Best known to the world as the actor who created the legendary Mr. Spock in the cult television series that launched the Star Trek phenomenon, Leonard Nimoy has written the definitive Star Trek memoir. In this long-awaited autobiography, Nimoy opens up to his fans in ways the Vulcan never could. Having played the pivotal role of Mr. Spock in the original series, in six motion pictures, and in a special two-part episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as having directed two of the movies, Nimoy is well suited to tell the true story behind what was seen by the public. He provides an intelligent and insightful book about the creative process and the actor's craft - and gives his own unique insider's view of the creation of both the character, Mr. Spock, and the Star Trek phenomenon.
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From Publishers Weekly
Few actors are as inextricably associated with one role as Leonard Nimoy is with Star Trek's Mr. Spock. In 1975, when he was embarking on a post-Star Trek career, Nimoy published an autobiography with the tongue-in-cheek title I Am Not Spock. Twenty years later, despite a fruitful career as a film director (Three Men and a Baby, The Good Mother) and theatrical actor, he here reembraces his legendary half-Vulcan alter ego. Star Trek fans will find this a, well, fascinating history of the "birth" and evolution of Spock?Nimoy explains the original conception of the character and describes his own contributions to the development of Spock's persona. He also provides an insider's account of the production of the TV show and the highly successful series of Star Trek movies, and offers his insights into why the Star Trek phenomenon has maintained such a grip on our cultural imagination. Nimoy's admirers may find this fairly impersonal memoir disappointing; it touches only tangentially on the author's private life. But this is an intelligent and entertaining look at an actor's engagement with a character who "seemed to take on an existence of his own." Photos. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Twenty years ago, Nimoy published a book declaring I Am Not Spock and started one of the big showbiz rumors of our time--that he hated his dramatic alter ego, the pointy-eared, half-alien first officer of the starship Enterprise in the original Star Trek. The rumor's not true, says he in this very congenial new book focused on Spock so exclusively that other roles Nimoy has played get short shrift and, with a few exceptions (such as the account of filming the acclaimed Good Mother, which Nimoy directed), non^-Star Trek events get less. But that's the way a Star Trek memoir should be, and Nimoy's ST recollections top the others in entertainment value, not least because of the amusing dialogues between himself and Spock that he scatters throughout. Nimoy doesn't distract us with the greater personal detail Nichelle Nichols and George Takei vended in their recent life stories, and he's a far sight less self-inflating than Bill Shatner in his ST autobios. Maybe Nimoy's being a bit too much of a nice guy, you sometimes feel, maybe there was more friction and frustration than he lets on. But with all these happy Star Trek stories to read, who cares? Ray Olson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Towards the end of the book, Leonard does get a bit critical of Mr. Berman and the current makers of the Trek shows and films, saying outright that they are sacrifising character and story development for more cheaper film productions and taking the fan base for granted. This is true, despite the fact that many people still like Star Trek, most do not care for the current direction that Gene Roddenberry's series has gone. And the current management at Paramount seem clueless as to how to make needed changes to win the fans back. It might not happen for a long time.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By General Pete
Format:Hardcover
Once agian a must book for any serious star trek fan's library. This book is funny with plently of inside jokes and interesting information. I very much enjoyed it and I feel kind of stupid because I had this book on my self for 5 years before I read it.
I'll say this for Nimoy if he is as big an egotist as William Shatner he sure doesn't write like it. While it might not have the scope of Shatner's books, I don't know it just seems more human.
Overall-A must for any Star Trek fan.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
As an original Trekkie, I am always looking for additional information about the Star Trek phenomena. I am interested in more than just the shows themselves, I have an additional interest in the lives and careers of those who played the major characters. In this book, Leonard Nimoy not only discusses his role in Star Trek, but also other aspects of his professional life. Of all the major characters, he is the only one who developed a significant career in film outside of Star Trek. Yes, I am aware that William Shatner starred in a television series, but that was short-lived. Nimoy has been very active as a writer/director, being involved in the development of some very good movies.
There is very little information about Nimoy's personal life outside his career in the book. The bulk of the discussion concerns his role in the original Star Trek series, subsequent Star Trek feature films and some of his experiences behind the camera as a director. All information that I have encountered bolsters the thesis that Nimoy puts forward in the book, that he is very highly regarded as a director by the remainder of the Star Trek original cast. He also is very positive about William Shatner, and it is clear that he and Shatner are friends, despite some creative differences in the past.
Nimoy also raises a point about Shatner and Star Trek that should be taken seriously. Shatner has often been criticized for overacting in the series, Nimoy notes that it probably could not have been any other way. Jeffrey Hunter, the original captain, was more introspective, and was not well received by all test audiences. At that point in entertainment history, dynamic heroes were a necessity in all action venues.
Leonard Nimoy is a very literate man who tells a different side of the Star Trek phenomena. There is no scandal, no personal pique, just a statement of what happened and how much he enjoys having been a part of an ongoing entertainment phenomena.
There is very little information about Nimoy's personal life outside his career in the book. The bulk of the discussion concerns his role in the original Star Trek series, subsequent Star Trek feature films and some of his experiences behind the camera as a director. All information that I have encountered bolsters the thesis that Nimoy puts forward in the book, that he is very highly regarded as a director by the remainder of the Star Trek original cast. He also is very positive about William Shatner, and it is clear that he and Shatner are friends, despite some creative differences in the past.
Nimoy also raises a point about Shatner and Star Trek that should be taken seriously. Shatner has often been criticized for overacting in the series, Nimoy notes that it probably could not have been any other way. Jeffrey Hunter, the original captain, was more introspective, and was not well received by all test audiences. At that point in entertainment history, dynamic heroes were a necessity in all action venues.
Leonard Nimoy is a very literate man who tells a different side of the Star Trek phenomena. There is no scandal, no personal pique, just a statement of what happened and how much he enjoys having been a part of an ongoing entertainment phenomena.
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Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
I don't trust them anymore
I buy one of compagny books and it's not what they said . I received in time , but some one wrote inside the book and they never told AMAZON . Read more
Published 16 months ago by Liane Loyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The Guy With the Ears" writes a fun, touching memoir
Mr. Nimoy's lighthearted approach to this autobiography makes it, not only a necessary read for real Trek fans, but simply a pleasure. Read more
Published on Jun 17 2009 by Zac MacNamara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
So this is not an autobiography for the person who wants the details of Nimoy's childhood or family life, he focuses almost exclusively on his work. Read more
Published on Nov 30 2003 by Alana U. Belcon
4.0 out of 5 stars
An important part of a puzzle
A puzzle that must inevitably contain William Shatners "Memories" books, as well. Reading both accounts, one can begin to see at least a good portion of the whole. Read more
Published on Jun 21 2003 by Rann
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