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I Am Spock

I Am Spock

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not Dr. Spock
Review: It's always fun to read books by the cast of Star Trek. Each actor brings such a unique perspective to Gene Roddenberry's creation. And Leonard Nimoy proves to be no exception to this rule. Mr. Nimoy spends a considerable portion of the book sharing interesting insights on the character of Mr. Spock. From the early days of Spock (in The Cage) to his appearances on Star Trek, The Next Generation, we see how Mr. Spock (at Mr. Nimoy's urging) gradually grows to integrate and accept his Vulcan and Human heritage. And this strangely parallels Mr. Nimoy's own acceptance of the blending of his character with himself. This book also proves interesting since it discusses other projects that Mr. Nimoy has taken on. For instance, did you know that Mr. Nimoy's directing credentials include 'Three Men and a Baby' and 'The Good Mother'? Overall, this book was well written and entertaining. Pick it up and add it to your Star Trek collection

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Enjoyable, Funny, Touching, Lasting Star Trek Legacy
Review: I have been a "trekkie" for years but then, I don't have the privilege of attending a Star Trek Convention as there's none of such a thing in New Zealand. The only way that I'm able to know more about the character Spock and the person behind the mask, Leonard Nimoy is through reading a book. It's even better when the book is written by Leonard himself. Obviously, as Leonard penned this book this time around, he has made peace with Spock. No more "I Am Not Spock". The book explained that his life & Spock's life is intertwined. Nowadays, he's gratified rather than showed resentment towards Spock for the success that "they" are embracing together. The book brought us behind the scenes of the making of the original TV series, the movies till the first endorsement of the New Generations. It also touched upon other projects that Leonard undertook such as "Three Men & A Baby", & other theatre projects. Leonard also reviewed the process of deriving the best ears for Spock, the origin of Spock's phrase Live Long & Prosper & the famous V sign via Leonard's heritage, the firming up of scripts that bonded the characters of Star Trek together, his relationships with Gene Roddenberry, the hit & miss involvements with Kirstie Alley & Eddie Murphy! Wow, I didn't know that. This is a book for avid Star Trek fans & for those readers who want to catch a glimpse of a dedicated actor being faithful to his character even if it meant losing his own job.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: He does get critical of the current Trek film makers
Review: Towards the end of the book, Leonard does get a bit critical of Mr. Berman and the current makers of the Trek shows and films, saying outright that they are sacrifising character and story development for more cheaper film productions and taking the fan base for granted. This is true, despite the fact that many people still like Star Trek, most do not care for the current direction that Gene Roddenberry's series has gone. And the current management at Paramount seem clueless as to how to make needed changes to win the fans back. It might not happen for a long time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "Fascinating" book on Nimoy's life after the original series
Review: Can't the guy make up his mind? Last time it was "I Am Not Spock!"

Seriously, this is an autobiographical memoir of Nimoy's life, though focusing very closely and intently on his years with Star Trek. It goes into particular detail on the movies and especially the two that he directed. It makes for an interesting read, though the imagined dialogues with Spock are a little odd. His takes on the movies are particularly interesting, as he honestly gauges their successes and failures: ST:TMP all special effects, finished in a rush in order to be released on December 7. ST II a good success, ST III good but more of a connect-the-dots effort, ST IV perhaps the most successful of all the movies, ST V a failure but due to the script rather than the Shatner's direction, ST VI a substandard but adequate conclusion.

He goes on to discuss other movies he directed, most notably Three Men and a Baby, though a couple of other, more obscure ones, as well.

In the end, it seems, he is at peace with this second character inside his head.

Despite its egocentric aspects, this is a - dare I say - fascinating book and a good read.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A gentleman's review of a "fascinating" life.
Review: Leonard Nimoy's Star Trek tales are gentler, more forgiving versions of the stories told by William Shatner in the Shatner "Memories" books.

"I Am Spock" is an entertainging piece, perhaps a bit 'jumpy' in places, flashing forward and backward between Star Trek events and Nimoy's other works, and repeats much of the tales in his earlier book - but it was difficult for me to find much fault with this volume.

What I did find interesting was that, while Mr. Shatner's stories often show Mr. Nimoy as a tough businessman, with the "f"-word peppering his direct quotes, the Mr. Nimoy in "I Am Spock" seems more reserved and gentlemanly. Which is the truer? No matter. Mr. Nimoy's modesty shines softly throughout this book. He's obviously very (multi) talented in all facets of his art, and it's a pity the original Star Trek series didn't extend him the opportunity to direct, or create, or produce as he did in later years - then the Enterprise would have definitely fulfilled its 5-year mission, rather than only 3.

Bottom Line: A good read, especially for the Star Trek / Nimoy / Spock fan - but don't expect anything intringing, new, or shocking. This is the grandfatherly Nimoy talking, and his memories all seem to be fond ones.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He is Spock
Review: Once agian a must book for any serious star trek fan's library. This book is funny with plently of inside jokes and interesting information. I very much enjoyed it and I feel kind of stupid because I had this book on my self for 5 years before I read it.

I'll say this for Nimoy if he is as big an egotist as William Shatner he sure doesn't write like it. While it might not have the scope of Shatner's books, I don't know it just seems more human.

Overall-A must for any Star Trek fan.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Memoirs from the most talented of the original cast
Review: As an original Trekkie, I am always looking for additional information about the Star Trek phenomena. I am interested in more than just the shows themselves, I have an additional interest in the lives and careers of those who played the major characters. In this book, Leonard Nimoy not only discusses his role in Star Trek, but also other aspects of his professional life. Of all the major characters, he is the only one who developed a significant career in film outside of Star Trek. Yes, I am aware that William Shatner starred in a television series, but that was short-lived. Nimoy has been very active as a writer/director, being involved in the development of some very good movies.
There is very little information about Nimoy's personal life outside his career in the book. The bulk of the discussion concerns his role in the original Star Trek series, subsequent Star Trek feature films and some of his experiences behind the camera as a director. All information that I have encountered bolsters the thesis that Nimoy puts forward in the book, that he is very highly regarded as a director by the remainder of the Star Trek original cast. He also is very positive about William Shatner, and it is clear that he and Shatner are friends, despite some creative differences in the past.
Nimoy also raises a point about Shatner and Star Trek that should be taken seriously. Shatner has often been criticized for overacting in the series, Nimoy notes that it probably could not have been any other way. Jeffrey Hunter, the original captain, was more introspective, and was not well received by all test audiences. At that point in entertainment history, dynamic heroes were a necessity in all action venues.
Leonard Nimoy is a very literate man who tells a different side of the Star Trek phenomena. There is no scandal, no personal pique, just a statement of what happened and how much he enjoys having been a part of an ongoing entertainment phenomena.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great read
Review: So this is not an autobiography for the person who wants the details of Nimoy's childhood or family life, he focuses almost exclusively on his work. That said, this is a witty, well written work that keeps you chuckling while revealing alot of his character. The conversations between Nimoy and Spock by themselves make it worth the buy. A must for any Star Trek fan.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I Generally Liked it
Review: Not as good as Shatner's book but still a must read for all fans of Star Trek. There is a lot of interesting behind the scenes info and numerous scene descriptions in both Star Trek and some of Nimoy's directed films that will have me looking out for things that Nimoy discussed.

We find out that Nimoy was misjudged by the public for his apparent dislike for the Spock role after his I Am Not Spock book.

The only drawbacks to the book were that Nimoy discusses virtually nothing of his life before acting (maybe a short chapter) and an annoying on-going dialogue between himself and the Spock character that appears through-out the book. Other than these two drawbacks, the book is excellent!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As the good Vulcan would say - "Fascinating"
Review: A solid, well crafted work from a very surprising source. When one thinks "Leonard Nimoy" writer is NOT the first thing that comes to mind. However, after finishing this work it is difficult to discount the man's obvious talent. While the work is written in a sort of grandfatherly air, with fondness at youth past, there still remains grains of truth which embed themselves thoroughly in the psyche. It is a revelatory work concerning the creative process/struggle of an actor. It is at once very amusing and honest and is thouroughly infused with a sense of diginity one would not expect from a hollywood veteran.
The dialogues betweent the author and his ubiquitous character are in a word excellent. Nimoy manages to say so much through those short exchanges. It is definitely a must have for any serious star trek fan.


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