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trin's review against another edition
3.0
I love "The Trouble with Tribbles" -- who doesn't? -- yet I had to grit my teeth through much of this book about the writing of the script and filming of the episode, by its writer. Unfortunately, as with the other times I've tried to read books by Gerrold, I find him extremely annoying and oddly disingenuous on the page. I know that he was still closeted when he wrote this -- for which I don't blame him at all -- but there's something in the fakey way he talks about his attraction to Uhura that feels present in other aspects of his writing too. He always seems on the verge of a humblebrag. I don't believe him -- not about the humble half, certainly.
Still, there are some interesting details about 1960s TV production and an intriguing glimpse or two into how the sausage (or the tribbles) get made.
Still, there are some interesting details about 1960s TV production and an intriguing glimpse or two into how the sausage (or the tribbles) get made.
akihitoreads2312's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
4.75
Best book ever written?! I can still see our orange copy that dad gave me.
courtney12345's review against another edition
5.0
I loved that they add thought bubbles for Kirk and Spock.
kryptonianfletch's review against another edition
2.0
Quick light read (started and finished in 24 hours). Writer is a bit full if himself and shows it... and the book is mostly a "look at me being cool and hanging out with the cool kids" screed.
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book as a teenager and it was a revelation. It was the first time I really thought about how the practical constraints of making television drove the stories they were telling. It also left me with a great deal of affection for David Gerrold, even though his books weren't really my thing. Too Heinlein-esque.
It was also bracing to realize, years later, that this book that was so mind blowing was written by a gay man in the 1970s and if there was a hint of that in the text, it sailed right past me. How could I be oblivious to something so fundamental?
I recognize in retrospect he was likely writing a highly curated text to avoid burning any bridges.
Probably worth digging out a copy and reading it again.
It was also bracing to realize, years later, that this book that was so mind blowing was written by a gay man in the 1970s and if there was a hint of that in the text, it sailed right past me. How could I be oblivious to something so fundamental?
I recognize in retrospect he was likely writing a highly curated text to avoid burning any bridges.
Probably worth digging out a copy and reading it again.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
5.0
The third of twelve fotonovels featuring original Star Trek episodes and published in the 1970s. The books tell the stories in a graphic novel style, using stills for the television show and using comic book balloons for the dialogue. These books were a real treat for fans of the show before VCRs and DVD players allowed us to re-watch episodes whenever we wanted.
Gerrold's story is a fan favorite--who can resist those furry little bundles? It begins with the Enterprise responding to a priority distress call from Space Station K-7 only to find that undersecretary Nilz Baris wants Kirk to provide security for storage containers of grain. The Federation and the Klingons are in competition to prove to the Organians (who administer the peace treaty between the two) that their people are best suited to develop the disputed Sherman's Planet. Baris is convinced the Klingons are out to destroy the Federation's efforts. He also thinks that the means of sabotage will be the cute little animals called tribbles--but he'll find that he has the furry creatures to thank for giving clues to the plot as well as the spy behind all the trouble.
This has always been one of my favorite episodes. I enjoy the humor and I especially enjoy the scenes with Scotty and Chekov in the bar right before the brawl with the Klingons and then Kirk's interrogation of the men when he's trying to discover who threw the first punch. It is always fun to revisit the classic Trek episodes--whether by viewing them or reading this beautifully done fotonovels.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Gerrold's story is a fan favorite--who can resist those furry little bundles? It begins with the Enterprise responding to a priority distress call from Space Station K-7 only to find that undersecretary Nilz Baris wants Kirk to provide security for storage containers of grain. The Federation and the Klingons are in competition to prove to the Organians (who administer the peace treaty between the two) that their people are best suited to develop the disputed Sherman's Planet. Baris is convinced the Klingons are out to destroy the Federation's efforts. He also thinks that the means of sabotage will be the cute little animals called tribbles--but he'll find that he has the furry creatures to thank for giving clues to the plot as well as the spy behind all the trouble.
This has always been one of my favorite episodes. I enjoy the humor and I especially enjoy the scenes with Scotty and Chekov in the bar right before the brawl with the Klingons and then Kirk's interrogation of the men when he's trying to discover who threw the first punch. It is always fun to revisit the classic Trek episodes--whether by viewing them or reading this beautifully done fotonovels.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
djwudi's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, breezy memoir about the creation of one of Star Trek’s most beloved episodes, this is an enjoyable peek into the creative process for television in the 1960s, and Star Trek in particular.
stephgrani's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up thinking that it would be ridiculous. It was definitely ridiculous but also a surprisingly good look into how television series are made
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