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The Making of Star Trek
"A complete history of the original Star Trek™. Filled with quotations from cast members, memos to and from Gene Roddenberry, biographies of cast members, sketches, photographs, set descriptions, and even budgets and cast schedules, this volume is a fascinating, invaluable behind-the-scenes account of the development and production of the original Star Trek™ series."
- source unknown
"The book on how to write for TV! The complete story on how the U.S.S. Enterprise was designed, the original concept behind the show, backgrounds of the characters—the whole authentic history." - Ballantine
- source unknown
"The book on how to write for TV! The complete story on how the U.S.S. Enterprise was designed, the original concept behind the show, backgrounds of the characters—the whole authentic history." - Ballantine
30 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1968
About the author
Stephen E. Whitfield
3 books5 followersStephen E. Whitfield was the pen name used by Stephen Poe, based on his stepfather's surname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 19, 2023
The Making of Star Trek is a fascinating historical record of the 1966 TV series. Originally published in 1968, it was contemporaneous to the extremely popular show. Stephen Whitfield, the author, was a reporter / friend of Gene Roddenberry who was granted access to all the aspects of the show, among which were interviews with the cast and crew, and onset observation of the episodes as they were developed from concept to execution.
When one witnesses (through this book) the herculean effort it took for Star Trek to become a reality, one marvels at the minute detail that allowed the concept to bloom into the phenomenon it became. The narrative is thought-provoking and exhaustive, but I can accept that this is not a book that everyone will love. This book is for hardcore Trek fans, for people that are television historians, and anyone that wishes to understand the how-to minutia of 1960s television programming. I am certain that some of the methodology and practice has become outdated. This book is of course over 60 years old.
When one witnesses (through this book) the herculean effort it took for Star Trek to become a reality, one marvels at the minute detail that allowed the concept to bloom into the phenomenon it became. The narrative is thought-provoking and exhaustive, but I can accept that this is not a book that everyone will love. This book is for hardcore Trek fans, for people that are television historians, and anyone that wishes to understand the how-to minutia of 1960s television programming. I am certain that some of the methodology and practice has become outdated. This book is of course over 60 years old.
March 29, 2020
Star Trek The Original Series lasted just three seasons.Even the fate of the third season appeared uncertain until fans clamoured for its continuation.
After that,it disappeared from the screen.A long time later,came a deluge of spin-off series and movies plus innumerable books.Now,it's a case of too much of a good thing.
But I read this when there was little availability of anything to do with the iconic series.
It did surprise me,after reading this book how meager the resources at the disposal of the producers of the original series were.
That shoestring budget certainly detracted from the quality of the original show.The later series did not face such problems
I'm not a "trekkie" but this book would be a trekkie's delight with all the technical details it goes into.
I skimmed through the book but it did contain some interesting anecdotes and tidbits about the show.
William Shatner's Star Trek Memories is a much more interesing book,however.
After that,it disappeared from the screen.A long time later,came a deluge of spin-off series and movies plus innumerable books.Now,it's a case of too much of a good thing.
But I read this when there was little availability of anything to do with the iconic series.
It did surprise me,after reading this book how meager the resources at the disposal of the producers of the original series were.
That shoestring budget certainly detracted from the quality of the original show.The later series did not face such problems
I'm not a "trekkie" but this book would be a trekkie's delight with all the technical details it goes into.
I skimmed through the book but it did contain some interesting anecdotes and tidbits about the show.
William Shatner's Star Trek Memories is a much more interesing book,however.
November 27, 2023
This is a long, detailed, and occasionally dry book about the production of Star Trek. It was written well over fifty years ago, when the original was still on the air, so the accounts of how the industry worked are so outdated that they're just of historical interest. It's a treasure for confirmed Trekkers, but for casual fans I'd recommend David Gerrold's entertaining pair of Trek titles.
August 12, 2021
One of my favorite Star Trek scenes....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGvUD...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGvUD...
June 23, 2019
220619from ??? childhood: forgotten i have read this, so no way to rate. i watched reruns of the original series on tv when we got home from school (one younger girlfriend it was reruns of next gen, next girlfriend is like, that’s last millennium right..?) but i did enjoy this peek inside workings of sf tv...
July 29, 2011
This book popped up on the Recommendation function on my home page, and I was terribly surprised to recognize it, since I read it when I was about 10. OK, I've read it, so I added it in, why not? It's horribly dated at this point, but it was the first book of its type about Star Trek (along with The World of Star Trek by David Gerrold, and yes, I must be some kind of geek to know that). It's not really worth reading anymore unless you have some strange desire to read a 40-year-old account of the series. Its value, per se, is limited to two things: 1) If you had a copy in good condition, you could get a lot of bucks for it at a Star Trek Convention. 2) It contains Gene Roddenberry's words to the theme music of the original series. They're more than extremely awful. Don't remember the whole thing, but it starts out with "Beyond the rim of the star light, my true love lies off in star flight". It was all downhill from there....
February 19, 2015
This book is hard to find as it's no longer in circulation so you have to pick it up used on eBay or Amazon, but if you can find it, I would highly suggest reading it if you're a big fan of the franchise. The book was written while the show was still being made so you get a real eyewitness perspective as Whitfield walks you through the planning and production stages of the show. Whitfield also offers a lot of casual anecdotal stories that adds a casual and playful nature to his book with his stories of wasp infestations, salt-shakers, and on-set pranks. One caveat of course is that as the book was written in the sixties, you should also be mindful that it was also product of its time and uses some rather outdated language such as using "men" to describe the TV crew despite that women were also a big part of the show (such as DC Fontana).
December 23, 2011
This is one of the best "behind-the-scenes" books ever devoted to a TV show. It covers every aspect of production from the initial concept, early story ideas, the casting process, and so on. Tons of fantastic photos.
The Making of Star Trek is required reading for fans of Star Trek.
The Making of Star Trek is required reading for fans of Star Trek.
May 21, 2022
4.75 ⭐ CW: sexualization of women
The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry was the first book of its kind to cover something as in depth as the production process for tv in the 60s. Not only that, but it is a history of the series that basically shaped my personality. I was lucky to find this battered copy in my library's used book sale a few years ago, and it was worth it.
This book covered so much of the inside scoop of Star Trek, from getting to know the front office staff and actors, to on set shenanigans and pranks. Although this is a thorough history, it is rife with levity, and Whitfield doesn't take himself too seriously. I never knew how much went into the production process and how difficult it was for Star Trek to even get up off the ground.
This book is a gold mine of trivia for a Trekkie like me. I store it way for future use (spoiler: it's never useful). It also includes on set photos, behind the scenes photos of the actors and crew, along with early sketches of the Enterprise interior and exterior. It's really clear that Star Trek shapes how modern science fiction is done in media on the screen. Before Star Trek, it was all bulging eyed monsters with no purpose or reason for conflict. Star Trek set the precedent for using believable and real science within the show.
The only downside from this book was the way the author described women. Anytime a woman was mention, he always had to comment on her looks, be it charming, slim, pretty, etc. I understand it was done in the 60's, but it was still annoying. Other than that, it was a fascinating read on one of my favorite things.
The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry was the first book of its kind to cover something as in depth as the production process for tv in the 60s. Not only that, but it is a history of the series that basically shaped my personality. I was lucky to find this battered copy in my library's used book sale a few years ago, and it was worth it.
This book covered so much of the inside scoop of Star Trek, from getting to know the front office staff and actors, to on set shenanigans and pranks. Although this is a thorough history, it is rife with levity, and Whitfield doesn't take himself too seriously. I never knew how much went into the production process and how difficult it was for Star Trek to even get up off the ground.
This book is a gold mine of trivia for a Trekkie like me. I store it way for future use (spoiler: it's never useful). It also includes on set photos, behind the scenes photos of the actors and crew, along with early sketches of the Enterprise interior and exterior. It's really clear that Star Trek shapes how modern science fiction is done in media on the screen. Before Star Trek, it was all bulging eyed monsters with no purpose or reason for conflict. Star Trek set the precedent for using believable and real science within the show.
The only downside from this book was the way the author described women. Anytime a woman was mention, he always had to comment on her looks, be it charming, slim, pretty, etc. I understand it was done in the 60's, but it was still annoying. Other than that, it was a fascinating read on one of my favorite things.
October 10, 2022
This book was written right after the second season of the original show was finished, back in the 1960s. It's very interesting to see how the show has evolved over the intervening 50 years and it's also a little scary to see just how deeply ingrained misogyny was at that time.
February 21, 2022
An interesting look at the production of Star Trek as it happened!
July 12, 2023
An interesting look at how Star Trek (and TV shows in general) were made.
Written at the end of Star Trek's second season, it's especially interesting when the author ponders the future of the show.
Written at the end of Star Trek's second season, it's especially interesting when the author ponders the future of the show.
January 15, 2018
I happened upon this book by chance one day at the used bookstore and thought I would give it a whirl. And let me tell you, if your interests include Star Trek and the subtle nuance of making television, this is the book for you.
You will get to see intra-office correspondence with writers and producers about keeping the show believable and the sarcastic response that results from trying to keep it too believable. You will get to see some of the pains felt by Roddenberry as he tried to get his classic to the air. You will read interviews with writers and actors and even get exact dollar amounts for what some props and full episodes cost to make.
It is a very fascinating delve into not only behind the scenes Trek, but the business of making television in the late 1960s.
You will get to see intra-office correspondence with writers and producers about keeping the show believable and the sarcastic response that results from trying to keep it too believable. You will get to see some of the pains felt by Roddenberry as he tried to get his classic to the air. You will read interviews with writers and actors and even get exact dollar amounts for what some props and full episodes cost to make.
It is a very fascinating delve into not only behind the scenes Trek, but the business of making television in the late 1960s.
March 13, 2016
This is probably one of the most influential books on the television industry in my life. Very interesting glimpse into the creation of a little space cowboy and western show that, over time, became the cornerstone of a media empire. The internal memos and stories are both funny and instructive as the show was developed and launched, from the initial concept all the way through the end of the second season. I consider it a must-read for both fans of the show and anyone wanting to understand what it takes to put a television production together.
September 28, 2010
"The sets were built right next to the men's room." Damn if this book doesn't rock ass. I don't even like the original series that much, but this was written in 1968. Fresh accounts right from the source, from pre-production to post. A must-read for all geeks.
November 12, 2012
One of the best behind the scenes books about the series.
July 9, 2019
An exciting and fun read for any Trekkie!
May 26, 2024
An excellent historical look at the making of the original show, of great interest to the armchair Hollywood historian... which is not me. Such a person would probably rate it 5 stars, but I can't go above 3, and it's a tentative 3.
The information in the book is at turns fascinating and mind-numbingly boring. Now and then, I laughed out loud, but more often, my eyes glazed over. I'm a huge Star Trek fan, but I don't have enough interest in the process of, for instance, cutting holes in scenes to add a mask, and then cutting around the mask to superimpose a figure to splice the two films to another film to show... I'm nodding off just writing this. It's dry, is what I'm saying.
ST:TOS was filmed in the '60s, so all the technical information in this book is - while, I'm sure, accurate for the time - far out of date today. So much of the book is dedicated to it that only the true TV-making historian is really going to get everything out of this book that was intended.
In addition, the text is rife with cringe-inducing misogyny typical of the period and casually racist comments that stood my hair on end. The grossly sexist slapdash effort at describing the motivations of Uhura's character turned my stomach. The disgusting sexualization of 17-year-old girls, discussing their body shape and cut of their clothing was similarly nauseating, along with absolutely unnecessary discussion of what kind of breasts were best, down to calling out a particular actor by name for what type she had.
There's a reason this book took me nearly 2 years to crawl through. Only the most nostalgic Star Trek fan is going to really love all this book has to offer. For the rest of us, it certainly has its moments, but I can't see myself ever picking it up again.
The information in the book is at turns fascinating and mind-numbingly boring. Now and then, I laughed out loud, but more often, my eyes glazed over. I'm a huge Star Trek fan, but I don't have enough interest in the process of, for instance, cutting holes in scenes to add a mask, and then cutting around the mask to superimpose a figure to splice the two films to another film to show... I'm nodding off just writing this. It's dry, is what I'm saying.
ST:TOS was filmed in the '60s, so all the technical information in this book is - while, I'm sure, accurate for the time - far out of date today. So much of the book is dedicated to it that only the true TV-making historian is really going to get everything out of this book that was intended.
In addition, the text is rife with cringe-inducing misogyny typical of the period and casually racist comments that stood my hair on end. The grossly sexist slapdash effort at describing the motivations of Uhura's character turned my stomach. The disgusting sexualization of 17-year-old girls, discussing their body shape and cut of their clothing was similarly nauseating, along with absolutely unnecessary discussion of what kind of breasts were best, down to calling out a particular actor by name for what type she had.
There's a reason this book took me nearly 2 years to crawl through. Only the most nostalgic Star Trek fan is going to really love all this book has to offer. For the rest of us, it certainly has its moments, but I can't see myself ever picking it up again.
May 20, 2017
For many years I have heard artists I admire say that this was the book that made them realize they could work in TV or that this book inspired them to do so. I finally tracked down a copy and I enjoyed it.
This was originally published in 1968 as Star Trek was heading into its third and final season. Whitfield gained unprecedented access to the set and the crew. The book is filled with great informal quotations from Gene Roddenberry. It's also filled with wonderful exchanges of memos between Roddenberry, Bob Justman and others.
I really enjoy some of the rare photos, designs and diagrams that are included. There are reproductions of call sheets, casting notes, etc. which give you a real sense of what it must have been like working in the production office. You get a very informal, uncensored look at the show's staff. Unfortunately, this includes rampant 1960s sexism.
These days, this kind of book is much more common but in 1968 I can well imagine it being an incredible eye-opener for fans of the show and those interested in TV production.
This was originally published in 1968 as Star Trek was heading into its third and final season. Whitfield gained unprecedented access to the set and the crew. The book is filled with great informal quotations from Gene Roddenberry. It's also filled with wonderful exchanges of memos between Roddenberry, Bob Justman and others.
I really enjoy some of the rare photos, designs and diagrams that are included. There are reproductions of call sheets, casting notes, etc. which give you a real sense of what it must have been like working in the production office. You get a very informal, uncensored look at the show's staff. Unfortunately, this includes rampant 1960s sexism.
These days, this kind of book is much more common but in 1968 I can well imagine it being an incredible eye-opener for fans of the show and those interested in TV production.
October 23, 2023
It’s difficult to get a good view on something like the original Star Trek when looking at it from a time when it’s spawned a massive franchise and it has become something hugely iconic, so I loved reading this account from the very pits of it’s original production.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. It really gives an appreciation of how groundbreaking Star Trek was, but also a real appreciation for Rodenberry’s role. I think what really got me was how much of the decisions I take for granted, but it was a show built on the most intricately thought out rules and considerations to contemporary science and trying to anticipate future science.
Also it’s just a great account of how and why it all came together and 60’s television production.
The book was written in the 60’s so it is of course prone to some timely language that just wouldn’t be okay now, so I doubt you’d ever see a reprint. But if you can get a copy and you’re interested in Star Trek at all, I can’t recommend enough.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. It really gives an appreciation of how groundbreaking Star Trek was, but also a real appreciation for Rodenberry’s role. I think what really got me was how much of the decisions I take for granted, but it was a show built on the most intricately thought out rules and considerations to contemporary science and trying to anticipate future science.
Also it’s just a great account of how and why it all came together and 60’s television production.
The book was written in the 60’s so it is of course prone to some timely language that just wouldn’t be okay now, so I doubt you’d ever see a reprint. But if you can get a copy and you’re interested in Star Trek at all, I can’t recommend enough.
April 7, 2020
For any fan of The Original Series (or even Star Trek franchise, in general) this is a fun read. This is a behind-the-scenes book on TOS written during the third series, so everything is "fresh." I loved reading the story treatment of the first pilot (The Cage/The Menagerie). I loved the art of the bridge, labeling stations that I never knew their purpose. It's interested to learn the names and personalities of all the behind-the-scenes personnel, from directors, and producers, and more. I think the only drawback is that there are some gloss-overs, and I don't know if I can blame the author (George Takei "moved to Arkansas" as a child, not explaining WHY...or how Majel Barrett just happens to get cast by Gene all the time, strange that...). But I did enjoy revisiting TOS during its actual time, before the cancellation and syndication and etc. etc. I'm amused that Gene gets a co-author credit, which, ya know, typical Gene. All that said, quite enjoyable for new and old TOS fans alike!
November 18, 2019
This is a truly fantastic book for anyone interested in the back-stage elements of television, not just Star Trek. Whitfield talked to the people responsible for creating the show and was given extensive access to files, letters, memos, et cetera, so you can actually read excerpts from the series bible, musings on possible names for Starfleet's twelve Constitution-class starships or Vulcan names starting with 'S' and ending with 'k', and reminiscences on personal interactions, funny stories, games and pranks played by the production staff on each other. Every aspect of the show is touched on: the selection of actors, the creation of scripts, the design and construction of props and sets. It's fascinating, it's funny, and it's so detailed you'll feel like you actually know what made Star Trek tick back in the 1960s.
October 2, 2017
"The Making of Star Trek" is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the making of Star Trek. Written in 1968 while the show was in the 2nd half of Season 3, authors Stephen Whitfield and (Star Trek creator) Gene Roddenberry give readers a complete tour of the nascency and execution of the legendary show. The authors introduce readers to each of the important players, producers, directors, and support crew who got this show on the air for 3 short years, but in the hearts and minds of its fans for decades after. There's enough here to keep avid fans of the series interested, but those unfamiliar with the show will be less enthralled.
December 9, 2017
Overall, I think this book was a worthwhile read, particularly since I'm working through watching the original series for the first time right now. Not having had any background into how a show is made, I found the discussions of how a script goes from idea to final editing and post production fascinating, and the inclusion of examples of dailies, scripts, schedules, notes, etc. were really interesting to read. The book has a good focus on all the non-acting parts of creating the show, which are often given short shrift. It only suffers slightly from the typical gushing you get in these kinds of books, and is filled out with so much real content that you can forgive it when it happens.
July 28, 2022
This is one of those times where a book loses stars for me because of personal enjoyment level as opposed to a quality level. It's probably every thing you could want as a star trek fan, one of which I am only at times, but not consistently.
I found a lot of it to be stuff I already know about how the film/tv industry works. And I started skipping handfuls of pages just to get to where Gene Roddenberry quotations were since he was really the only one interviewed that ever had interesting tidbits to say.
Not my taste. Rather dull and out of date. Doesn't stand the test of time as the show which it was about sort of does.
I found a lot of it to be stuff I already know about how the film/tv industry works. And I started skipping handfuls of pages just to get to where Gene Roddenberry quotations were since he was really the only one interviewed that ever had interesting tidbits to say.
Not my taste. Rather dull and out of date. Doesn't stand the test of time as the show which it was about sort of does.
September 5, 2023
Interesting book about the development of Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry's efforts to get it on TV. I love the paperback's tag line, "The book on how to write for TV!". Still, it reads like it was written in 1968, because it was. One part in Chapter 8 describing Other Star Trek regulars struck me as particularly cringey. A short biography of George Takei (Sulu) relates how he was born in Boyle Heights and lived there until WWII, when his family "moved to Arkansas". Yeah, they didn't move to Arkansas, they were forcibly interned there. Just hard to believe. But again, I guess I need to remember the time in which it was written.
June 7, 2024
From 1968 comes a rather interesting look at just how Star Trek not only got onto the airwaves, but also how it survived. Stephen Whitfield's novel is one not only just for the fans of this series but also for anyone who is interested in seeing just what goes into putting a television show onto the airwaves. From start to finish we the reader see how the various pilots & characters evolved from the mind of Roddenberry to the finished product. Overall, a fun read & a treasure for any fan of this beloved series.
April 13, 2019
The first and definitive book written about Star Trek (the tv series) by it's creator Gene Roddenberry.
I found this first edition copy when I was 15 in a mid-Missouri drug store and could not put it down. While written as a primer on writing for television, there is so much more about the sixties legendary show. I came by a later edition through Abes books.com if you care to find a copy. Fascinating!
I found this first edition copy when I was 15 in a mid-Missouri drug store and could not put it down. While written as a primer on writing for television, there is so much more about the sixties legendary show. I came by a later edition through Abes books.com if you care to find a copy. Fascinating!
January 30, 2021
The full title says it all. The Book on How to Write for TV! Very fun and well written. As a fan it was a lot of "yes I know this already", but I still enjoyed reading about it again. I especially enjoyed the antidotes about things that would happen on set with cast and crew. Also interesting to read a book written in 1968 and talk about the future of the series which at the end of the book they can already tell it would probably be canceled.
June 28, 2024
As far as 'Making Of' books go,the book is outdated and quite basic. Nothing special but it is really fun to read something expansive written at the time of the series instead of decades afterwards. Just be aware that it was written in the 60s when diversity was but a quaint hopeful vision of the future so the opinions stated on it are crude...even from the folks who mean well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews