Customer Reviews

Beam Me Up, Scotty

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was 14 when the original Star Trek came out, and it was always the high point of the week for me. I wasn't exactly a nerd in school, although the science classes were my favorite, and so I thought the science and technology in Star Trek was the coolest stuff I had ever seen. In 1965 it was still the Cold War and we lived under the specter of possible global nuclear annihilation, and then along comes this little TV series, which showed that humans might finally abolish war and achieve peace (at least on earth), and that science and technology might create a better future for the human race. The combination of the positive message along with all the cool technology was an irresistible combination for me, and so I hardly ever missed a show.

So although I've never been to a Trekkie conference or participated in any of the typical fandom events, I was a big fan of the original (and subsequent series) and so still count myself as a true "Trekkie."

With the recent passing of James Doohan last week this brief autobiobraphy will remain the one and only commentary on his life. The book concentrates more on Doohan's earlier life and his experiences and career up till Star Trek, including his poor childhood, his military service during WWII, and early acting experiences, and most people would probably prefer that he devoted more space to that. But Doohan was 10 years older than most of the other people in the cast, except for DeForest Kelly, and it was interesting to read his perspective on many of these events. He is honest in admitting his dislike for Capt. Kirk, which takes some courage--since that by itself might predispose some people to giving the book a one-star review.

One thing I have to mention is that the scene where Scotty is explaining to Capt. Kirk when he finally punched the Klingon officer that started the fight in the bar in the episode, The Trouble with Tribbles, was considered the funniest scene in the whole series by the fans. I'm not going to go into anymore details than that or the dialog since I'm sure all the diehard fans here remember the scene from start to finish.

I just had one other comment, which is that the character of Scotty was interesting in that basically what they did was to create a likable and charismatic nerd or geek. I've always found Americans' widespread disdain for nerds paradoxical since we are the most high-tech society on earth and are responsible for inventing and developing almost all the high-tech science, engineering, and medical technology, and we even win most of Nobel Prizes in science, and yet nerds and geeks still get no respect here, and are still widely derided. :-) Well, Scotty's amiable and charismatic personality both on and off the set changed all that and made it, if not fashionable to be a geek, at least acceptable.

I will always remember Doohan, who was one of my personal favorites among the cast, and can only hope that he beams up to a better place than the world he left behind.

As an older person, I was there when Star Trek first aired and when it exploded into syndication. The boys in my junior high school quickly adopted many of the phrases of the show, including the title of this book. Over the years, I have read every book about Star Trek that I have encountered. Unfortunately, until recently I had never seen this one, so I was pleased when it appeared on the shelf of a local used book store.
However, while Doohan has certainly led an interesting life, in this book Scotty could have used more effective writing support. The prose often takes on the tone of someone writing a report in a diary rather than an attempt to explain the life of Doohan. If it were not for his memorable role in Star Trek, I most likely would not have finished the book.
Doohan lost the middle finger of his right hand while fighting in France in World War II. A member of the Canadian military that stormed the beaches of Normandy, he was hit with at least seven bullets, so his survival was truly amazing. Star Trek does not appear until page 127, over halfway through the book. There is a section of twenty-five pages where Doohan describes several of the episodes. There are some solid insights and it would have been better if it had been longer. While he does spend some pages describing the personal interactions between the people who acted out Star Trek, there is not enough to satisfy the avid fan of the genre.
Doohan clearly states his dislike of William Shatner, although he has nothing but praise for Leonard Nimoy and the remaining actors and actresses. He describes the friendships he built with some of the people who helped make Star Trek, noting how that was the beginning of the vast community that has existed for forty years.
This book was a disappointment in the sense that it gives too brief a glimpse into Star Trek as viewed through the eyes of what grew to be a main character. If there would have been more about the genre, reading it would have been much more satisfying.

I read Jimmy`s biography and I liked it a lot. Allright he`s not a writer (he had Peter David for that). But he`s a very gifted story teller. His WWII stories are very interesting (Bad-boy indeed). I mean he wrote about his friends, his numerous girlfriends, actors and actresses he likes. He let Shatner get away with a simple "I just don`t like that man". Well, me, I had a great time reading this. Laughed a lot when I read about his first sexual encounter. And I think I even blushed. Just wasn`t prepared for that! That man is so admiably straightforward. So if you wanna know a little more about James Doohan, you better get this one quick. It`s fascinating. You`ll see what a romantic, warm man he really is.

I liked this autobiography by James Doohan because he didn't try to "pretty up" the events that occurred in his life, or sugar-coat his opinions of others. In short, he is more honest than other writers of autobiographies, and seems to be taking a lot of flak for it. James Doohan was the personal assistant to Meisner at the Playhouse for years, and you don't get in that position for nothing. Those who criticized his "unauthentic " accent in their review obviously didn't read the chapter he devoted to how he came to adopt it, rather than the completely unintelligable accent authentic Scottish brogue can be.

My only two quibbles of the book were that I wished he'd gone into a little more detail about the general goings-on during Star Trek, and that, while certainly a unique experience, that he'd kept his early sexual encounter private. Some private things are, well,...private. The reader may not like some of the things he says or take issue with his attitudes, but he honestly expresses his feelings about things, which allows us to see the person as they are, and should be the goal of an autobiography. Overall, recommended to those who prefer honesty over poetic verse.

I read this book about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I thought it was pretty entertaining. No, he doesn't really talk much about ST. This isn't really a Scotty book. I mean, if he was talking about Scotty he would've started talking about ST on page 1. No, not a Scotty book. This is the life and times of James Doohan. It makes an interesting read, especially if you want to read about James.

I must say that I'm proud of James leaving it simple that he didn't like Shatner. I'm sure we would've had 1 star reviews still if he dissed Shatner all through out the book. After reading the other ST autobiographies, I feel each one had the chance to do some major dissing. The didn't take that route. They have sense enough to realize that ST fans are interested in the show and not with the backstage battles of Shatner vs. Everybody.

When I read an autobiography or biography, not only would I expect a chronological series of the subject's life events, but I would also expect to gain insight into the author/subject's motivation, personal philosophy, hopes, dreams, etc. This book provides the former but not the latter. Doohan appears as an extremely arrogant and egotistical man with an inordinate sense of entitlement. Accepting no responsibility for anything he's ever done, he instead blames others, especially his ex-wives, William Shatner, and the "Hollywood mentality," for his misfortunes. Why Doohan feels he deserves to be worshipped is beyond me, or at least not described in the book. Doohan's attitude towards "Star Trek" is a prime example of this. He was an original cast member of inarguably the most successful TV franchise in history. (And he was nearly fired at that!) Through "ST" he has attained both millionaire and quasi-celebrity status. However, all he can do is complain about how this allegedly ruined his life. Any struggling actor would gladly exchange places with him! At the end he perfunctorily concedes that he *has* been successful, but in view of his book-length tirade, a few sentences do not sound convincing. I suppose I disliked this book so much because Doohan himself seems so throughly dislikeable. He provides no explanation as to why the reader should commiserate with him, or indeed repsect him at all. I wonder how he got the way he is. Perhaps I really don't want to know... I borrowed a friend's copy, so I'm glad I didn't actually spend money on this book. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Doohan mentions that in the movie Star Trek V, he was upset with one scene that made his character look foolish. In the scene I remember from the movie, after performing another miracle fixing the ship, Scotty says, "There's nothing mysterious to it. I know this ship like the back of my hand" and then while walking away he bumps his head on a rafter knocking himself out. I thought it was really funny but Doohan didn't think that would happen to the real Scotty.

This was the best autobiography I ever read - for the first 50 pages or so. Reading it was like being right there with Doohan as he grows up in Canada (that was a surprise to me). His war time stories are good as well. He's not a man who 'doesn't want to talk about it', but he is self-effacing (the opposite of self-aggrandizing anyway). He's the kind who says 'it was no big deal' and tells it like it is. By the end, unfortunately, Beam Me Up Scotty was one of the worst biographies I've read. Doohan just got tired of the hard work of writing, seemed like. Instead of sharing his story he began simply to list facts. If only the first 3rd could have been published and garnered a bit of fame or attention Doohan may have been able to put more effort into the rest. The world is a sadder place without James Doohan.

Great book but spends little time on the "trek" years...Could have had more info on the original series...But its ok....Definitely a good buy to read about his much loved actor.

I loved the frankness of James Doohans menior. In particular, the Star Trek behind the scenes from Jimmy's point of view were fun. I had no idea that Mr. Dooham had been at Normany in the WWII. A wonderful read.

I have always been a fan of James Doohan, and this book does an excellent job telling his story. His involvement in D-Day, the early acting jobs, his struggle with his father, and of course his involvement with Star Trek. Doohan is also very candid in his feelings (both good and bad) for his fellow Trek castmates, and on the "new" Star Trek. If you are a fan of Star Trek, pick this book up. You won't be disappointed.