Star Trek isn’t so much a series of shows and movies as it is a way of life. What began more than five decades ago as a simple TV show about a spaceship and its crew has turned into a cultural juggernaut, spawning not only seven series and 13 movies but also becoming a part of the U.S. space program (the first NASA space shuttle was named the Enterprise, in honor of the famous Star Trek spaceship) and creating a fan base whose name has become synonymous with pop culture obsession. This Ultimate Guide to Star Trek provides a definitive chronicle of all things Trek for both devoted fans and casual observers: the complete history of the original series, including its connection to Lucille Ball (yes, for real!), a breakdown of every series and movie, an A to Z guide to the franchise’s alien heroes and villains, an analysis of all its fashions by a panel of experts and even a sneak peek at what’s next in the Trek universe. Even after 50+ years, Star Trek continues to boldly go where no show has gone before and The Ultimate Guide to Star Trek will show readers why, and what they have to look forward to in the years ahead.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STAR TREK
LIVING LOND & PROSPERING • For more than five decades, Star Trek has been one of Hollywood’s most popular franchises.
WHERE NO SHOW HAD GONE BEFORE • In an era when science fiction seemed superficial, a former fighter pilot named Gene Roddenberry had a plan to change everything.
SCI-FI TV • It began with bots.
TAKING FLIGHT • It may not have been a smash hit, but the original Star Trek still managed to take television to new heights.
HAVING A BALL • Thanks to a little love from Lucy, Star Trek was saved from obscurity.
Words in Space • THERE’S MORE TO THE STAR TREK THEME THAN MEETS THE EAR.
GETTING OUT OF ‘THE CAGE’ • Star Trek nearly crashed after a failed first pilot.
EXPANDING THE UNIVERSE • The end of Star Trek turned out be only the beginning of a bold to new TV franchise.
THE TREK THAT WASN’T • An update to the original series came and went before anyone ever got to see it.
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Trek-ery • STAR TREK DIDN’T JUST LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR A MULTITUDE OF SPINOFFS. IT ALSO INSPIRED A GENERATION OF SPACE-SET SERIES.
BREAKING NEW GROUND • Thirty years ago, Deep Space Nine took the Trek franchise in a whole new direction.
THE NEW GENERATION • It’s been decades since the first Star Trek series premiered, but the franchise continues to reinvent itself with new TV incarnations.
STARGAZING • A rundown of some of the key characters who have come aboard a Trek starship over the years.
FAREWELL TO AN ICON • Nichelle Nichols’ Uhura literally changed the face of television.
KIRK IN THE COSMOS • For a few quick minutes, William Shatner got to enjoy an out-of-this-world experience.
A WARDROBE MALFUNCTION? • Star Trek is an intergalactic fashion force.
STARTER TREK • A guide to some of the franchise’s essential episodes for newcomers (and fans who find something new to love with each viewing).
MOVIES: THE NEXT FRONTIER • Television may have been the launching pad for the Star Trek franchise, but it was feature films that propelled it into the stratosphere.
GOING IN STYLE • Throughout its many incarnations, there’s never been any doubt that Star Trek has set its fashion sense to stun.
A-Z GUIDE TO STAR TREK’S ALIENS • From the Andorians to Zobral, here’s a look at some of the creatures populating the franchise’s planets.
THE WIT & WISDOM OF STAR TREK • Whether it’s funny or philosophical, the franchise has always had something interesting to say. Literally.
ARE YOU A TREK-XPERT? • The original Star Trek TV series...