All Other Things I Really Need to Know I Learned Watching Star Trek: Next Gener.

by Dave Marinaccio

Through engaging anecdotes from his own life, and calling on his near encyclopedic memory of events in the lives of Captain Picard, Riker, Data, Worf and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise-D, Dave Marinaccio demonstrates how the universal appeal and commonsense wisdom of Star Trek: The Next Generation (as well as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager) can help to shape a positive and humorous outlook on life.

Genres: Star Trek, Star Trek The Next Generation, Philosophy, Science Fiction

167 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Zach Koenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like Star Trek? Do you really, REALLY like Star Trek? Do you weave some concept of Star Trek into each day of your existence or even each conversation? If so, then this book will be a great little read for you. If not, then stay away.

Strangely, this is easily the most meandering book I've ever read in my life. Basically, author Dave Marinaccio starts talking about Star Trek, in trying to relate its themes to situations within his own life, and doesn't stop for about 120 pages. There are no real chapters, no laid-out themes, just the author gabbing it up with a line break ending each train of thought.

That being said, this is still a rather interesting read for the hard-core (or at least very close to it) Trekkie. Though some of Marinaccio's thoughts/ideas are a stretch, others do indeed strike a chord and will remind you why the show is such a favorite. The real "plus", though, is Marinaccio's subtle humor throughout. It is like reading a book from "The Sports Guy" (Bill Simmons) in the sporting world. The material may be so-so, but the colorful description and delightfully glib commentary make it worthwhile.

Thus, while I wouldn't necessarily rush down to your local bookstore/library to get this book, if you are a hard-core Trekkie and come across it, please give it a look. It's very light reading (one night, two at max) and will, at the very least, make you smile on a dozen or more occasions.

[A.L. Bellettiere · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was simply ok. Light and fluffy but simply ok. Although I stretched it out over 7 days, you probably could read this and be done with it in the timeframe of any Star Trek episode. Being a Star Trek fan, I found it moderately entertaining. Honestly, you're better off getting this from the library or cheap,cheap,cheap. And actually, this guy is not really that funny. At least it's short.

[Hanne G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adman ST fan writes about the character traits he admires, and life philosophy gleaned from ST. Meant to be light and humorous, and succeeds at being light and very mildly humorous, lightly genuine. Many valid ideas and some less so. Not really news to any fan, but could be a bit of fun. A generous three stars mainly because he does capture at least most of the characters and their virtues.

[Josh Liller · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little better organized than it's predecessor. But just as light and fluffy, lacking any real substance. The writing was again okay, but I feel like this book has no real reason to exist either.