Star Trek: The Original Series had a lot of gaps this book fills in
Back in the 1960s when Star Trek: The Original Series was airing, most of the focus of the show was on the action and adventure. Viewers tuned in because they couldn’t wait to see where the Enterprise would go next. We loved Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. Leonard McCoy’s friendship, but we didn’t get to see a lot of character growth once an episode had ended because the series was off and running to the next adventure, and there wasn’t time for character introspection. That’s where this book, The Autobiography of the Story of Starfleet’s Greatest Captain, comes in. (Although some fans may disagree with the subtitle.)
Published in 2016, the autobiography is written from Captain Kirk’s point of view (obviously), and it offers an eye-opening look at more than just who he was. Readers will finally have a chance to walk through his emotions of losing Edith Keeler and see that he never really got over her. Many questions are answered, and more missions are covered than what was presented on screen.
Not only will you find out who Antonia was, but you’ll discover what happened to Kirk’s nephew, Peter, what type of relationship he had with his mother, and the defining moment that ignited his passion for Starfleet. Events that were never presented in the series or in the movies are unveiled, and provide such insight into Kirk that it’ll make your next viewing of the series that much richer.
The horrors he witnessed on Tarsus IV give you a much better understanding of the season 1 episode “The Conscience of the King,” and you’ll discover what happened when T’Pau learns he didn’t die in Season 2’s “Amok Time.” You get to spend some time with him on Vulcan between Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and find out why he wasn’t so resistant about bringing Gillian Taylor to the 23rd century with him.
"She didn’t want to stay in her own time. And I didn’t care. This time, I got to take the angel from the past home with me.."
No, he never got over Edith Keeler, he was greatly wounded by Carol Marcus, and he never wanted to be an admiral. All of these feelings and emotions shaped Captain James T. Kirk, and you’ll find them and more in his autobiography. Read it and get ready to enjoy Star Trek: The Original Series in a whole new way.