Review: Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast

Titan Comics has released some of the best books detailing the history of Star Trek, and I've been fortunate to be able to review a good portion of them. So when I was asked if I'd like to review its latest project, Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast, there was never any doubt I'd say yes. And I'm glad I did.

Though taken from the pages of the official Star Trek Magazine, this compilation proves that there is no way to glean every single, solitary bit of information from one reading. I know because I have read most of the Star Trek magazines, and yet, I found myself fascinated at some of the revelations in the interviews. How I could have missed them in the magazine, I don't know, but it's great to have these words of the original cast members, guest stars, and those behind the making of Star Trek: The Original Series all in one place.

The glossy pages of this history break down the pilots and touches on many of the episodes (both good and bad) in the series' three seasons before diving into the six movies that wrapped up the original cast's time together. There are behind-the-scene glimpses in rare photos along with snippets from interviews with guest stars who give their take on the main cast and what it was like to work with them. For instance, Celeste Yarnell from season two's "The Apple" didn't think Leonard Nimoy liked her because he never smiled, even when she told jokes, but it was because Nimoy stayed in character as Spock. But William Shatner's engaging personality more than made up for it as Yarnell said "on set Bill Shatner would disintegrate me with his humor."

What I found particularly engaging about this book is so much of the focus was on the positive aspects of the show and the cast. Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast is a wonderful walk down memory lane that every Trek fan should have on their shelves.

Star Trek The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast is available to pre-order in hardcover for $19.99 and releases everywhere on July 30th.