Product Description
Shekhina presents the first-ever monograph of Leonard Nimoy, photographer.This exhaustive and eerily beautiful photographic study of the female form reveals Nimoy's intrigue with scriptural mythology and ancient spirituality.According to the Kabbalah, evil came into the world once God became separate from the "Shekhina," the deity's feminine counterpart.The Shekhina came to be understood as a crucial element of both divine and human spirit, symbolizing the creativity and wisdom without which no human being is complete.Renowned actor and director Leonard Nimoy has turned to photography as a means of inquiry into the mysteries of the Shekhina.In his introductory text, Nimoy elaborates on the influence Shekhina has had on the work: "I have imagined her as ubiquitous, watchful and often in motion...This work is my quest for insight, the exploration of my own spirituality, and, as such, has been a deeply moving and expanding process."Shekhina Limited Edition with a print, signed and numbered by the photographer and limited to 75 copies, is available upon request (ISBN: 1-884167-21-X) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

artless and insipid
I'm really sorry to depart from the flock--though they tell me this is a free country--by fessing up that Shekhina is naught but artless, generic, insipid black-and-white photos of female nudes. My precocious five-year-old sons with a quality camera and a stern briefing and debriefing could do work that is at least as--well, workmanlike, I suppose. Leonard Nimoy constantly has to stick his fingers into whatever, but he certainly didn't pull out a plum this time (though arguably a prune). And he's the rudest gentleman I ever met: I sold my just-purchased $35 "Shekhina" to the guy behind me in line for $20 cash because Nimoy's response to my heartfelt thanks and appreciation and fan-stuff were so coolly received. He ought to consider himself lucky that he acquired legions of followers merely by standing there and saying "I can travel, captain" or "Over here, captain!" or "Using parts from both, I have completed one communicator." (Trekkers: identify the three episodes from just those lines! C'mon, 'tis easy [answers infra]!)

Well, I'd better say something to fill up space so you can't see the answers before you've at least scrolled past something, so I'll offer you a freshly written poem. This one is entitled "Pea."

Pea--
Luscious, verdant leguminous spheroid--
Boiled, buttered, and Bilbo Baggins baby-burped,
Scudding off my knife into my gaping pharyngeal chasm:
Such dissonantly dreadful manners for such a master of English!

O.K., here are the episodes. "I can travel, captain": "A Private Little War," after Spock is shot in the back by one of the Hill People; "Over here, captain!": "Friday's Child," after the communicator-caused landslide, raining down on the Capellans, leaves Jim unable to locate Spock; "Using parts from both, I have completed one communicator": "Patterns of Force," not longer after a Zeon hands Spock two two communicators (analyzed and resultantly disassembled and damaged) recovered from the Ekosian laboratory section at Party Headquarters.

Oh, the book was nicely bound on quality paper. But stick to Star Trek and related efforts rather than Nimoy's newfound Ansel Adams shtick.

Very aesthetic pictures
Actually I don't like pictures of naked women, because there are already too many of them, everywhere. But these pictures are different. They are very aestethically and well made. To share the topics Judaism godhood and women is really intersting, because I have never seen anyone - especially no man - who puts together believe and women, anyway if the women are naked or not. I think it is very couragenously of Leonard Nimoy to do it. I always knew he is a very emancipated man, he always was.

I liked most the pictures where I could see the relations to Judaism directly. The pictures are really impressive. I am not a Jew, but very interested in that religion and Leonard Nimoy (himself a trusted Jew) shows me one more time that Jews have something special and they (many of them I think) know what life can be when one uses its qualities. Actually anyone should know, it shouldn't something to do with believe or religion...

Very well done book and an interesting facet of a man who many only know as green blooded and with pointed ears, what is much too little, if one wants to describe Leonard Nimoy.

Prudes make me mad
I shouldn't be dumbfounded by some of the negative responses this book has evoked.And yet I am.
As a deeply religious and spiritual person, as a feminist, and also a photographer of classical nudes not unlike those presented in this book, I commend Nimoy's work.
1.From an artistic perspective the technique, composition, and visual impact is intense and yet quiet.
2.From a feminist perspective, this work does NOT objectify women, but rather celebrates them.Mr. Nimoy has never been one to objectify women's bodies, as he made so clear with his Full Body Project in which he sympathetically photographed very, very rotund women.His very reference to Shekhina, the female aspect of the Hebrew God Yahweh (if you don't know anything about her, please look her up) shows his deep respect for women.Yes, these women are naked, but they are clothed in their own strength.They are not presented as objects of lust, but rather as beings connected to the spiritual realm.The nudity just serves to add to the poignancy, intimacy, and sincerity of the work.
3.Spiritually, there is nothing remotely insulting about this work.Nudity is not a filthy thing, just as sex is not (although this work is clearly not about sex.)Yahweh put Adam and Eve into the garden stark naked, because this was His idea of perfection, innocence, and beauty.It wasn't until sin came into play that clothes entered the scene -- Adam and Eve came up with the idea of clothing, and Yahweh just went along with it.Clothing is a social construct created by humans in reaction to their own shame.Worshiping before God nude shows our vulnerability, shows that we hold no barriers between ourselves and the Divine, and that we come to Him as He created us.
Simultaneously, this work challenges conservative Jewish, Christian, and Muslim perspectives of women that suggest they are the originators of sin and evil, and therefore do not have the same right or ability to connect with God as men (and as such are not allowed to be religious leaders.)He particularly highlights woman's ability to create and harbor life within herself, using this as an example of her unique form of spirituality.Mr. Nimoy's women approach God without the shame in relation to their womanhood and their supposed original sin, concepts the religious right tries to pound into them.Their femininity and pride therein is emphasized by their nakedness.
On all counts, a provocative, artistic, rich, reverent, inspiring work.

Beautiful and inspiring.
Contrary to some of the amusingly horrified reviews here, every single page of Shekhina is not plastered with breasts or splayed genitals. Of course there is nudity- full nudity on a couple of pages- but it is very tastefully done (if you're looking for pictures of naked women in an erotic context, look elsewhere). Nimoy's photography depicts these women reverently and they very much bring across the spirituality he intended.

Good Photographs of Nudes from Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy shows that he is as fine a photographer as he is an actor and film director in "Shekhina", his first monograph of photographs. These are beautiful, sensual photographs of Jewish women and are in themselves, an intriguing photographic exploration into Jewish femininity. And yet Nimoy's work doesn't quite rise up to Edward Weston's or Robert Mapplethorpe's in its ability to inspire or to infuriate the viewer. To his credit, Nimoy demonstrates his technical acumen in lighting and composition. However, I wish his work was visually more interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
WHO IS THIS MAN?To a watching world he is the logical,powerful, stalwart first officer of the StarshipEnterprise-the adored object of millionsof Star Trek fans.For 3 years, 12 hours a day, 5 daysa week, he functioned as the half-human,half-Vulcan Mr. Spock, an extraterrestrial.He is not. He is Leonard Nimoy. An actor.A teacher, A writer. A father. A husband.A real flesh-and-blood human being.Now while the phenomenal popularity ofStar Trek still grows, Nimoy doffs the pointyears and placid face and reveals himselftotally-his relationship with fellow actors;the backstage frenzies; the nearcancellation of Star Trek; the lean years;the loneliness, the battles and the ultimatestruggle to survive his own success!IF HE IS NOT SPOCK, WHO IS?IF HE IS NOT SPOCK, WHO IS HE?WHAT IS THE LOGICAL ANSWER? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Wonderful insight into an iconic character and his portrayer
C'mon, who *doesn't* recognize Spock and Kirk?Arguably, they are the most iconic characters of television of the 20th century.The failed series of the late 1960's has spawned a global fan following worth millions of dollars to Paramount pictures, several spin-off television shows, and also movies.
However, no one saw this coming, least of all the actors, when the show was first produced.It was a flop and they all moved on to other things.
Leonard Nimoy, in this charming (and NOT ghost-written) autobiography, traces his life post-Star Trek -- but also the effect the famous character of Spock has had on his life.It's a fun "beach read" and Mr. Nimoy is a good writer who keeps the narrative flowing smoothly.The reader gets a good glimpse into his life--and how he relates to his fame and fans.I give it 5 stars.No matter what you think of "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins" (look that one up on YouTube if you don't know what I'm writing about), the man's metier is entertainment, and he has been phenomenally successful as such for over 44 years.

A description of Nimoy's life and career immediately after Star Trek the original series was cancelled
This book was written in the early 1970's, before the Star Trek phenomenon really began to take off. At the time, Nimoy was trying to shed the typecast image of being Mr. Spock, hence the title of the book. I can remember him appearing on daytime television game shows and the subject came up. Therefore, this book is not a retrospective of his three years filming Star Trek the original series but a description of the years immediately after.
His work as a director has demonstrated his talents and he is also a published poet. Nimoy has acted on stage and in some largely forgettable films, yet Spock was always still a part of him. A fact that Nimoy acknowledges several times by describing simulated dialogs between Mr. Spock and Leonard Nimoy.
All of the major characters in the Star Trek original series have written at least one book about their experiences. This one is different in that it is about the life of the actor after the series was cancelled and it is the one actor most likely to be typecast by their role. Nimoy was able to achieve something that few actors are ever able to do, use a role that should be the dictionary example of typecasting and turn it into a separate career. However, he never completely lost those ties and his appreciation to what made him a household name.

Still have the original!
Wow, they've reprinted this?I have the original paperback from 1976!I was madly in love with Mr. Nimoy when I was a teenager, and this was icing on the cake.A fun read, especially the sections where Nimoy talks to his alter-ego Spock.

Not the best of the Trek bios
Having read every Star Trek (TOS) autobiography (though I only got about half-way through Walter Koenig's story) I can say this is not the best example of Leonard Nimoy's body of work.

You would be much, much better advised to pick up a copy of Grace Lee Whitney's heart-wrenching book, "My Tour of the Galaxy," or the late James Doohan's "Beam Me Up, Scotty," which is easily the most interesting Trek autobiography, overall.Herbert F. Solow's recent book, detailing the highs and lows of the "orginal series" is full of shocks and fascinating details unavailable in the other tell-all books, but it may put you off Star Trek for six to twelve months, it's so unforgiving of creator Gene Roddeberry, and to a lesser extent, of Mr. Nimoy, and William Shatner.

Richard Green
St. Louis

A absolute must have
I read "I am Spock" first. Then last year I found by incident the book "I am not Spock" and ordered it. I did read it in one go. My opinion about Leonard Nimoy was always a very high one. He is very intelligent, he has an absolutely gorgeous humour and he is a brilliant Actor, Author, Director and Photographer. I hope he stays with us still a long time. I adore him very much.

Everyone who is interested in his life and work and especially his life with that logical vulcan, should read this book ... and "I am Spock" (20 years later). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Leonard Nimoy is a TRUE POET not just an actor.
His poems are truly worth reading and rereading.He is truly a classic poet in my mind along Keats, Shelley. Time will tell but Leonard Nimoy is a truly gifted person.

Possibly the worst book of poetry ever...
I love this book.When I read it, I start giggling uncontrollably.This book is bad, but bad in a way that -- before I read it -- seemed impossible. The badness is transcendent in that as you read it you go through stages: disbelief, more disbelief, confusion, hilarity, and then finally a mystical place of joy in the fact that such a astoundingly bad book exists and can be purchased.I leave you with a quote to begin your journey:

Rocket ships
Are exciting
But so are roses
On a birthday

Computers are exciting
But so is a sunset

And logic
Will never replace
Love.

Sometimes I wonder
Where I belong
In the future
Or
In the past

I guess I'm just
An old-fashioned
Spaceman.





Wow, just Wow.

Poetry the way it should be written!!!!
I read this book when it was first released by Blue Mountain Press and was floored at Leonard Nimoy's profound grasp of language and poetic grace. I was tired of the lack of insight of the "modern poet" and thegreat loss of style. Poetry is not just words written on a page, wherevulgarity is license- it is the essence of what wefeel imparted throughwords, which if successful, the reader will feel, taste, and smell as thewriter! Leonard Nimoy does this! He has grasped the essence of poetry, thetrue form of the "classics"

Wonderful Insight Into Leonard Nimoy the Man
This book is part of my poetry collection.It is a collection of poems from several of Mr. Nimoy's books.It give us a insight into the complex and wonderfully sensitive man who made his biggest mark in Hollywood by playing a half human Mr. Spock who is not suppose to have any emotions.Mr. Nimoy give us a look into the real man, the man that his words exposes to our eyes is not wearing a mask, he is real, a warm generous man with a beauty of spirit rare in those who have gained great fame.His gifts to us are these words of love, wisdom, & courage.He is truely and outstanding actor, director, writer and photographer, but I think the man inside the poems is his greatest gift to us all.This book would make a wonderful addition to anyone's library.

A Truly Delightful Read
What a delight to read.There was so much emotion and strength in this book that it has been a treasured (and much read) addition to my library.It is one book that has appeal to both non-Trekers and Trekers alike.The message is so universal.The inspiration held within these pages is incredible.Much like the messages within Consillium and other works of Mr. Nimoy's, it is a guide to overcoming many of the the innumerable tests in life.A must read!Very uplifting! ... Read more

Product Description
"A passionate narrative poem by the internationally known star." Illustrated with photographs by the author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

sublime..
I gave my only cherished copy to my first love 31 years ago when we parted. Mr Nemoy's words, an intimate narrative of love that transcends place and time...vignettes of heart stirring reveals of lingering connection ... remind me, even now, that those we love deeply, become a part of us... etched indelibly into the landscape of everyday beauty, and the deep architecture of the soul. A disarmingly personal homage to the sacredness of loving.

Sensitive Poetry
If you've avoided reading Nimoy's poetry, give this little book a try. It is surprisingly sensitive and tender. Written in free verse, it nevertheless is a masterpiece of modern poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Leonard Nimoy is a Great Poet!!
I enjoyed this book because it truly speaks from a loving heart! Mr. Nimoy's inner self is made accessible to all. What good poetry does is make one feel more alive, more attune to one's self. Mr. Nimoy, thanks for inspiring me! You'rea great poet!

poems by a vulcan?
I hate to sound too negative, but it speaks well of contemporary poetry that this volume is out of print.Nimoy is a better actor than he is a poet; these verses are unbearably sentimental and metrically uninspired. ... Read more

Product Description
"We are star-met. We are joined. We are blessed. We who have found each other. We are the dream of the ages. We are the hope, the desire. We are love."

With this tender and contemplative collection of poetry, multifaceted poet, actor, and director Leonard Nimoy welcomes us into his world of quiet reflection and joyous love. Best known for his role as Mr. Spock in the enormously popular television and film series STAR TREK, Nimoy takes us along with him on a soul-searching journey in which he explores his innermost thoughts, feelings, and fears, exposing love's fragility, warmth, and overwhelming presence in his life.

Profoundly mindful of the need all people have to love and be loved, to laugh and to cry, to give as well as to receive comfort and understanding, Nimoy displays a range of complex and varied emotions in this deeply moving compilation. His words capture the tenderness and intimacy between two people standing together, united against any hardship, searching for the light to take them to their dreams, and blessed by the pure and simple delight of having each other to hold and share life with.

Written over the course of his lifetime, these poems go deep inside the mind and the heart of a very thoughtful and passionate man to reveal the unfettered happiness, unconditional acceptance, and unmistakable resolve that reside there. Wonderfully insightful and refreshingly candid, A LIFETIME OF LOVE is an enchanting portrait of a life that has been touched in every way by love. In his own words...

"We are the dreamers. We are the dancers. Life is the music. Love is the song."- Leonard Nimoy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Simply Amazingly Beautiful!
This very wonderful poetry book A Life time of Love Poems on the Passages of Life is just simply an inspiring poetry book on life's events.It is so uplifting that it fills the heart, body, spirit and mind with very enriching passages that you feel real great upon completion.

I really recommend it to anyone who has the desire to feel very uplifted as well as enlightened and enriched with great poem passages.

Leonard Nimoy is an excellent author and artist!I am very happy to add this book to my book club collection!

Love it
The book was in great condition. I received the package on time. I would definately buy from this seller again.

Poems for the gentle soul
Nimoy is a gifted intellect with a wide range of interests.These poems reflect upon his life long experiences and understanding that love is the soothing balm in anyone's life.They uplift the already joyful heart and treat the broken one with gentle care and understanding.These are not great poetry, however.Rather they are impressions from a kind soul who has been grateful for a long, interesting and appreciated life.Would be that we could all reach this stage of grace and look back with such a smile.

A Lifetime of Love
Leonard Nimoy is such a talented person. His poetry is reflective of his life and self, deep and subjective. This was a great read and something that I look back to every once and again to remember just the way he worded a specific line or how he described a certain emotion. Im not a "keep a book" kind of person, but I probably wont sell this one. : ) Good for people who like poetry or Leonard Nimoy!

A Gift For Your Heart
I have several of Nimoy's books of poetry from long ago, and I was thrilled to find this one.The beauty in these poems accurately reflect a lifetime lived well.The emotions resonated in me.I highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of age or gender. ... Read more

Product Description
The popular actor looks back over his role as Mr. Spock in the landmark TV series Star Trek and its movie spin-offs, and explores his relationship to his ever-popular alter-ego. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

I AM Spock
This is a wonderfully written account of Mr. Nimoy's 'Spock' experience, detailing the development of the iconic character, experiences with the studio, with lots of humorous anecdotes.I love the 'conversations' between Mr. Spock and Mr. Nimoy!

worth it for Trekkies
A heartwarming, insightful (albeit, ironically, somewhat dry) biography into the heart and soul of the man who is Spock.

Good insights into Nimoy's life are provided here
We learn a good deal biographically about "Spock's" past. Interesting how he handled the situation when somebody in real life robbed him. Plus, the bit about that European beer company that made an ad with Nimoy's likeness and how he took the company to court for their unethical, permission-free use of his image show how, like his Star Trek TV alterego, Nimoy has character and intelligence in real life as well!

I learned to love Spock.......
Unlike most Trekkies (Trekkers), I did not watch Star Trek breathlessly when it first appeared on TV.I was a Mission Impossible fan and learned to appreciate Leonard Nimoy more when he became a member of that show.It was on the reruns in syndication, when I watched all the episodes with my two sons, and the 6 ST movies that I learned the appeal of a cast that stayed together for 25 years, cared about each other, worked for honorable goals, and made you care about them.The background of how much of this came about is what Leonard Nimoy discusses in "I Am Spock."After being criticized for writing "I Am Not Spock" a decade or more earlier for not liking his Vulcan character and nearly losing the directing role for "ST III: The Search for Spock" because of it, he came back to write this one and describe how much of himself he actually put into the character.He also reveals how hard he fought with writers, directors, and producers to maintain elements of the character he felt were vital to the Vulcan's role in ST and shouldn't be messed with by people who didn't understand ST.But most of all, the charming behind-the-scenes stories of the relationships with all of his longtime cast members and the hard work and joy they brought to creating the iconic show is enough to warm the heart of any ST fan.I had never read this book and, after seeing the new JJ Abrams movie with the younger cast playing the wonderful ST characters, I have renewed my love affair with the original cast by rewatching the original shows and movies and reading Leonard Nimoy's book. For any ST fan, it is a must.

SERVICE A1
Books came quickly - great price a real Bargain, compared to other stores. Excellent service. the quality as advertised, GOOD! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You & I
The intensity, conviction, and humanitarianism that have made Leonard Nimoy a distinguished actor have been transferred into a moving and arresting story told in poetry and photographs.

YOU AND I is a fine and sensitive love story that builds with enormous power.

Whoever reads YOU AND I will wish to share its drama with others, and will never forget Leonard Nimoy's vigorous expressions of love unfolding from out of a lifetime of thought and feeling.
--- from book's back cover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lovely
I got this book for its kitsch value."Ooooh, poetry by Spock!My Trekkie sweetheart will love that.AND it has a title similar to a phrase I use that my sweetheart likes."I also got him the CD of the best of Nimoy and Shatner.I gave it to him as an early Christmas present, and we sat in bed reading it together.I cried because it touched so deeply the things I feel for my man and the feelings I have about innocence and love.It was simply beautiful, and totally unexpected.I now want to get more of Leonard Nimoy's writing.I highly recommend this book, especially for people in love.

A Very Short and Sweet Little Book
This is the first book of Mr. Nimoy's poetry that I have read, and I was captivated by the first page.As the title suggests, it is a book of poems about love and the joy of childhood.It has a very friendly and sincere tone that is easy to warm up to.I only wish it was not such a short book (though it is not too expensive, so it was not unfair)!I would warn away hardened cynics though; they are likely to think the poetry too optimistic ;-). ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (20)

Be comfortable in your genes
It's about time.
Now how do we get this philosophy and this book out there to the entire world?
It's needed!

Interesting take on the concept of beauty
Okay, take two of a review of this book.My first was too much of a PSA.This photographic journey by Nimoy is an alternate view of beauty.He states that the average American woman is 25 pounds heavier than the models they aspire to emulate.With these women he expands that premise by a magnitude and poses them in retakes of famous paintings and other photographs all in an attempt to show beauty has no boundaries.The women are open and direct about their bodies, free of the usual censure placed upon large people by society, and show that every person has a story to tell about their own life.The backgrounds that Nimoy chooses is just as interesting.The mirror mountain especially intrigued me with its fractured images of the women creating thumbnail captures of just one part of their bodies as they danced around it.Although I do not espouse their personal expression of beauty, I can admire their courage, boldness and unashamed demeanor.I can imagine they would be interesting people to know.And so is Nimoy, one of our cultural icons who's journeys into different areas of art always prove worthwhile.

lovely book...by an incredible man.
I bought this book out of fascination. It shows photographs of women with figures like mine, much closer to the average than the skinny beanpoles in magazines. It shows these women in such a way that the fat is totally revealed, but somehow only another facet to their beauty.

I had the good fortune of being able to get this copy autographed this past weekend at Dragoncon, so I'm as happy as can be at the moment.

A New Way to See Obese People
While I applaud Leonard Limoy for this book on photos of obese people posing in various settings and ways, having had recently lost 150 lbs and keeping it off for 3 years now...it made me think, "wow, I'm so happy that I am not obese anymore"...It is a good book in that most publications focus on the thin people in our society and not the none ideal image of people.

Great Book!!A Must See!!
This book was a birthday present for my husband.He loved it!!! It shows how beautiful ALL women are.Leonard Nemoy has captured the beauty of the every day woman. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (17)

The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy
Grace Lee Whitney is a hero for those recovering or considering recovering from alcoholism and addiction. She brings both her sorrows and her joys to life in this revealing memoir, and is very brave about her honesty. At eighty, she is still walking the walk and talking the talk. Go, Grace Lee!!

In this bio the pictures strangely tell the life story almost the best--just a bit less than the main text!
There is, say, everything from a photo of attractive Whitney from the 60's when she was on guest starring Batman (playing opposite also-guest Victor Buono, a man she describes as one of the sweetest men she ever met) to her early 80's shot when she was imitating Bo Derek with a braided hair style. But the main text is fine too. This bio (with more depth) confirms facts we TOS Trekkies already knew about her, like how her life style just sank to the bottom and of the ocean and then much deeper when she was suddenly dropped from the original ST series. We learn that James Doohan (Scotty) was the man she was mutually closest to on ST:TOS and other new facts as well.

Yeoman Rand Gets Her Due
I remember when I first laid eyes on Grace Lee Whitney. It was an airing of the Star Trek episode "The Man Trap". At the time the only woman I know who's on the show was Uhura, so I thought she was one of those girls-of-the-week guest stars. I was pleasantly surprised to see that she was a recurring character in the show's early episodes..in fact, one of the main characters. I never understood why her character disappeared and it was a shame, as Yeoman Rand character certainly added a lot to the show, especially in episodes like Miri, Charlie X and The Enemy Within.

Grace Lee Whitney's autobiography is easily one of the more overlooked of the Trek bios as even though she was a major character in the show, and it is also one of the more disturbing and eye-opening.

Grace Lee Whitney was adopted by the Whitney family while still an infant. I have to said that her adoptive mother was a real "B", as she revealed to Grace while she was in her early teens that she was not her "real" mother. This seem to marked a turning point for Grace as she embarked what became a life-long quest to fill that sense of emptiness and belonging. Being born with an addictive personality, booze, drugs and sex naturally and coveniently filled that emptiness.

Grace had a career that any actor would kill for. While not famous, she was a prolific actress and worked constantly. When she was casted as Yeoman Rand in Star Trek, it seems she has finally find a surrogate home she can called her own. That came to a crashing end when Yeoman Rand was written out of the show. Sure, actors loses jobs and get written out of shows all the time, for the most part, they moved on. But not for Grace Lee Whitney. Star Trek became her lifeline and for years afterward, Whitney tried to numb her anger and sorrow with more booze, drugs and sex. The rest of the book chronicled her continual descent and eventual recovery and her road to sobriety.

After reading the bio, I have to say that Grace Lee Whitney doesn't give herself enough credit for her recovery. Her story could have easily been a "poor me a victim of 400 years of oppression" story, but instead, she blamed no one but herself for what she went through (yes, even when she was sexually assualted by an un-named TV exec, she realizes that she should have known better than to place herself in such a vulnerable situation). Her story could also easily have ended like that of Heath Ledger, River Phoenix, Judy Garland, James Dean and even Elvis Presley. We easily could have been reading her obituary, but instead luckily, we are reading that she is alive and well and probably more happy than she has ever been.

In any case, her bio reminds us that in the end, where we eventually ended up is the result of the choices we make. Life is not fair and some people are dealt with a better hand of cards than others..in the end, we still have the freedom to choose where we're going.

The Longest Recovery
It would be easy to ignore "The Longest Trek" as perhaps being the least significant of Trek biographies, but that would be a mistake. Yes, it's a biography of a minor original Trek actress who lasted only one season and in a rather "fifth wheel" role at that, but fortunately for readers the stories of Grace's pre-Trek Hollywood days are damningly interesting, while her post-Trek days are interestingly damning.

As has been noted elsewhere while the book is an autobiography, its main purpose is to serve as a mea culpa for all the disservices done to her friends, lovers, self and career due to alcoholism. But not just alcoholism - in a broader sense Grace suffers from an addictive personality, which when combined with a rather naïve outlook serves only to reinforce her problem. These issues alone could have resulted in an extremely ponderous book on recovery and religious conversion (is Grace simply trading one addiction for another?) but fortunately it's an interesting trip that probably would not have been written if not for the fact that Grace has little to lose by doing so.

Grace is not a deep thinker - she tends to stop analyzing things once she comes up with a rationale that fits the way she'd like them to be, and when it comes to her understanding of other people's motivations, of religion, of cause-and-effect... the simplest explanation is often the chosen one. One can only consider that "The Executive" was already aware that she was to be written out of the series before making his detestable (re-)casting couch pass, that the writers were never quite sure what to do with the character of Janice Rand, and that her lengthy grudge against Roddenberry for not sticking up for her is the main motivation for the rather hypocritical character-assassination chapter where Grace the Sexually Unfaithful Alcoholic Converted Jewish Atheist Turned Dry Born Again Christian lambastes Gene for being a secular humanist in an open marriage. Oh, the irony.

It's best to stop here - much more could be said, but my main thrust in writing all this is to hope that readers will not be scared off by the religious or recovery overtones and enjoy the book. I would have liked to have read more about working with the rest of the Trek cast (only Spock & Kirk receive much mention) but it's fascinating reading nonetheless.

A study in addiction
Grace Lee Whitney writes this book for "Star Trek" fans, certainly, but what she says to addicts -- and those whose lives are affected by them -- is far more powerful. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Whitney and reviewing this autobiography for The Detroit News when the book was first released. I was struck by her graciousness and kindness, but I was also struck by the gritty strength she conveys in this book. Frankly describing incidents like her hit-and-run on Grand River Avenue in Detroit, and her guarding the bathroom door of a Chicago club while the heroin-addicted Billie Holiday was getting shot-up inside, she just puts it out there, none too concerned what her cult-TV fans will think of her. You've got to appreciate that. And it's pretty clear, throughout the book, that her motives are not to make herself look good, or bad, but to shine a light on the effects of a gruesome and very common illness. ... Read more

Product Description

As the end of the twentieth century nears, an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. When it hits, the impact will result in the end of all life on the planet.

Ambassador Spock travels back in time to subtly warn Earth's inhabitants of impending doom while calling into question humanity's priorities. However, before the truth is told, the all powerful being Q appears and reminds Spock that he is prohibited from interfering in Earth's history. Besides, Q doesn't see mankind as something worth saving.

This initial encounter between the two legendary characters explodes into a battle of wits as Spock cleverly befuddles Q with his own words. As barbs are exchanged, and humanity's flaws and wonders are laid bare, Spock's logic just may convince Q that humans are indeed a species worthy of salvation, but will he be too late?

In Spock vs. Q, Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie again bring their characters to glorious life in the most lively and entertaining debate since Nixon vs. Kennedy. Recorded in front of a live audience, Spock vs. Q is a stirring audio program that could only come from Alien Voices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Spock versus Q, can it get any better??
Dear Star Trek fans, since you are all familiar with Spock and Q it would be illogical for me to explain to you why you must purchase this item. (Un)fortunately we are not Vulcans, so we are allowed to enjoy this CD to fullest.

Excellent Seller!
Received item in excellent condition. Highly Recommend this Seller and would buy from again. This was a gift to another so I have not watched it. The receiver of this gift stated it's exactly what he wanted and is very pleased! Thank you!

Disappointing
Content: Spock and Q engage in a debate regarding a potentially life-extinguishing asteroid headed toward Earth.

I bought this at a library book sale and assumed that it was a serious debate since the two actors look rather serious on the cover (hint to book artists: cover design should give indication of book content). Listening to this tape was like listening to one of those old radio broadcasts from the mid-20th century era. Spock's final words, "Say goodnight, Q", even echo the old George Burns/Gracie Allen dialogs which ended with "Say goodnight, Gracie". Although the program is supposed to be humorous and even witty - it disappoints due to the unsophisticatedsilliness which permeates the dialog. Nimoy and deLancie are fine, it is the material that is not very good.

Not what I'd hoped for.
I did enjoy this CD but the debate between the two men sounded so scripted that it took some of the pleasure out of the experience. Unless you're a hard-core Trekker,this isn't for you.

Fantastical!
This is a very funny, very witty exchange by two of the most misunderstood beings in our galaxy. This one is as good as the sequel is awful. Stop after you've heard this one. It is a masterpiece! ... Read more

Product Description
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy read four science fiction classics--Asimov's Foundation--The Psychohistorians, Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, Kuttner's Mimsy Were the Borogoves, and The Green Hills of Earth by Heinlein. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Superb Collection
FOUR SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS is an exceptional compilation of the absolute best the genre had to offer in the 1940s and 1950s. It is composed of six powerful stories which transcend the decades in which they were written, stirring the heart and mind as powerfully now as when they were first published.

While these stories would shine under any conditions, the narrations of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy actually serve to further energize the prose. I was especially moved by the performance of William Shatner. Despite having been a fan of Star Trek for decades, I was completely unprepared for the depth and the brilliance of his vocal talents. Shatner's clear insight into the stories and their characters radiates with every word and intonation.

I could not more strongly recommend either an audio book or a science fiction collection. ... Read more

Product Description
Though this comic has the same number and year as another comic listed on Amazon, the cover is different. ... Read more