Rating: Summary: A little disappointing, but worth reading if you're a fan Review: The author spends the first few chapters of the book expanding on her genealogy. Die-hard Uhura fans may enjoy this (especially since her family tree contains ancestors who were extraordinary for their social stances in their time), but fans of Star Trek in general may be bored. Her manner of story-telling seems egotistical even to the point of being hard to believe. I must admit that after reading several chapters on her family and background, I skipped ahead to the Star Trek years. Her descriptions of the racial discrimination that occurred during Star Trek--both obvious and "Jim Crow" varieties--is certainly worth reading about, especially for young readers who don't remember the bad old days and may get quite a culture shock from it. Hearing about the mail-room incident certainly shocked me. I had such a bad feeling about it that I wanted to warp back in time and change history. I was a little annoyed with her gullibility on matters psychic, as well as her seeming subservience to Gene Roddenberry. I even wondered if he had kept her on the show just so that he could manipulate her psychologically in some sadistic personal vendetta by cutting her lines thus cutting out her heart a little bit at a time? Did she ever consider that? (Though I'm glad she stayed on the show and I wish she'd been given more lines; especially as she turned out to be a role model for so many.) On the other hand, I also wondered if she perhaps chose G.R. in order to sleep her way onto the TV screen, but then glossed over the fact in this one-sided rendition of her life story. (Shame on me for thinking it). I wouldn't suggest buying the book, but do check it out of the library. And skip the boring parts!
Rating: Summary: Beyond Uhura Review: The book is exactly about what the title means-- Her hard struggle to survive on the Star Trek series was amazing. Watching Star Trek you would never realize how hard to was for her, physicaly and emotionaly, to stay on the show. How she had to face racism, sexism, critisism, raising a son on her own, just to get there, proves how much of a strong woman she is. From the first chapter you become transported to her world, her thoughts, her dreams, her success,... her amazing and inspirational life.
Rating: Summary: Great autobiography Review: The great woman who portrayed Uhra does a great job of telling her own story.
Rating: Summary: Lt. Uhura For Captain! Review: This is a fascinating read from beginning to end! Ms. Nichols struggle to achieve success as a black woman in a white-male dominated industry is enlightening and inspiring. She is a talented, compassionate, giving person which shines forth from the written word. I encourage you to purchase her cd as well, "Out Of This World" to hear her lovely voice and one of the best interviews I've heard. Also, check out the animated star trek series from the 70s where Lt. Uhura gets to finally serve as Captain (The Lorelei Signal episode)! She is also prominently featured in "The Slaver Weapon", "Once Upon A Planet" and "The Practical Joker" episodes and yes, it's her voice as the character. I read she and George Takei (Sulu) almost weren't a part of the animated series until Leonard Nimoy went to bat for them. My fantasy is to see Nichelle get a leading role in a movie, "Uhura's Song" (one of the Star Trek novels by Janet Kagan) perhaps? : - ) All hailing frequencies are eternally open for this dynamic lady.
Rating: Summary: "Hailing Frequencies Open, Captain!" Review: What self-respecting male adolescent of the 1960's did not get turned on when he heard those words uttered by Nichelle Nichols in her sexy role as Lt. Uhura on the starship Enterprise? My sister had this "thing" for Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock; wherein, I knew that I wanted to "boldly travel" with Miss Nichols. Her autobiograpy chronicles not just the Trek years, but her career as dancer before and NASA representative after the initial cancellation of the series. She has written a most interesting book which features the famous and not-so-famous she has encountered in her long career. I was especially captivated by her work on the film "Porgy and Bess" and her encounters with tempermental star Dorothy Dandridge. Miss Nichols reflections are insightful and poignant. Like the other Trek cast members, she carefully "rates" her co-star William Shatner in a tactful, yet revealing portrait. Yes, the book is a must for Trekkers, but it is a good read for the "non-initiated. It is another look at the world of entertainment and its pros and cons in the dealing of minority performers. Great work, the true queen of outer space!
Rating: Summary: nice, easy, pretty interesting read Review: Where some have mentioned the author as coming across a bit narcissistic and perhaps as having embellished her memoirs, the read is still quite enjoyable. Having done as many different things and having met as many interesting people as Ms. Nichols has indeed done, it's not surprising that she may seem a little self impressed or perhaps even proud of her accomplishments. Regardless of what you think of her, the book itself is a light, good hearted, at times funny diversion. Trekkers will like the latter half more, but even the non-Trek stuff was rather interesting (not screamingly so, but nevertheless more than I had imagined.)
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