The Encyclopedia Shatnerica [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Robert Schnakenberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Actor, singer, author, hair club poster child-William Shatner is all these things and more. So what if he's never won an Emmy, his singing isn't really singing, his books are ghostwritten for him, and his hairpieces are the subjects of widespread ridicule? To Trekkers and loyal fans alike, he is The Supreme Being. From Star Trek to T. J. Hooker, from Rescue 911 to TekWar, fans have maintained their loyalty to him and his work. He is a pop culture icon who has dared, many times, to go where no man has gone before. Now, with The Encyclopedia Shatnerica you can go there with him. You'll discover the strange details of his encounter with a UFO while riding his motorcycle through the Mojave Desert-an experience which later inspired him to record a psychedelic rock album. This unusual book contains all the facts, trivia, and other tidbits you'll ever want to know about William Shatner.

Formatted in easy-to-use A to Z entries, this encyclopedia volume contains Web site and fan club information, quotes from Shatner, his friends, and colleagues, and a time-line of his personal life. For the first time, it reveals all the essential facts about William Shatner, in front of and behind the camera.

Other books may detail the factual and fictional universe of Star Trek, but in no single place can one find reliable yet irreverent coverage of the wide world of William Shatner-Star Trek's most popular star. There is simply no other book like The Encyclopedia Shatnerica.

About the Author
Robert Shnakenberg is a professional researcher and pop culture writer. He is a former assistant editor for Library and Information Services at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City. He has worked on such projects as The Grolier Library of International Biographies and the CD-ROM version of Microsoft's Cinemania. He resides in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Renaissance Books; illustrated edition edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580630391
• ISBN-13: 978-1580630399
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,393,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious send-up of the legendary Star Trek captain, June 12, 2002

By	Patrick L. Randall "Big Irish Guy" (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Over the years (decades), William Shatner has grown from simply an arrogant actor on a 60's sci-fi show to something of a legendary pop-culture icon. We have all heard the stories of his feuds with co-stars, failed TV shows, unique musical 'talents', and THAT HAIR! Now, in one place, the Star Trek and William Shatner fan can find a reference to everything that is Shatner. His detractors will find everything they want as well. Mr. Schnakenberg does not pull punches with his A-to-Z chronicle of Shatner's life. He delves into the ugliness of his disputes with fellow actors (most notably, James Doohan... aka 'Scotty') and his notable difficulty in his personal life (on his third marriage at the time of this book's release and now currently on his fourth following the tragic death of his third wife). But, he is also fair in his depictions. He goes to great lenghts to show caring and respect that both Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have for each other despite years of tension on the Star Trek set. Not to mention exploring the positive value of his "Rescue 911" TV series. Of course, there are also many humorous moments that are documented. Shatner's foray into the music industry with 'interesting' "The Transformed Man" album (now a cult hit) is covered as is one of the funniest moments in Saturday Night Live history when Shatner, playing himself, tells the assorted weirdoes at a Star Trek convention to "get a life!". Simply a fun read from beginning to end, the "Encyclopedia Shatnerica" is an cool addition to any person's library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The man behind the rug (or, rather, underneath it), December 29, 2001

By	Zagnorch (Terra, Sol System) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Diggin' through my endless piles of Trek-related literature one day, I discovered (or, more properly, re-discovered) this little alphabetical chronicle of the man behind Jimmers! An A-to-Z guide (from 'Airplane II' to 'Zmed, Adrian') that reads a little like an unauthorized biography, the Encyclopedia Shatnerica covers the man's many stage, screen & TV projects (most of 'em just gawdawful in the eyes of the author), as well as his thankfully short-lived musical career and those books that he allegedly wrote.

Also discussed are Shatner's legendary quirks, foibles, and just plain weird behavior that have become legend. More than a few great anecdotes from his fellow thespians are included as well, all broken down into a collection of brief, yet surprisingly informative passages. From the Trekkie Nation on down to those 'PriceLine' mavens, there's a little something for everybody in this paperback!

'Late

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blasphemy!, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

An important, groundbreaking book. After reading some of the reviews posted here, I almost didn't plunk down my hard-earned green for "Shatnerica," but I'm sure glad I did--the nay-sayers are all wet on this one.

There are apparently no taboos for this author. A pull-no-punches, take-no-prisoners look at the Man, "Shatnerica" hits the bullseye. Shnakenberg loses a star for some assertions of fact that this reader found of questionable lineage, but overall, a fascinating read.

CAVEAT: If you're looking for a read that handles Shatner with kid gloves; if your idolatry of all things Federation forbids the speaking of truth; if the man they call Kirk is your sacred cow; or if hard reality sometimes makes you cry, look elsewhere.

However, if you seek the light of truth, and can accept that ALL men have darker aspects to their nature, check this one out.

One question, Shnakenberg: when will we see "Nemoyica"!