Stepping Through the Stargate: Science, Archaeology and the Military in Stargate SG1 (Smart Pop series) (Paperback)

~ P. N. Elrod (Editor), Roxanne Conrad (Editor) "The purpose of this report is to determine the alien artifact's value for future research and development..." (more)
Key Phrases: space superiority, staff weapon, exotic matter, Star Trek, Air Force, Jack O'Neill (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The questions What mind-set is at the heart of the television series Stargate? and What really goes into the creation of each episode? are examined in this anthology. Featuring essays from such noted contributors as archaeologist Sue Linder-Linsley, astronomer Sten Odenwald, parasitologist Francine M. Terry, philosopher Daniel Dennett, and science fiction author Melanie A. Fletcher, this collection delves into every aspect of the series with the same humor and intellectual curiosity of the show itself. Commentary from the show's special effects head, James Tichenor, and actor Tom McBeath is also featured.

About the Author

P. N. Elrod is the author of 20 novels, including the Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire series and the Vampire Files series. She lives in Ft. Worth, Texas. Roxanne Conrad has written 12 books, including Exile, Texas. She lives in Arlington, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Benbella Books; 1st THUS edition (September 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932100326
• ISBN-13: 978-1932100327
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #677,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Stargate aficionado, December 16, 2004

By	jjrimell (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

Are you one of those people who love picking holes in plot lines? Someone who goes, say.. "That couldn't really happen... a lightening bolt doesn't contain enough power to activate the stargate" while blindly ignoring the fact that a stargate doesn't exist in the first place... if so, this is the book for you.

Basically the book does its best to pin real science to the fiction/fantasy stuff from the show:
* what sort of technologies would be needed to really create a wormhole.
* how could a goa'uld navigate a human's neck (without doing serious damage) to get to the spin column and brain and take overall control
and stuff like that.

It's amusing to read these scientists try their best to come up with imaginative scientific theories that could underpin the show's plot devices.

On the down-side, it is a collection of essays from different authors and there is often an overlap in what they say. (There aren't that many theories around that could viably allow wormhole creation, so they get liberally mentioned!). I got a strong sense of deja-vu after a while. I also got a little feeling that the authors were almost competing on who was the most avid Stargate fan, never missing an opportunity to supply a quote from the show or mention a fact. I guess it does get you to reminisce and I found myself going "Oh yes, I remember that episode" but it was a little tiring after a while.

All in all, it is a nice piece of light reading. It's cheap and cheerful and it lets you joyful linger in the suspension of disbelief that it all could ... just ... really ... happen, before returning to the real world and laugh it off with a "whatever!".

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A not-too-serious book on Stargate., March 25, 2005

By	Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Made by science writers and experts of science this book is a must for any Stargate fan. There are two essays which focus on wormholes, one essay debates fashion, one essay even gets into parasites and much more. Not a lot on the military but with such authors as Bill Fawcett, Susan Sizemore and P.N. Elrod I could not help but buy this book. Full of humor and a love for the Stargate. And everybody talks like Jack! Ya think?

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling All Corners, March 3, 2006

By	E. Richter "Miriel" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered this book because I was looking to get a bit more information on Stargate: SG-1 when becoming more active in the fandom. I was pleasantly surprised to find a compendium that included information by a variety of contributors in all of the fields I had questions about. It's got a chapter that might as well be titled "The physics of Stargate", it's got a critical appraisal of everything from the costumes to the plot themes and use of popular culture, it has a chapter on the medical feasibility of the Goa'uld parasites, and it has a few more light-hearted offerings as well.

I seriously recommend this for anyone from the casual SG-1 fan to the die-hard SG-1/SGA afficianado.