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

by Thomas Richards

Book Overview

Before "The X-Files" there was "Star Trek." Unrivaled in the fanaticism and devotion of its fans, it was easily the most cerebral show of its age. "Star Trek" brought a literary sophistication to the raw material of science fiction and confounded all the formulas of television.

The Meaning of Star Trek captures the essence of this timeless television masterpiece by examining it in the context of literary and social history, anthropology, myth, and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385484399
• ISBN13: 9780385484398
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• 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.