Reviews
Phasers on Stun!: How the Making--And Remaking--Of Star Trek Changed the World, by Ryan Britt
dirtwitch's review
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This was really fun, some of the last essays? (Chapters?) of the book we’re a bit short and I kind of wish were as in-depth as the earlier ones talking about the original series, but since these talk about the shows that are still on going and very new, there’s less to talk about. Especially as there’s already been so much more content since the book was finished. I just wish there was more of a dive into Lower Decks I feel like it only got a few minutes in the audio, but again there’s more episodes of that show out and probably not a lot of access to information around its creation like tos
creativelifeofliz's review
5.0
A delightful peek into what makes Star Trek so enduring and endearing.
Ryan Britt explores the 5+ decades of Star Trek history, including the risks the show took and the overall progressive approach to storytelling. He interviewed many people involved with Star Trek throughout the years and we get an inside look at the behind-the-scenes drama and challenges. The book also explores the choices made in each series and movie that shaped the show, pop culture opinion, and ultimately all of the Star Trek universe. Plus there's a handy guide at the end to all Star Trek iterations and the timeline for how they relate to one another.
Right off the bat, I feel it's important to mention that I'm a casual Star Trek fan. I grew up with my dad being a pretty big fan and now my husband is just as obsessed, but I watch much more irregularly and without as much dedication. However, I still absolutely enjoyed this book. I loved getting the history of the show and how it has impacted pop culture and science and how those parts of society have impacted the shows as well. It was interesting to see how actors used their (sometimes unexpected) fame from the show to make real-world impact. Plus, who can resist hearing about the drama going on during planning and production from the very beginning?
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you're a fan of Star Trek, science fiction in general, or really any major fandom (Star Trek directly influenced most major film franchises since). It was very easy to read and had many moments that were funny, heartbreaking, or both. I definitely will be encouraging other people in my life to read this book soon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Ryan Britt explores the 5+ decades of Star Trek history, including the risks the show took and the overall progressive approach to storytelling. He interviewed many people involved with Star Trek throughout the years and we get an inside look at the behind-the-scenes drama and challenges. The book also explores the choices made in each series and movie that shaped the show, pop culture opinion, and ultimately all of the Star Trek universe. Plus there's a handy guide at the end to all Star Trek iterations and the timeline for how they relate to one another.
Right off the bat, I feel it's important to mention that I'm a casual Star Trek fan. I grew up with my dad being a pretty big fan and now my husband is just as obsessed, but I watch much more irregularly and without as much dedication. However, I still absolutely enjoyed this book. I loved getting the history of the show and how it has impacted pop culture and science and how those parts of society have impacted the shows as well. It was interesting to see how actors used their (sometimes unexpected) fame from the show to make real-world impact. Plus, who can resist hearing about the drama going on during planning and production from the very beginning?
Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you're a fan of Star Trek, science fiction in general, or really any major fandom (Star Trek directly influenced most major film franchises since). It was very easy to read and had many moments that were funny, heartbreaking, or both. I definitely will be encouraging other people in my life to read this book soon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
courtneyreading's review
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Well-researched book that spans the entirety (so far) of Star Trek. If you’re inclined to read it, do it quickly. At the rate new Trek is coming out it will be out of date soon. The author did a good job with the narration.
uberbutter's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
If you enjoy Star Trek, there's a good chance you have a favorite series and/or movie. I'm a TNG fan, myself, partially because it's what I grew up on (a nod to Picard and Strange New Worlds for being top notch). And I will admit I haven't seen all the series. But regardless, I think most of us can say there's plenty of room in the Star Trek universe for all past, present, and future series/movies (seriously, don't gatekeep someone's love of something, it's a jerk move).
This is a book written by a fellow nerd, it's part history and part love letter to all things Star Trek. I learned a lot and it was quite entertaining from beginning to end. I'll take marks off for some pretty big spoilers on Star Trek: Discovery. Which is more my fault that I haven't watched it yet but, dangit, that was a big spoiler (or maybe not, I dunno, I haven't seen it still but it sounded big 😂). If you enjoy Star Trek, I say pick up this one up!
eyan_birt's review
3.0
I was disappointed by the overall presentation. While the early chapters I found fascinating and insightful, giving credit to early creators while giving historical context, etc., was great. I'm a new Trek fan, I missed on TOS, TNG, DS9, everything until DISCO and now I'm watching from the start. However, neglecting to remember the entire character of Keiko (which could have been avoided by slightly different phrasing), writing about Pride in a weird kind of "cis ally thinks they know how to be helpful" kind of way I found disengenous, and a deep self-regard for himself "hey guys a fan figured out the twist on DISCO before it aired and CBS reached out to him to stop..that was totally me, y'all" just felt like a pat on the back instead of continuing to discss the relationship between Trek and fan base.
I don't know. For how strong the start was, I feel very let down by the second half. I recognize the second half covers a lot of the new and ongoing Trek, but even the Ds9, Voyager, and Enterprise sections were remarkably sparse.
The first half would have been better as the start to a "making of TOS" biography type thing, and the second half as a series of disconnected essays.
I don't know. For how strong the start was, I feel very let down by the second half. I recognize the second half covers a lot of the new and ongoing Trek, but even the Ds9, Voyager, and Enterprise sections were remarkably sparse.
The first half would have been better as the start to a "making of TOS" biography type thing, and the second half as a series of disconnected essays.
rahthesungod's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
errrick's review
informative
fast-paced
3.75
You'll probably like this book about as much as you like (on average) the Star Trek tv shows and movies. It does also discuss some of the novels, conventions, etc. but the focus is on tv shows and movies.
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