Rating: 
Summary: Do you want to fight, now?
Review: "In Defense of Space: 1999" might have been a better title for this book. I've been a fan of the show since I saw it in first run, when I was in my early 'teens. And I'm still a fan now (I bought the episode DVDs). I agree that many reviewers have unfairly "bashed" this show, perhaps because it did not fit the mould of other televised sci-fi. (Actually, I would class "Space: 1999" as fantasy or drama, but not as science fiction.)Unfortunately, author Muir seems almost zealously (and tediously) determined to justify the show against all comers. Too much time is spent comparing "Space: 1999" to other shows, rather than praising it for itself. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson have produced some of the sexiest and most stylish sci-fi/fantasy on TV. They've got the "cool." And "Space: 1999" is one of their greatest. If you are a fan, you will want to buy this book. It is worth the trip. It is a rare look at the creation and development of a popular show.
Rating: 
Summary: Highest Praise for John Muir's Exploring Space: 1999
Review: As the Cybrarian of the multi-award winning Space: 1999 Cybrary web site, it's a rare occurrence when I come across anything new about the classic Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-produced British sci-fi series of the mid-1970s starring Oscar winner Martin Landau, three-time successive Emmy winner Barbara Bain, Barry Morse, and Catherine Schell. Happily, John Muir's take on the series is unique, highly informative, and best of all, wonderfully intelligent and thought provoking, providing many a keen and thoughtful insight into this marvelous, beautifully produced, and oftentimes misunderstood epic television series. Without question, John Muir's intelligently written Exploring Space: 1999 is certain to be as sought after and collectible one day as the ultra rare Japanese Town Mook SuperVisual Guide to Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999 is today. I cannot recommend this title more highly. It's an exceptional addition into the body of literature on Space: 1999, and certainly among the top three titles one would want to own on the series.
Rating:
Summary: A very informative and exhaustively well researched book
Review: Being a fan of Space:1999 since its debut in 1975, I immediately bought this book to see what it was all about. Like the book Space:1999 - The Future Is Fantastic (which would come out some three years later), this book about the classic British science fiction series was well researched and exhaustively informative. Like Paul M. Sammon's book on the making of Blade Runner, John Kenneth Muir's book really captured every detail about the show. From the synopsis of all 48 episodes, to direct quotes of dialogue from the characters and interviews with various actors, actresses, behind the scenes personnel, and the creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, this book was a pure pleasure to read. Muir's comments and criticisms about each episode and the show in general were justifiable in some areas, and in others, not. However, his book on the show, and the information contained were muti-dimensional and layered. Like many fans of the show, Muir's writings clearly indicate that he too is a fan, and truly cares about this classic piece of science fiction. He also goes into detail about how strong a cult-fan following the show has, and why it was on for only two years. Especially the changes made between the first and second seasons. If you enjoy Space:1999, then you will want to pick up a copy of this excellent and informative book. If you really enjoy Muir's book on this show, then you'll want to check out his book on another classic piece of science fiction and fantasy. A legendary space opera known as Battlestar Galactica.
Rating: 
Summary: Space: 1999 finally gets some respect
Review: I always considered the '70s sci-fi show "Space: 1999" something of a guilty pleasure. Muir's book, however, shows there was more substance to the ill-fated series than even I thought. My only reservation about the book is that Muir doesn't know nearly as much about other SF series as he does about "Space: 1999." Some of his comments about "Babylon 5," for instance, fall well off the mark. (Muir contrasts the two, while I think they share some similarly Lovecraftian undercurrents.)
Rating:
Summary: # 1
Review: I always wanted a book dealing with Space:1999, with respect, care and objectivity. I was so tired of the continuing bashing of the series by "objective" critics. "Exploring Space:1999" is a welcome addition to the area of televised sci-fi critic and review. It boldly states an opinion that isn't like to be heard by many sci-fi fans, and this is that Space:1999 was something more than just special effects. The book boldly looks at the prons and cons of the series, without fearing to point out and criticize its merits and the reasons that lead to its ultimate failure. It is a thorough and very well-searched review of the history of the series from the very early stages of production, to its final cancellation. A comprehensive episode guide is very well documented. But the most important of all i feel, is that the author finally and rightfully restores the truth about the series's place in sci-fi and why it is so important and unique in televised sience fiction. Many myths and negative reputations about the series are dissolved. What i didn't like about the book, was that it was rather short for me. Being a fan of the series, I would love reading more interviews from the cast and crew and I 'd love if the book deepened in some subjects, instead of being rather brief. Sometimes while reading it, I would get the feeling that i was reading a small summary. I'd so much love some behind the scenes stories and incidents for instance, or input by the series's writers and their thoughts of the episodes and the series in general. And some of the author's comments about Babylon 5 for instance wouldn't find me consistent.That's why i rated the book with three stars instead of four. If i wasn't so much of a perfectionst with my great loves, i would give it 4 1/2 stars. But i guess that the shortness of the book isn't all that bad after all,cause it's not a textbook for the die-hard fan, but a review for the average viewer who may not have heard of Space:1999 at all. If you fit in the last category, this book is the best way to take your first glimpse of Space:1999 as a series and which were the elements that made it a so unique one.
Rating:
Summary: a must-have for a Space:1999 and science fiction fan
Review: I always wanted a book dealing with Space:1999, with respect, care and objectivity. I was so tired of the continuing bashing of the series by "objective" critics. "Exploring Space:1999" is a welcome addition to the area of televised sci-fi critic and review. It boldly states an opinion that isn't like to be heard by many sci-fi fans, and this is that Space:1999 was something more than just special effects. The book boldly looks at the prons and cons of the series, without fearing to point out and criticize its merits and the reasons that lead to its ultimate failure. It is a thorough and very well-searched review of the history of the series from the very early stages of production, to its final cancellation. A comprehensive episode guide is very well documented. But the most important of all i feel, is that the author finally and rightfully restores the truth about the series's place in sci-fi and why it is so important and unique in televised sience fiction. Many myths and negative reputations about the series are dissolved. What i didn't like about the book, was that it was rather short for me. Being a fan of the series, I would love reading more interviews from the cast and crew and I 'd love if the book deepened in some subjects, instead of being rather brief. Sometimes while reading it, I would get the feeling that i was reading a small summary. I'd so much love some behind the scenes stories and incidents for instance, or input by the series's writers and their thoughts of the episodes and the series in general. And some of the author's comments about Babylon 5 for instance wouldn't find me consistent.That's why i rated the book with three stars instead of four. If i wasn't so much of a perfectionst with my great loves, i would give it 4 1/2 stars. But i guess that the shortness of the book isn't all that bad after all,cause it's not a textbook for the die-hard fan, but a review for the average viewer who may not have heard of Space:1999 at all. If you fit in the last category, this book is the best way to take your first glimpse of Space:1999 as a series and which were the elements that made it a so unique one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ho-Hum
Review: I had this book, having spent more than ...dollars in American dollars on it, and soon gave it to a friend. Told him he could have it gratis. That's a more appropriate price. I've read fanzines that are more informative and groundbreaking than this, not to mention more visually appealing. The drawings in the book are appallingly bad and abjectly fail to compensate for a lack of photography, which is presumably due to no endorsement from the copywrite holder of the series. Not even a dust jacket with a picture from the show. As to the content of the book. It consists basically of an episode guide with opinionated reviews of each and some chapters on spin-off merchandise and fandom. The episodes are adequately summarized, but the reviews of each betray the author's obvious bias against the second season and way too much of an inclination to compare to Star Trek. While the second season had a few clunkers, those are precisely the episodes that Muir commends, just because they are not, in his estimation, akin to plots of Star Trek. And he condemns fan favorites like "Journey to Where" just because a few technical details are left to the viewer's imagination and "The Seance Spectre" because he fails to grasp the concept of a weather belt in space, and slags several episodes over only the most superficial similarities to Star Trek stories. Far too many episodes of the second season are dismissed while just about every episode of the first season, even some of the ones that put the viewer to sleep, is lauded. Muir's bias toward the horror aspects of the first season is duly noted, but he totally fails to appreciate the merits of the second season beyond perhaps the pulchritude of Catherine Schell as Maya. Indeed, the interview with Ms. Schell is the only novelty to the book. A pity that it must be punctuated by remarks by Muir that even she does not believe the second season to be as praiseworthy as the first. The debate over which season is best became tiresome 20 years ago. This book just rehashes it all and offers little in the way of refreshing insight. What really ought to be done is a second edition of The Making of Space: 1999 by Tim Heald, expanding to include a complete episode guide- without opinionated drivel- and a more thorough account of the production of the first season, with some interviews with the cast of that. Why pay upwards of ...dollars to read a man's opinions when that can be done on the Internet for far less cost? Goodness knows, there's a glut of opinionated commentary exactly like Muir's there.
Rating:
Summary: The Space 1999 Conspiracy!
Review: If you are a fan of science fiction, this book is one major revelation. It tracks major influneces of space 1999 in the star trek and star wars franchises and goes into detail on the philosophy of the show which made the X-files possible. Its about time somebody exposes the lies of the Trekkies , which sought to kill space 1999s' reputation. Even as recently as last months New York Times , Emily Nussbaum gave the show a bad reveiw without even explayning her problems with the show.
Long live Space 1999!
Rating:
Summary: A Thought Provoking Book
Review: If, like me, you remember Space 1999 as a kid and want to know more about the series then get this book. The author has done a magnificent job in researching the history of the programme and in linking it to other sci-fi films and programmes. Start buying the DVDs from ... and use this book as a guide. You might not always agree with Muir's opinion (I didn't - he was a bit too tough on season 2 stories) but he argues his case in an entertaining way.
Rating:
Summary: A Thought Provoking Book
Review: If, like me, you remember Space 1999 as a kid and want to know more about the series then get this book. The author has done a magnificent job in researching the history of the programme and in linking it to other sci-fi films and programmes. Start buying the DVDs from ... and use this book as a guide. You might not always agree with Muir's opinion (I didn't - he was a bit too tough on season 2 stories) but he argues his case in an entertaining way.
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