|
The classic
TV series, Star Trek, is familiar to many people, and one
of the best things about the show was surely the characters
and the way they interacted. If Captain Kirk had been real,
maybe he would have written his autobiography with a little
help from a ghostwriter - this is that book.
Starting with Kirk's boyhood on a farm in Iowa, through to
his Starfleet Academy years and subsequent postings, Goodman
certainly brings the character to life. Much of this was covered
in various TV episodes and films, but putting it all together
and filling in the blanks makes for entertaining reading.
Kirk tells the tale in his own words, and this has the effect
of making it all seem fresh and part of a larger picture,
a neat accomplishment. Mr Goodman gets the voice of the Captain
spot on -- brave, independent, arrogant and something of a
force of nature; plausible reasons are given for his failed
relationships and attitude to authority. We get an in depth
look at his friendships and see how his initial five-year
mission was the high spot of his career, making him keen afterwards
to try and recapture its special magic. This inevitably leads
to some low spots, and this in itself is very in character
with what we know. The end of the book brings us up to date
with what the show's creators have left us with so far, and
as this was so well done I'd be keen to read similar books
giving the careers of other major characters in their own
words. I am sure other fans will agree.
|
