Star Trek Memories

Contents

The book begins at the start of production on Star Trek: The Original Series, with the work on the original pilot, "The Cage", and described the difficulties that some of the producers' decisions caused the production. Shatner goes on to describe the production of the show, and the aftermath of its cancellation. He interviews other members of the cast who on occasion speak negatively of their experiences on the show and also spoke to Bjo Trimble, one of the most famous Star Trek fans. James Doohan, who played Scotty on the series, refused to be involved in the project - he later accused Shatner of hogging the camera, adding: "I like Captain Kirk, but I sure don't like Bill. He's so insecure that all he can think about is himself."

Production

thumb|left|upright|William Shatner in 2014 The negative reaction of some of the cast members to him when he wrote Star Trek Memories had come as a surprise to Shatner, and it was reported at the time that he was dismayed at the response. He conducted the interviews by phone in some cases, including the one with Trimble.

Preview excerpts of the book were published in the September 4 issue of TV Guide magazine in the United States. It was published in the autumn of 1993, He worked on both books with Christopher Kreski, with whom he later worked on the 1999 book Get a Life!. Star Trek Memories was converted into a video documentary featuring interviews with other Star Trek cast members in 1996.

Reviews

The review in trade magazine Publishers Weekly, said that "Fans of TV's 1960s science fiction series Star Trek will go into orbit over lead player Shatner's candid, captivating reminiscence, packed with stellar anecdotes and backstage lore." The Post-Tribune said that both Memories books by Shatner "were very well done and filled with interesting stories and insights into Shatner's thoughts" in a review of his later book, Get A Life!, while the Winnipeg Free Press described Star Trek Memories as a "masterpiece".

References

References

1. (November 1, 1993). "Shatner's Not-so-joyful Reminiscences Of 'Star Trek'". Chicago Tribune.
2. (20 January 2013). "Guest Blog: Bjo & John Trimble Say "Shatner's The Man"". Star Trek.com.
3. (July 21, 2005). "Actor James Doohan, 85; Played Scotty on 'Star Trek'". [[The Washington Post]].
4. (May 27, 2008). "William Shatner: The man who fell to Earth". The Daily Telegraph.
5. (November 16, 1994). "Kirk and Sulu, the Trekkies' Hailing Frequencies are Open". The Buffalo News.
6. (August 31, 1993). "Shatner Book Treks Down Memory Lane". Chicago Sun-Times.
7. (November 28, 1994). "Beam Him Down". People.
8. (September 22, 2013). "The William Shatner, Ponder the Mystery...". Herald De Paris.
9. (February 16, 1996). "William Shatner's Star Trek Memories (1996)".
10. (November 1, 1993). "Star Trek Memories". Publishers Weekly.
11. (August 1, 1999). "This Captain's Log An Engaging Read". Post-Tribune.
12. (August 3, 2008). "To bravely go where Shatner has gone". Winnipeg Free Press.