Star Trek FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the First Voyages of the Starship Enterprise

By Mark Clark

(FAQ). Star Trek FAQ tells the complete story of Star Trek , from the before the beginning (the books, films, and TV shows that inspired producer Gene Roddenberry to create Star Trek ) until after the end (when the show emerged as a cultural phenomenon in syndication), and including dramatic behind-the-scenes stories (e.g., Leonard Nimoy's struggle with alcoholism and actress Grace Lee Whitney's controversial firing) often omitted from "authorized" histories of the program. Along with in-depth looks at the pre- and post- Trek careers of the show's iconic leads, Star Trek FAQ includes profiles of guest stars and "redshirt" extras alike, as well as the many writers, technicians, and artisans whose efforts enabled Star Trek to take flight. The book also explores the show's unprecedented resurgence in the 1970s with chapters devoted to early Star Trek fiction, merchandising, and the short-lived animated series. Combining a wealth of fascinating information about every facet of the show's production with original analysis of Star Trek 's enduring appeal and cultural influence, Star Trek FAQ goes where no Star Trek book has gone before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hal Leonard LLC
• Release date: Apr 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781557839633

Mark Clark

Mark lives in Bowen Mountain, Sydney Australia. He has a wife, Jo-Anne, and two children, Elliot  and Imogen. He writes novels, plays and songs. This novel is the first in The DNA Trilogy and part of a six-part series, the second trilogy of which is titled: The I.Q. Trilogy. All these novels will be released in the near future. He has taught English and Drama in NSW public high schools for 42 years and now he has finished teaching he is giving more attention to his creative endeavours. He has podcasts and lots of other songs and writings  at: markclark.com.au He has narrated all of his novels and these audiobooks will be available as the books are released.

Reviews for Star Trek FAQ

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was interesting, and I did learn a few things that I hadn't known before, but for the most part, I did wonder why another book on Star Trek: The Original Series was needed when so much about it has already been written.

I kind of wish the author had been able to include the movies that included the Original Series cast in this book so that all of those would be together (rather than consigning the movies to his FAQ 2.0 book).

Overall he does have an easy to read writing style. I did find that I could only read for a certain amount of time or pages and then needed to take a break.

[perednia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A long time ago in our galaxy, not one far away, network television found itself hoodwinked when writer/producer Gene Roddenberry promised NBC "Wagon Train to the stars" and instead delivered the beginning of a new part of our culture, Star Trek.For those who grew up on TOS (The Original Series), whether as teens waiting for 10 p.m. on Friday nights that final season or the syndication every weekday that endlessly recycled the original 79 episodes, Star Trek had it all and promised it all. We didn't kill ourselves during the Cold War. We ended Vietnam. We became an integrated society. We fulfilled President Kennedy's promise of space exploration. We could dream of becoming astronauts and our dreams could come true. We didn't have to be the popular kids to find a place to fit in, as David Gerrold eloquently explains in his foreward to a new compilation of behind-the-scene facts, background material and episode highlights, Star Trek FAQ.Clark's compendium has many strengths, whether the reader is a first-generation Trekker or wondering what that big 2009 movie was based on. Clark provides a concise, highly readable, rundown of the original influences and executives in various companies who contributed to what became Trek. Although Trek was Roddenberry's baby, he had to run the gauntlet of studio and network approval to get that baby on the air.The ins and outs not only show how difficult it is for any show to get on the air with any vestige of its original intent intact, it also chronicles how the Trek universe was refined and designed to become what ultimately became beloved. For example, the FAQ has excellent point-by-point notations of the contrasts between the original pilot -- "The Cage" -- and the final program that aired. Spock originally was meant to be more curious than logical. Jeffrey Hunter's Pike is closer to Roddenberry's version of Horatio Hornblower than that swashbuckler James Tiberius Kirk ended up being.The episode guide is not "full service" because, as Clark notes, "there are plenty of those available elsewhere". However, all are included with thumbnail plot sketches and notes about other aspects such as broadcast history, guests and even such details as changes in scores and opening credits.Worthwhile ideas to consider abound. In noting how Trek differed because it posits that mankind has survived and improved, there is a quick roundup of SF antecedents. It's about as cheery as The Hunger Games and other current examples of the popular YA genre of dystopian fiction. The chapter itself admirably brings together the examples of how mankind shows its better nature by rejecting killing and slavery through the run of TOS. Another Trek theme of a better civilization with cool gadgets that is still run by the people who made the gadgets, and not the gadgets themselves, is detailed in a thoughtful manner. Religion and other social issues also are dealt with as part of Roddenberry's overall philosophy, refracted through the lens of the individual Trek episodes. A philosophy can be determined from the show: Hatred hurts and kills. Humanity is better than that. Religion is one way people have tried to control others over the years. Technology is a tool for humanity but not more important than its creators. IDIC (Infinite Diversitiy in Infinite Combinations) may have originated with the logical Vulcans, but it is a philosophy of empathy and acceptance, not mere tolerance.The book also addresses, with specific examples, how TOS reflects the 1960s and the attitudes of men born in the 1920s who didn't quite get how their view of women didn't mesh with their intent to portray a future of equality and non-prejudice.Subsequent Trek series are woven into the various accounts when necessary. That this is done without having the whole Trek universe take over the book, which remains focused on TOS, is an achievement worthy of praise.Clark is not afraid to let his opinion show. The author really does not like Nimoy's singing and really likes Shatner's acting (even while acknowledging the bombasts). A lengthy chapter points out nearly every facial expression and line delivery that Shatner made. He does write about acting highlights of the other actors as well, devoting roughly same amount of space to each actor in relation to the importance of their characters.At its weak points, the tone is total fan boy. At one point, Clark notes that when one considers how the other actors felt about Shatner, perhaps their characters beating up Kirk in one episode wasn't a stretch at acting. For the thumbnail of "The City on the Edge of Forever", Clark writes: "Come on, you don't really need a plot summary for this one, do you? OK, here goes:..." Oh, indulge us. This is a FAQ. Also, the availability of buying gadgets seen on Trek goes full geek. Then again, since some people are still waiting for their jet packs, why worry about buying a transporter?And, unlike the author, it's possible to see that Next Generation's backing of Commander Data as a sentient being expands and fulfills the promise of equality for living beings, and does not, as he contends, soften the stance of humanity's superiority to any technology. Actually, including Data as a sentient being is nothing more than a logical extension of IDIC. All right. The very fact these idea come up in a review shows a strength in the overall presentation of information throughout the book.Star Trek FAQ is an excellent addition to any Trek collection, for novice or expert. Based on the strength of this book, the upcoming edition dealing with later programs and the movies also will be worthwhile.

[jasonpettus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)Even the author of this trying book admits right in the introduction that there is now already a plethora of well-written books regarding each and every little sub-topic that exists concerning the long-running Star Trek franchise; and so that begs the question of why we should care about this newest one, or indeed why it even exists at all. And the answer after wading through this filler-crammed fluff piece is, "Hmm, I'm not exactly sure," which besides the serviceable, Wikipedia-quality cores of each chapter are otherwise padded out with the very definition of "page-filling pablum;" the trouble starts right at the beginning, with multi-page looks at every tiny little previous acting part every cast member of the original Star Trek had had before joining the show in the mid-1960s, and just pretty much gets worse from there. It's not terrible, which is why it isn't getting a terrible score; but like the author says, I found it difficult to understand why it even exists, and recommend that you instead pick up a better-written specific guide to whichever topic in particular you're most interested in.Out of 10: 7.1

[tammydotts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chances are, even if you’re not a fan of Star Trek (in any of its incarnations), you can reference Captain Kirk, “live long and prosper,” and “beam me up, Scottie” in conversation. Casual fans may remember the episode with the tribbles or visiting Vulcan. True fans know “beam me up, Scottie” was never uttered on screen.Mark Clark’s Star Trek FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Voyages of the First Starship Enterprise serves all three classes of fans. As he explains in his introduction:Star Trek FAQ is primarily a historical account, with some analysis and criticism to provide perspective …. While it’s perfectly acceptable to read this book front to back, Star Trek FAQ has been designed for nonlinear consumption. Each chapter functions independently.Clark’s self-assessment is on the money. Repetition can’t be avoided given how the book is organized. Fans of any stripe will be better served by dipping into sections that catch their eye from time to time. Not every section is for every reader.Star Trek FAQ doesn’t take an academic approach, but it isn’t a tell-all book of feuds and dressing room hi-jinks either. Clark manages to hit both notes though.He addresses Gene Roddenberry’s goals in creating the show and uses it to provide commentary on modern society and to answer why the show’s popularity carried on from the original series through four expansions of the universe on TV plus movies, books and a pervasive hold on pop culture:Roddenberry’s vision of a future where the ancient evils of war, poverty, and racism have been replaced by peace, prosperity, and brotherhood comforted its audience during the turbulent 1960s and continues to reassure viewers today …. Until his vision becomes a reality – something that, sadly, is unlikely to happen any sooner than the twenty-third century – Star Trek will continue to serve as a beacon of hope.The book starts with the creation of the show. For hard-core fans, the list of influences won’t provide any surprises, but Clark does a good job showing the specific pieces Roddenberry took from his muses. Bios of the original cast highlight their pre-Trek appearances, but misses the opportunity to explain why the actors were hired for their particular roles.One of the highlights of the book is how Clark covers the episodes. Instead of a season-by-season plot summary, he divides his episodic discussion into villain type. Tribbles show up in the monster category, while “malignant life forces” highlights Redjac (“Wolf in the Fold”). Technological terrors and madmen round out the villain section. Vulcans, Klingons and Romulans have their own chapter. Other episodes are discussed according to the show’s setting: strangely familiar worlds, strange old worlds (the time travel episodes), strange new dimensions and strange new worlds.The organization works well and may send you searching for reruns to spot connections you may have missed the first (or forty-first) time you watched the series.One of the best sections covers Trek technology. It explains what the tech does, how it works and whether we may ever see it. It’s a great introduction for someone new to Star Trek and offers some laughs for longtime fans. For example, on when man will ever see the transporter come to life:So when can I buy one? Right after you ride your unicorn over to Frodo’s house and borrow his magic ring. The transporter defies so many of the basic laws of physics that it is, essentially, a fantasy element dressed up as science fiction.Some sections are for true die-hard fans who want every detail down to music rights and how score changes were needed because of rights issues when the show was released on VHS but restored for the DVD release. Casual fans may skip these sections.At times, Clark provides a little too much information. A section on Star Trek’s competition covers Bewitched with details about the cast switch, influences on the series, spinoffs and the 2005 movie. The section on famous actors, scientists and politicians who were Trek fans may be interesting to some, but may seem like too much padding to others.The FAQ ends flatly (famous fans precedes a bibliography) for a book that began by addressing Roddenberry’s philosophy behind the series. Perhaps Clark’s planned sequel, which will look at the movies and Star Trek: The Next Generation, will bring those opening thoughts full circle. For now though, Star Trek FAQ can be a book with which to dip your feet into the Star Trek universe or with which to add to your knowledge of Trek minutiae.

[jfe16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This narrative tells the story of the original “Star Trek” series. Beginning with the books, the films, and the television shows that inspired Gene Roddenberry to create “Star Trek,” the text concludes with the 1978 announcement of the first feature film. Along with the “pre-history” of the show, there are chapters providing behind the scenes information, social commentary, and the legacy of the show.A must for all fans of the series; the inclusion of profiles of actors, redshirt extras, writers, and technicians makes this a not-to-be-overlooked reference for Trekkies everywhere.Recommended.