Star Trek: A Cultural History

Star Trek, which debuted in 1966, became a bona fide phenomenon and a multibillion-dollar media franchise. In Star Trek: A Cultural History, M. Keith Booker explores how the series engaged with political and social issues and its far-reaching impact on society. The book emphasizes the original series, subsequent programs, films, novels, comic books, and merchandise, appealing to scholars, fans, and media and television scholars.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 11 October 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Star Trek, which debuted in 1966 with the promise to "boldly go where no man has gone before," would eventually become a true phenomenon. Viewers eagerly tuned in each week to witness Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise embark on a five-year mission in space. However, their journey was abruptly cut short by a corporate monolith that demanded higher ratings. Undeterred, Star Trek continued to thrive in syndication, eventually evolving into a multi-billion-dollar media franchise.

This enduring legacy is evident in the numerous merchandise spin-offs, feature films, and television iterations that have been produced over the years, including The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, and Picard. Star Trek has firmly established itself as a beloved and influential part of American cultural landscape.

In Star Trek: A Cultural History, M. Keith Booker provides an insightful account of the series, spanning its original run to its far-reaching impact on society. By contextualizing Star Trek within the broader framework of American history and popular culture, the author explores how the series engaged with political and social issues such as the Vietnam War, race, gender, and the advancement of technology. While the book primarily focuses on the original series, it also acknowledges the significance of subsequent programs and the vast array of films, novels, comic books, and merchandise that have been created in the decades since.

Star Trek, which initially resonated with science fiction fans, has also captured the attention of the general public due to its compelling characters, exciting plotlines, and optimistic vision of a better future. It is these very qualities that have propelled Star Trek from a mere good show to the massive media franchise it is today.

Star Trek: A Cultural History will appeal to scholars of media, television, and popular culture, as well as to fans of the show. The book offers a comprehensive examination of Star Trek's cultural significance and its enduring impact on society.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538188170