The Meaning of Star Trek: An Excursion into the Myth and Marvel of the Star Trek Universe

By Thomas Richards

Book Overview

"Where does Star Trek come from? Why is it so popular? How does it go about creating a coherent world? Literary critics may take literature seriously, but they often look down on popular forms such as television shows.

"I feel differently. I think the meaning of the series can best be captured by looking at how it successfully creates a coherent universe. Like any great work of art or literature, the Star Trek universe has an integrity and a resonance all its own, a completeness unrivaled by any other kind of science fiction, whether movie, television show, or novel. The unique character of the series, taken not as a group of loosely connected stories but as a viable whole, is the subject of this book."

--From the Introduction to The Meaning of Star Trek

Star Trek has no equal. Easily the most cerebral show on television, it brought a literary sophistication to the raw material of science fiction and confounded all the formulas of television. By taking classic stories and placing them in strange new contexts, Star Trek became a modern Odyssey in outer space, a set of stories so basic to our culture that they can be told over and over again.

The Meaning of Star Trek captures the essence of this timeless television masterpiece by linking the parallel universes of classical literature and popular culture. Thomas Richards examines its portrayals of contact and conflict with other species and other cultures; its deep explorations of character and identity, and its complex conception of the idea of the individual self; its remarkably rich and varied use of story and myth; and its profound appeal to our shared sense of wonder, a reverence and awe for that which science cannot explain.

Enlightening, provocative, and enormously entertaining, The Meaning of Star Trek is essential reading for even the most casual admirer of the Star Trek universe, as well as a brilliant introduction to the worlds of literature, myth, and science fiction.

This book was not prepared, approved, licensed, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the Star Trek television series or films.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385484399
• ISBN13: 9780385484398
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Main Street Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Not a valid genre?

Various reviewers have sneered at Richards for analyzing and attempting to find meaning in what is "just a tv show.", treating it like it's "the Bible or Shakespeare". After all, the show's producers were motivated only by capitalist greed, and so couldn't produce a vision such as Richards credits them with. Why not?A Tale of Two Cities was written in installments, for Dickens' profit. Shakespeare's plays were produced primarily to generate income for the Bard. The capitalist motivations for a work doesn't disqualify it of any merit. Granted, the nature of television makes it less intrinsicly intellectual than books. Still, a television show containing purpose and thought is possible--if accomplished far to seldomly (see the current range of garbage offered). Such a creation was Star Trek.I find The Meaning of Star Trek a brilliant, thoughtful analysis of the politics, diplomacy and intellect of this fictional yet consistent work. I recommend it for anyone who enjoyed The Next Generation, whcih is the primary subject of analysis. For those who enjoy this book, I also consider The Ethics of Star Trek worth reading, though considerably inferior to 'Meaning'.

Thorough, scholarly analysis of Star Trek

This book will broaden your understanding of the Star Trek universe. Definitely worth reading by any serious Star Trek fan.

Star Trek from an interlectual perspective

Thomas Richards book is outstanding. It is a very deep analysis of Star Trek from a cultural - historical and a literature point of view. The author is focusing almost on Star Trek - The Next Generation alone, - that is a shame, i.e the Dominion of Deep Space 9 would have been worth analysing.