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Inside Star Trek: The Real Story
Before the actors were cast, before the U.S.S. Enterprise™ was designed, before the phenomenon exploded, there were three men who set about creating the Star Trek legend. Gene Roddenberry died in 1991. Herb Solow and Bob Justman now remain the only two people on the planet Earth who really know what happened in those early, heady days.
INSIDE STAR TREK is a comprehensive look at the development and life of a television and cultural phenomenon. It is also the story no one else could tell. Between them, Solow and Justman had a hand in virtually every aspect of the development and production of Star Trek – from the battles with NBC and the internal conflicts with studio executives to the behind-the-scenes decisions about actors and their characters, writers, scripts, directors, budgets, and the endless details of weekly television production.
Together, the two men debunk many of the myths that have developed around Star Trek in the last thirty years. At last, here is the fascinating and accurate account of a unique television series launched against astronomical odds – a television series that transported millions of viewers into another world and into an unprecedented, thirty-year, multimedia, multibillion-dollar cultural phenomenon.
INSIDE STAR TREK is a comprehensive look at the development and life of a television and cultural phenomenon. It is also the story no one else could tell. Between them, Solow and Justman had a hand in virtually every aspect of the development and production of Star Trek – from the battles with NBC and the internal conflicts with studio executives to the behind-the-scenes decisions about actors and their characters, writers, scripts, directors, budgets, and the endless details of weekly television production.
Together, the two men debunk many of the myths that have developed around Star Trek in the last thirty years. At last, here is the fascinating and accurate account of a unique television series launched against astronomical odds – a television series that transported millions of viewers into another world and into an unprecedented, thirty-year, multimedia, multibillion-dollar cultural phenomenon.
458 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 10, 2021
I remember crowding my brother in front of the television set to watch the original series. We both thought it was great, even if we didn't always understand everything completely. But even though I was part of that beginning audience for Star Trek, I never considered myself a 'Trekkie' and still don't.
But I do enjoy behind the scenes stories of certain shows, and bios or memoirs by certain actors from those shows. So when I recently ordered George Takei's autobiography, I saw this and thought it would be fun to read.
And it was, to a point. I suppose if I was more of a Trekkie I would have been more thrilled with it. The book takes the reader from beginning to end, through the eyes of producers Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman. There are a lot of details about meetings, budgets, deadlines, issues with scripts, issues with Gene Roddenberry, who said what when, how and why actors earned their roles, why Mr. Spock was a problem for network executives, all sorts of nifty topics that are ......well.....fascinating.
Overall the book left me with the impression that it was a miracle the series ever managed to get on the air at all. It also made me feel that if the series had continued past those famous three years, it would have imploded on its own, without the network swooping in to cancel it. According to the producer/authors there was certainly trouble ahead among everyone involved.
I still love the idea of Star Trek. The idea that humans will someday overcome their foolish differences and mature into people who deserve to live in such a universe. Space may be the final frontier, but Man's stupidity must be conquered first.
We are light years away from that ever happening.
But even an old not-quite-a-Trekkie can dream.
But I do enjoy behind the scenes stories of certain shows, and bios or memoirs by certain actors from those shows. So when I recently ordered George Takei's autobiography, I saw this and thought it would be fun to read.
And it was, to a point. I suppose if I was more of a Trekkie I would have been more thrilled with it. The book takes the reader from beginning to end, through the eyes of producers Herbert F. Solow and Robert H. Justman. There are a lot of details about meetings, budgets, deadlines, issues with scripts, issues with Gene Roddenberry, who said what when, how and why actors earned their roles, why Mr. Spock was a problem for network executives, all sorts of nifty topics that are ......well.....fascinating.
Overall the book left me with the impression that it was a miracle the series ever managed to get on the air at all. It also made me feel that if the series had continued past those famous three years, it would have imploded on its own, without the network swooping in to cancel it. According to the producer/authors there was certainly trouble ahead among everyone involved.
I still love the idea of Star Trek. The idea that humans will someday overcome their foolish differences and mature into people who deserve to live in such a universe. Space may be the final frontier, but Man's stupidity must be conquered first.
We are light years away from that ever happening.
But even an old not-quite-a-Trekkie can dream.
June 13, 2009
Great book for any fan wanting to learn more about the original series, but be warned: you're not going to like Gene Roddenberry after reading it. The book's two authors claim to have been close personal friends of Roddenberry's, so I guess even his friends weren't able to say much good about him. From claiming credit for other's work, to his constant womanizing, affairs, and treatment of the actresses as nothing more than sexual objects, to his total abandonment of the series the second he thought it would be canceled, there's little left to admire about Gene in my mind.
There's also not a whole lot about the actors here, although there are some tidbits. This is a true "behind the scenes" book, about everything not being filmed on set. The book is so hefty that some of the details get a bit mind-numbing: I imagine only the most die-hard fan really cares about the intricacies of budgeting on the Desilu backlot.
I did enjoy learning about the early days, the script-writing process, and the constant challenges the show faced, though, not to mention I never even knew that Shatner wore a toupee. ;) So all in all, a good, eye-opening read.
There's also not a whole lot about the actors here, although there are some tidbits. This is a true "behind the scenes" book, about everything not being filmed on set. The book is so hefty that some of the details get a bit mind-numbing: I imagine only the most die-hard fan really cares about the intricacies of budgeting on the Desilu backlot.
I did enjoy learning about the early days, the script-writing process, and the constant challenges the show faced, though, not to mention I never even knew that Shatner wore a toupee. ;) So all in all, a good, eye-opening read.
March 28, 2016
A straightforward, warts-and-all production p.o.v. history of the original "Star Trek" -- very much from behind the scenes. It's full of details that are amazing, preposterous, triumphant & tragic. It's also a very clear-eyed overview of Gene Roddenberry: the man, the myth, and the myth-maker he became. As an anecdotal history, it is beyond priceless.
March 28, 2011
There are many fan legends and ideas which have grown up in the 40-plus years Star Trek has been with us.
Herbert Solow and Robert Justman were with the original Star Trek series from the very beginning. They give a lot of "behind the scenes" details; photoes---not just of the show but backstage; conventions and so on.
Many died in the wool ST fans think Gene Roddenberry was semi-divine. (Really). There is NO doubt he has a great idea in Star Trek and worked very hard to bring a great idea to life. However, he did not do it alone and I believe that people should recognize the many contributions of other people. A TV production is a team effort--the more all work together, the better.
Not just these writers--Solow and Justman--but Dorothy Fontana and Gene L. Coon and Matt Jeffries and many others had a part in making STAR TREK the landmark series it was.
Lots of good background and research material; a must for the Star Trek fan.
Herbert Solow and Robert Justman were with the original Star Trek series from the very beginning. They give a lot of "behind the scenes" details; photoes---not just of the show but backstage; conventions and so on.
Many died in the wool ST fans think Gene Roddenberry was semi-divine. (Really). There is NO doubt he has a great idea in Star Trek and worked very hard to bring a great idea to life. However, he did not do it alone and I believe that people should recognize the many contributions of other people. A TV production is a team effort--the more all work together, the better.
Not just these writers--Solow and Justman--but Dorothy Fontana and Gene L. Coon and Matt Jeffries and many others had a part in making STAR TREK the landmark series it was.
Lots of good background and research material; a must for the Star Trek fan.
January 1, 2014
I've read just about all of the "making of" books on Star Trek, starting with The Making of Star Trek (which is still perhaps my favorite).
For anyone who does film, video, television production, this is a must read. I truly enjoyed reading how they bootstrapped this show with no real budget. The combination of tales from the front office, related by Herb Solow, and the trenches of production, by Bob Justman, paints a fascinating picture of the behind-the-scenes action on this show.
I love how they did some of the sound effects. (The woosh as the ship flies by in the opening titles was literally "wwsshhh" on the microphone.) I got a kick out of how they came up with costumes and props guerrilla style. I truly loved how Lucy and the Desilu studio took a chance on this oddball (for the time) show (while producing Mission: Impossible as well). And it was truly enlightening to me that one of the main reasons NBC greenlit the show was because it was owned by RCA, and RCA wanted shows to showcase color programs so they could sell more color TV sets. I don't care why they greenlit the show, I'm just glad they did.
It's also rather sad to read about how everything changed when Paramount bought Desilu and took over. Live by the bean counters, and die by the bean counters.
If you're into the Roddenberry universe, ship designs, initial visualizations of the show, and more of the creative side, then I recommend finding a copy of The Making of Star Trek. But if you love independent film/video production and can appreciate the dynamics of pushing the boundaries in a very creatively conservative Hollywood, then this is the book for you.
For anyone who does film, video, television production, this is a must read. I truly enjoyed reading how they bootstrapped this show with no real budget. The combination of tales from the front office, related by Herb Solow, and the trenches of production, by Bob Justman, paints a fascinating picture of the behind-the-scenes action on this show.
I love how they did some of the sound effects. (The woosh as the ship flies by in the opening titles was literally "wwsshhh" on the microphone.) I got a kick out of how they came up with costumes and props guerrilla style. I truly loved how Lucy and the Desilu studio took a chance on this oddball (for the time) show (while producing Mission: Impossible as well). And it was truly enlightening to me that one of the main reasons NBC greenlit the show was because it was owned by RCA, and RCA wanted shows to showcase color programs so they could sell more color TV sets. I don't care why they greenlit the show, I'm just glad they did.
It's also rather sad to read about how everything changed when Paramount bought Desilu and took over. Live by the bean counters, and die by the bean counters.
If you're into the Roddenberry universe, ship designs, initial visualizations of the show, and more of the creative side, then I recommend finding a copy of The Making of Star Trek. But if you love independent film/video production and can appreciate the dynamics of pushing the boundaries in a very creatively conservative Hollywood, then this is the book for you.
July 25, 2011
Probably the best and most frank account of what really went on behind the scenes of a tv show - at times its even quite shocking!
August 5, 2018
Als Gene Roddenberry in den frühen 60er Jahren daranging, den Star Trek Mythos zu entwickeln, haben sich zwei Männer als Geburtshelfer dieses Mythos erwiesen.
Anfang 1964 wurde Herbert F. Solow unter Vertrag genommen, um die Fernsehproduktion in den Desilu-Studios zu leiten. Als im April desselben Jahres ein etwas zerwühlter, leise sprechender Ex-Polizist (Gene Roddenberry) Solows Büro betrat, um ihm die Idee für eine neue Science Fiction-Fernsehserie vorzustellen, erkannte Solow auf den ersten Blick das Potential dieser Serie und schloß auf der Stelle einen Drehbuchvertrag mit Roddenberry ab.
Kurz darauf holten Solow und Roddenberry Robert H. Justman als Regieassistenten an Bord und begannen mit der Arbeit an den beiden Pilotfilmen zu Star Trek. Er wurde später beteiligter Produzent der Serie, die danach Fernsehgeschichte geschrieben hat.
Solow und Justman waren nach dem Tod von Roddenberry die einzigen Zeitzeugen, die von den ersten Stunden von Star Trek berichten konnten, beide haben 1996 mit diesem vorliegenden Band (hervorragend übersetzt von Ralph Sander) ein ehrliches, detailliertes und exzellentes Buch darüber geschrieben, wie die Show entstand, wie sie entwickelt wurde und wie sie gemacht wurde.
Was mich an diesem Band am meisten faszinierte war die Tatsache, dass die meisten Sekundärwerke über Star Trek von Fans geschrieben wurde, in denen immer die eigene Begeisterung und eine naiv-wohlwollende Betrachtung der Macher und ihres Produktes spürbar war; hier aber handelt es sich um ein Buch der "Macher" der Serie, die alle Aspekte der Produktion kennen und sie auch aus ihrer Sicht bewerten.
Allerdings kann ich das Buch nicht denjenigen Star Trek Fans empfehlen, für die Star Trek alles ist was über TOS hinausgeht, für mich ist das "nur" das definitive Buch über TOS...
Anfang 1964 wurde Herbert F. Solow unter Vertrag genommen, um die Fernsehproduktion in den Desilu-Studios zu leiten. Als im April desselben Jahres ein etwas zerwühlter, leise sprechender Ex-Polizist (Gene Roddenberry) Solows Büro betrat, um ihm die Idee für eine neue Science Fiction-Fernsehserie vorzustellen, erkannte Solow auf den ersten Blick das Potential dieser Serie und schloß auf der Stelle einen Drehbuchvertrag mit Roddenberry ab.
Kurz darauf holten Solow und Roddenberry Robert H. Justman als Regieassistenten an Bord und begannen mit der Arbeit an den beiden Pilotfilmen zu Star Trek. Er wurde später beteiligter Produzent der Serie, die danach Fernsehgeschichte geschrieben hat.
Solow und Justman waren nach dem Tod von Roddenberry die einzigen Zeitzeugen, die von den ersten Stunden von Star Trek berichten konnten, beide haben 1996 mit diesem vorliegenden Band (hervorragend übersetzt von Ralph Sander) ein ehrliches, detailliertes und exzellentes Buch darüber geschrieben, wie die Show entstand, wie sie entwickelt wurde und wie sie gemacht wurde.
Was mich an diesem Band am meisten faszinierte war die Tatsache, dass die meisten Sekundärwerke über Star Trek von Fans geschrieben wurde, in denen immer die eigene Begeisterung und eine naiv-wohlwollende Betrachtung der Macher und ihres Produktes spürbar war; hier aber handelt es sich um ein Buch der "Macher" der Serie, die alle Aspekte der Produktion kennen und sie auch aus ihrer Sicht bewerten.
Allerdings kann ich das Buch nicht denjenigen Star Trek Fans empfehlen, für die Star Trek alles ist was über TOS hinausgeht, für mich ist das "nur" das definitive Buch über TOS...
January 2, 2021
I found this book the same way I find all my Star Trek non-fictions: hastily placed with other Star Trek books in the Sci-Fi section of a thrift store. Worked out just fine for me. Not only do I love me some Star Trek, I also like reading about the minutia of television production.
Inside Star Trek is the authoritative view of what really happened behind the scenes on and off set. The authors were both intimately involved in getting the show to air, and keeping it there. Their recollections of the production are remembered in great detail, perhaps due in no small part to Bob Justman's hoarding of memoranda. Some of these recollections conflict with widely known 'facts' about the series that were ultimately produced by the perpetuation of the Star Trek Myth by actors and others.
Once again, the shady character of Gene Roddenberry is examined--something that seems to be a common theme with any chronicler of the series who wasn't an actor directly involved in the show (aside from maybe Nimoy).
It is quite a lengthy read, but it is loaded with funny anecdotes and lots of old promos and scans of typewritten memos to keep you interested. I would guess this is probably the most accurate account of the production of Star Trek that exists, or will ever exist. If you are interested in television production, or Star Trek in general, look for this book hastily placed in the Star Trek section of your local bookstore.
Inside Star Trek is the authoritative view of what really happened behind the scenes on and off set. The authors were both intimately involved in getting the show to air, and keeping it there. Their recollections of the production are remembered in great detail, perhaps due in no small part to Bob Justman's hoarding of memoranda. Some of these recollections conflict with widely known 'facts' about the series that were ultimately produced by the perpetuation of the Star Trek Myth by actors and others.
Once again, the shady character of Gene Roddenberry is examined--something that seems to be a common theme with any chronicler of the series who wasn't an actor directly involved in the show (aside from maybe Nimoy).
It is quite a lengthy read, but it is loaded with funny anecdotes and lots of old promos and scans of typewritten memos to keep you interested. I would guess this is probably the most accurate account of the production of Star Trek that exists, or will ever exist. If you are interested in television production, or Star Trek in general, look for this book hastily placed in the Star Trek section of your local bookstore.
July 2, 2016
Genial y exhaustivo libro sobre la creación, caída y resurgimiento de Star Trek. Con documentos gráficos y fotos impagables. "Fascinante"...
October 4, 2018
Este libro es un must para cualquier persona mínimamente interesada en entender cómo se gestó, rodó y canceló la serie original de Star Trek, contando además que el libro está escrito por dos personas que estuvieron directamente involucradas en gran parte del proceso.
Lógicamente, si solo se ha visto algún que otro episodio, entonces dudo que cualquier lectura sobre la serie sea necesaria. Pero, si se siente curiosidad por entender el origen de todo el fenómeno Star Trek y por saber más sobre el mitificado Gene Roddenberry, los actores y escritores, los guiones, el diseño de escenarios, objetos y vestuario (incluidas las orejas de Spock, por supuesto), la producción y postproducción y los problemas de presupuesto, entre otras cosas, entonces este libro es una buena elección, por encima quizá de los tres volúmenes de These Are The Voyages de Marc Cushman (uno por temporada), los cuales son quizá una lectura demasiado extensa y detallada como para tener una visión general sobre el tema.
Admito que Roddenberry me ha resultado desagradable y me ha acabado cayendo realmente mal. Mujeriego, ególatra y endiosado, robaba ideas, defendía a su «niño» a capa y espada, y ninguneaba a compañeros tan o más importantes que él para el desarrollo de la serie, sin contar que quería las faldas siempre más cortas (y muchas veces se encargaba él personalmente de tomar las medidas). Personalmente, ciertos detalles sobre la vida íntima de algunos de los implicados en la serie (incluyendo algunos actores) me han resultado chocantes, cuanto menos. Los autores no escatiman tanto críticas como halagos hacia Roddenberry.
Los pilotos y la primera temporada se llevan el grueso del libro, por lo importante del nacimiento de la serie y porque, como comentaba antes, los autores la abandonaron hacia el final. De todos modos, también se mencionan, aunque de pasada y sin entrar en detalles, tanto la serie animada como The Next Generation y las películas existentes en el momento de la publicación del libro.
Sin duda, este volumen es un básico imprescindible para cualquier amante de Star Trek: The Original Series. Le doy cinco estrellas porque me ha dado exactamente lo que estaba buscando.
Lógicamente, si solo se ha visto algún que otro episodio, entonces dudo que cualquier lectura sobre la serie sea necesaria. Pero, si se siente curiosidad por entender el origen de todo el fenómeno Star Trek y por saber más sobre el mitificado Gene Roddenberry, los actores y escritores, los guiones, el diseño de escenarios, objetos y vestuario (incluidas las orejas de Spock, por supuesto), la producción y postproducción y los problemas de presupuesto, entre otras cosas, entonces este libro es una buena elección, por encima quizá de los tres volúmenes de These Are The Voyages de Marc Cushman (uno por temporada), los cuales son quizá una lectura demasiado extensa y detallada como para tener una visión general sobre el tema.
Admito que Roddenberry me ha resultado desagradable y me ha acabado cayendo realmente mal. Mujeriego, ególatra y endiosado, robaba ideas, defendía a su «niño» a capa y espada, y ninguneaba a compañeros tan o más importantes que él para el desarrollo de la serie, sin contar que quería las faldas siempre más cortas (y muchas veces se encargaba él personalmente de tomar las medidas). Personalmente, ciertos detalles sobre la vida íntima de algunos de los implicados en la serie (incluyendo algunos actores) me han resultado chocantes, cuanto menos. Los autores no escatiman tanto críticas como halagos hacia Roddenberry.
Los pilotos y la primera temporada se llevan el grueso del libro, por lo importante del nacimiento de la serie y porque, como comentaba antes, los autores la abandonaron hacia el final. De todos modos, también se mencionan, aunque de pasada y sin entrar en detalles, tanto la serie animada como The Next Generation y las películas existentes en el momento de la publicación del libro.
Sin duda, este volumen es un básico imprescindible para cualquier amante de Star Trek: The Original Series. Le doy cinco estrellas porque me ha dado exactamente lo que estaba buscando.
October 27, 2019
For all fans of the original series, this is the definitive story of the beginning of STAR TREK and the life of a cultural phenomenon. Forget the myths; read the story from the men who served, respectively, as a producer and as a director for the series.
It’s a simple, fascinating account of the launching of a television show destined to become a legend. It’s also, at times, enthusiastically snarky and often more-than-willing to paint many of the principals with less-than-complimentary brush strokes. Which truth is indeed truth? Probably, considering that everyone brought their own personalities and foibles with them, somewhere between this account and the fervent idolization of the cast and the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
The strength of the book lies in the detailing of the generally unknown work involved in putting together and airing a television show. Photographs accompany the narrative, unfolding from its genesis through the struggles of the first season, followed by a transfiguration, and rebirth. A must for fans of the series as well as for readers interested in taking a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a television series.
Highly recommended.
It’s a simple, fascinating account of the launching of a television show destined to become a legend. It’s also, at times, enthusiastically snarky and often more-than-willing to paint many of the principals with less-than-complimentary brush strokes. Which truth is indeed truth? Probably, considering that everyone brought their own personalities and foibles with them, somewhere between this account and the fervent idolization of the cast and the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
The strength of the book lies in the detailing of the generally unknown work involved in putting together and airing a television show. Photographs accompany the narrative, unfolding from its genesis through the struggles of the first season, followed by a transfiguration, and rebirth. A must for fans of the series as well as for readers interested in taking a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a television series.
Highly recommended.
November 19, 2021
I recall reading this when it was first published but had lost, or more likely, loaned out that copy a long time ago, so a reread was a must. I had forgotten what a Casanova figure Gene Roddenberry was and he doesn't always come across as a good guy in here but he was always be Mr Star Trek. Star Trek wouldn't have existed without the backing of Desilu nor the likes of Herb Solow and Bob Justman. A warts and all tale of how the continuing Star Trek legend came into being
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September 22, 2020Intressant men väldigt gubbig. Alla kvinnor beskrivs som fylliga och sexiga.
June 10, 2016
I was curious about what went on behind the scenes while Star Trek the original series was being made. After reading this book I got an eyeful to say the least. I didn't realize the uphill battle that everyone had making this series. NBC and the studio didn't stand behind the show. I never did believe that the Nielsen ratings ever did represent the viewing public well at all. And after two letter writing campaigns showing that ST did indeed have a large following they still didn't treat the show like it should have been given a chance.
There were plenty of people that should be give cudos for bringing the show to life over overwhelming odds. I know that Scotty was called the miracle worker, well on the Starship Enterprise he was. BUT the people behind the show, two miracle workers that stand out is Matt Jefferies, how that man was able to design a set, and make the future come to life, on a shoe string budget is a miracle and Bill Theiss for putting together costumes also on a shoe string budget (and meeting the demands of Gene Roddenberry to make the woman's clothing skimpier) Both men were miracle workers with how they were able to improvise.
I do wish that all the actors got their time in the sun, but Bill Shatner was told by several that he was the 'STAR' of the show. Roddenberry even told one of the producers, who took over for Herb Solow, during a meeting with Bill and Leonard Nimoy, (he asked Gene who is the star of the show Bill or Leonard, talk about being put on the spot. Gene should have said they both were, just to keep the peace, but instead he said Bill was and walked quickly out of the office)
I wish Leonard had gotten his wishes for Spock realized. I do think there were plenty of Spock episodes, but Leonard was fighting for the integrity of Spock with the writers.
I wish there had been more things mentioned about the actors, this book was on the production end of things. I read Shatner's Memories book and Leonard's I Am Spock and they both give you a perspective from the actors POV.
this book is worth reading
There were plenty of people that should be give cudos for bringing the show to life over overwhelming odds. I know that Scotty was called the miracle worker, well on the Starship Enterprise he was. BUT the people behind the show, two miracle workers that stand out is Matt Jefferies, how that man was able to design a set, and make the future come to life, on a shoe string budget is a miracle and Bill Theiss for putting together costumes also on a shoe string budget (and meeting the demands of Gene Roddenberry to make the woman's clothing skimpier) Both men were miracle workers with how they were able to improvise.
I do wish that all the actors got their time in the sun, but Bill Shatner was told by several that he was the 'STAR' of the show. Roddenberry even told one of the producers, who took over for Herb Solow, during a meeting with Bill and Leonard Nimoy, (he asked Gene who is the star of the show Bill or Leonard, talk about being put on the spot. Gene should have said they both were, just to keep the peace, but instead he said Bill was and walked quickly out of the office)
I wish Leonard had gotten his wishes for Spock realized. I do think there were plenty of Spock episodes, but Leonard was fighting for the integrity of Spock with the writers.
I wish there had been more things mentioned about the actors, this book was on the production end of things. I read Shatner's Memories book and Leonard's I Am Spock and they both give you a perspective from the actors POV.
this book is worth reading
April 4, 2020
A fun and very interesting read.
As I've said before, I will always have a very soft spot for the original Star Trek series, but I'm not a diehard fan. That said, I am definitely a diehard fan of television (and movie) histories, complete with intricate production details. This book provides exactly that.
Being very involved in Star Trek from behind the scenes, Herb Solow and Bob Justman were both in an excellent position to share insightful details on the history of Star Trek in a way that others (the actors for example) are not. This is a comprehensive and weighty tome, complete with many pictures and rare documents that I had never seen before.
Both Solow and Justman went out of their way to not only share their own stories, but also to consult with others involved in the production to confirm facts and share even more details. Indeed, beyond just a history of Star Trek, this could be a history of Desilu at that time.
My one complaint about this book (and the reason I am giving it four stars and not five) is due to the detail of some of the printed conversations. How could Solow and Justman recall such detailed conversations that took place at times 30 years prior their writing of this book? I'm sure that they captured the spirit of those conversations, but unless there is an actual recording (which seems highly unlikely), I think it is misleading to print these verbatim conversations in their entirety. They are fun to read, but a tad insulting as they could never have been exactly what is written here.
Anyway, I was glad to finally read this book which was sitting on my self for decades. A very specific TV history, thoroughly told by the people who would know well.
As I've said before, I will always have a very soft spot for the original Star Trek series, but I'm not a diehard fan. That said, I am definitely a diehard fan of television (and movie) histories, complete with intricate production details. This book provides exactly that.
Being very involved in Star Trek from behind the scenes, Herb Solow and Bob Justman were both in an excellent position to share insightful details on the history of Star Trek in a way that others (the actors for example) are not. This is a comprehensive and weighty tome, complete with many pictures and rare documents that I had never seen before.
Both Solow and Justman went out of their way to not only share their own stories, but also to consult with others involved in the production to confirm facts and share even more details. Indeed, beyond just a history of Star Trek, this could be a history of Desilu at that time.
My one complaint about this book (and the reason I am giving it four stars and not five) is due to the detail of some of the printed conversations. How could Solow and Justman recall such detailed conversations that took place at times 30 years prior their writing of this book? I'm sure that they captured the spirit of those conversations, but unless there is an actual recording (which seems highly unlikely), I think it is misleading to print these verbatim conversations in their entirety. They are fun to read, but a tad insulting as they could never have been exactly what is written here.
Anyway, I was glad to finally read this book which was sitting on my self for decades. A very specific TV history, thoroughly told by the people who would know well.
April 13, 2016
Very very good. An in depth look at the original series of Star Trek, written by the Programme Executive in charge of commissioning it and running it, (Solow, and no I don't know how to pronounce that either) and the Associate Producer, who at several points seems to have had nervous breakdowns handling EVERYTHING on the show (Justman).
Lots of interesting stuff I didn't know, for example, the production company who made Star Trek, Desilu, was owned by the American TV Comedian Lucille Ball. Which I found odd. Everyone at the company and within the TV industry did as well though, so that's fine. Also, Gene Roddenberry was... less than a saint. Both in terms of his personal life and taking credit for stuff he didn't do. Matt Jefferies on the other hand, the guy who designed and built most of the ships, sets and set dressing on Star Trek, is possibly my new hero. The show had ZERO budget for it's entire run, every episode they ever made lost Desilu money before it was even aired (because of stupid TV budget reasons), and the budget was constantly being slashed. And where were those cuts made? In Matt Jefferies' set budget, obv. The writers constantly describe their heartbreak at, once again, having to go and tell Matt he was going to have to do everything for half the money, and Matt sighing and going "Okay...". And he still made Star Trek look amazing, with beautiful sets and gorgeously designed spaceships. I love you, Matt Jefferies.
Lots of interesting stuff I didn't know, for example, the production company who made Star Trek, Desilu, was owned by the American TV Comedian Lucille Ball. Which I found odd. Everyone at the company and within the TV industry did as well though, so that's fine. Also, Gene Roddenberry was... less than a saint. Both in terms of his personal life and taking credit for stuff he didn't do. Matt Jefferies on the other hand, the guy who designed and built most of the ships, sets and set dressing on Star Trek, is possibly my new hero. The show had ZERO budget for it's entire run, every episode they ever made lost Desilu money before it was even aired (because of stupid TV budget reasons), and the budget was constantly being slashed. And where were those cuts made? In Matt Jefferies' set budget, obv. The writers constantly describe their heartbreak at, once again, having to go and tell Matt he was going to have to do everything for half the money, and Matt sighing and going "Okay...". And he still made Star Trek look amazing, with beautiful sets and gorgeously designed spaceships. I love you, Matt Jefferies.
March 27, 2013
Pluses and minuses--tended to seem a bit canned; the long quotes from the principals were obviously written/prepared, even though they looked like an oral history--and who wrote the text in the middle? Also the sic's in the memos grew wearisome. But great was the recounting of how the "Space: the final frontier" speech came to be--in step-by-step facsimile recreation. And I loved Fred Freiberger's quote: "I thought I could never have a more unpleasant experience in my life than when I, a Jewish kid from the Bronx, parachuted out of a burning B17 over Germany to land in the midst of eighty million Nazis. But that was before my association with Star Trek." And this they're calling at the end the best times of their lives? Roddenberry didn't come out looking too good--but Justman's last meeting with him at the end was poignant, or touching, or weird. Well, something...even though it also suffered a bit from the chronic horn-tooting throughout. Maybe they thought they still had to convince Simon and Schuster to publish them; anyway, I got a bit tired of the "At last, the real inside story" shtick--when really a lot of it was just like budget reports. I think I liked Shatner's book better--and Solow was often facile and unctuous; Justman came off a little bitter.
October 18, 2015
A re-read of a book I've owned for years. "Inside Star Trek" provides a new look at the near mythic development and production of The Original Series (ST:TOS) from the perspective of two men who had a great deal to do with it: Desilu/Paramount executive Herb Solow (remember his credit transposed over the face of Balok at the end of the show?) and assistant director/producer Bob Justman. Overall, the book is an affectionate but unflinching look at the struggle to get Star Trek on the air and keep it there. If you are one who can still believe no ill of Roddenberry, Shatner, or Nimoy, you may not want to read this book. Solow and Justman have great respect for all three but paint a picture of each that is far from hero worship. Yes, Shatner treated the rest of the cast shabbily but not unforgiveably so. Yes, Nimoy could be a pill, too. And, yes, Roddenberry was a self-aggrandizing womanizer who comes across as a genius with ideas but so needy of acclaim and so thoroughly chauvinistic that you can't help but wish those great ideas had come from a better man. There's plenty of humor, though, and pretty much all sins are forgiven.
July 16, 2015
If you like the original Star Trek and occasionally watch a rerun on TV this book is for you. It has a lot of detail about the production, writing, cast and crew of the program. There is a bit that seems gossipy, such as naming all the women on the cast who slept with Gene Roddenberry. But the rest of it is very interesting. It is remarkable that the series was ever made with all it had stacked against it.
I especially like all the photos and original memos and documents that are included in the book.
It was a quick read and was organized in a way that kept the reader interested. I liked getting the perspective from both the executive producer and the producer. They have a slightly different take on a few things. I appreciate the television show even more after reading this.
I especially like all the photos and original memos and documents that are included in the book.
It was a quick read and was organized in a way that kept the reader interested. I liked getting the perspective from both the executive producer and the producer. They have a slightly different take on a few things. I appreciate the television show even more after reading this.
April 22, 2015
I love this book. It tells you every you need to know about star trek and more!!!!!!! I really enjoy learning about the functions of star trek. Learning about the production issues and the budgeting problems are actually really interesting. This really great about taking you threw each detail that is involved. I really liked learning about the props and sound process.
This book is great for any star trek nerd looking for a good read.
This book is great for any star trek nerd looking for a good read.
April 28, 2014
This was an excellent insight into the creation and production of the original series. It also illustrates the complicated personality of Gene Rodenberry quite well - and sheds some much needed light onto the fact that there were many contributors to the vision of Star Trek. A very interesting read.
July 24, 2011
Star Trek was a landmark TV series. It's always interesting to read about how the show was produced and to hear the "behind the camera" stories of the people who made the show happen. Reading this book sparked my interest in re-watching the original series again.
September 4, 2012
This was a good book full of behind the scenes background detached from the egos of the actors who themselves have filled the shelves with their memories. This put me in the mind of having been there very well.
February 3, 2016
This is a good, detailed, and entertaining account of how the original Star Trek series came to be and how it died after three seasons before becoming a cult! Some illusions are shattered though.
May 9, 2016
A detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the creation and execution of the original Star Trek TV series from those would know; because they were the top-level people in charge of getting this classic show off the ground and fighting for its continued airing over the course of 3 seasons.
August 30, 2024
Much has been said and written about the origins of Star Trek, mostly mixing reality with rumours and what became well-established myths. The later bickering in-between some actors, added to the self-serving tales of the larger-than-life Gene Roddenberry, obviously didn't help when it comes to historical accuracies. This book, written by some of the original creators of the show (Herbert Solow ran TV programs for Desilu; Robert Justman was an assistant director later made co-producer) is therefore more than welcome in getting to the roots of, as the authors put it, 'the most successful unsuccessful series', one that 'stimulates the imagination without bypassing the brain'.
Retelling its genesis, what's striking indeed is how miraculous Star Trek ever made it onto our screens in the first place! Refused by CBS before being taken on by NBC and following Roddenberry knocking at Desilu's doors (a production company then famous for broadcasting... 30 minutes comedies!), the series was accused from being too cerebral to being too childish, besides battling surprisingly low rating that nearly buried it for good. Now, for fans, there won't be much to learn here. What is particularly fascinating about that part of the book, though, is not only to see how Roddenberry manipulated and/ or enrolled a whole sort of people (e.g. SF fans, SF writers etc.) to keep "his" show going, but, also, how fans responded to the call, and, indeed, kept it going. Three seasons, in the end, might not have been much, but three seasons in light of that challenging context for such a show was quite a prodigious feat!
The battle against ratings and the bureaucracy behind TV production companies and broadcasters, though, won't be the only hurdle -far from that! Fans will probably know about Takei's later beef against Shatner. However, and already when the show was going, another battle was then at play, one regarding determining who was the star of it all. Another striking thing with Star Trek indeed was that, if it surely was obvious to writers and producers than Captain Kirk was the central star, what they didn't plan upon was how the cast would ultimately evolve, both within the plots and in the eyes of the fans, and to the point of some characters taking a no less centre stage. Leonard Nimoy, for instance, had more than his fair share of complaints (rightfully, in my personal opinion) when it came to how Spock was portrayed in regards to his true value. Retelling actors' petty jealousies and grievances, what Solow and Justman manage to brilliantly do here is to show how these problems nevertheless contributed to, against all odd, positively advance the storylines.
There is a warning adage about never meeting your heroes. Well, it applies here. Having been there from the start, the authors obviously debunk the view that Star Trek was Roddenberry's show only, as a lot (a lot!) of creatives were in fact involved at every stage. Roddenberry, as it is, might have been a true genius when it comes to his vision of a trek through the stars in a near utopian future, yet it's pretty clear that he was not that good a person overall. Now, Solow and Justman, it must be strongly emphasised, never disparage (they were too admirative and fond of him!) but their portrayal, nevertheless, clearly show a greedy cheat, selfish, who could be downright cruel to his entourage. In my eyes in any case, he surely came down a few pegs. Sadly, for the naïve among us he is not the only one, here, to come out everything but as good as probably assumed. For example (and at the risk of sounding idiotically prudish) I was personally taken aback as to the reasons why certain actresses (I won't name them, you'll find out for yourself...) made it onto the show in the first place, until this book opened my eyes about Roddenberry's womanising and, well, "favouritism". The actresses in question later turned out to be fantastic assets to the show, so I won't delve. Still, though, I couldn't help but be disappointed in how casting operated.
What else?
At times, the authors relay some rumours although clearly presenting them as such e.g. the idea that Ensign Chekov (played by Walter Koenig) was created following complaints from the Pravda that no Russian was onboard 'The Enterprise', despite the USSR to have been the first ones in space. At times, they offer fascinating viewpoints and insights, some even going against established wisdom e.g. if the show survived, it was not so much because fans protested, but because NBC was then a leader in coloured series of which Star Trek was among its most compelling on offer, no matter what. Was it true? The authors admit not knowing, but I find the idea compelling.
All in all, here's a beautiful book. It's honest, fair, insightful, instructive, and superbly illustrated. I surely didn't like everything (e.g. the technical passages about filming and special effects, no matter how relevant, went over my head) and there will be some hard truth to swallow for the naïve Trekkies among us (again and in my personal case, Roddenberry's morale and its impact on casting). To anyone interested in the show, though, this is an absolute must-read. I highly recommend it!
Retelling its genesis, what's striking indeed is how miraculous Star Trek ever made it onto our screens in the first place! Refused by CBS before being taken on by NBC and following Roddenberry knocking at Desilu's doors (a production company then famous for broadcasting... 30 minutes comedies!), the series was accused from being too cerebral to being too childish, besides battling surprisingly low rating that nearly buried it for good. Now, for fans, there won't be much to learn here. What is particularly fascinating about that part of the book, though, is not only to see how Roddenberry manipulated and/ or enrolled a whole sort of people (e.g. SF fans, SF writers etc.) to keep "his" show going, but, also, how fans responded to the call, and, indeed, kept it going. Three seasons, in the end, might not have been much, but three seasons in light of that challenging context for such a show was quite a prodigious feat!
The battle against ratings and the bureaucracy behind TV production companies and broadcasters, though, won't be the only hurdle -far from that! Fans will probably know about Takei's later beef against Shatner. However, and already when the show was going, another battle was then at play, one regarding determining who was the star of it all. Another striking thing with Star Trek indeed was that, if it surely was obvious to writers and producers than Captain Kirk was the central star, what they didn't plan upon was how the cast would ultimately evolve, both within the plots and in the eyes of the fans, and to the point of some characters taking a no less centre stage. Leonard Nimoy, for instance, had more than his fair share of complaints (rightfully, in my personal opinion) when it came to how Spock was portrayed in regards to his true value. Retelling actors' petty jealousies and grievances, what Solow and Justman manage to brilliantly do here is to show how these problems nevertheless contributed to, against all odd, positively advance the storylines.
There is a warning adage about never meeting your heroes. Well, it applies here. Having been there from the start, the authors obviously debunk the view that Star Trek was Roddenberry's show only, as a lot (a lot!) of creatives were in fact involved at every stage. Roddenberry, as it is, might have been a true genius when it comes to his vision of a trek through the stars in a near utopian future, yet it's pretty clear that he was not that good a person overall. Now, Solow and Justman, it must be strongly emphasised, never disparage (they were too admirative and fond of him!) but their portrayal, nevertheless, clearly show a greedy cheat, selfish, who could be downright cruel to his entourage. In my eyes in any case, he surely came down a few pegs. Sadly, for the naïve among us he is not the only one, here, to come out everything but as good as probably assumed. For example (and at the risk of sounding idiotically prudish) I was personally taken aback as to the reasons why certain actresses (I won't name them, you'll find out for yourself...) made it onto the show in the first place, until this book opened my eyes about Roddenberry's womanising and, well, "favouritism". The actresses in question later turned out to be fantastic assets to the show, so I won't delve. Still, though, I couldn't help but be disappointed in how casting operated.
What else?
At times, the authors relay some rumours although clearly presenting them as such e.g. the idea that Ensign Chekov (played by Walter Koenig) was created following complaints from the Pravda that no Russian was onboard 'The Enterprise', despite the USSR to have been the first ones in space. At times, they offer fascinating viewpoints and insights, some even going against established wisdom e.g. if the show survived, it was not so much because fans protested, but because NBC was then a leader in coloured series of which Star Trek was among its most compelling on offer, no matter what. Was it true? The authors admit not knowing, but I find the idea compelling.
All in all, here's a beautiful book. It's honest, fair, insightful, instructive, and superbly illustrated. I surely didn't like everything (e.g. the technical passages about filming and special effects, no matter how relevant, went over my head) and there will be some hard truth to swallow for the naïve Trekkies among us (again and in my personal case, Roddenberry's morale and its impact on casting). To anyone interested in the show, though, this is an absolute must-read. I highly recommend it!
December 31, 2011
A history of the original Star Trek series with lots of fun facts and pictures. A great holiday gift that wil make a super coffee table book and talking point.
September 17, 2015
Interesting for fans who are in deep. A lot about how the series came to be, and the endless labors to keep it going. but not much at all about life on the set.
August 14, 2022
After Roddenberry died, some of his subordinates, and others involved in Star Trek, decided to tell THEIR side of the story. "Hey, Roddenberry wasn't the great man you think he was, we were the ones who REALLY made star trek. We deserve some credit too."
Well Ok. Herb Solow was on the Desilu Board of Directors and was instrumental in pushing Star trek and getting NBC to pick it up and air it. And Justman was a good solid producer, and while not a writer, had some good ideas that improved the show.
To use an analogy. Solow was like charles Scribner who recognized Hemingway's "The Sun also Rises" and "A farewell to Arms" were good novels and got them published. And Justman was a little like Max Perkins, he had some good suggestions and improved both novels. But the bottom line is that Hemingway was responsible for "The sun also rises" and a "Farewell to arms". And Roddenberry was responsible for Star trek.
The older I get, the more cynical I get about people who wait till "The other guy" is dead, to give us the "inside story". Its only AFTER Roddenberry was dead, and couldn't fight back AND after Star trek became a pop culture ICON that they speak up.
BTW, the real tragic figure in the book is lucille Ball. She greenlighted "Star Trek" and her plan was to lose money producing it, and then recoup the losses in syndication. But Desilu productions ran out of cash, and no Bank would loan her enough money, so she had to sell the studio to Paramount. She didn't have enough "Friends in the right places". So, the greedy creeps at paramount who only cared for the bottom line, and had ZERO to do with creating Star Trek, ended up making a FORTUNE off it. Very sad.
Well Ok. Herb Solow was on the Desilu Board of Directors and was instrumental in pushing Star trek and getting NBC to pick it up and air it. And Justman was a good solid producer, and while not a writer, had some good ideas that improved the show.
To use an analogy. Solow was like charles Scribner who recognized Hemingway's "The Sun also Rises" and "A farewell to Arms" were good novels and got them published. And Justman was a little like Max Perkins, he had some good suggestions and improved both novels. But the bottom line is that Hemingway was responsible for "The sun also rises" and a "Farewell to arms". And Roddenberry was responsible for Star trek.
The older I get, the more cynical I get about people who wait till "The other guy" is dead, to give us the "inside story". Its only AFTER Roddenberry was dead, and couldn't fight back AND after Star trek became a pop culture ICON that they speak up.
BTW, the real tragic figure in the book is lucille Ball. She greenlighted "Star Trek" and her plan was to lose money producing it, and then recoup the losses in syndication. But Desilu productions ran out of cash, and no Bank would loan her enough money, so she had to sell the studio to Paramount. She didn't have enough "Friends in the right places". So, the greedy creeps at paramount who only cared for the bottom line, and had ZERO to do with creating Star Trek, ended up making a FORTUNE off it. Very sad.
May 13, 2021
Inside Star Trek is a look at the production of the original series by two of the people who were in the thick of it - Herb Solow, a Desilu executive, and Bob Justman, the associate producer. It was published in the '90s, and it spends a lot of time pushing back against the then-widespread view of Gene Roddenberry as the sole creative force behind the series, and against the mythology that Roddenberry built around himself in the subsequent years. I'm not sure how necessary a dismantling of that mythology is today, when Roddenberry's failings are pretty widely recognized. If anything the book at times comes across as a trifle mean-spirited toward him. Unsurprisingly, Solow and Justman come across as the most sympathetic figures in this account, but bearing in mind that one is getting just two points of view here, it remains an interesting book. Given the authorship, a lot more time is spent discussing the business end of things than you typically get in a making-of book, and this look into the world of 1960s television production is fascinating.
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