Up Till Now: The Autobiography
Written by William Shatner and David Fisher
Narrated by William Shatner
4/5
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About this audiobook
After almost sixty years as an actor, William Shatner has become one of the most beloved entertainers in the world. And it seems as if Shatner is everywhere. In Up Till Now, Shatner sits down with readers and offers the remarkable, full story of his life and explains how he got to be, well, everywhere.
It was the original Star Trek series, and later its films, that made Shatner instantly recognizable, called by name---or at least by Captain Kirk's name---across the globe. But Shatner neither began nor has ended his career with that role. From the very start, he took his skills as an actor and put them to use wherever he could. He straddled the classic world of the theater and the new world of television, whether stepping in for Christopher Plummer in Shakespeare's Henry V or staring at "something on the wing" in a classic episode of The Twilight Zone. And since then, he's gone on to star in numerous successful shows, such as T.J. Hooker, Rescue 911,and Boston Legal.
William Shatner has always been willing to take risks for his art. What other actor would star in history's first---and probably only---all-Esperanto-language film? Who else would share the screen with thousands of tarantulas, release an album called Has Been, or film a racially incendiary film in the Deep South during the height of the civil rights era? And who else would willingly paramotor into a field of waiting fans armed with paintball guns, all waiting for a chance to stun Captain...er, Shatner?
In this touching and very funny autobiography, William Shatner's Up Till Now reveals the man behind these unforgettable moments, and how he's become the worldwide star and experienced actor he is today.
"It is now Bill Shatner's universe---we just live in it."---New York Daily News
William Shatner
William Shatner played Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise on Star Trek from 1966 to 1969 and in seven Star Trek movies. He also played Police Sergeant T.J Hooker, from 1982 to 1986, and has worked as a musician, producer, director, and celebrity pitchman, recently for Priceline.com. He has won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for his role as attorney Denny Crane on the TV drama Boston Legal.
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Reviews for Up Till Now
148 ratings13 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was a great read. Couldn’t put it down. Thanks Steve
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I opted for the audiobook version of this, rather than reading it myself, because it's read by William Shatner himself. And nobody delivers a line like William Shatner. I think it was the right call.If you're looking for unexpected insights, deep introspection, or new revelations about Shatner's work, probably best to move along. But if you just want a fun read (or listen) tracing one of the most eclectic careers in Hollywood, I recommend this.The book is a lot like Shatner's persona: it maintains deadpan seriousness in the most ludicrous of situations. From the multiple opening scenes to the commercial interruptions in every chapter, Shatner maintains a playful, engaging tone as the narrative meanders through his life story. A life story which includes shooting a bear at close quarters, doing stunts on top of a fast-moving train without a safety harness, the Twilight Zone, Priceline commercials, a recording of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, James T. Kirk, T.J. Hooker, and Denny Crane.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I loved this book. His story is fascinating and entertaining. After reading it last year, I Netflix'd the first season of Boston Legal and got hooked (no plan for T.J. Hooker, though). He's larger than life and quite candid, discussing his marriages, relationships with Star Trek costars, and his more than 50 year career.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm surprised to admit this but I really enjoyed this book! "Up Till Now" is now my second favorite autobiography (after Keith Richards' "Life"). William Shattner is such a great storyteller and I could listen to him prattle on forever (not that he was rambling--he was often magical and anthralling).
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this autobiography, particularly on audibook. I find I've really gotten to know "Bill". *grin* He's quite entertaining and endearing. It was great to get his behind the scenes take on his various roles and endeavors, especially the way he describes the motivation behind things he's done, liked his "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and the character in "Boston Legal" (which I've never seen, but now want to!) Worthwhile book for any Shatner fan. Highly recommend!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A totally off the wall biography by William Shatner. When you first start reading this book you are not quite sure whether Shatner has an over inflated ego, or his tongue is wedged firmly in his cheek. It soon becomes clear that self-deprecation is the name of the game. Whether poking fun at his own 'B' movies or his 'singing' ability, it is clear that Shatner does not take himself too seriously. There are some good behind the scenes references on Star Trek and Boston Legal, and some genuinely moving personal recollections, but mostly is a wonderful comedic ride and is great fun
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I opted for the audiobook version of this, rather than reading it myself, because it's read by William Shatner himself. And nobody delivers a line like William Shatner. I think it was the right call.If you're looking for unexpected insights, deep introspection, or new revelations about Shatner's work, probably best to move along. But if you just want a fun read (or listen) tracing one of the most eclectic careers in Hollywood, I recommend this.The book is a lot like Shatner's persona: it maintains deadpan seriousness in the most ludicrous of situations. From the multiple opening scenes to the commercial interruptions in every chapter, Shatner maintains a playful, engaging tone as the narrative meanders through his life story. A life story which includes shooting a bear at close quarters, doing stunts on top of a fast-moving train without a safety harness, the Twilight Zone, Priceline commercials, a recording of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, James T. Kirk, T.J. Hooker, and Denny Crane.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was the funniest autobiography/biography I've ever read!--which really surprised me because William Shatner isn't one of my favorite actors. I picked up this audiobook at the library because 1) I have a lot of driving to do, and 2) I'm on a Star Trek kick ever since I saw the 2009 movie.I highly recommend people to try to get their hands on the audio so they can hear Shatner's delivery of his own words. The man had me laughing out loud in several spots, and weeping during another.Fabulous read :)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5very funny. a good life story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely loved listening to this in the car on my way home from work. Shatner is warm, humble, self-effacing and fully aware of his foibles and more arrogant personality traits. Stand-out parts include his arguments with other Star Trek actors and the painful yet touching description of his doomed second (I think) marriage that ended in such an appalling tragedy. Some people would consider Shatner to be a bit of a ham and a media whore but I hope I can have half the career sucess this guy's had. As an aside, I would also recommend getting a copy of Shatner's last musical album 'Has Been' as an accompaniment to this book. That CD is much better than I thought it was going to be as well!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I knew Shatner was a Canadian. I did not know he started his career as a theatre actor, nor that he was a Shakespearean actor at the famed Stratford Festival. I had some idea that he had a good sense of humour, but not that he has such an irrepressible wit. As an autobiography, I would have preferred more information about his family, but the book was still highly engaging and a very enjoyable read. Quick to read, to be sure, but worth the time.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Best known for his work as Captain James T. Kirk in the original (and best) Star Trek, William Shatner has had a healthy career beyond the confines of the starship Enterprise. That career is detailed here in Shatner's latest autobiography that takes a look at his entire career, unlike his last two memoirs that focused on his time as Captain Kirk. Some of the stories about his time of Kirk repeat and overlap, but the rest of the book is a fascinating portrait of a man who is driven by an insatiable fear of failure, not only in his professional but also his personal life. Not just a "look at how great I am" piece, Shatner details his successes and failures for readers with his own brand of self-deprecating wit. If you're a fan of Shatner, this is a fun read that will provide some insight into the man behind the Starfleet uniform
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Quite a bit of fun. I can't make up my mind if Bill Shatner is a great adventurer (likely), an arrogant egotistical ass (also likely), and/or a decent guy. What I do like is that the writing is engaging, his life story interesting and the cover photo is priceless. An enjoyable read.