The Star Trek Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Michael Okuda (Author), Denise Okuda (Author), Debbie Mirek (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 1, 1999 | Series: The Star Trek

From 'audet IX to Zytchin III, this book covers it all. This is the ultimate reference book for all "Star Trek" fans!

Added to this edition are 128 new pages. This addendum highlights the latest episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(R), Star Trek: Voyager(R)" and the newest feature film, "Star Trek: Insurrection(TM)."

The thousands of photos and hundreds of illustrations place the "Star Trek" universe at your fingertips. Planets and stars, weapons and ships, people and places are just part of the meticulous research and countless cross-reference that fill this book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With a delightfully obsessive hand, Michael and Denise Okuda present the minutiae of every moment from the four Star Trek series and eight films. Every planet ever visited, every food ingested, every outfit worn, and every featured character appears in The Star Trek Encyclopedia, on glossy pages with color illustrations worthy of author Michael Okuda's position as art director for the entire Star Trek universe. Even the nonfan will enjoy the endless cross-references and the secret, cohesive universe exposed in this volume, which reads like the realization of Jorge Luis Borges's dream of a fictive encyclopedia merging with the real world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Lots of color photos, and half of the 5000-plus entries are new.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671536095
• ISBN-13: 978-0671536091
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.9 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Pop Culture
  • #32 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • #57 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Film

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the definitive reference for Trekkies, er, Trekkers. December 7, 1999

By John DiBello

Format:Paperback

I can't imagine being a die-had Trekker without this book: the ultimate reference to people, places, things, events in the entire Star Trek universe from the original series of 1966 through all the movies and series right up to Voyager. This updated edition is not quite as smoothly integrated as previous updates--the last couple season's worth of shows and Star Trek: Insurrection are all treated in a separate (but extensive) section at the back, but a decent cross-referencing system lessens the inconvenience. I find it the ultimate can't put-down book-start to look up a subject of interest and you'll find yourself drawn from entry to entry until you've forgotten exactly what it was you were looking for but find yourself seized with the intense desire to rewatch several episodes. Unless you're the most serious Trek fan, you probably don't need the updated edition if you have an earlier one...but for those who do, it's a wonderful guide.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Astounding Wealth of Research and Knowledge May 12, 2000

By Mike

Format:Paperback

I think I know a lot about Star Trek, but oh my lord! This is THE referance book for fans. It literally has EVERYTHING. Covers planets, ships, characters, baseball cards, klingon flys, YOU NAME IT! It is astounding how much work and effort must have gone into this book.

The book itself is beautiful. It is illustrated with color pictures from the show and technical illustrations done by the authors. The pages are glossy and laid out beautifully. It also serves as an episode guide, covering up through the release of "Star Trek: Insurrection".

What a wonderful labor of love this book is. It is very entertaining and informative, and a must have for any fan of the series.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars And You Think You Know Trek! April 6, 2000

By Stan

Format:Paperback

Aliens? Ships? Even plants, hobbies, some of the best 'trek trivia' to be found! This book answered nearly every question I posed it. Even 'Gloria' is listed! Buy the book to find out who Gloria is.) My only complaint is that some of the subject matter could have been cross-indexed (for example it would have been nice to have the 'Trek Aliens' listed somewhere seperately as a reference).

A good companion book is 'Star Trek Chronology'.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars So very close to perfection April 7, 2003

By Sean Aune

Format:Hardcover

A well researched, laid out and engrossing guide to the vast Star Trek universe. You stop to look up one thing and next thing you know it is 30 minutes later and you've read through an entire letter's worth of entries.

My ONLY complaint about this book (and what keeps it from it's fifth star) is that the new entires weren't integrated, but simply stuck in the back as add on. So let's say you want to read the complete entry on Capt Sisko. First you have to read the original entry and then flip to the back of the book to read the additional information. And since you are never sure what got an additional entry, you have to constantly flip to the back to make sure you aren't missing something.

Luckily the Pros far out weigh the cons, and this is still a must have for any die hard fan!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference Guide December 15, 1999

By Harlequin2k5

Format:Paperback

I'm a builder on an online rpg based on Star Trek (all movies and series) and one of the imm's on the game suggested this book as a reference. Right away I jumped on here to order it and all I can say is that of any reference book I've ever read on any subject - this is by far the best.

Written in plain english, which is great for someone who is not a die-hard Trekkie, I was able to not only find the information I was looking for, but learn many new things about Star Trek and it's intracacies (sorry bout the spelling), that have made it the legend that it is.

Hats off to Michael and Denise Okuda, and Doug Drexler for creating such a helpful tool.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for turning a part-time fan into a full-timer! March 12, 2001

By "inksibnut"

Format:Paperback

I am a "part-time" fan of Star Trek, having always been interested in the world, but not exactly a know-every-registry-number-of-every-ship kind of fan. But, having bought this very rich and detailed book, I must say my interest in Star Trek has multiplied tremendously. As an encyclopedia, it doesn't quite bear reading page-to-page, but flipping through it makes for very interesting reading. I am grateful to the authors for additional notes made to many entries, attempting to explain side-points or discrepancies; also, the many diagrams, pictures, dates, episode references, and even the occasional off-beat entry like, well... "mashed potatoes" for one! The appendixes, including gorgeous pics of the ships of Star Trek, episode timelines, historical timelines, and so on, are absolutely wonderful.

The best way I can summarise my rating is: the dedication and love for Star Trek demonstrated by all the writers/contributors in this book is ample and obvious. Congrats.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, but an update is overdue! June 16, 2007

By N. L. Morris

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book in 2003, and it covered most of the bases then, but only the movies through 1998 ("Insurrection" IIRC; "Nemesis" is not covered.), and the 5th season of Voyager. It just covered the last season of DS9. And of course it has none of the "Enterprise" series.

There have also been events such as the Paramount auction of all the series and movie paraphernalia since then, and that could be a chapter all by itself.

I came on Amazon today expecting to see a new and updated version for sale, and was disappointed that the old edition is still all that's available.

Michael and Denise Okuda know everything there is to know about ST, and are the perfect people to update this. If I were shopping today for the first time I would say wait for the new edition, but buy a used paperback 1999 just to see what it's all about.

Keeping my fingers crossed that someone sees the demand for an updated version!