Kurt Vonnegut, who is interviewed in this volume, has said many times and in many ways that humans are always seeking extended families. Author Jeff Greenwald looks into one of the largest artificial families ever created, the legion of Star Trek fans who know each other by secret signs, symbols, and addictions, and who turn out to be one of the most interesting subjects for sociological study ever invented by a major movie studio. Greenwald travels the globe, interviewing Klingon clans from Germany, Trek-heads in an English pub, and dozens of Americans who find fulfillment in the wearing of funny ears. Of extreme interest is the section on the Klingon Language Institute, an actual organization of linguists and scholars who are translating the Bible into Klingon. There's already a splinter group who've decided to do their own Bible translation that will be truer to Klingon culture. There's also a delightfully eclectic assortment of celebrity interviews, some of which are eye-popping. The final chapter, I swear to Kahless, is a talk with an unlikely Trek fan: the Dalai Lama. An engaging read for Trekkers, sociologists, and Buddhists alike. --James DiGiovanna --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Greenwald's (The Size of the World) subtitle may be a bit of ironic hyperbole, but the ensuing text is right on target, offering an enjoyable journey through the global pervasiveness of American pop culture via one of the most enduring TV concepts ever. More than a Trekkie ode to Kirk, Spock, Picard and their ilk, this book provides a deconstruction of the worldwide appeal of the series and movies through interviews with cast members, writers, directors, fans and a variety of ancillary subjects, including Arthur C. Clarke, Kurt Vonnegut and the Dalai Lama. Roughly following production of the movie Star Trek: First Contact, Greenwald's own trek takes him to Hungary, Japan, India, Italy, England and other far-flung Star Trek outposts to meet with fans possessing varying degrees of dedication to the show. There are would-be Klingons picnicking in Germany; engineers at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, Calif., trading one-liners from the show; and Hungarian enthusiasts meeting at a Kentucky Fried Chicken. No doubt hardcore Trek aficionados will find much of interest here as key actors, such as Patrick Stewart, and others involved with the series and movies expound on their characters, plots and the reasons for the three-decade popularity of the Star Trek franchise. Even readers of a less zealous bent will likely find fans' unwavering loyalty to Roddenberry's original vision a wonder to behold. Photos throughout.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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