All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek [Paperback]

Dave Marinaccio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 1995

The paperback edition of the life-enhancing handbook that sold more than 100,000 copies in hardcover. An inspiring collection of down-to-earth philosophy on subjects ranging from skydiving to decision making, from what to do about a beer belly to how to treat house guests. "Could make even a Klingon grin."--USA Weekend

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?Another of the numerous slender volumes that tells readers all they need to know. What Marinaccio does here is to filter life experiences and situations through Star Trek-colored glasses. He uses Captain James T. Kirk, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Spock, et al., and scenarios from the '60s TV series to illustrate how to make decisions that affect one's work, relationships, relaxation, outlook, and sense of self, etc. The result is a seriocomic, readable book.?John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Relying on uncanny instincts and a seriocomic approach, this first-time author strikes very close to home as he cleverly illustrates how we can improve and better understand our lives: apply the morals and lessons portrayed in that American icon known as Star TrekR. Using a hilarious first-person narrative, Marinaccio takes dozens of day-to-day situations and shows how we may glean from this 1960s space opera a more intuitive, aggressive, and successful approach to dealing with them. Citing many examples, including relationships, job satisfaction and management, family, peace, war, love, hate, life, death, and the overall nature of humanity, Marinaccio explains how "every situation you will face in life has already been faced by the crew of the Starship EnterpriseTM." While obsessive Star TrekR fans might be distracted by minute errors in trivia, the author provides a fast, enjoyable, and inspirational read. Well recommended for all public libraries and a strong addition to self-help collections.
--Charles A. Weiss, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (May 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517883864
• ISBN-13: 978-0517883860
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Words of Wisdom from TV? Amazing!, November 12, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek (Paperback)

This is a fun little book chock full of wise sayings gleaned from episodes of the original Star Trek. The original was not a space opera, it was a futurized series of life's lessons, very carefully crafted. Each episode had a heavy-duty message embedded within--and not very hard to spot either. This book does not necessarily include these thematic messages, but it does excerpt a number of pithy, humorous quotes from the characters. It is highly reminiscent of a poster my dentist has in his office of Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I expect there is also a book with that name, but I haven't read it. These words of wisdom also remind me of Dr. Akin's famous "Laws of Spacecraft Design" which you can access on the internet. With his permission, I used several in my book "The Knowledge Management and Information Technology Encyclopedia" (published by the Government and not for sale). My favorite submits from Marinaccio's delightful book are:


Gossip is often confused with conversation. In fact it often takes the place of conversation. Take gossip away from some folks and they would turn into mimes. p.61

When everyone is responsible, ultimately no one is responsible. p.52

Idiot-proofing is also genius-proofing. p.94

Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about people. p.61

Attitude is the top priority; after attitude, talent or gifts are important. p.64

As Yogi Berra, the great Yankees catcher, once said, "You can observe a lot, just by watching." p.23

A person who understands a rule knows when to break it. p.50

Competent people know which rules to follow and which to ignore ... when people of good judgement are allowed to exercise their insights, good results usually follow. When people=s hands are tied, they are ineffective. p.94

The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play. pp. 8, 53, & 54

Difficult choices expose how we truly feel. What we believe deep inside. p.39

The most important time to help someone is when they need it. p.8

For man, Utopia is endless challenge. p.17

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An amusing little book..., April 30, 2002

By 

James Yanni (Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek (Paperback)

Okay, I confess: I was amused by this book, and since I suspect that that was most of its intention, perhaps I'm being too harsh in giving it only two stars. And yes, there were some legitimately thought-provoking ideas to be found...but only a few. If you can find this book used, cheap, as I did, it's definitely worthwhile for a lark. But there is DEFINITELY NOT enough book here to be worth list price. It is grossly overpriced to capitalize on the Star Trek market, and that's the source of my dissatisfaction.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's true, April 4, 2009

By 

Dianne Lane - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek (Paperback)

This book was not only fun to read, but it made me think I've missed out on a lot by not being more of a Trekkie! I bought it for a Trekkie friend, then had to borrow it back.