The Art of Star Trek (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "OVERLEAF One of the earliest design for the Enterprise's bridge, by Pato Guzman..." (more)
Key Phrases: engineering hull, concept painting, pilot episode, Gene Roddenberry, Andrew Probert, Deep Space Nine (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Art of Star Trek is a gallery of Trek artwork covers all the different visions of the series over the decades, exploring the talents which have created unusual Trek scenarios and episodes. Even the animated series is included in this coverage, plus the TV shows and the films, making for an involving, inclusive Trek coverage. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

From the public's first glimpse of the original Starship Enterprise to the brave new worlds explored in Star Trek: Voyager, the never-ending phenomenon that is Star Trek has treated generations of viewers to a dazzling barrage of unforgettable images of the future. Bizarre alien beings, breathtaking extraterrestrial landscapes, exotic costumes, state-of-the-art special effects, and remarkably convincing futuristic sets and props and equipment have brought Gene Roddenberry's inspiring vision to life before the public's awestruck eyes. The Art of Star Trek is a one-of-a-kind gallery of Star Trek artwork, as well as tribute to the many artists, designers, and technicians whose diverse talents and imagination created the distinctive look of the Star Trek universe. Every incarnation of Star Trek is explored: The Original Series, The ANimated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager, and the films -- with the complete behind-the-scenes story of Star Trek's design history. With hundreds of full-color illustrations and photographs, many from private collections, readers will at last be able to linger on Star Trek's rich visual legacy and trace the evolution of and images from their initial conceptions to their final form on television and film screens. Like all great works of art, the many sights and visual surprises of Star Trek have been built from scratch through a combination of inspiration and painstaking effort. The Art of Star Trek covers the entire universe of Star Trek artwork and production design to reveal how, in all of its various forms, Star Trek has allowed us to look boldly into the future and see what no one has seen before. The Art of Star Trek is the art of pure imagination, the art of a bright, hopeful future, and the art of three remarkable decades on nonstop action and adventure. Lavishly illustrated, it is a book to be read and referred to time after time, as well as one that will become a cherished chronicle fo Star Trek's first thirty years.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671017764
• ISBN-13: 978-0671017767
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #393,370 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a visit to the ultimate "Trek" museum, December 1, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"The Art of Star Trek," by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, is to date the ultimate "coffee table" book for devoted Star Trek fans. This book, which was published in 1995, covers all aspects of "Trek" history up until its publication date. Through text and plentiful illustrations, the book celebrates the visual artistry that has been such an essential component of the "Trek" phenomenon.

The book deals with each of the specific series from the original until "Voyager," including both the often neglected animated series and the aborted "Phase II" series of the mid-1970s. All films from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to "Star Trek Generations" are also covered.

The amount and quality of items in this visual "museum" are astounding. There are behind-the-scenes photos, concept drawings, photos of models, prosthetic makeup designs, storyboards, movie posters from around the world, closeup shots of props, and more. Particularly interesting were the shots of certain props and aliens which were barely seen in fleeting shots, but which represent great imagination and artistry.

Also noteworthy are the drawings which document the evolution of both the original series "Enterprise" and the "Next Generation" ship. I was fascinated by the concept drawings of possible "Enterprises" for the aborted "Phase II" series, as well as by the rejected new uniforms for the first "Next Generation" feature film.

The concise but clear text is a good match for the wealth of glorious, full-color photographs. This book is, from start to finish, a visual feast for "Trek" fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful look at evolution of the "look" of Star Trek, March 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Star Trek (Hardcover)

With the profusion of "making of" books about Star Trek that have come out over the years, one might think there aren't too many aspects of the story that haven't been told. But "The Art of Star Trek" brings out new aspects of the history of the show and the feature films by exploring the evolution of the look and feel of Star Trek's sets, ship models, costumes, and props. Lavishly illustrated in color and black and white, the reader is treated to an intimate look at the entire creative process, from rough conceptual sketches to the finished artwork, props, costumes, sets, etc., as they appeared on the screen! Detailed photographs of props from all incarnations of Star Trek yield some amazing revelations, like Klingon belt buckles made from bubble wrap, and early phasers used in the pilot episodes that have typewriter keys for controls. The story is told chronologically from "The Cage" to Voyager, including some fascinating conceptual pieces from aborted TV series and feature film projects in the 1970s. This is an absolutely gorgeous volume that would make a handsome addition to any Star Trek fan's collection

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true joy!, September 9, 2002

By	K. Wyatt "ssintrepid" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Art of Star Trek (Hardcover)

My initial reaction to The Art of Star Trek and it's hefty price was skepticism. Once I did purchase it and start running through it, the price could've been twice and I still would've bought this gem. The Art of Star Trek is a pure celebration of everything that Star Trek is and was all the way through it's publication date. It includes articles from the very beginning to the lastest on Voyager and Star Trek Generations. The pictures and drawings are stunning to say the least. This is a book you'll definitely want to add to your collection if you haven't already.