Customer Reviews

Star Trek: Captain Kirk's Guide to Women

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The measure of a book of this type is how well it appeals to a broad audience as well as the "niche base" that's going to buy it, regardless, because of its devotion to the subject. No matter how hard author John Rodriquez tries to make an "across the board book" for the masses, "Captain Kirk's Guide to Women" is basically written for those that truly know the difference between a Klingon and a Romulan, the connection between a dilithium crystal and a warp core, or which is a better with whom to have a roll in the hay, an Orion slave girl or the Dohlman of Elas.

Trek fans know that Captain Kirk, as played by William Shatner, was the embodiment of the hero that got the girl, the girl, and the girl. This book, through its various "chapters," provides an entertaining look at the Kirk myth and offers suggestions as how a guy can successfully conquer the woman of his choice. It illustrates what to do and what NOT to do in a male-female relationship.

The text and references to episodes of the original series, along with photographs of the actresses that played Kirk's respective "conquests," are heaven to anyone that ever dreamed of holding a phaser or getting his molecules mixed up in a transporter.

However, for those uninformed in Trek lore, the book offers little to bring them into the fold.

For that, "Captain Kirk's Guide to Women" loses two stars.

When I first saw this advertised at Fry's I had to laugh. However, after seeing it here on Amazon getting all these glorious 5-star reviews, and being a Star Trek fanatic for the last 30+ years, I decided to buy it. Mistake. When it arrived, the first thing that struck me was how TINY it is - about the same surface area as a standard paperback novel, and only 60+ pages long. It was like a childrens' book and, in my mind, hideously overpriced. $5.95 absolute max.
The content was fun for 10 minutes or so, but the problem I see is that if you aren't totally obsessed with the minutia of Star Trek you won't understand most of the references and just think it is bad writing (the author tries to incorporate the names of the episodes in his 'prose') and if you ARE fan enough to catch all the references, and you're over the age of 12, it quickly becomes tedious and juvenile. And half the characters discussed don't even have photos! No Helen Noel? You gotta be kidding me.
To be fair, I only read the first half because I got bored and went back to something more intellectual like Uncle John's Bathroom Reader (which are way more fun!)
So - if you must own every bit of Star Trek minutia there is to own, buy this book, accepting the fact that CBS is taking advantage of you big-time, otherwise, spend 20 minutes in the library or wait for it to show up at a garage sale for a quarter. I felt really ripped off.

My husband is a Trekkie, and when I saw this, I knew he would dig it. I ended up reading it too, and thought it was funny, even though there are lots of references in there that only my husband understood! I like that the book is not about dating games or pick up lines (although, in the back, there is a section called "Top Pick-Up Lines from the 23rd Century") it's more about what makes guys, and Kirk, so attractive. At the same time, it's not too geeky- what I mean is, it doesn't take itself too seriously.
I was going to give it to my husband for valentine's day, but I couldn't wait!

This is the first review I've ever written at Amazon. I feel compelled to do so in the hope of saving potential purchasers of this book from wasting their money. As has already been noted, it's teeny. Amazon lists its width as 1/2 inch, but this is inaccurate - 1/3 inch is closer to the truth. Having seen it, I would expect it to cost about half as much as it does. I guess they really have to milk the Star Trek name for all it's worth when it's off the air. As far as the content goes, this book does have some amusing bits here and there, but they are few, and having read it, I know I will never have the desire to do so again.

I found this book to be more about leadership. The Captain is the leader of the mission, his team and those who depend on him.

I have Captain Kirk's Guide to Women on my coffee table and it ALWAYS prompts smiles and conversation when we have guests over. It's smaller sized so perfect to slip into your book bag or carryon for some on-the-go advice! Seriously, I really had fun with this and and so have many of my friends. And as a woman and a Trek fan I think "Bones" knows what he's talking about--gentlemen: this is GOOD advice. I realize that many Star Trek fans take things Trek very seriously and expect them to meet high standards. In my view, this book meets those standards, but it should be remembered that this is supposed to be FUN! No one has ever put something together quite like this before. I appreciate the tone that is both playful and light, yet clearly written by someone who truly loves Star Trek and is working to make it accessible to everyone. Relax and enjoy--this is delightful!

My wife just got me Captain Kirk's Guide to Women for Valentine's Day, and I LOVE my new book. I'm kind of a Trek fan, not really a Trekkie, and I don't know the show nearly as well as many of the people that will read this book. It doesn't matter- this book actually has genuine insights in it, and has moments that genuinely inspire. The Author has a snappy, up-beat style, and while much of the book is dressed in "Trek-ness", there's always some real, solid, practical point to the chapters. I haven't yet had a chance to put much of Mr. Rodriquez's wisdom to work yet (I just got it yesterday), but I'm pleased to say that this is a real, insightful, hilarious read, and makes the PERFECT gift for guys. At least, it was the perfect gift for me, even though I don't really understand the difference between a Klingon and a Romulan.

My girlfriend got me this book. It's her name on the account. I am a man. I did not take it personally when she said I could use some help. This guy ",Bones," does a great job of breaking down the Star Trek universe and creating an applicable technique for how to get what you want. In this case it is chicks but you can easily have fun applying the ideas to every other obstacle. More fun than Tony Roberts but equally as useful. Check it!

Trekkers and even casual fans of the first Star Trek series will relish the tongue-in-cheek observations of CAPTAIN KIRK'S GUIDE TO WOMEN, a set of funny observations of the main women in the show - basically the captain's love interests. There are color photos of many of them - but disappointingly, not all. That caveat aside, the comments and history make for a fun guide for any interested in Captain Kirk and his erstwhile love life.

I got this at a convention, and after reading it, I wanted to see what other people were saying about it. I agree that it is short, and I wish there were more pictures in it, but you guys who are taking it too seriously need to chill out- I thought it was funny as hell, and good advice.