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I'm Working on That : A Trek From Science Fiction to Science Fact

I'm Working on That : A Trek From Science Fiction to Science Fact

List Price: $25.00
Your Price: $25.00
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Book for even those who are not into Star Trek
Review: I have to admit, I wasn't sure about this book at first. It seemed kind of like a silly notion, however, I stopped by my local bookshop and after taking a quick gander at the first few pages and decided to pick it up.

Well, I wasn't able to put it down. Some of what is in there has been discussed elsewhere, so it's not like it's showcasing future technologies for the first time. Though there was plenty that I had never heard of before.

All kinds of things that may be coming down the road are shown here. A lot of them bear resemblances to technologies from Star Trek, however, you do not need to be a fan of Star Trek to get enjoyment out of this book.

Shatner's writing style is easy to read, and he does not overburden you with techno mumbo jumbo.

Buy this book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: FROM ONE SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE TO ANOTHER!!!
Review: In STAR TREK:I'M WORKING ON THAT, William Shatner has once again managed to parlay his fame as Captain Kirk of tv's STAR TREK into another successful enterprise! While his 1960s tv contemporaries like Adam West--BATMAN--and Guy Williams--LOST IN SPACE--just became memories after the 1960s, William Shatner keeps going WHERE NO TV ACTOR HAS GONE BEFORE!!!

First William Shatner got his big break in the 1960s as Captain Kirk on STAR TREK, then he reinvented himself as a cop in the 1970s on tv's TJ HOOKER, then he came back as Kirk again in the 1980s for the popular STAR TREK movies, then he became a science fiction writer with his book, TEK WAR, then he followed that as producer of a tv version of TEK WAR--starring Greg Evigan--then in the 1990s he became a tv pitchman for Priceline.Com, and now in the 21st Century, Shatner's become a science writer with contributor Chip Walter with STAR TREK:I'M WORKING ON THAT, as they follow in the footsteps of Isaac Asimov as they try to explain quantum mechanics and other science in plain english. And I'M WORKING ON THAT has plenty of lots of Captain Kirk and STAR TREK for the trekkies, and even a little FORBIDDEN PLANET, which Shatner reveals had a big influence on STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry!

I was never crazy about William Shatner as THE CAPTAIN OF THE ENTERPRISE--my favorite was the captain in the original STAR TREK pilot, Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike--but with STAR TREK:I'M WORKING ON THAT, William Shatner has once again impressed me with his unique ability to go FROM ONE SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE TO ANOTHER!!!

Chari Krishnan RESEARCHKING

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The "Trek" to reality
Review: Life-like androids,transporter beams and traveling at warp speed are just a few ideas from "Star Trek"scients are working on right now!See how the science-fiction of the series is becoming science FACT.I like this book because it's neat to know these things will be REAL.I often thought as a kil watching Star Trek"Wouldn't it be great if we really had that?"Whether you like sci-fi,science or both you'll find this book fascinating.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Star Trek: I'm Working on That
Review: Star Trek: I'm Working on That written by William Shatner with Chip Walter is simply... fascinating, as Spock would say. A book that is a true trek from science fiction to science fact as Shatner talks to different scientists as gets the scoop on whats coming down the pike in the future.

The book is written in an easy style narrative, as Shatner is talking to you and finding out whats in store for the future. From nanotechnology to suspended animation, raising consciousness in computers to scrambled atoms, Shatner takes the reader on a real TREK.

You'll find yourself reading this book and then reading it some more until you have it finished and time has simply melted away. Reading about people working on the future is an adventure from Caltech to MIT what was once considered impossible or improbable, just might be a real possibility.

If you're like me and you have just a little modicum of curiosity, you'll like reading this entertaining look into the future. Who knows, maybe there will be transporters, wrap drive, and replicators. Either way, though, I vote we move cautiously before kicking things into warp drive.

There could be advantages to that. Caution: reading this book will severely afflict you with "wonderment disease," as these technologies are appearing in the real world, someone must actually be out there making them happen.

You'll find a suggested reading list and web sites to surf making this book compellingly interactive.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fun and interesting
Review: This is a fun and enjoyable read. You have to allow for the somewhat cornball narrative by Shatner but I think he is trying to be honest regarding his lack of a scientific background.

The concepts presented really do get the mind running through wonderfully interesting possibilities.

I purchased the eBook version in keeping with the high-tech nature of the subject.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys peeking into the potential future. I image that folks who fancy themselves to be highly educated, but not officially, in physics may actually cringe at the very thought of reading this book. It is really intended for folks who are not in the field.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Resistance is Futile. Drop yours shields. Comply!
Review: This is a glorious book embodying the absolute finest work done by William Shatner. In a wonderful tribute to exploration, he trips, stumbles and collapses through his own confusion. But, as the Captain who I grew up to respect and admire, he bravely embarks on a voyage of discovery and adventure. He boldly goes where few have ventured before.

Seriously, he clarified many thoughts, ideas, concepts, facts and fiction. Frankly, I am surprised that he was able to make any sense out of it and teach me. I tried my best to read about relativity, time, sub-atomic molecules and atoms, and space travel because it fascinates me. I regret to inform the Captain that I have been assimilated into your collective as a minion.

In fact, Mr. Shatner covers topics including nanotechnology, robotics and a host of health, age and other previously unknown by-products! You must read the entire book. It's not a light-weight book by any stretch of the imagination. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING WHERE WE ARE GOING DURING THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS. The more sophisticated literature is beyond my comprehension, therefore, this book is the perfect learning device!

Since I was a boy, my father always grimaced when I steadfastly watched the original Star Trek series. He told me that Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all the incredible space-bunnies were brainwashing me. Today, my children are amazed as I sit motionless, stuck in time, and oblivious to anything else, (time warp?...did I flunk already?) as I get my coordinates correct to watch another exciting episode of Enterprise. I am delighted with the current Star Trek series, Enterprise. It bridges the gap between today, the past, and the future.

Captain Kirk (oops Mr. Shatner) expounds on this topic and presents a brilliant discussion about our humanity and how technology is going to make our lives easier. This book is extremely interesting to read for comparison between all the science fiction and actual technology developed today in such a short period of time. Our global society is converging between virtual reality and literal reality.

The entire Star Trek adventure has shown the world endless possibilities. The Star Trek adventure promotes our unique love, curiosity and sometimes, even higher levels of intelligence and understanding.

"Fantasmic" worlds exist among us. We must learn to adapt with humanity, technology, cultures and our brave new world.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: for Trekkies & non-Trekkies
Review: This is a highly entertaining and readable survey of cutting
edge research and technology. You don't have to have prior
knowledge of the sciences involved as the authors explain
everything in a light and easy style.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Science fiction or science fact?
Review: This is a unique book that examines the connection between the science fiction universe of Star Trek and our current understanding of science fact. Inspired by Shatner's curiosity about how things work and the uncanny embodiment of 1960's Star Trek gadgetry, such as the flip-open communicator, in what are now common consumer products - Bill and Chip toured the country, with many fun adventures along the way, to find out what other Star Trek inventions are likely to pop into reality in the near future. To look for answers, they visited some of the premier think-tanks and universities in the US, posing the question to a host of leading researchers, including luminaries such as Edward Tellar (father of the hydrogen bomb - Los Alamos Labs), Eric Drexler (leading nanotechnologist - Foresight Institute) and Marc Millis (propulsion visionary - NASA). Using Star Trek episodes as a light-hearted guide, particularly reminiscent for the real fans that can recognize an episode in a few sound bites, all areas of Star Trek science and technology are examined. Teleportation, warp drive, time travel, computer science, robotics, genetics and nanotechnology are some of the hottest topics on the agenda.

The book raises the question, does science fiction help us invent technology and explore science by providing compelling visions of what might be possible? What comes first, the invention, or the fantasy about the invention? These are questions I also find myself asking as a researcher, one who had the good fortune to meet the authors during their visit to Xerox PARC, described in Chapter 8, Get Smart. Star Trek certainly inspired me in my career and influenced many of my colleagues who are also Star Trek enthusiasts. Reading this book you will discover that even the great physicist Stephen Hawkins is a fan, who's passing comments led to the title of this book. There is no doubt in my mind that a strong connection exists between science fantasy and science endeavor, and drives many of us to push the limits of what is possible.

The book does an excellent job of bringing these issues to the fore, and I can recommend the result as a good read. You'll have flash backs to all the best Star Trek episodes and find the commentary and technology discussions enjoyable, sometimes humorous, but always well informed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: Very interesting- I bought this for my father as a gift, but I ended up reading it first! It's very easy to read for us non-science types and the format keeps you turning the pages.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: An easy, enjoyable read
Review: Whether you love Star Trek or just want a fun book to read, this will not disappoint. What a pleasure!


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