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Star Trek Lives!
Thanks to you, Star Trek fans...
Aboard Star Trek's flagship, the U.S.S. Enterprise, the starfaring adventurers are still dreaming the impossible--and making it come true.
Star Trek Lives! Personal Notes and Anecdotes by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak and Joan Winston
* What the creators of Star Trek are doing now
* Their goals and achievements since Star Trek
* Their plans for Star Trek's return
"We suspected there was an intelligent life form on the other side of the tube. We planned to use our show to signal some thoughts to them. Never in our wildest imaginings did we expect the volume and intensity of the replies that we received. Millions of replies...thanks." --Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek Fans...turn on your TV sets and see the TV show that would not die!
Aboard Star Trek's flagship, the U.S.S. Enterprise, the starfaring adventurers are still dreaming the impossible--and making it come true.
Star Trek Lives! Personal Notes and Anecdotes by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak and Joan Winston
* What the creators of Star Trek are doing now
* Their goals and achievements since Star Trek
* Their plans for Star Trek's return
"We suspected there was an intelligent life form on the other side of the tube. We planned to use our show to signal some thoughts to them. Never in our wildest imaginings did we expect the volume and intensity of the replies that we received. Millions of replies...thanks." --Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek Fans...turn on your TV sets and see the TV show that would not die!
274 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1975
3 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
68 books93 followersJacqueline Lichtenberg is creator of the Sime~Gen Universe, primary author of Star Trek Lives!, founder of the Star Trek Welcommittee, creator of the term Intimate Adventure, winner of the Galaxy Award for Spirituality in Science Fiction and one of the first Romantic Times Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel. Her work is now in e-book form, audio-dramatization and on XM Satellite Radio. She has been sf/f reviewer for The Monthly Aspectarian since 1993.
Reprints and new titles coming from Wildside Press, 2011.
Co-blogs at: http://www.aliendjinnromances.blogspo...
Find currently available titles and free chapters at
http://www.jacquelinelichtenberg.com
With Professor Jean Lorrah, she teaches sf/f writing online via Tarot and Astrology.
Reprints and new titles coming from Wildside Press, 2011.
Co-blogs at: http://www.aliendjinnromances.blogspo...
Find currently available titles and free chapters at
http://www.jacquelinelichtenberg.com
With Professor Jean Lorrah, she teaches sf/f writing online via Tarot and Astrology.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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October 10, 2023includes the chapter, "DIY Star Trek--the Fan Fiction"
August 29, 2025
Wild seeing how professionally intense fanfic writers were back in the day.
February 20, 2019
This book starts well, get weird in the middle, and ends just so-so. This first chapter discusses the convention scene and how the authors met. It's very interesting. The next three chapters are filled with the kinds of theories you'd expect from fans who've seen each episode sixty times and over analyzes every bit of minutiae. It rambles on and on and at times sounds desperate.
The authors relate their theories to the actual stars, Leonard Nemoy in particular, whose character Spock is often spoken of sexually, and are graciously rebuffed. "I don't know that any of us were thinking about Star Trek in that sense when we were involved in doing it." His comments are dismissed as humility.
One author observes how Spock "swallows convulsively whenever Kirk is in danger." Nemoy doesn't believe it and tries to let her down easy without bruising her obsession. The On The Set chapter is entertaining, the What Are They Doing Now chapter reads like a last minute afterthought, and the Fan Fiction chapter I mostly skipped. I don't enjoy fan fiction.
The authors relate their theories to the actual stars, Leonard Nemoy in particular, whose character Spock is often spoken of sexually, and are graciously rebuffed. "I don't know that any of us were thinking about Star Trek in that sense when we were involved in doing it." His comments are dismissed as humility.
One author observes how Spock "swallows convulsively whenever Kirk is in danger." Nemoy doesn't believe it and tries to let her down easy without bruising her obsession. The On The Set chapter is entertaining, the What Are They Doing Now chapter reads like a last minute afterthought, and the Fan Fiction chapter I mostly skipped. I don't enjoy fan fiction.
August 31, 2012
I've been a trekker since the original show back in the 1960s. My large wall poster of Spock with the Enterprise pictured behind him is long gone, but this book brings back so many good memories of that show.
June 21, 2017
2.5 stars. Not as fun as I had hoped. In many ways the book is dated and has a negative vibe about it. I had hoped it would be fun and relaxed, but instead it was a bit hokey and geeky/naive. I found the chapter alignment to be cumbersome and not always interesting.
August 2, 2010
2.5 stars
August 25, 2023
It took me more than two months to finish this book and for good reason. More than once it came close to being a DNF, but somehow I pushed through. And there are a few good parts, specifically two chapters and both written by Joan Winston. The rest... the rest is just so much to wade through.
But by far the worst part of it all was the last chapter about fan fiction. By far the most tedious of all (and there is much of the book that even though it may start interesting becomes tedious as they go on and on about the Tailored Effect, the Optimism Effect, the Spock Effect, etc. It just goes on and on... much like this review.
Anyway, there's a revelation in the 55 pages discussing fan fiction (that's about 1/6 of the book) in which they discuss having to throw away the chapter they wrote about their own fan fiction called Kraith. I'm so glad they did and it's too bad they didn't excise this chapter as well. The book would have been a nice 230 pages and ended on the chapter of "What Are They Doing Now" which takes a brief look at what the (mostly) actors have done between 1969 to 1974 or 75. Obviously, it's sad reading this now since most of them are gone, but at the time, it would have been a great way to end the book, especially since the last lines read:
What are they doing now? Remembering the magic. Hoping for a chance to create it again.
This would have been a nice tag even for future readers who know they all went on to do six more feature films. Alas, it instead ends with excerpts of fan fiction discussing the love cycle of Vulcans. Ugh.
So anyone contemplating reading this, just skip to chapters three and eight. By far the most interesting and even these are a little embarrassing as Ms. Winston has a school girl crush on Shatner. Nevertheless, if the rest of the book had been tales of conventions mixed with interviews, it would have been a much better book.
One more thing -- I picked this book up earlier this year at a book store because it looked so interesting. I went into this with a positive attitude and a desire to enjoy it. I don't enjoy trashing books. I begin reading any book because I want to invest my time in something meaningful and I'm also an old school Star Trek fan. This looked like a hidden gem. I really wanted to like this, but it really devolves into excessive analysis of the show, the actors, the scripts and then a need to rationalize why Star Trek was so meaningful to them at a time when the world did look down on SF. As they all lived to see -- the ST legacy lives on!
But by far the worst part of it all was the last chapter about fan fiction. By far the most tedious of all (and there is much of the book that even though it may start interesting becomes tedious as they go on and on about the Tailored Effect, the Optimism Effect, the Spock Effect, etc. It just goes on and on... much like this review.
Anyway, there's a revelation in the 55 pages discussing fan fiction (that's about 1/6 of the book) in which they discuss having to throw away the chapter they wrote about their own fan fiction called Kraith. I'm so glad they did and it's too bad they didn't excise this chapter as well. The book would have been a nice 230 pages and ended on the chapter of "What Are They Doing Now" which takes a brief look at what the (mostly) actors have done between 1969 to 1974 or 75. Obviously, it's sad reading this now since most of them are gone, but at the time, it would have been a great way to end the book, especially since the last lines read:
What are they doing now? Remembering the magic. Hoping for a chance to create it again.
This would have been a nice tag even for future readers who know they all went on to do six more feature films. Alas, it instead ends with excerpts of fan fiction discussing the love cycle of Vulcans. Ugh.
So anyone contemplating reading this, just skip to chapters three and eight. By far the most interesting and even these are a little embarrassing as Ms. Winston has a school girl crush on Shatner. Nevertheless, if the rest of the book had been tales of conventions mixed with interviews, it would have been a much better book.
One more thing -- I picked this book up earlier this year at a book store because it looked so interesting. I went into this with a positive attitude and a desire to enjoy it. I don't enjoy trashing books. I begin reading any book because I want to invest my time in something meaningful and I'm also an old school Star Trek fan. This looked like a hidden gem. I really wanted to like this, but it really devolves into excessive analysis of the show, the actors, the scripts and then a need to rationalize why Star Trek was so meaningful to them at a time when the world did look down on SF. As they all lived to see -- the ST legacy lives on!
October 4, 2018
A fun read for my fellow Trekkies that brought back fond memories of Star Trek and conventions in the 70s and 80s (Creation Conventions in Philly, for one). I watched the Star Trek blooper reels at these conventions, in dark rooms off of the main show area. I also remember the sacredness of the time when Star Trek (or any favorite show) was on: rearranging your schedule so you could be home in front of the television, no talking except during commercials, turn off the phone, don't answer the door, etc.
An important contribution of this book is that I was reminded of how many women were involved, not only as fans but as script writers, fan fiction writers, and organizers who kept the cult of Star Trek going long after it was cancelled. Chapter 3, on the first Star Trek convention, was really fun to read.
One thing I didn't enjoy as much was the fanboy/fangirl attitude. So much of the text was way over the top with gushing about the show, characters and actors. I probably would have loved this book more as a kid/teen than I currently do. But, overall, it was worth my time to read it.
An important contribution of this book is that I was reminded of how many women were involved, not only as fans but as script writers, fan fiction writers, and organizers who kept the cult of Star Trek going long after it was cancelled. Chapter 3, on the first Star Trek convention, was really fun to read.
One thing I didn't enjoy as much was the fanboy/fangirl attitude. So much of the text was way over the top with gushing about the show, characters and actors. I probably would have loved this book more as a kid/teen than I currently do. But, overall, it was worth my time to read it.
April 9, 2025
Incredibly fascinating artifact of the time. Legitimate historical document of what "fandom" as we know it today was like 50 years ago, before you could even get video tapes of the shows you liked, much less post about them online. Nothing is unfamiliar to someone aware of fandom today, but I would have loved to see it being created back then.
Now, what I am looking for and what I get out of Star Trek isn't necessarily on the same page as the women that wrote this book, but I'm fine with how it turned out. I find it incredibly funny how full of themselves they are with their half-baked ideas about the meta-narrative of the show and how Sondra Marshak talked all of them into correlating the show with Ayn Rand's dog shit.
Also, the last 60 pages are simply them summarizing different fanfics they like, which is amazing as a record but hilarious how they get around to the ones they themselves wrote and conclude that theirs is the most amazing, best out there.
Truly worth your time if you have any interest in the subject matter.
Now, what I am looking for and what I get out of Star Trek isn't necessarily on the same page as the women that wrote this book, but I'm fine with how it turned out. I find it incredibly funny how full of themselves they are with their half-baked ideas about the meta-narrative of the show and how Sondra Marshak talked all of them into correlating the show with Ayn Rand's dog shit.
Also, the last 60 pages are simply them summarizing different fanfics they like, which is amazing as a record but hilarious how they get around to the ones they themselves wrote and conclude that theirs is the most amazing, best out there.
Truly worth your time if you have any interest in the subject matter.
April 28, 2023
This is a wonderful glimpse of Trek fandom in the early 70s. The first thing that occurs to me is how very seriously Trekkies have always taken ourselves. In those days, one had to rely on TV airings to re-watch Star Trek. It took real effort to build it into your schedule while we can now enjoy DVDs and streaming anytime we like.
The authors mention several times the countless hours they spent interviewing Gene Roddenberry and cast members, but they share relatively little from those interviews. I wish there had been more Roddenberry and less fan analysis.
There’s a great chapter about a week-long visit to the original set, and another about the early conventions. It’s definitely worth reading.
The authors mention several times the countless hours they spent interviewing Gene Roddenberry and cast members, but they share relatively little from those interviews. I wish there had been more Roddenberry and less fan analysis.
There’s a great chapter about a week-long visit to the original set, and another about the early conventions. It’s definitely worth reading.
September 19, 2025
A lovely analysis of why the original series of Star Trek appealed to so many people and garnered such a passionate fan base, including interviews with the cast and crew, and personal anecdotes from the authors about organizing conventions and visiting the set while it was filming. I'd highly recommend it to all Star Trek TOS fans, as well as anyone who's interested in what fandom was like in the 70s!
December 10, 2016
Great fun
April 21, 2010
Memorable to me as one of the first books to delve into the Star Trek phenomenon. It's very gosh wow, but it's rich in anecdote and in analysis of how and why fans felt so intensely about the series, back when in 1975 Star Trek was more dead than alive, seen only in syndication of the original three season show and a brief season of animated episodes from 1973 to 1974. This was before the films and new series such as Next Generation jumps started it and sent the motor running. It deals with the letter writing campaign that gave the show the one more season to make it viable in syndication and particularly fan fiction, very much a new animal back then. Winston's contribution seemed mostly to consist of her story of visiting the set in the last season of the first show.
May 27, 2009
An enjoyable read for Trek aficionados, especially for the historical context, as this was written post-original series, but pre-everything else official. Lots of snippets of interviews with the cast and creators, and some great behind-the-scenes looks at the final days of shooting the show and the first convention. Lots of looks at mid-70's fandom, with a strong emphasis on the appeal of Kirk and Spock (but especially Spock) to women, even exploring the world of "slash" fiction (no, "slash" is by no means a new thing!). Obviously, there probably isn't much new in here for long-time fans, but it was fun to immerse myself in an earlier, simpler world of Trek fandom.
July 12, 2015
There were many parts of this book I enjoyed, but the chapters on the various effects got repetitive. They brought up the same points for each effect -- I enjoyed the anecdotal chapters better (the convention, the time on set, the fan-fiction). The Where are they Now chapter was a little sad, as now, many of them have passed away. (though William Shatner is still going strong)
A little bit dated, but enjoyable to read about the beginnings of a pretty crazy and really strong fandom -- still.
A little bit dated, but enjoyable to read about the beginnings of a pretty crazy and really strong fandom -- still.
April 18, 2009
A good fun book. Written in 1975 so much of it is old history. But there is interview material with the major actors of the Classic Trek Series and some inside scoops on the setting up of the early Trek Conventions, as well as material about the early rise of Star Trek fan fiction. Enjoyable.
August 12, 2016
Some of the analysis’ language is a little dated, but the core of Star Trek Lives! remains—why people love the show to the point of fandom and how you can get involved. Well, could, back in 1975. A, shall we say, fascinating piece of fannish history.
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May 20, 2015Science-Fiction
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February 26, 2018Pretty cool documentation of early Star Trek fandom. Neat to read what the burgeoning phenomenon was like. If they only knew what was coming!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews