My previous column mentioned David Gerrold's book "The Trouble with Tribbles: The Birth, Sale, and Final Production of One Episode" which I recommended to anyone interested in behind-the-scenes activities in the production of a television series.

In the same year (1973) Gerrold also wrote "The World of Star Trek". The updated edition I read came out in 1984, and added information about the first three feature films. Twenty years after the first series pilot, and in the midst of the big-screen revival, the author had the advantage of time to reflect on the phenomenon and its impacts. As a companion to his first book, Gerrold states, "this is the book to place it in context." He refers to himself as being "in the position of being Star Trek's unofficial (and self-appointed) historian," and we are the beneficiaries of his efforts.

This book is excellent. Each of its five sections covers a unique aspect of the Star Trek universe. Part 1 is "The First World of Star Trek - Gene Roddenberry's Dream", which presents a detailed look at the background and source materials for the original series, including excerpts from the show's official "Guide" for writers. Gerrold is not afraid to point out the problems inherent in the format, with suggestions for how it might have been improved. His "pull no punches" approach is prevalent throughout the entire volume. Part 2 focuses on "The Star Trek Family" with lengthy interviews of each member of the regular cast, plus comments by Gene Roddenberry, Gene Coon, Dorothy Fontana, plus two delightful segments with guest star William Campbell and Leonard Nimoy's assistant Teresa Victor.

The "Star Trek Phenomenon" is the subject of Part 3: the fans, the campaign to save the show, collectors and collectibles, and conventions. In Part 4, "The Unfulfilled Potential" Gerrold once again takes us into the real world of series production, chronicling decisions that were made based on practicality that sometimes compromised the dramatic elements of the storytelling. Part 5 is "The Return of Star Trek" from the origins of the "Phase II" series and how it morphed into "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", followed by the development and success of the two subsequent films.

"The World of Star Trek" is fascinating reading for anyone who has an interest in the original series.

The third Gerrold contribution (to which I alluded in my previous column) was his eight-page Afterword to Harlan Ellison's book, "The City on the Edge of Forever". This volume is worthy of a column (or several) by itself, but the Gerrold piece is worth a look on its own. Another eleven years after "World", it's interesting to see how Gerrold's perspective on his experience at Star Trek evolved, as expressed in this masterfully-written essay.

Drop me a note at mwade@roddenberry.com if you are interested in locating a copy of either of these out-of-print books for yourself.

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Star Trek Books

New this month from Simon & Schuster:

Terok Nor: Night of the Wolves
(mass market paperback)
The second volume of the trilogy exploring the occupation of Bajor by the Cardassian Union. The final installment comes out in June.

Visit SimonSays.com for more information or to order these Star Trek titles.

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