Star Trek 365: The Next Generation

Star Trek 365 #2

by Paula M. Block, Terry J. Erdmann, Ronald D. Moore (Introduction)

With the launch of Star The Next Generation , Gene Roddenberry somehow managed to recapture lightning in a bottle. This new incarnation of Star Trek was an instant hit, and its popularity inspired four films and three spin-off television series. To commemorate the show’s 25th anniversary, Star The Next Generation 365 provides a fresh, accessible overview of the entire series, including an authorized guide to all 178 episodes. Featuring rarely seen and now-classic photography and illustrations, this visual celebration of the voyages of Captain Picard, his crew, and the Enterprise-D offers a loving look back at the Emmy and Hugo Award–winning series.

Genres: Star Trek, Nonfiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fandom, Tv

744 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Ashlie aka The Cheerbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first memory of Star Trek is watching it on the little TV my grandparents had sitting on the corner of their kitchen table, complete with rabbit ears and the 4 stations that would come in. We didn't watch it constantly but when our family was visiting in the evenings after dinner it would be on while we were playing cards. We would stir up a cup of International Cafe which I THOUGHT was cocoa mix but after a reddit nostalgia dive realized was instant coffee (they were giving me coffee? At age 11? Note to self: follow up with mom about this) and watch whatever was on and sometimes that was Star Trek the Next Generation in syndication. I remember throwing my arms widely and wildly and dancing around the kitchen to the theme song. I don't remember what I thought of the show, but know that it was something we could all watch together.

I've now seen this series a number of times and am rewatching it with my kiddo and have made my way through all the modern series, including the new CBS offerings. Ironically the only thing I haven't seen was the show that launched a thousand starships, the original series, but that's on my to do list.

I have paid good money at comic cons to get autographs from many members of the cast (and also got to thank LeVar Burton for Reading Rainbow !!!) and have a wonderful photo of myself and legendary Patrick Stewart. So what I'm saying is, Star Trek: TNG means a lot to me and thus I'm the audience for this book. To commemorate the shows 25th anniversary this 365 view gives behind-the-scenes commentary and a guide to each and every episode, with little tidbits. 

I have owned it for years, I think it was a gift from a Trek friend of mine that was moving, but only now in pandemic times did I dust it off. It was a fun little read, something I could sit with for a bit, or just flip a few pages in between things. It centers on the making of the show itself, so heavier into the experience of the writers/producers than the actors, but there are lots of juicy tidbits all around. The only downside is this is an unwieldy and big honkin' book, so hard to cozy up to in some respects but for a TNG fan, well worth it.

[yacoob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for something better. Good and interesting trivia, plenty of excellent photos, but the overall experience is rather dry and bland - mostly due to mediocre writing. There's also nontrivial amount of info that is simply uninteresting - for me it was tidbits of personal lives of show producers.

Worth reading if you like ST:TNG, will probably be boring as hell for anyone else. If you go for Kindle version, included photos are not that good in terms of resolution.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard for me, a Trekkie since six years old (I’m now 42) to be given new information about my beloved franchise but this book surprisingly provided a lot of info I didn’t have (or maybe forgot about). The book kinda functions as an expanded version of those daily calendars I used to get for Star Trek (you know, the ones you tear off a page of each day). Lots of beautiful behind the scenes photography coupled with great tidbits that aren’t as well known (though there are the more famous stories too).

My favorite aspects were seeing the actors-turned-directors in photos and with new commentary (new in 2012 anyway). I’m a big Jonathan “Two Takes” Frakes fan so seeing him as a director in the photos was a treat.

[Matt Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4½ stars

Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 was released in the fall of 2012 as part of the show's 25th anniversary. Trek insiders Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdman cover how the series came into being, how it nearly didn't, the fate-like choosing of its cast, and the exhaustive process that goes into developing a weekly TV show — particularly one that already carried a huge fan following before it was even announced.

The book gives a special nod to the show's writers; after all, the character stories are what we all love(d) about TNG. Michael Piller's arrival at the start of the third season helped the show earn its sea legs and propel it to a level of success unmatched by any other Trek series. Piller took over the writing staff and implemented an open-door policy for scripts — meaning anyone could submit a story idea to the show — which was unheard of in TV, even today. It worked. Not only did the process generate fan favorites and some of the best storylines of the series, it gave rise to a new generation of writers and future TV producers such as Brannon Braga, René Echevarria, and Ronald D. Moore, among others.

365 is a large, hardcover book with over 700 pages of photos, did-you-know's, and behind-the-scenes snapshots of each episode printed on professional-grade photographic paper. For any TNG fan, this book is a gold mine.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great addition to any Star Trek collection, and it provides some lovely behind the scenes photos and stories that I look forward to reading through. Some episodes have more content written for it, but overall a very well thought out book :) Very happy with my purchase!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, extremely detailed and riveting to any TNG fan.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is great for those who *love* Star Trek: Some interesting info on each episode & on pre-production of the series itself, lots of photos, concept art, behind-the-scenes, etc.
Unfortunately, I can't rate this higher. The author was inconsistent with the information he gave on each episode - some just had a couple of paragraphs, some had a whole page, but felt incomplete, and others had several pages that seemed to go on and on. And there were too many tangents (union rules about child actors, production info on other Star Trek productions, outside projects the writers were working on, etc.).

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good production view of series

365 one page, or one paragraph chapters with plenty of pictures. I learned some things, and was reminded of things. If you loved TNG and want to know behind the scenes stuff, plus a brief synopsis of every episode, this is a great book to get.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not giving it the highest rating because I might have designed it differently. Compared to the Deep Space Nine Companion, something like this comes out wanting. Plus, as with The Original Series 365 book, once you go through it all, day by day, the book starts falling apart, just by reading it.

[David Sanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acabada la serie, acabado el libro. Qué gran viaje.

[Antonios Liakakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb material and excellent tidbits on how various episodes were directed.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Trek: The Next Generation 365

This is a book that give you a history of Star Trek: The Next Generation. You will find out many thing about the crew and the star ship.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

They made a Star Trek: The Next Generation version of the popular chunky illustrated hardback '365' book format? I'm doing a rewatch of that very same space soap opera? Well... (It's great)

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fall of 1987, for the first time in over 20 years there was finally a "Star Trek" series on the air. That series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation", would last 7 years & spawn another 3 spinoffs in order to keep alive a franchise that has now been around for well over 40 years. In "Star Trek: The Next Generation 365" Paula Block & Terry Erdman take a look back at the 7 seasons of this groundbreaking show & what it did not only for science fiction, but also for syndicated television forever. Across the pages, they examine how the series came about & take a look episode by episode at everything that made each episode work or fail as well as examine how the changes between seasons kept the series going. If there's any drawback to this book is it's size & that it really doesn't spend any time with the 4 features films although they at least great briefly referenced. Overall, this is more of a collector's item for the fans & for the non-fan the perfect introduction to this series.

[David Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A behind the scenes look at how Star Trek: The Next Generation was created, developed, and produced. The book goes over each episode and at least one interesting element you can find while watching.

For me this book was great. A chance to look at how my favorite show of all time was made is exactly what I wanted from this book and it did just that. I saw pictures that I've never seen before. I got to read fascinating accounts of writers and directors of particular episodes.

Overall it is a must read for those who like love Star Trek: The Next Generation.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes plenty of fun behind-the-scenes trivia and pictures. It's not necessarily a book you'd read cover to cover, but I enjoyed looking up the commentary about my favorite seconds and episodes. It doesn't have much commentary on the fictional world of Star Trek and the characters; there's more about the producers, actors, and writers in the "real" world. I'd recommend it for the serious rather than the casual fan.

[Steven Wetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes through the birth, life and conclusion of the second series in the Star Trek franchise. It has many rarely seen, behind the scenes, pictures and personal accounts from the many writers and directors involved in the series. It tells how the concepts for many episodes came about and how the dealt with budget restrictions or creative differences. Every season is broken down and explained separately.
This is a must read for any TNG fan.

[Preston Postle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's nothing too deep or revealing here; this is 365 tidbits of episode recaps and info about guest stars, writers, spfx, and actors, mostly culled from interviews conducted back in the day. And some swell pictures, very few of which are shocking or particularly rare. A fun revisiting of ST:TNG that's easy to dip in and out of, all in the format of a large brick.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great set of notes and reflections on what is, of course, one of the most powerful and compelling television series of its era. With more of a focus on the writers and technical production in the real world than the details of universe continuity, I found myself enjoying every word. A handy book, not quite for reference, but for reflection from the crew. shame about the photos.

[Michael]

An absolute must for fans of ST:TNG! The gorgeous photos were a welcome trip down memory lane, and the stories and recollections that accompanied them were wonderful to read. Some were stories I had heard before, but most were new to me and just made me appreciate this show all over again.

[Robert Greenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure trove of familiar and new facts, stories, anecdotes, and all the behind-the-scenes info you could want from every episode of every season of the groundbreaking television series. Paula Block and Terry Erdmann, yes my pals, did a stellar job once more, aided with lush photography.

[Todd R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read along as I re-watched TNG. I may do the same with Voyager and DS9 as I re-watch those.
Love having these episode style books with behind the scenes info. Can pick them up and get an instant reminder of what transpired and when.
And the best part, it's in my hands and offline.

[Larisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Want to rewatch the series.

[Mathijs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with lots of insights and interesting tidbits from behind the scenes. I really loved this book and I hope they also make one for ds9 and voyager!

[Christopher Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, if you are a fan. Lots of cool behind the scenes stuff, plus honest write ups of every single episode.

[V.A. Hezaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for TNG fans.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ST:TNG book- Highly recommended for fans of the show

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of fun tidbits about the series covered on an episode by episode basis.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book about star trek the next generation!