Star Trek: A Cultural History
Star Trek: A Cultural History

Summary
Blurb
First airing on NBC in 1966, with a promise to "boldly go where no man has gone before," Star Trek would soon become a bona fide television hit, a cult classic, and, eventually, a multibillion-dollar media franchise. Viewers of the series tuned in week after week to watch Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise, as they conducted their five-year mission in space – a journey cut short by a corporate monolith that demanded higher ratings.

In Star Trek: A Cultural History, M. Keith Booker offers an intriguing account of the series from its original run to its far reaching impact on society. By placing the Star Trek franchise within the context of American history and popular culture, the author explores the ways in which the series engaged with political and social issues such as the Vietnam War, race, gender, and the advancement of technology. While this volume emphasizes the original series, the author also addresses the significance of subsequent programs, as well as the numerous films and extensive array of novels, comic books, and merchandise that have been produced in the decades since.

A show that originally resonated with science fiction fans, Star Trek also intrigued the general public due to its engaging characters, exciting plotlines, and vision for a better future. It is those exact elements that allowed Star Trek to go from simply a 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 novices and die-hard fans of the show.

Cultural History, A