Customer Reviews

Exploring Space: 1999: An Episode Guide and Complete History of the Mid-1970s Science Fiction Television Series

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"In Defense of Space: 1999" might have been a better title for this book. I've been a fan of the show since I saw it in first run, when I was in my early 'teens. And I'm still a fan now (I bought the episode DVDs). I agree that many reviewers have unfairly "bashed" this show, perhaps because it did not fit the mould of other televised sci-fi. (Actually, I would class "Space: 1999" as fantasy or drama, but not as science fiction.)

Unfortunately, author Muir seems almost zealously (and tediously) determined to justify the show against all comers. Too much time is spent comparing "Space: 1999" to other shows, rather than praising it for itself. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson have produced some of the sexiest and most stylish sci-fi/fantasy on TV. They've got the "cool." And "Space: 1999" is one of their greatest.

If you are a fan, you will want to buy this book. It is worth the trip. It is a rare look at the creation and development of a popular show.

I always wanted a book dealing with Space:1999, with respect, care and objectivity. I was so tired of the continuing bashing of the series by "objective" critics. "Exploring Space:1999" is a welcome addition to the area of televised sci-fi critic and review. It boldly states an opinion that isn't like to be heard by many sci-fi fans, and this is that Space:1999 was something more than just special effects. The book boldly looks at the prons and cons of the series, without fearing to point out and criticize its merits and the reasons that lead to its ultimate failure. It is a thorough and very well-searched review of the history of the series from the very early stages of production, to its final cancellation. A comprehensive episode guide is very well documented. But the most important of all i feel, is that the author finally and rightfully restores the truth about the series's place in sci-fi and why it is so important and unique in televised sience fiction. Many myths and negative reputations about the series are dissolved.

What i didn't like about the book, was that it was rather short for me. Being a fan of the series, I would love reading more interviews from the cast and crew and I 'd love if the book deepened in some subjects, instead of being rather brief. Sometimes while reading it, I would get the feeling that i was reading a small summary. I'd so much love some behind the scenes stories and incidents for instance, or input by the series's writers and their thoughts of the episodes and the series in general. And some of the author's comments about Babylon 5 for instance wouldn't find me consistent.That's why i rated the book with three stars instead of four. If i wasn't so much of a perfectionst with my great loves, i would give it 4 1/2 stars.

But i guess that the shortness of the book isn't all that bad after all,cause it's not a textbook for the die-hard fan, but a review for the average viewer who may not have heard of Space:1999 at all.

If you fit in the last category, this book is the best way to take your first glimpse of Space:1999 as a series and which were the elements that made it a so unique one.

Space:1999. You either love it or you hate it. This mid-1970's science fiction television program seems to inspire a lot of passion with no middle ground even after 20 years. The book "Exploring Space:1999" explores the reasons behind fandom's feelings quite adaquitly. The author, although an admitted fan, keeps a fairly objective view of the program as he "reviews" each of the 48 episodes in production order. Often he points out simularities in storylines and style in series that have followed. In particular, there are comparisons to Star Trek: The Next Generation, a program which prided itself on being a "thinking man's" science fiction televison program. Space:1999 did that first and in many ways, helped pave the way for the "intelligent" programs on the air today such as "Babylon 5" and the various Treks. The book is a bit of a let down when it comes to telling the history of the program. Only actress Catherine Schell was interviewed for the project. The bulk of the information comes from mainstream magazine stories and interviews. Personally, I would have loved to have seen more information from the script writers and editors about the evolution of the series and it's scripts. An example is that in the begining, ITC New York insisted on having an American script editor. In the days before E-mail and faxes, this caused quite a problem with the development of the early episodes. In the reviews of these stories, the author comments on the quality of the scripts but offers no explaination for the downslide. Articles and interviews of this nature have appeared in fanzines over the years and many of them are now available on the internet. Hopefully, there will be a revised second edition of the book which incorporates some of this material. Still, dispite my criticisms, it is great to finally have an objective telling of the program's history between one cover. "The Making of Space:1999" published in 1976 was basically a big PR product to help promote the changes to the second season of the program an barely touched on the first season. I enjoyed the book and appreciate the work the author put in to it. But, I would only recommend it to true fans of the series like myself.

Two thumbs up and three cheers for Muir's Exploring Space:1999. This is the reprint of the 1997 book by the author of Terror Television (which also has a chapter on Space:1999)and The Films of John Carpenter. This is a sturdy, utilitarian volume with some good photographs of Catherine Schell, two original illustrations, and a great text. Today, everybody from the New York Times to TV Guide is hailing Space:1999 as a lost masterpiece but in 1997 Muir's was the only voice in print supporting the series, - and we can be thankful for it. The book stands the test of time because Muir writes so well about the series' strength, and destroys many of the old arguments against the show through logic, reason,and with empirical evidence. He writes about how 1) the series is high-quality and 2)how it picks up on interesting film techniques to tell its stories and advance its themes. I don't agree with every episode review in the book, but Muir is consistent - preferring those with "film style" rather than solid, traditional stories. This is great, innovative reading, and well worth the price.

I always considered the '70s sci-fi show "Space: 1999" something of a guilty pleasure. Muir's book, however, shows there was more substance to the ill-fated series than even I thought. My only reservation about the book is that Muir doesn't know nearly as much about other SF series as he does about "Space: 1999." Some of his comments about "Babylon 5," for instance, fall well off the mark. (Muir contrasts the two, while I think they share some similarly Lovecraftian undercurrents.)

As the Cybrarian of the multi-award winning Space: 1999 Cybrary web site, it's a rare occurrence when I come across anything new about the classic Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-produced British sci-fi series of the mid-1970s starring Oscar winner Martin Landau, three-time successive Emmy winner Barbara Bain, Barry Morse, and Catherine Schell. Happily, John Muir's take on the series is unique, highly informative, and best of all, wonderfully intelligent and thought provoking, providing many a keen and thoughtful insight into this marvelous, beautifully produced, and oftentimes misunderstood epic television series. Without question, John Muir's intelligently written Exploring Space: 1999 is certain to be as sought after and collectible one day as the ultra rare Japanese Town Mook SuperVisual Guide to Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999 is today. I cannot recommend this title more highly. It's an exceptional addition into the body of literature on Space: 1999, and certainly among the top three titles one would want to own on the series.

This book is a true work of love! Kenneth Muir was superb in describing the very thought provoking show of the 70`s - Space 1999. A lot of people disregard this show or despise it as a minor one, but it was the predecessor of series like Babylon 5, Alien, Star Trek - The Next Generation and others. Muir showed his knowledge not only in the Space 1999 series, but all the SCIFI universe. The only thing missing in this book is more interviews with the stars Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and others.

I recommend and it is one of my favorites!

Being a fan of Space:1999 since its debut in 1975, I immediately bought this book to see what it was all about. Like the book Space:1999 - The Future Is Fantastic (which would come out some three years later), this book about the classic British science fiction series was well researched and exhaustively informative. Like Paul M. Sammon's book on the making of Blade Runner, John Kenneth Muir's book really captured every detail about the show. From the synopsis of all 48 episodes, to direct quotes of dialogue from the characters and interviews with various actors, actresses, behind the scenes personnel, and the creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, this book was a pure pleasure to read. Muir's comments and criticisms about each episode and the show in general were justifiable in some areas, and in others, not. However, his book on the show, and the information contained were muti-dimensional and layered. Like many fans of the show, Muir's writings clearly indicate that he too is a fan, and truly cares about this classic piece of science fiction. He also goes into detail about how strong a cult-fan following the show has, and why it was on for only two years. Especially the changes made between the first and second seasons.

If you enjoy Space:1999, then you will want to pick up a copy of this excellent and informative book. If you really enjoy Muir's book on this show, then you'll want to check out his book on another classic piece of science fiction and fantasy. A legendary space opera known as Battlestar Galactica.

If, like me, you remember Space 1999 as a kid and want to know more about the series then get this book. The author has done a magnificent job in researching the history of the programme and in linking it to other sci-fi films and programmes. Start buying the DVDs from ... and use this book as a guide. You might not always agree with Muir's opinion (I didn't - he was a bit too tough on season 2 stories) but he argues his case in an entertaining way.

The definitive book on this TV series. Captures the essence of the show, describes its impact on later series, and details the long history of Space:1999, down to criticisms lodged by science fiction fans and reviewers alike. Now that the DVDs have been released, this book makes for a perfect companion, filled with insightful episode commentary and information.