Gene Roddenberry created a mythology for the twentieth century: "Star Trek". One of the most successful television shows and cultural icons of all time, "Star Trek" was a forum for probing some of life's fundamental questions: What is the difference between sexuality and love? Where does duty end and morality begin? What does it mean to be human? As Roddenberry faced the end of his life, his last wish was to address humanity directly. Insisting that no one could really know him without becoming part of his private world, he invited Yvonne Fern to live with him and his wife, Majel Barrett. "I want you to write me," he said. But this book is more than a portrait of a single life - it is a shared journey, into the meaning and worth of human existence. The two began this book as a collaboration, but as Roddenberry's health failed, Fern's task was to convey the richness of what passed between them. Reading their dialogue, we are able to glimpse the luminous future that Gene Roddenberry knew was possible for all of us.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
It is Roddenberry's time in the book world, as witnessed by Gene Roddenberry by Joel Engel (Nonfiction Forecasts, Mar. 21) and Star Trek Creator by David Alexander (Nonfiction Forecasts, May 16)--and now this volume, which is the most reverential. The tone is set by the book's inclusion in a new UC series, Portraits of American Genius. Fern, an ex-nun and a Trekkie, lived with Roddenberry and his wife during the last year of his life (1990-91) and views him as a visionary. Their discussions dealt with questions like "What is life," "What is the role of faith in human existence?" and other staples of pop metaphysics, plus a bit about Roddenberry's psychology. The book will appeal primarily to the most devoted Trekkies, who will not be daunted by such terms as "mind-meld," "Borgs," "IDIC" and "pon farr." $30,000 ad / promo; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Fern's access to Star Trek creator Roddenberry during the last days of his life afforded her the opportunity to help him with one of his dearest wishes, the chance to address humanity in propria persona and expand openly on the parts of his personal philosophy hitherto expressed only implicitly in his work. Presented as literary conversation (rather than in question-and-answer interview format), the colloquies make clear Roddenberry's deep concern for the future of the human race. The dialogue exhibits Roddenberry's multifaceted approach to the world as it ranges topically from the problems of leadership to his love for his family. On everything, Roddenberry had well-formed opinions and no reticence in expressing them. Dennis Winters
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nun and the Genius,
By MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: Gene Roddenberry: The Last Conversation (Portraits of American Genius) (Hardcover)
Yvonne Fern a former Nun, spent months with Gene and his wife Majel whom the book is dedicated to. I am not a Trekie and originally bought the book for my son who is a major Star Trek fan. But I opened the book and read a few pages, then a few more pages. Then within days I was 3/4 thru the book and had gained such respect for the man Gene Roddenberry and realized he was much more than the man behind Star Trek. On page 2 I see my Father speaking, thru MsFern/Mr Roddenberry: "Gene Roddenberry did not believe in time. He never spoke of the future in the future tense, to me. It was always, "the future is", not "the future will be". The book is wonderful because it also covers the marriage he had, and the uniqueness of his personaility. On page 95 Ms Fern notes: "Like many writers he carries a population sround inside of him-ideas, fancies,noions,characters,theories,possibilities,dreams. They buzz constantly with opposing suggestions,contraditory philosphies, conflicting needs. They make demands on him that they begiven life." This is why he was a genius. An eccentric of sorts. So many people live "safe" lives. People like Mr Roddenberry take risks and lead the lives they are meant to live. Interetsing that people admire men/women like him, yet how few people are have that spirit of adventure. Mr Roddenberry didn't see race, religion, gender, but LIFE in its fullest form. The book covers his feelings on these subjects as well as sex. This book is a modern day Homer. Everyone should buy it ! I bought copies for my local library.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Gene Roddenberry,
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This review is from: GENE RODDENBERRY: THE LAST CONVERSATION: A DIALOGUE WITH CREATOR OF STAR TREK (Star Trek Series) (Paperback)
Too much of the interviewer is in this. I just want to know about Gene, not her. You gotta pick your way through to hear what he has to say.
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