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The Encyclopedia Shatnerica

The Encyclopedia Shatnerica

List Price: $14.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Fishwrap; I gave it 1 star because I can't give it 0.
Review: A clever front cover design is the last good part of what is easily the worst book I have ever purchased; I gave it as a gift and ended up owing an apology to the giftee as well. One won't find many chuckles at the expense of Shatner (often an admittedly easy target) but will find oneself first laughing, then pitying, and finally wondering about the mental health of an 'author' who put this much obsessive work into a subject he clearly dislikes, and still managed to almost do no valid research and/or include any accurate facts.

Many (if not most) items are obviously untrue (starting on the first page) and contradictory from entry to entry; easily verifiable descriptions of on-screen scenes and events are wrong; basic trivia questions are answered incorrectly ("Jeffery Hunter was . . . the original Captain Kirk"?!); and the idiotic assertion that "Demanded by Shatner, an airbrush technique helped make his rump look narrower" in Star Trek VI will at least bring a giggle to anyone familiar with film techniques.

What could have been a cute idea is ruined by the total incompetence and mean-spiritedness of the author, who takes shots at most of the other people he mentions, too. From the final entry: "Zmed, Adrian . . . is included here only because his name begins with the letter "z."." Ha ha, funny stuff . .

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great read ... just not for fanboys
Review: A delightfully sarcastic guide to Herr Shatner's life and career. As a Star Trek fan who finds most "Trekkies" humorless and scary, I would advise them to stay away. This book is way too irreverent for fanboy tastes, but a lot of fun for those who don't take Shatner too seriously!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Breathtaking!
Review: A fine slice of woodwork. Kudos to the author for tackling a subject he both cherishes and despises with wit and courage.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Blasphemy!
Review: An important, groundbreaking book. After reading some of the reviews posted here, I almost didn't plunk down my hard-earned green for "Shatnerica," but I'm sure glad I did--the nay-sayers are all wet on this one.

There are apparently no taboos for this author. A pull-no-punches, take-no-prisoners look at the Man, "Shatnerica" hits the bullseye. Shnakenberg loses a star for some assertions of fact that this reader found of questionable lineage, but overall, a fascinating read.

CAVEAT: If you're looking for a read that handles Shatner with kid gloves; if your idolatry of all things Federation forbids the speaking of truth; if the man they call Kirk is your sacred cow; or if hard reality sometimes makes you cry, look elsewhere.

However, if you seek the light of truth, and can accept that ALL men have darker aspects to their nature, check this one out.

One question, Shnakenberg: when will we see "Nemoyica"!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Blasphemy!
Review: An important, groundbreaking book. After reading some of the reviews posted here, I almost didn't plunk down my hard-earned green for "Shatnerica," but I'm sure glad I did--the nay-sayers are all wet on this one.

There are apparently no taboos for this author. A pull-no-punches, take-no-prisoners look at the Man, "Shatnerica" hits the bullseye. Shnakenberg loses a star for some assertions of fact that this reader found of questionable lineage, but overall, a fascinating read.

CAVEAT: If you're looking for a read that handles Shatner with kid gloves; if your idolatry of all things Federation forbids the speaking of truth; if the man they call Kirk is your sacred cow; or if hard reality sometimes makes you cry, look elsewhere.

However, if you seek the light of truth, and can accept that ALL men have darker aspects to their nature, check this one out.

One question, Shnakenberg: when will we see "Nemoyica"!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The man behind the rug (or, rather, underneath it)
Review: Diggin' through my endless piles of Trek-related literature one day, I discovered (or, more properly, re-discovered) this little alphabetical chronicle of the man behind Jimmers! An A-to-Z guide (from 'Airplane II' to 'Zmed, Adrian') that reads a little like an unauthorized biography, the Encyclopedia Shatnerica covers the man's many stage, screen & TV projects (most of 'em just gawdawful in the eyes of the author), as well as his thankfully short-lived musical career and those books that he allegedly wrote.

Also discussed are Shatner's legendary quirks, foibles, and just plain weird behavior that have become legend. More than a few great anecdotes from his fellow thespians are included as well, all broken down into a collection of brief, yet surprisingly informative passages. From the Trekkie Nation on down to those 'PriceLine' mavens, there's a little something for everybody in this paperback!

'Late

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book has to be updated with new material!
Review: From what the author said in one of the reviews; his publisher altered his original concept and manuscript. My solution would be to repackage and update it. Shatty's Priceline troubles will hurt him again because there are still complaints in the news about that company. I have to say after reading Shatnerica I have a very different view of Captain Kirk. He may have had some talent but his arrogance is all that's left. He might have been a great actor if he acted like a human being and not the "leading man" he never was. Except on Star Trek that is. How many of the cast would want to work with him again?

I'd still have to say the author still accomplished his goal. He showed the audience that Shatner has none of the heroic qualities of a Captain Kirk.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book has to be updated with new material!
Review: From what the author said in one of the reviews; his publisher altered his original concept and manuscript. My solution would be to repackage and update it. Shatty's Priceline troubles will hurt him again because there are still complaints in the news about that company. I have to say after reading Shatnerica I have a very different view of Captain Kirk. He may have had some talent but his arrogance is all that's left. He might have been a great actor if he acted like a human being and not the "leading man" he never was. Except on Star Trek that is. How many of the cast would want to work with him again?

I'd still have to say the author still accomplished his goal. He showed the audience that Shatner has none of the heroic qualities of a Captain Kirk.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "The Hot Beat of a Rock Number..."
Review: I agree with the last reviewer. This book is nothing short of spectacular. The obsessiveness behind its creation is definitely part of its beauty. Never before have I encountered a more thorough examination of greatness than we've been provided here. The quotes on Shatner's thoughts regarding the sexuality of certain sports activities and "rock 'n' roll" alone are worth the price of admission.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Thorough and readable
Review: I couldn't disagree more with anim8r's assessment. Only the most rabid fanboy could find more than a few errors in this very exhaustive volume. I've been a Shatner/Trek fan for 25 years and I found it very well-researched. OK, the quizzes are lame, but where else can you find out where Shatner's dog is buried?


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