To Seek Out New Life : The Biology of Star Trek

Rating:
Summary: Arrogant, so very arrogant
Review: I assume you are considering buying this book and feel encouraged to do so by all these wonderful reviews... Well, so did I. As a trekker as enthusiastic as any other, I bought it from Amazon and read it right away. In the beginning, it's pretty interesting, of course, for Andreadis does explore a variety of issues, from androids to changelings, from trills to betazoids. But, as she goes along, she starts to go far beyond her field of expertise, biology. That's when it gets really annoying, unless you think exactly like her. Andreadis's ill-disguised feminism makes her go on and on and on... about the Prime Directive, the Ferengi, etc. The Vulcan/Klingon dicotomy is particularly irritant, as it reveals a kind of oversimplification one would never expect to find in a scientist. If you still want to buy this book, go ahead... but be advised that it's much more than "the biology of Star Trek", which is not necessarily a good thing.

Rating:
Summary: Okay For *Some* Science - Otherwise, "Don't Go There"
Review: I could not agree more with the last reviewer. I started reading the book with a lot of anticipation from the book-jacket intro, as well as the introduction itself. The first few chapters were pretty good, but after that, some of the "tangents" she went off on made the reading much more laborious, overall frustrating, and detrimental to what had come before. In other words, did not fulfill the "hype," (or the reader unfortunately :( ) I cannot fault her for *most* of her science and this sort of straightforward knowledge. However, being the scientist of the caliber she is supposed to be, I would expect quite a bit more in terms of everything else in the book (read: overall intelligence, accurateness, etc.). Particularly irritating was much of her pontificating on things such as the social structures in Star Trek, that she had no expertise in (professionally or otherwise). Also, there were many times in the book when I was amazed at the triteness of her statements, whether they were concerning "social" subjects, or pretty much anything out of the realm of her expertise, which was unfortunately was a little more then should be expected from this "expert." Otherwise, as I said, it is good for most of the science, and *some* of her reasons counting against or for certain elements in Star Trek (seems like I'm kind of slighting her here, she did have a lot of good scientific information). I can see the appeal to "trekkies" as anyone can see that she knows her ST, and it might be entertaining for some science instructors, or other professionals. And I'd say that there were more then a few kernels of entertainment, knowledge, good-up-to-date science, and good humor mixed in. Otherwise, some good advice for her might be "keep your day job," (read: try to stick to *biology* in what's supposed to be a *biology* themed book). And for everyone thinking of reading the book, some advice, do read it, but don't pay for it -I didn't, and I'm glad for that- (read: *library* sorry Amazon, but don't worry, you'll get your money :).

Rating:
Summary: Please...
Review: I do not dispute this may be a good book, but please put it in the science fiction section where it belongs.

Rating:
Summary: Wanted to love it but.....
Review: I found the viewpoint in this book to be rather smug and self-serving unfortunately; the author seemingly wishing to find faults in the show without any inherent love or passsion for the subject or its characters (except for Kheylar). Unfortunate as I was REALLY looking forward to digging into it and enjoying it. All it did was infuriate me! On the contrary, check out Phil Farrand's Nitpicker Guides to Trek : they'll make you laugh, howl, and beam with joy and amazement - written from the standpoint of a true fan who loves Trek and has reverence for it, and whose books enhance MY love of the show and its characters. Only about half of the book here reviewed was spent on biology and how it relates to Trek; the rest was padded out with feminist polemic, physics, metaphysics and the author's disdain for tradition, religion and mysticism. (Or men that don't roll over and play dead). It had me panting at the bit to get it finished and behind me, as I disagreed with almost every word she wrote. Much of the material anyway was already covered in "The Physics of Star Trek". This just reiterates it. Thus, it could have been half the length it ended up being. I love Trek a lot; and I also love to have fun finding discrepancies in the stories - but with ALL DUE REVERENCE and respect. I found nothing of the sort here. I wish I could recommend it, but .......sorry.

Rating:
Summary: PICKY PICKY PICKY
Review: I found this book quite by accident at the library and being a Star Trek fan I though that it would answer a lot of questions. Instead all the auther did was go to great lengths to say how this was not possible or how that was not possible (imagine no Spock, no Deanna, etc.) Although she did say that Data was possible. She even went so far as to say that the transporter (a mainstay of Federation technology) wasn't possible. She does not take into account the strides that could occur between now and the 23rd and 24th centuries. I would not recomend this book for any serious Star Trek fan.

Rating:
Summary: Superb...a Tour de Force
Review: I guess I'm a little late to the scene, given that there are currently some 23 reviews posted. I find myself disappointed with most of them. Very few of the 23 reviewers really evinced an understanding of this fabulous book. Some missed the mark completely, apparently thinking it was a book about Star Trek. Some were apparently academically threatened and tried to nit pick at her accuracy (several of their claims can be legitimately challenged). Some whined about "digressions" and complained that Andreadis ventured into areas where she has little "expertise" or where she revealed a political or "feminist" position. I read a few of those reviews before reading the book and I kept waiting for the "feminist diatribe"...it never came. I found myself in complete agreement with every insightful revelation about our hidden, deeply embedded cultural prejudices with respect to both men AND women. She was right on the mark. (And I'm a white male with a traditional family...you know...of the class that is normally characterized as bigoted or chauvinist.)

This book, To Seek Out New Life, is a masterpiece. It is brilliant. It should be required reading in every 9th grade science class. It is not about Star Trek, although Andreadis clearly knows her Star Trek and is a genuine fan. Indeed, I learned some things about Star Trek in reading the book, and I've watched it for years. I wouldn't miss a Star Trek movie. It is not about biology, although Dr. Andreadis is clearly a preeminent biologist and neurologist. Well, if it's not about that stuff, what IS it about?

It is, quite simply, a marvelous book about science; real, exciting and imaginative science, made accessible to the lay person through the vehicle and framework of a vastly popular series of TV shows and movies. Dr. Andreadis does a masterful job of sprinkling a multitude of insights across a breathtaking array of scientific subjects. Few people would even attempt it. The subjects she addresses include artificial intelligence, downloading, origins, pre and post-cellular evolution, founder populations, viruses and retro-viruses, carbon vs silicon life, requisites for successful speciation, aging, neurophysiology, brain chemistry and the nature of thought, sense and perception, psychology, socio-evolution and the implications of tribal ethos in a modern society, the critical role of emotion, heredity vs environment, gene manipulation and genetic engineering, telepathy and empathy, philosophy (metaphysics [the nature of reality] and epistemology [the foundations of knowledge], entertainingly discussed in the 'Trek framework'), the phenomenon and evolution of language, extra-terrestrial intelligence and the problems in deciphering an alien message, hidden prejudices and cultural biases among both men and women, political biases in science and Star Trek, biological warfare, determinants for peaceful interaction among societies, the implications of a right-handed apple, game theory and issues in long term survival of a species, the role of technology in society and the implications of abandoning it.... And yes, there is more. It is truly remarkable. A Tour de Force of sustained high quality. What a way to introduce science and provoke interesting discussion and further investigation among young people!

In this trek through the scientific framework of Star Trek, Andreadis reveals herself to be much more than a "biologist" or a "neurologist" or a fan of Star Trek. To Seek Out New Life is a sorely needed and refreshing revelation of the difference between science and a popular pseudo-science that leads too many people to buy into "Road Runner Physics" and "Trekie Technology", and to confuse science with magic or mysticism. At the same time, she is witty and personal, and keeps everything readily accessible. One gets the sense of knowing a "real human being" behind the book.

Finally, this book is a great "teaser." If there is one thing that I hope Dr. Andreadis considers adding to a future edition, it would be a set of references for further reading. Over and over again I found myself fascinated with the discussion on a given topic. It was like a tour down the Rhine River of Science. I was stuck in the boat, and I wanted to go climb those hills and look inside all those fascinating castles my tour guide was describing.

I will close with one of my many favorite quotes from this splendid little book: "Logic and emotion are not the opposites of each other. Nor do they respectively predominate in men and women, let old Aristotle say what he likes. In our brains and our minds, the two are inextricably intertwined, like the Escher prints that show two hands drawing each other." (p. 116)

This book will be high on my holiday gift list this year. Get it, and read it. It's worth the trek!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I loved this book. It went straight in and ripped the truth out from the fiction. Well written and a great book for any Trekkie. I highly reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: Weak on biology but full of political correctness
Review: I read this because of a biology project I was doing for school--a fun project. My professor recommended this book, and I think he's the best because this book really dealt with all that I was looking for.

Now, don't get scared by the title--you really don't need to have watched every Star Trek episode and series spin-off in order to have an understanding of what the author is talking about. However, being an avid trekker myself, I enjoyed her side-comments and Trek references immensely, because it just showed all the much more how much she enjoyed the subject amtter herself.

This book investigates the Star Trek universe. I've heard that THE PHYSICS OF STAR TREK started this "debunk the Trek" era, but I haven't yet read it, so I couldn't say. Anyway, Dr. Andreadis does a nice job of explaining the Trek reality, then explaining our scientific reality. She uses small words, and explains the big ones. Learn about interspecies reproduction, evolution--you name it, she's covered it.

This book was done not long ago, so it covers the happenings up until Voyager and Star Trek: First Contact. Not too bad, considering Enterprise should be covering all "old" organisms, anyway.

This was really a nice read, and I would have picked it up even had I not had to do a seminar on the biological aspects of Star Trek.

Rating:
Summary: good for Trekkies, Trekkers, and Trek-dabblers
Review: I read this because of a biology project I was doing for school--a fun project. My professor recommended this book, and I think he's the best because this book really dealt with all that I was looking for.

Now, don't get scared by the title--you really don't need to have watched every Star Trek episode and series spin-off in order to have an understanding of what the author is talking about. However, being an avid trekker myself, I enjoyed her side-comments and Trek references immensely, because it just showed all the much more how much she enjoyed the subject amtter herself.

This book investigates the Star Trek universe. I've heard that THE PHYSICS OF STAR TREK started this "debunk the Trek" era, but I haven't yet read it, so I couldn't say. Anyway, Dr. Andreadis does a nice job of explaining the Trek reality, then explaining our scientific reality. She uses small words, and explains the big ones. Learn about interspecies reproduction, evolution--you name it, she's covered it.

This book was done not long ago, so it covers the happenings up until Voyager and Star Trek: First Contact. Not too bad, considering Enterprise should be covering all "old" organisms, anyway.

This was really a nice read, and I would have picked it up even had I not had to do a seminar on the biological aspects of Star Trek.

Rating:
Summary: Far better testimony to Trekdom than some commentators here
Review: I read this book and loved it; despite Dr. Andreadis's exposure of the scientific flaws in Star Trek, she obviously has a great respect and affection for the series. I can't say I've ever worried about whether or not the things I see in Star Trek are possible---what does it matter as long as the stories are thought-provoking and well-told?---so I wasn't at all offended when she "knocked down" some of the standard tech trappings. On the contrary, by taking some of ST's assumptions to their logical extremes, she provided plenty of fodder for future stories. This book is a must-have for any prospective writer of science fiction; there's enough ideas in here to power best-selling authors for years. The Physics of Star Trek, mentioned by others, was pretty good, too, but it didn't approach the heights of this book.

Far more disturbing to me are some of the comments from my fellow readers; some readers castigate Dr. Andreadis for "ill-disguised feminism"? Who in their right minds would want to disguise being a feminist? I'm certainly one; I'm also a man, if that matters. Aren't Trekkeres supposed to far more enlightened about gender matters than these writers? I worry about the rampant sexism and other prejudices in this world, but the fact that an allegedly patriarchal society like Greece (I don't pretend to be an expert on the nation, and have no wish to malign it.) could produce such an intelligent and talented woman who has made a mark in the scientific and literary fields is immensely encouraging. Other readers seem inclined to take Dr. Andreadis's "exposure" of ST scientific improbabilities as a personal attack; how odd and sad. Shouldn't they be pleased to learn that a well-educated scientist thinks enough of the show to take it so seriously? I'm rather embarrassed to share a beloved tv icon (and, on some levels, a *species*) with some of these commentators, but Trekkers like Dr. Andreadis more than make up for such poor representation. She's the kind of viewer Gene Roddenberry would have been proud to have.