times, but he's always gonna be my favorite Captain and one of my favorite actors - hammy, scenery-chewing, warts and all.
November 27, 2020
This book promises to take Star Trek fans where "no fan has gone before." It is quite entertaining,going behind the scenes of the classic TV series and relying heavily on the recollections of most of those involved in the creation of the original series.
The show's creator Gene Rodenberry was dead by then,most of the others tell their stories.Star Trek's birth was not easy,nor was it smooth sailing during its three year run.It got nearly cancelled after the second season,only to be saved by the efforts of its fans.
But at the end of the third season,battling low ratings,the show was finally cancelled.The personal stories of Shatner,Leonard Nimoy and Nichelle Nichols are compelling.I was most interested in the bits about Gene Rodenberry.
I'm more impressed by William Shatner's writing,than his acting skills,as Captain Kirk.Star Trek,has since spawned numerous films,many spin off series,and innumerable books.But the beginnings of the Star Trek phenomenon,were very uncertain.
It had a shoe string budget,and TV executives did not think that it would succeed.I have fond memories of the original series,and this book brought them back.
That said,my favorite Star Trek series is The Next Generation and I'd like to read a similar book about it.
The show's creator Gene Rodenberry was dead by then,most of the others tell their stories.Star Trek's birth was not easy,nor was it smooth sailing during its three year run.It got nearly cancelled after the second season,only to be saved by the efforts of its fans.
But at the end of the third season,battling low ratings,the show was finally cancelled.The personal stories of Shatner,Leonard Nimoy and Nichelle Nichols are compelling.I was most interested in the bits about Gene Rodenberry.
I'm more impressed by William Shatner's writing,than his acting skills,as Captain Kirk.Star Trek,has since spawned numerous films,many spin off series,and innumerable books.But the beginnings of the Star Trek phenomenon,were very uncertain.
It had a shoe string budget,and TV executives did not think that it would succeed.I have fond memories of the original series,and this book brought them back.
That said,my favorite Star Trek series is The Next Generation and I'd like to read a similar book about it.
December 22, 2021
What kind of a Trekkie am I? I hadn't read Shatner's book about Star Trek, published in 1993, until now! The point is that, finally, I did get around to reading it. And I enjoyed it thoroughly! Certainly, I knew about a lot of the things that Shatner wrote about but there were a lot of details about ST that I didn't know--or had forgotten.
Yes, I knew that Jack Lord was offered the part of the starship captain but, as he demanded too much money, was turned down with the part then offered to the Canadian actor William Shatner. Lord went on to star in "Hawaii 5-0." I didn't know that "Captain Raintree" was a possibility but, fortunately, the name "Captain Kirk" was settled upon. I knew a lot about Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, who sold it to the network as "Wagon Train to the stars." I did not know the important role that Gene Coon played, second only to Roddenberry. Shatner calls him "the unsung hero" of Star Trek. He added humor to the scripts; he created the Klingons and the Prime Directive. Shatner writes, "Roddenberry created Star Trek, and Coon made it fly."
I had heard about some of the pranks that Shatner played on Leonard Nimoy. I enjoyed reading Shatner's retelling of them. Shatner's anecdotes were certainly the heart of the story. He also interviewed Nimoy and others who had been involved with the show to get their sides of the story. Sadly, Gene Roddenberry had passed away before Shatner wrote this book, so we don't "hear" his "voice" in this book.
It was sad to recall the demise of the show following its third season. NBC killed it off by putting it in the Friday evening time-slot when young viewers would be out-- and not watching the show. But I stayed home every Friday evening to watch it (what does that say about my high school life?)! Of course, Star Trek stayed alive in syndication (being rerun on local stations) and with conventions and novels. An animated series was produced...and then the movies. And there was The Next Generation and more spin-offs... Star Trek Lives!
Yes, I knew that Jack Lord was offered the part of the starship captain but, as he demanded too much money, was turned down with the part then offered to the Canadian actor William Shatner. Lord went on to star in "Hawaii 5-0." I didn't know that "Captain Raintree" was a possibility but, fortunately, the name "Captain Kirk" was settled upon. I knew a lot about Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, who sold it to the network as "Wagon Train to the stars." I did not know the important role that Gene Coon played, second only to Roddenberry. Shatner calls him "the unsung hero" of Star Trek. He added humor to the scripts; he created the Klingons and the Prime Directive. Shatner writes, "Roddenberry created Star Trek, and Coon made it fly."
I had heard about some of the pranks that Shatner played on Leonard Nimoy. I enjoyed reading Shatner's retelling of them. Shatner's anecdotes were certainly the heart of the story. He also interviewed Nimoy and others who had been involved with the show to get their sides of the story. Sadly, Gene Roddenberry had passed away before Shatner wrote this book, so we don't "hear" his "voice" in this book.
It was sad to recall the demise of the show following its third season. NBC killed it off by putting it in the Friday evening time-slot when young viewers would be out-- and not watching the show. But I stayed home every Friday evening to watch it (what does that say about my high school life?)! Of course, Star Trek stayed alive in syndication (being rerun on local stations) and with conventions and novels. An animated series was produced...and then the movies. And there was The Next Generation and more spin-offs... Star Trek Lives!
March 21, 2018
People knock this book just because William Shatner is the author who wrote it. If anyone else had put together this many classic stories about shooting STAR TREK, and gathered this much information about the nuts and bolts of writing, filming, and acting a uniquely ambitious television show, then the book would be regarded as a classic. And that's what this book is, a classic.
As far as human relationships go, it's interesting that Shatner is depicted in a lot of reviews as making fun of Leonard Nimoy in this book and elsewhere. To put it in perspective, nothing said in this book is even one-tenth as vicious as the things John Lennon routinely said about Paul McCartney. Yet John Lennon is remembered as a saint while William Shatner is dismissed as a buffoon.
Most illogical!
As far as human relationships go, it's interesting that Shatner is depicted in a lot of reviews as making fun of Leonard Nimoy in this book and elsewhere. To put it in perspective, nothing said in this book is even one-tenth as vicious as the things John Lennon routinely said about Paul McCartney. Yet John Lennon is remembered as a saint while William Shatner is dismissed as a buffoon.
Most illogical!
April 30, 2019
Beautiful! This collection of memories about the Star Trek television show feels very much like a scrapbook: it’s filled with snippets from throughout the show’s run, photographs of people behind the scenes, and quotes from some of the series’ most beloved actors. It’s kind of a memoir, but it’s more a research project; Shatner meticulously pieces together the history of the show and of the people involved. He begins at the beginning, with Gene Roddenberry’s childhood and his love of stories, and he traces Roddenberry’s long and winding journey to sci-fi fame. The book tells, in chronological order, the different events that came together to make the show possible. He shares highlights from each season. He even tells how things began to unravel, and the different events that led to cancellation.
Shatner has also tracked down many of the people connected with the show, not just actors but also people involved with the production, and he’s interviewed them. I like that Shatner takes the time to quote these people directly; huge block quotes abound throughout the book. Shatner uses this to great effect. For example, in one chapter, he describes a series of pranks that he pulled on Leonard Nimoy. He also quotes Nimoy extensively on the same topic. The result is a hilarious back-and-forth, with both perspectives contrasting sharply. At the same time, the warmth and friendship between Nimoy and Shatner comes through loud and clear.
Finally, I admire Shatner’s openness. Some of the people he interviewed had some resentment or even animosity toward him. In one of the interviews, a fellow actor even said, “I need to tell you why I despise you.” Shatner could have left those parts out, but he didn’t. He could have tried to rebut, but he didn’t do that, either. He let them say it all; he gave them that chance to be heard. He even agreed with some of their points. This is freedom of speech at its finest; interviewees are being quoted and even supported, and never judged—not even by the one they’re criticizing. In this book, Shatner doesn’t even try to shield himself. And that may be because this book isn’t really about William Shatner; it’s about Star Trek. It’s a collective project about a group of people. It’s a chance to preserve many of the thoughts, feelings, and memories from the people at the heart of it. Shatner worked really hard on researching this book and writing it—he’s the author, after all—but he is never the focus. I think that takes both strength and humility, and I am quite impressed.
Shatner has also tracked down many of the people connected with the show, not just actors but also people involved with the production, and he’s interviewed them. I like that Shatner takes the time to quote these people directly; huge block quotes abound throughout the book. Shatner uses this to great effect. For example, in one chapter, he describes a series of pranks that he pulled on Leonard Nimoy. He also quotes Nimoy extensively on the same topic. The result is a hilarious back-and-forth, with both perspectives contrasting sharply. At the same time, the warmth and friendship between Nimoy and Shatner comes through loud and clear.
Finally, I admire Shatner’s openness. Some of the people he interviewed had some resentment or even animosity toward him. In one of the interviews, a fellow actor even said, “I need to tell you why I despise you.” Shatner could have left those parts out, but he didn’t. He could have tried to rebut, but he didn’t do that, either. He let them say it all; he gave them that chance to be heard. He even agreed with some of their points. This is freedom of speech at its finest; interviewees are being quoted and even supported, and never judged—not even by the one they’re criticizing. In this book, Shatner doesn’t even try to shield himself. And that may be because this book isn’t really about William Shatner; it’s about Star Trek. It’s a collective project about a group of people. It’s a chance to preserve many of the thoughts, feelings, and memories from the people at the heart of it. Shatner worked really hard on researching this book and writing it—he’s the author, after all—but he is never the focus. I think that takes both strength and humility, and I am quite impressed.
July 14, 2014
I went into this book, given to me by my father, with few expectations. I'm more than moderately fond of Bill, and I love Star Trek, but I wasn't sure what to expect here. I'd already read Nimoy's take on the days, and it was hard to imagine this would flesh it out more, or live up to Nimoy's excellent I Am Spock.
Color me surprised when Shatner says right out the gate it's not a collection of memories, or at least, not entirely his memories (as the cover certainly implies). Instead, it's a ton of stuff I'd never heard before - memories from other actors, details on producers and hirings and firings and how great the wardrobe and set design staff people were. Shatner works hard to help you to see the big picture - why some episodes were so good, others so bad, and why, among other amusing bits, those uniforms' sleeves kept changing lengths. (Answer: crappy, cheap material that shrunk so fast they could barely get any wear out of them. I suppose tearing them up, which Trekkies enjoyed almost every episode, seemed like a fun way to retire them.)
Considering Shatner's reputation for insensitivity re: Trek, I was quite moved to read his oftentimes humble comments on his less than perfect behavior, and his generous inclusion of others' experiences and effusive compliments towards the cast and crew. I was also terribly sad to learn that his first marriage fell apart during those brutal, busy original Star Trek days; I can't help but think some of the other cast members had some unfair expectations. Who can manage to work 70, 80 hours a week when their marriage is falling apart with three small children, and yet manage to be perfectly cheerful and be fully involved with their coworkers? Not to mention his father's passing during the filming of The Devil in the Dark. By the time things were getting to a new normal with him, the series was wrapping up, and opinions were fairly cemented. Thank heavens for the incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who managed to look past his foibles and make him more aware of them, too.
Regardless, it's a fascinating read of the rise and fall of the original Star Trek, with crazily weird tidbits such as Roddenberry's desperate attempts to include a strong female lead and keep Spock, as well as the tragic blacklisting of the incredibly talented head of lighting/chief gaffer, George Merhoff. (Accused of slowing down production, he did a detailed set review which broken down who did what and how fast. Mortified to learn it was their own faults, the producers blacklisted him lest the information get out and make them look bad.) There's plenty more, too: the real story behind Grace Lee Whitney's departure, the misery of broken promises and changed budgets, and Roddenberry's abandonment of the series in year three all make for compelling reading. But perhaps memorably, I've now got a fond place in my heart for Gene Coon, the "other" Gene who, at least according to the Shatner, seemed half the reason the original Star Trek went anywhere.
Since it's Shatner, sure, there's a little navel-gazing, but in the end, it's the kindness of that book that'll stick with me. Three stars as a book, but an extra star for lots of fascinating material that Shatner went out of his way to collect.
Color me surprised when Shatner says right out the gate it's not a collection of memories, or at least, not entirely his memories (as the cover certainly implies). Instead, it's a ton of stuff I'd never heard before - memories from other actors, details on producers and hirings and firings and how great the wardrobe and set design staff people were. Shatner works hard to help you to see the big picture - why some episodes were so good, others so bad, and why, among other amusing bits, those uniforms' sleeves kept changing lengths. (Answer: crappy, cheap material that shrunk so fast they could barely get any wear out of them. I suppose tearing them up, which Trekkies enjoyed almost every episode, seemed like a fun way to retire them.)
Considering Shatner's reputation for insensitivity re: Trek, I was quite moved to read his oftentimes humble comments on his less than perfect behavior, and his generous inclusion of others' experiences and effusive compliments towards the cast and crew. I was also terribly sad to learn that his first marriage fell apart during those brutal, busy original Star Trek days; I can't help but think some of the other cast members had some unfair expectations. Who can manage to work 70, 80 hours a week when their marriage is falling apart with three small children, and yet manage to be perfectly cheerful and be fully involved with their coworkers? Not to mention his father's passing during the filming of The Devil in the Dark. By the time things were getting to a new normal with him, the series was wrapping up, and opinions were fairly cemented. Thank heavens for the incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who managed to look past his foibles and make him more aware of them, too.
Regardless, it's a fascinating read of the rise and fall of the original Star Trek, with crazily weird tidbits such as Roddenberry's desperate attempts to include a strong female lead and keep Spock, as well as the tragic blacklisting of the incredibly talented head of lighting/chief gaffer, George Merhoff. (Accused of slowing down production, he did a detailed set review which broken down who did what and how fast. Mortified to learn it was their own faults, the producers blacklisted him lest the information get out and make them look bad.) There's plenty more, too: the real story behind Grace Lee Whitney's departure, the misery of broken promises and changed budgets, and Roddenberry's abandonment of the series in year three all make for compelling reading. But perhaps memorably, I've now got a fond place in my heart for Gene Coon, the "other" Gene who, at least according to the Shatner, seemed half the reason the original Star Trek went anywhere.
Since it's Shatner, sure, there's a little navel-gazing, but in the end, it's the kindness of that book that'll stick with me. Three stars as a book, but an extra star for lots of fascinating material that Shatner went out of his way to collect.
April 26, 2025
William Shatner takes you behind the scenes for the three seasons of StarTrek. He talks about its beginning, the creation of the characters and their bonding, the writers, the production of many episodes, and the killing of the show by NBC.
December 7, 2023
5 Stars for Star Trek Memories (audiobook) William Shatner read by the author.
This is a really in-depth look into how Star Trek was created. William Shatner interviews all of the key people involved in the show and tells many of his own stories. This is a must read for all of the Trekkies out there.
This is a really in-depth look into how Star Trek was created. William Shatner interviews all of the key people involved in the show and tells many of his own stories. This is a must read for all of the Trekkies out there.
August 14, 2021
Some interesting tidbits and insights into the original series from Shatner and many of the other cast and crew from the show.
September 7, 2020
See my video review here:
https://youtu.be/mSgKvL_ynW0
https://youtu.be/mSgKvL_ynW0
April 12, 2019
Without irony, feeling no shame, I aver that William Shatner -- a.k.a. Captain James Tiberius Kirk -- is my Captain.
You can have your Picard and his Earl Grey tea, his Borg adjustments and his supposedly enlightened focus on negotiation; you can have your Sisco, his Central Park Shakespeare chops and his pretend tough guy douchebaggery; you can have your Janeway and her pre-Russian cook, smoke too much, post Mrs. Columbo, success begins as failure arc; you can have your Archer and his ... well, is there anyone who has Archer as their Captain?; I, however, will always take the original Captain and his too theatrical, too emotive, too swaggering, too cocky bravado.
Loving William Shatner as I do, Star Trek Memories is a warm fuzzy blanket to wrap myself up in from time to time -- especially when it is Shatner himself who's reading the audio version aloud. I wish that we had the full version of Star Trek Memories in audiobook, though, rather than this deeply abridged version. Much of the detail that made this book wonderfully fun to read, such as insights into Shatner's private life, his struggle with weight during the run of the original series, and lots of the more peripheral and trivial Trek info have all disappeared.
What has remained, though -- and it is one of the parts of this autobiography (written with Chris Kreski) that I most admire -- is Shatner's final section wherein his fellow cast members, specifically the Other Four (Uhura, Chekov, Sulu and Scotty) were given the opportunity, albeit through a Shatner interview, to express their feelings about him. Uhura didn't pull any punches, Chekov equivocated, Sulu pretended there was no problem, and Scotty ignored Kirk's phone calls. But what matters to me is that Shatner was willing to hear their complaints, take the piss out of himself in response to the complaints, and to share the less savoury side of himself with his fans. There is a modicum of honesty in that that I appreciate.
On another more serious note, however, I love that this autobiography calls itself "Memories." To my mind, this declaration cuts Shatner's thoughts on Star Trek past a coil full of slack. Memories are utterly unreliable. What one remembers about anything that happened in one's life is undoubtedly remembered differently from those who experienced those happenings with them. Yet Shatner owns this. He knows that these are his memories of the years he was a part of, and he makes no claims to truth. Yet he does offer the perspective of others, and allows them pick away at his memories with memories of his own. Maybe it is all apocryphal, but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that it is a fun insight into what makes one man I can't help loving tick. And it is a lot of fun to listen to.
You can have your Picard and his Earl Grey tea, his Borg adjustments and his supposedly enlightened focus on negotiation; you can have your Sisco, his Central Park Shakespeare chops and his pretend tough guy douchebaggery; you can have your Janeway and her pre-Russian cook, smoke too much, post Mrs. Columbo, success begins as failure arc; you can have your Archer and his ... well, is there anyone who has Archer as their Captain?; I, however, will always take the original Captain and his too theatrical, too emotive, too swaggering, too cocky bravado.
Loving William Shatner as I do, Star Trek Memories is a warm fuzzy blanket to wrap myself up in from time to time -- especially when it is Shatner himself who's reading the audio version aloud. I wish that we had the full version of Star Trek Memories in audiobook, though, rather than this deeply abridged version. Much of the detail that made this book wonderfully fun to read, such as insights into Shatner's private life, his struggle with weight during the run of the original series, and lots of the more peripheral and trivial Trek info have all disappeared.
What has remained, though -- and it is one of the parts of this autobiography (written with Chris Kreski) that I most admire -- is Shatner's final section wherein his fellow cast members, specifically the Other Four (Uhura, Chekov, Sulu and Scotty) were given the opportunity, albeit through a Shatner interview, to express their feelings about him. Uhura didn't pull any punches, Chekov equivocated, Sulu pretended there was no problem, and Scotty ignored Kirk's phone calls. But what matters to me is that Shatner was willing to hear their complaints, take the piss out of himself in response to the complaints, and to share the less savoury side of himself with his fans. There is a modicum of honesty in that that I appreciate.
On another more serious note, however, I love that this autobiography calls itself "Memories." To my mind, this declaration cuts Shatner's thoughts on Star Trek past a coil full of slack. Memories are utterly unreliable. What one remembers about anything that happened in one's life is undoubtedly remembered differently from those who experienced those happenings with them. Yet Shatner owns this. He knows that these are his memories of the years he was a part of, and he makes no claims to truth. Yet he does offer the perspective of others, and allows them pick away at his memories with memories of his own. Maybe it is all apocryphal, but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that it is a fun insight into what makes one man I can't help loving tick. And it is a lot of fun to listen to.
June 4, 2015
As a long-time fan of the original Star Trek series, my love and appreciation was rekindled by the recent broadcasting of the show on network television. To my great good fortune I came across “Star Trek Memories” in a used book store and devoured it like a lion with raw meat.
For anyone desiring to lean more to learn more about the making of this venerable television series, and who wouldn’t, this book is required reading.
William Shatner delivers the goods, at Warp 10. His recollections are heart-warming, hilarious, and yes, even inspirational. It seems that Captain Kirk learned a great lesson in the process of researching of this book and became a better ship’s captain for having done so.
To his astonishment, he discovered that his four shipmates, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov and Sulu despised him because he was an egotistical maniac (a la the genetically engineered superman Khan) and unsympathetic co-star. But, Kirk rights the ship by apologizing and acknowledging the error of his ways and extending the olive leaf to his disgruntled shipmates. (As he made peace with the Horta in “Devil in the Dark,” Shatner’s favorite episode.)
By including the observations by the other members of the cast and crew (including directors, producers and writers) we get a fascinating look at the series from all angles. Shatner really did his homework, unlike when he defeated the Kobayashi Maru no-win simulation.
Shatner’s extended history of series creator, Gene Roddenberry (“the Great Bird of the Galaxy”) which I anticipated would be boring, turned out to be extremely interesting. Without that key section about the genius behind the show, the story of Star Trek would be far from complete.
Perhaps my favorite part of the book was Shatner’s interaction with Leonard Nimoy. Shatner’s tale of a practical joke carried way beyond any rationality, came to be known as “the great bicycle heist.”
Nimoy purchased a bicycle so that he could get the studio cafeteria ahead of the rest of the crew and Shatner made it his mad obsession to hide Nimoy’s bike each day. The coup de grace of Shatner’s high jinks was that each day he would hide the bike in a place where Nimoy could see it, but not actually be able to use it. For example, inside a car, inside a locked room with a window, hanging from the rafters. Each time, Nimoy would be more enraged by the prank.
Everyone would be standing around laughing and the irate Nimoy would say, “Is this funny? Is it funny to hide a guy’s bike?”
Do yourself a favor. Beam this book onboard.
I also liked Star Trek writer, director Nicholas Meyer’s book, “The View From the Bridge.”
For anyone desiring to lean more to learn more about the making of this venerable television series, and who wouldn’t, this book is required reading.
William Shatner delivers the goods, at Warp 10. His recollections are heart-warming, hilarious, and yes, even inspirational. It seems that Captain Kirk learned a great lesson in the process of researching of this book and became a better ship’s captain for having done so.
To his astonishment, he discovered that his four shipmates, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov and Sulu despised him because he was an egotistical maniac (a la the genetically engineered superman Khan) and unsympathetic co-star. But, Kirk rights the ship by apologizing and acknowledging the error of his ways and extending the olive leaf to his disgruntled shipmates. (As he made peace with the Horta in “Devil in the Dark,” Shatner’s favorite episode.)
By including the observations by the other members of the cast and crew (including directors, producers and writers) we get a fascinating look at the series from all angles. Shatner really did his homework, unlike when he defeated the Kobayashi Maru no-win simulation.
Shatner’s extended history of series creator, Gene Roddenberry (“the Great Bird of the Galaxy”) which I anticipated would be boring, turned out to be extremely interesting. Without that key section about the genius behind the show, the story of Star Trek would be far from complete.
Perhaps my favorite part of the book was Shatner’s interaction with Leonard Nimoy. Shatner’s tale of a practical joke carried way beyond any rationality, came to be known as “the great bicycle heist.”
Nimoy purchased a bicycle so that he could get the studio cafeteria ahead of the rest of the crew and Shatner made it his mad obsession to hide Nimoy’s bike each day. The coup de grace of Shatner’s high jinks was that each day he would hide the bike in a place where Nimoy could see it, but not actually be able to use it. For example, inside a car, inside a locked room with a window, hanging from the rafters. Each time, Nimoy would be more enraged by the prank.
Everyone would be standing around laughing and the irate Nimoy would say, “Is this funny? Is it funny to hide a guy’s bike?”
Do yourself a favor. Beam this book onboard.
I also liked Star Trek writer, director Nicholas Meyer’s book, “The View From the Bridge.”
February 9, 2021
Thanks to a heads-up from a geek neighbor, I was sitting in front of the TV when the first original Star Trek episode aired. It was a lame episode, rarely rerun, but I stuck with the show.
Shatner's coauthor managed to make this into a pretty good book about Star Trek over and above Shatner.
I was amused to learn that the dim-witted Shatner finally learned how much his co-stars despised him as a result of the coauthor's interviews with them.
I recall that Shatner was jealous that Spock was a more popular character than Kirk. As a result, Shatner insisted that Kirk be the mastermind of everything without consulting Spock. How stupid was that? Those episodes were definitely weaker as a result.
Shatner at his finest....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvRB...
Shatner's coauthor managed to make this into a pretty good book about Star Trek over and above Shatner.
I was amused to learn that the dim-witted Shatner finally learned how much his co-stars despised him as a result of the coauthor's interviews with them.
I recall that Shatner was jealous that Spock was a more popular character than Kirk. As a result, Shatner insisted that Kirk be the mastermind of everything without consulting Spock. How stupid was that? Those episodes were definitely weaker as a result.
Shatner at his finest....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvRB...
June 21, 2017
Yeah, Shatner's a ham, he's a bit egotistical, but that didn't deter me from enjoying Star Trek Memories... too much. When he talks himself up in this book it comes across as humorous rather than serious, especially as it's usually to poke fun at Leonard Nimoy. There were stories in here I'd never known about, such as the encouragement Nichelle Nichols received from Dr. Martin Luther King. I do have to complain a bit in that over two-thirds of Star Trek Memories covers the period of time before and during the first season, and the second and third seasons are scarcely covered at all. For this reason the book feels uneven. I would still recommend it to Star Trek fans and maybe even casual viewers if they keep in mind that there's a great deal in it about the backstage origins of the show.
May 6, 2019
I'm very much into the topic of film making and, of course, into Star Trek, though generally more the spinoffs than the original series.
This proofed to be the perfect mixture of behind the scenes information and personal anecdotes, told in a mostly humorous way but still with appropriate seriousness in the right places.
It tells the story of making Star Trek, not only from Shatner's perspective, but through various interviews from a lot of cast and crew members, so I felt like I'm getting a full picture of what was going on, beginning from the very start. Shatner is also willing to admit some of his flaws, which I really want to give him credit for.
If you don't already feel you know everything about TOS, this is probably a must for fans of the series.
This proofed to be the perfect mixture of behind the scenes information and personal anecdotes, told in a mostly humorous way but still with appropriate seriousness in the right places.
It tells the story of making Star Trek, not only from Shatner's perspective, but through various interviews from a lot of cast and crew members, so I felt like I'm getting a full picture of what was going on, beginning from the very start. Shatner is also willing to admit some of his flaws, which I really want to give him credit for.
If you don't already feel you know everything about TOS, this is probably a must for fans of the series.
June 26, 2015
This book was very well written. I enjoyed reading the back stories about the creation and making of "Star Trek ". I liked how candid William Shatner was in the telling. In the epilogue, he implies that writing this book led him on a road of discovery and understanding not only for "Star Trek " and the making of it but also of himself. If you are a "Star Trek " fan, don't miss this one.
October 22, 2008
Written on the eve of The Next Generation's final two seasons and the movie Generations, this book represents the often hysterical and almost tragic recollection of the Original Series, as told by William Shatner.
The book can be fairly evenly divided into three sections: a first section, in which Shatner (or Chris Kreski, the dude helping him write) attempt to ease us into the first-person perspective, at the same time introducing the roots of Star Trek. Fairly painful and the reason I knocked a star off.
The next section is better, consisting of descriptions of the pilots and the first two seasons of the show, including descriptions of pranks, flubs, and the massive fan campaign to save the show. Some unpleasant details are dealt with, mostly in the realm of "Why did so-and-so leave?" These are handled discretely, which seemed well enough, as to do otherwise would have interrupted the good-feeling flow.
The third section details the downfall of Star Trek in an almost painful, ripping-the-Band-Aid-off style. This part almost always gives me a stomachache. It's sudden and upsetting, but Shatner manages to stay upbeat and hopeful in a way that doesn't make me want to smack him. The last chapter is one of my favorites, dealing with Shatner's realization that he doesn't know some of his fellow cast members as well as he should (that was another reason for only four stars - the man acts in a fairly funny, but mildly annoying egotistical way throughout the book and is surprised to discover that people perceive him that way).
I think he handled his material rather well (including some very entertaining interviews with cast and crew), especially considering the "demise" of Star Trek after its third season. An entertaining read, though I am interested in how this would have sounded if he had written this a) while Roddenberry was still alive b) before TNG was conceived or c) immediately after the show's cancellation.
The book can be fairly evenly divided into three sections: a first section, in which Shatner (or Chris Kreski, the dude helping him write) attempt to ease us into the first-person perspective, at the same time introducing the roots of Star Trek. Fairly painful and the reason I knocked a star off.
The next section is better, consisting of descriptions of the pilots and the first two seasons of the show, including descriptions of pranks, flubs, and the massive fan campaign to save the show. Some unpleasant details are dealt with, mostly in the realm of "Why did so-and-so leave?" These are handled discretely, which seemed well enough, as to do otherwise would have interrupted the good-feeling flow.
The third section details the downfall of Star Trek in an almost painful, ripping-the-Band-Aid-off style. This part almost always gives me a stomachache. It's sudden and upsetting, but Shatner manages to stay upbeat and hopeful in a way that doesn't make me want to smack him. The last chapter is one of my favorites, dealing with Shatner's realization that he doesn't know some of his fellow cast members as well as he should (that was another reason for only four stars - the man acts in a fairly funny, but mildly annoying egotistical way throughout the book and is surprised to discover that people perceive him that way).
I think he handled his material rather well (including some very entertaining interviews with cast and crew), especially considering the "demise" of Star Trek after its third season. An entertaining read, though I am interested in how this would have sounded if he had written this a) while Roddenberry was still alive b) before TNG was conceived or c) immediately after the show's cancellation.
February 5, 2010
I want to know why James Doohan hated him, not how they painted those women green.
October 21, 2024
Resumen de “cómo se hizo” la serie original.
April 19, 2015
While Star Trek made a great deal of television history, there were many other significant consequences. To the best of my knowledge, it was the first show to make significant profits via syndication. It was so popular that three subsequent television series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Voyager" each ran for years. Finally, there is also the enormous number of books about Star Trek. I own nearly one hundred Star Trek novels and have read nearly every one of the "memories" books written by a major cast member of the original series.
In this book, Shatner sets down many of his recollections about the original series. To his credit, Shatner is very honest about things, giving all of the other major players the opportunity to contribute to the book. Those contributions are included even when they are critical of his actions on and off camera. In defense of Shatner, it is difficult to see how it could have been any other way. This was a show about a quasi-military ship that by necessity had to operate independently of any central command structure. The captain of the ship was lord of his surroundings, so the premise of the show was that all the action had to resolve around the captain. Secondly, television shows, especially in that period of time, revolved around the stars of the show.
These are the reasons why I have always taken comments critical of Shatner by the secondary members of the cast with a grain of salt. Had the show simply languished and died off, none of them would have ever achieved the fame that they did. Therefore, they are criticizing the very means whereby they achieved their fame.
As Shatner makes very clear in this book, all the members of the cast and production crew were under enormous pressure to get the work done. Given those circumstances, it is amazing that more serious and lasting rifts between the principals did not occur. The fact that they did not speaks to the sense of purpose and community that existed between them.
This review also appears on Amazon
In this book, Shatner sets down many of his recollections about the original series. To his credit, Shatner is very honest about things, giving all of the other major players the opportunity to contribute to the book. Those contributions are included even when they are critical of his actions on and off camera. In defense of Shatner, it is difficult to see how it could have been any other way. This was a show about a quasi-military ship that by necessity had to operate independently of any central command structure. The captain of the ship was lord of his surroundings, so the premise of the show was that all the action had to resolve around the captain. Secondly, television shows, especially in that period of time, revolved around the stars of the show.
These are the reasons why I have always taken comments critical of Shatner by the secondary members of the cast with a grain of salt. Had the show simply languished and died off, none of them would have ever achieved the fame that they did. Therefore, they are criticizing the very means whereby they achieved their fame.
As Shatner makes very clear in this book, all the members of the cast and production crew were under enormous pressure to get the work done. Given those circumstances, it is amazing that more serious and lasting rifts between the principals did not occur. The fact that they did not speaks to the sense of purpose and community that existed between them.
This review also appears on Amazon
July 9, 2018
Every once in a while I feel the compulsion to indulge in a bit of Star Trek nostalgia. Sometimes I read a novel set in one of the many Star Trek series but other times I pick up an audio book like Star Trek Memories and relive some element of the Star Trek experience. In this one, Shatner reminisces about the creation of the classic television show and what made it such a great series to be a part of. He did his homework, interviewing many of the members of the old cast and production crew, so it’s more than just his point of view. And the recollections are a lot of fun. There were many points when I wanted to go find one of the old episodes like “Where No Man Has Gone Before” or “The Devil in the Dark” and see if I could convince my teenaged son to watch it with my wife and me. If you’ve a fondness for the original Star Trek series, this book is a nice walk down memory lane.
February 24, 2009
Shatner's thoughts and reflections on his time as Captain James T. Kirk.
One of the first "kiss and tell" books about the behind-the-scenes drama of "Star Trek" and still one of the most entertaingly told. If you like Shatner, you'll love this. It's not as revealing as the "Inside Star Trek" book by the producers of the show, but it's still interesting, entertaining and will give you a look inside the mind of the man who brought James T. Kirk to life.
One of the first "kiss and tell" books about the behind-the-scenes drama of "Star Trek" and still one of the most entertaingly told. If you like Shatner, you'll love this. It's not as revealing as the "Inside Star Trek" book by the producers of the show, but it's still interesting, entertaining and will give you a look inside the mind of the man who brought James T. Kirk to life.
August 6, 2008
My husband got me tickets to see him speak, and I could hardly breathe!!!! I love him. He could have printed his laundry list and I would have loved it. Not a great reason, but it's honest!
March 1, 2026
William Shatner knew actors had grumbled about him. He earnestly invited everyone for a talk, when writing this outstanding book.
George Takei was so pleased by their visit, he said nothing.
Nichelle Nichols had addressed everything years ago.
Walter Koenig was honest but his grumbling was minor.
James Doohan declined to meet. Happily, they mended fences later.
Conceited people write about themselves. Bill wanted everybody’s input, from crew to director. He printed their parts! Every interviewee contributed to the Star Trek story in their words! Gene Roddenberry and Gene Coon died decades ago and still, he consulted their wives.
I expected to love Leonard Nimoy’s 1994 career autobiography, read just prior. It brimmed with accurate dates and details. I expected to love Bill’s clearly Canadian humour; facetious self-aggrandizing jokes, which people take seriously! Both friends are famously compelling raconteurs. What I did not dream, is that Bill and partner Chris Kreski, were even more thorough researchers, who produced an exceptionally balanced book!
I read nightly. “Star Trek Memories” 1995, is without a doubt, one of the BEST BOOKS I HAVE SEEN. Meticulous fact checking is one thing. Imparting it with sensitivity and belly-laugh humour, make this the dream reading I always hope for but seldom find.
Bill was not exaggerating when he said he would correct false lore and impart facts, that Star Trek’s analytical fans do not know.
Budgets matter but executives ignore all else. Fan support bombarded any question of cancelling season three. With unsurpassed stupidity; the studio responded with the worst time slot: in 1969, when audiences had no recording capability!
I knew Star Trek was pioneering. It was impressed upon me, that every set and costume had to be invented, by hand: every week! I will no longer think that the original Trek world looks fake.
George Takei was so pleased by their visit, he said nothing.
Nichelle Nichols had addressed everything years ago.
Walter Koenig was honest but his grumbling was minor.
James Doohan declined to meet. Happily, they mended fences later.
Conceited people write about themselves. Bill wanted everybody’s input, from crew to director. He printed their parts! Every interviewee contributed to the Star Trek story in their words! Gene Roddenberry and Gene Coon died decades ago and still, he consulted their wives.
I expected to love Leonard Nimoy’s 1994 career autobiography, read just prior. It brimmed with accurate dates and details. I expected to love Bill’s clearly Canadian humour; facetious self-aggrandizing jokes, which people take seriously! Both friends are famously compelling raconteurs. What I did not dream, is that Bill and partner Chris Kreski, were even more thorough researchers, who produced an exceptionally balanced book!
I read nightly. “Star Trek Memories” 1995, is without a doubt, one of the BEST BOOKS I HAVE SEEN. Meticulous fact checking is one thing. Imparting it with sensitivity and belly-laugh humour, make this the dream reading I always hope for but seldom find.
Bill was not exaggerating when he said he would correct false lore and impart facts, that Star Trek’s analytical fans do not know.
Budgets matter but executives ignore all else. Fan support bombarded any question of cancelling season three. With unsurpassed stupidity; the studio responded with the worst time slot: in 1969, when audiences had no recording capability!
I knew Star Trek was pioneering. It was impressed upon me, that every set and costume had to be invented, by hand: every week! I will no longer think that the original Trek world looks fake.
March 26, 2020
A behind-the-scenes look at one of the most enduring science fiction television shows of all time. Here are the personal recollections, stories of practical jokes, and backstage drama that surrounded the show’s three short prime-time years. What made a shaky science fiction drama so unique that it became a multi-billion worldwide industry spawning half-a dozen spin-off series and more than a dozen big screen films?
Many of the illustrations and photographs included will be new to STAR TREK fans who are sure to find much to appreciate in the reminiscences of the original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The plot summaries of all seventy-nine episodes and of six big-screen films will be an added bonus for fans of the original series.
Highly recommended.
Many of the illustrations and photographs included will be new to STAR TREK fans who are sure to find much to appreciate in the reminiscences of the original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The plot summaries of all seventy-nine episodes and of six big-screen films will be an added bonus for fans of the original series.
Highly recommended.
May 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, especially for never having seen any of the original Star Trek. It was initially a little hard to follow, as I did not know immediately who was who for all the cast and crew. I do now want to watch the series and see what was mentioned, especially for the special effects with how much of it they had to get extra creative for.
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November 23, 2018Kind of wish I didn't read this. There were a lot of interesting things but there were more things I just wish I didn't know.
Also I just don't think the third season was as 'horrible' as they make it out to be.
I did really like the humor in this one though.
Also I just don't think the third season was as 'horrible' as they make it out to be.
I did really like the humor in this one though.
June 23, 2022
Great look behind the scenes of TOS. Could've done with a bit more input from Takei, Koenig and anything from Doohan but overall well put together. Works well if followed up with the Movie Memories book!
March 23, 2017
This book provided a very interesting glimpse of the production of Star Trek, and I recommend it to all the Trekkies and movie/tv show fans out there!
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