Exclusive excerpt from Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast

Exclusive excerpt from Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast

As a dedicated Star Trek fan, I cannot express enough my excitement for the upcoming release of Titan Books’ Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Series. Having had the privilege of reviewing an advance copy, I can attest to the fact that this book is a must-have for any true Star Trek enthusiast.


Titan Books continues to impress Star Trek fans with their latest release, “Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History – The Original Cast.” This book offers a unique chance to delve deeper into the background of “Star Trek: The Original Series” and gain insights from the cast, crew, writers, and more. Spanning over the three seasons on television and the subsequent animated series, as well as the six movies that concluded the saga, fans will uncover previously untold stories ([see link below for my review]). Kindly granted, Titan Books has shared an exclusive excerpt with us.

Exclusive excerpt from Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast

Fans should consider adding books similar to these to their collection as valuable treasures. With the ongoing release of new Star Trek shows and upcoming movies and series, it’s exciting to revisit the original classics and explore the acting talents behind one of the most iconic science fiction franchises in history.

Several people featured in this book have passed away, making this text a heartfelt read for Star Trek enthusiasts. Here’s a short excerpt from the end of Star Trek: The Original Series’ first season. Don’t miss out and pre-order your copy using the links given below.

Read an exclusive excerpt from Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Series

Towards the end of the series, the actors had securely settled into their characters, including James Doohan who was unexpectedly informed that his tenure on the show was ending. Fortunately, this decision was not permanent.

James Doohan (Mr. Scott) shared an anecdote about a disagreement between him and Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek. Doohan mentioned that Roddenberry was displeased when Doohan received a letter from him instead of directly discussing matters. However, after speaking with someone, Doohan was reinstated in the show. Doohan recalled Roddenberry telling him, “Jimmy, I just want to let you know that when I want the audience to believe in what’s happening up in space, I’ll focus on your reactions.” Doohan had a significant number of close-ups throughout his live television performances, and he later realized that Roddenberry’s approach might have been the cause. In simpler terms, Roddenbury relied on Doohan’s expressions to make space scenes believable for viewers.

George Takei (as Hikaru Sulu): Once, a director asked me to press a button located high up on the console for a camera effect, but that wasn’t where warp one through four or impulse power were located. We had an intense debate over this. He insisted, “This is science fiction; I merely need it for the shot.” To dissuade him from his idea, I explained that was the button we used last week to explode the engines. There are established rules in sci-fi that can’t be carelessly disregarded.

A fan wrote me a letter and enclosed was an unusual gift – a small cardboard with a marijuana cigarette attached. Accompanying the item was a note that read, “You’ve inspired me so much that I wanted to give something back!”

Nichelle Nichols (as Nyota Uhura): I didn’t even think about declining the part when it was first offered to me. I was thrilled to work alongside such talented actors and be given this remarkable role that Gene Roddenberry let me shape. However, my true passion lies in musical theater, which I had been pursuing before being cast as Uhura. I never imagined having a career on television. Yet, here I was being presented with opportunities in musical theater.

Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock): In my opinion, what made Star Trek successful were its compelling stories. Not every episode met this standard, but overall, our show’s success can be attributed to the engaging tales we could tell. Our budget didn’t allow for extensive special effects, so we relied heavily on performances and storytelling. The episodes with powerful narratives continue to captivate audiences today. For instance, “City on the Edge of Forever” was exceptional. “The Menagerie” was nearly perfect for television.

D.C. Fontana (script consultant): I have a deep affection for these characters. They stand out among all other versions of Star Trek for me. When we created The Original Series, they felt new and innovative. Revisiting them now, I’m still captivated by their potential for compelling stories and character development. An illustration by Bill Rostler was made for me depicting a woman shackled at the ankle, with a chain trailing behind her that ends in a mini Enterprise. The caption read: “It never leaves my side!” I’m content with this connection to Star Trek. It’s a valuable association.

Exclusive excerpt from Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast

The highly anticipated Star Trek: The Original Series – Illustrated Oral History by Jonathan Wilkins is set to hit shelves on July 30, 2024, but you can secure your copy now for a special preorder price of $19.99 at various retailers. In an exclusive interview coming July 26, I spoke with editor Wilkins about the extensive research behind this project and the unique features fans will discover in this book. Preorder your copy today!

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2024-07-16 21:23

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