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I Am Spock

I Am Spock

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An important part of a puzzle
Review: A puzzle that must inevitably contain William Shatners "Memories" books, as well. Reading both accounts, one can begin to see at least a good portion of the whole.
Nimoy's accounting is a good one, but definitely a very personal one. It is all from his own perspective, and this is solidified with rare use of others' quotations, and his rather delightful internal dialogues with the character of Spock. It tells not only of his time working on Star Trek's various projects, but his other loves, such as the theater, photography, and his career as a director.
Nimoy also seems to pull his punches more often than not. There is more than a little industry back-patting and mild shmoozing contained therein. Though he outlines a few of the problems he had with Gene Roddenberry and goes so far as to say "our personal relationship had deteriorated", he always falls short of actually condemning the man for his behavior on any matter, even some rather stressful, deceitful, and just plain cruel things he did.
But even though I'm a Star Trek fan, I was just as fascinated with the other parts of this work that don't really have that much to do with Star Trek... even if they're ABOUT Star Trek. More than being about Star Trek, this is also about the games that studios and those in the industry play. (Such as Nimoy and Shatner's own salary negotiation ruse.)
I have also found that some of what is laid out here can be used as invaluable tools for writing. Some of the concepts Nimoy lays out lead to thought and, though on the surface the application to writing isn't always obvious, I'd definitely suggest this as a multiple-read for any aspiring author.
This work also contains an important insight to other accounts released by connected actors such as Nichelle Nichols. She and Walter Koenig, among other Original Series castmembers, have cast rather damning disparagements towards William Shatner. However, the Shatner portrayed here is no slobbering ogre or spotlight thief, but what seems to be a very realistic showing of who he is... not without flaw, but certainly not a bad person. At one point, Nimoy notes that when his (Nimoy's) father died, Shatner attended the funeral, which touched Nimoy greatly. There is no mention of Nichols, Koenig, Doohan, or any of the others who have called Shatner selfish and arrogant attending this funeral, or aiding Nimoy in any other significant way. (There is mention of Nichols at one point being found late at night in Roddenberry's office wearing nothing but a sweatshirt, but Nimoy tries to allow the reader to assume that this might have simply been a prank.)
In all, this book isn't wholly about Star Trek, but rather about the effects of Star Trek on Nimoy's life, and it's a very, very worthwhile read.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I think Spock wrote this one...
Review: A "fascinating," Vulcan-like observation of a human and his Vulcan alter ego. Unlike many autobiographies, this one eschews tattletales, in favor of a relatively objective look at a remarkable career.

The most interesting part is the inner dialogue between Nimoy and Spock, particularly after Spock's "reincarnation" (see Star Trek III: The Search for Spock).

This one's a keeper.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not Just for Star Trek Fans.....
Review: Leonard Nimoy's I am Spock is a great book. Learn all about how this actor first approached the role of Mr. Spock. His experience both directing and staring in the Star Trek movies, and his thoughts on how his life has been in the post-Star Trek years.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great book!
Review: This was a wonderful book. I loved everything about it, including the Nimoy and Spock exchanges. It's a great book. Actually, I think this we'll be the shortest review I've ever done on this site. Just go out and buy this book. You'll love it if you're an ST fan. Even if you aren't an ST fan, you'll enjoy it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Disappointment
Review: This book was not at all what I expected. Mr. Nimoy wastes precious pages copying the back and forth circulation of memos between himself and various studio personnel. Somewhat amusing, the stories would have been better told through Mr. Nimoy's narrative with portions of the memo's used for emphasis. I expected more of an autobiography, but Mr. Nimoy makes only murky references to his personal life, some of which seem to be purposely misleading. If you have exhausted all other avenues of Star Trek set trivia, you might read this book as a last resort. If you're looking for a picture of Leonard Nimoy, the man, forget it.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: I get this sense of deja'vu
Review: If you have have been a fan of Star Trek and Mr. Nimoy in particular and have read his previous autobiographical outing "I Am Not Spock" you will be sorely disappointed with this latest venture. I was stunned to see entire passages and many anecdotes lifted almost verbatim from the previous work with very little original material added. I have to applaud Mr. Nimoy on his commitment to recycling; a good 80% of his material has appeared not only in his previous book but in just about every interview and article he has done. For someone just now getting acquainted with Mr. Nimoy and the Trek phenomenon, all this would be new and fascinating but for the long time devotee eagerly awaiting the publishing of a "new" book....short changed is the term that comes to mind.

Also, for a biography, there is very little personal material. I can understand not wanting to hang your dirty laundry out for the world to see. But since the publication of his first book, Mr. Nimoy has divorced, remarried, lost two parents, had a bout with alcoholism, worked under the direction of his son for an Outer Limits episode...these are the peaks and valleys that make up fully lived lives and amazing emotional journeys that grips a reader. We share none of this with Nimoy. He even casually omits his first wife's name from the identical anecdotes he rehashes.

In many ways, he truly is Spock in eschewing the emotional and human. Stick with the tried and true "behind the scenes" tidbits despite having worn them very thin from repeated use and hope the novice reader finds them "fascinating."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thoughtful, fun, and (dare I say it?) fascinating
Review: Leonard Nimoy is best know as the actor that portrays Spock in the Star Trek universe. Those that follow films also know him as the director of Three Men and a Baby and The Good Mother, not to mention a couple of the ST films. This interesting biography includes a healthy dose of Spock, as indicated by the title, along with some divergences into his other acting roles and his directorial work. The time frame is from approximately the beginning of the original series to the end of his appearance in the Star Trek: the Next Generation episode entitled "Unification", where Spock appeared alongside the Enterprise D crew. As such, it is certainly a complete record of his work in the Trek universe (so far!).

It is a personal autobiography, in that discussions always centre on Nimoy himself. This is a contrast to the Shatner "Star Trek Memories" books, in that Nimoy makes little attempt to explore his extended Trek family. However, we get a very candid look at Nimoy's contributions over the years, including the conflicts on the set (between the actors themselves and between the actors and the directors, writers, etc.). It is a thoughtful book, analysing the phenomenon of Trek and mulling over his place in it. His schizophrenic relationship with the Vulcan he portrays is especially highlighted (including updated versions of his dialogues, similar to those in the earlier I Am Not Spock).

My only disappointment is that he spends little time on his early life and on his family life. We only hear about his parents when he discusses their passing on. He talks about working with his son on a TV show, but barely mentions his children previous to that. This is not a problem overall (presumably he means to protect his family from the publicity), just a small disappointment. Otherwise, it's highly recommended - a thoughtful and thoroughly enjoyable look into the mind Leonard Nimoy.

(...)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A book that got me hooked.
Review: When I picked up this book I was like ah well might as well read it. The truth was with most autobiographies I lost intrest after the first chapter. When I got to the end of chapter one in this book however, I couldn't put it down.It was facinating to see what happened on the set. I have only seen one of the original Star Trek episodes, "Trouble with Tribbles," and now the top of my christmas list is the original episodes. I relize that they might seem un real compaired to other recent Star Treks but the book sparked an intest in me that I never knew was there. My friends all call me a Star Trek nut. I don't care. I even recomented the book to a friend. She read it and was instantly hooked. I think we plan to spend January watching Star Trek and reading "I Am Not Spock," and the book by William Shatner," Memories." This book is a book to read for any fan of space history.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Well worth reading
Review: I don't have the time to read for pleasure often, but I could not put this book down. Nimoy is wise, touching and funny. I am now searching for his other books so I can read them, too. Even if you don't care for Star Trek, this is an entertaining, uplifting read by a talented, humble man.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A real page turner
Review: I found Mr. Nimoy's latest autobiography to be a fun-filled traipse through the life of this wonderfully talented man. Several times I had to place the book down to finish laughing. I was also moved by the serious and touching facts he included about his life. On account of his delightful writing technique, I often felt as though I were there alongside him experiencing the moment. I am convinced that he is an intelligent gentleman. 'I Am Spock' was truly fascinating.


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