"BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY."™

During the 1960s, in an age when the height of technology was a crackly AM transistor radio, Star Trek® envisioned a time when communication devices worked without wires.

"WORKING"

Computers of the decade took up entire climate-controlled rooms and belonged only to the government and a few very large corporations. Yet Captain Kirk had one small enough to sit on the top of his desk -- and it talked back to him.

"AHEAD, WARP FACTOR 2"

While man still hadn't walked on the moon, the crew of the Starship Enterprise™ traveled between star systems faster than the speed of light. Its crew was able to walk on other worlds.

Over the past three decades, Star Trek has become a global phenomenon. Its celebration of mankind's technical achievements and positive view of the future have earned it an enduring place in the world's psyche. It has inspired countless viewers to become scientists, inventors, and astronauts. And they, in turn, have wondered if they could make even a little piece of Star Trek real in their own lifetime. As one noted scientist said when he saw a plywood, plaster and plastic set that represented the ship's warp engines, "I'm working on that."

As in his missions aboard the fictional Starship Enterprise, William Shatner, the actor who is Captain James T. Kirk, and his co-author, Chip Walter, take us on an adventure to discover the people who are working on the future we will all share. From traveling through space at warp speeds to beaming across the continent, noted scientists from Caltech to MIT explore the realms of what was once considered improbable and show how it just might be possible.

Seriously, he clarified many thoughts, ideas, concepts, facts and fiction. Frankly, I am surprised that he was able to make any sense out of it and teach me. I tried my best to read about relativity, time, sub-atomic molecules and atoms, and space travel because it fascinates me. I regret to inform the Captain that I have been assimilated into your collective as a minion.

In fact, Mr. Shatner covers topics including nanotechnology, robotics and a host of health, age and other previously unknown by-products! You must read the entire book. It's not a light-weight book by any stretch of the imagination. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING WHERE WE ARE GOING DURING THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS. The more sophisticated literature is beyond my comprehension, therefore, this book is the perfect learning device!

Since I was a boy, my father always grimaced when I steadfastly watched the original Star Trek series. He told me that Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all the incredible space-bunnies were brainwashing me. Today, my children are amazed as I sit motionless, stuck in time, and oblivious to anything else, (time warp?...did I flunk already?) as I get my coordinates correct to watch another exciting episode of Enterprise. I am delighted with the current Star Trek series, Enterprise. It bridges the gap between today, the past, and the future.

Captain Kirk (oops Mr. Shatner) expounds on this topic and presents a brilliant discussion about our humanity and how technology is going to make our lives easier. This book is extremely interesting to read for comparison between all the science fiction and actual technology developed today in such a short period of time. Our global society is converging between virtual reality and literal reality.

The entire Star Trek adventure has shown the world endless possibilities. The Star Trek adventure promotes our unique love, curiosity and sometimes, even higher levels of intelligence and understanding.

"Fantasmic" worlds exist among us. We must learn to adapt with humanity, technology, cultures and our brave new world.


The "Trek" to reality   March 27, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Life-like androids,transporter beams and traveling at warp speed are just a few ideas from "Star Trek"scients are working on right now!See how the science-fiction of the series is becoming science FACT.I like this book because it's neat to know these things will be REAL.I often thought as a kil watching Star Trek"Wouldn't it be great if we really had that?"Whether you like sci-fi,science or both you'll find this book fascinating.