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The Star Trek Reader #1
The Star Trek Reader I
Using the original scripts, which sometimes differed from the final filmed episode, Blish turned each episode of the original Star Trek into a short story, which were collected into anthologies and published as paperback originals.
The Star Trek Reader collects three of these anthologies: Star Trek 2, Star Trek 3, and Star Trek 8. The episodes present include The City on the Edge of Forever; Arena; A Taste of Armageddon; Tomorrow Is Yesterday; Errand of Mercy; Court-Martial; Operation--Annihilate!; Space Seed; The Trouble With Tribbles; The Last Gunfight; The Doomsday Machine; Assignment: Earth; Mirror, Mirror; Friday's Child; Amok Time; Spock's Brain; The Enemy Within; Catspaw; Where No Man Has Gone Before; Wolf in the Fold; and For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky.
The Star Trek Reader collects three of these anthologies: Star Trek 2, Star Trek 3, and Star Trek 8. The episodes present include The City on the Edge of Forever; Arena; A Taste of Armageddon; Tomorrow Is Yesterday; Errand of Mercy; Court-Martial; Operation--Annihilate!; Space Seed; The Trouble With Tribbles; The Last Gunfight; The Doomsday Machine; Assignment: Earth; Mirror, Mirror; Friday's Child; Amok Time; Spock's Brain; The Enemy Within; Catspaw; Where No Man Has Gone Before; Wolf in the Fold; and For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky.
372 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
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About the author
James Blish
455 books327 followersJames Benjamin Blish was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. Blish also wrote literary criticism of science fiction using the pen-name William Atheling Jr.
In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Blish was a member of the Futurians.
Blish trained as a biologist at Rutgers and Columbia University, and spent 1942–1944 as a medical technician in the U.S. Army. After the war he became the science editor for the Pfizer pharmaceutical company. His first published story appeared in 1940, and his writing career progressed until he gave up his job to become a professional writer.
He is credited with coining the term gas giant, in the story "Solar Plexus" as it appeared in the anthology Beyond Human Ken, edited by Judith Merril. (The story was originally published in 1941, but that version did not contain the term; Blish apparently added it in a rewrite done for the anthology, which was first published in 1952.)
Blish was married to the literary agent Virginia Kidd from 1947 to 1963.
From 1962 to 1968, he worked for the Tobacco Institute.
Between 1967 and his death from lung cancer in 1975, Blish became the first author to write short story collections based upon the classic TV series Star Trek. In total, Blish wrote 11 volumes of short stories adapted from episodes of the 1960s TV series, as well as an original novel, Spock Must Die! in 1970 — the first original novel for adult readers based upon the series (since then hundreds more have been published). He died midway through writing Star Trek 12; his wife, J.A. Lawrence, completed the book, and later completed the adaptations in the volume Mudd's Angels.
Blish lived in Milford, Pennsylvania at Arrowhead until the mid-1960s. In 1968, Blish emigrated to England, and lived in Oxford until his death in 1975. He is buried in Holywell Cemetery, Oxford, near the grave of Kenneth Grahame.
His name in Greek is Τζέημς Μπλις"
In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Blish was a member of the Futurians.
Blish trained as a biologist at Rutgers and Columbia University, and spent 1942–1944 as a medical technician in the U.S. Army. After the war he became the science editor for the Pfizer pharmaceutical company. His first published story appeared in 1940, and his writing career progressed until he gave up his job to become a professional writer.
He is credited with coining the term gas giant, in the story "Solar Plexus" as it appeared in the anthology Beyond Human Ken, edited by Judith Merril. (The story was originally published in 1941, but that version did not contain the term; Blish apparently added it in a rewrite done for the anthology, which was first published in 1952.)
Blish was married to the literary agent Virginia Kidd from 1947 to 1963.
From 1962 to 1968, he worked for the Tobacco Institute.
Between 1967 and his death from lung cancer in 1975, Blish became the first author to write short story collections based upon the classic TV series Star Trek. In total, Blish wrote 11 volumes of short stories adapted from episodes of the 1960s TV series, as well as an original novel, Spock Must Die! in 1970 — the first original novel for adult readers based upon the series (since then hundreds more have been published). He died midway through writing Star Trek 12; his wife, J.A. Lawrence, completed the book, and later completed the adaptations in the volume Mudd's Angels.
Blish lived in Milford, Pennsylvania at Arrowhead until the mid-1960s. In 1968, Blish emigrated to England, and lived in Oxford until his death in 1975. He is buried in Holywell Cemetery, Oxford, near the grave of Kenneth Grahame.
His name in Greek is Τζέημς Μπλις"
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 3, 2025
I borrowed this book from Internet Archive, a free online digital library resource that I utilize on a regular basis. I love it and recommend it to everyone whether avid reader or not. The Star Trek Reader by James Blish is just another reason among a long list.
I own the first two Star Trek episode adaptations by Blish. So, when I saw that Internet Archive had Star Trek content by Blish, I borrowed the book unaware that what I was getting were Star Trek episode adaptations in a compendium or anthologized form. I might have given the book 5 stars, but the reality is that some of those episodes were not great episodes. (Fans would be familiar: "Spock's Brain" and "Catspaw" immediately come to mind. Wouldn't you know that both episodes are included in this compendium, along with fantastic episodes like "City on the Edge of Forever" and "Trouble with Tribbles."
The reality is that great episodes far outweigh the bad ones. Some standouts that I enjoy are: "Arena," "Space Seed," "Mirror, Mirror," and "The Enemy Within." "The Last Gunfight," was retitled "Spectre of the Gun," with a bigger emphasis on the OK Corral. Overall, to desperate people who had to rely on late night television to rewatch episodes, these compilations were a Godsend. These are still a pretty good alternative to binge-watching.
I own the first two Star Trek episode adaptations by Blish. So, when I saw that Internet Archive had Star Trek content by Blish, I borrowed the book unaware that what I was getting were Star Trek episode adaptations in a compendium or anthologized form. I might have given the book 5 stars, but the reality is that some of those episodes were not great episodes. (Fans would be familiar: "Spock's Brain" and "Catspaw" immediately come to mind. Wouldn't you know that both episodes are included in this compendium, along with fantastic episodes like "City on the Edge of Forever" and "Trouble with Tribbles."
The reality is that great episodes far outweigh the bad ones. Some standouts that I enjoy are: "Arena," "Space Seed," "Mirror, Mirror," and "The Enemy Within." "The Last Gunfight," was retitled "Spectre of the Gun," with a bigger emphasis on the OK Corral. Overall, to desperate people who had to rely on late night television to rewatch episodes, these compilations were a Godsend. These are still a pretty good alternative to binge-watching.
March 10, 2019
I grew up on the original Star Trek series and that show (including the related films) remain my favorite ST incarnation. These short stories - 15-20 pages each, if that - don't do justice to the creativity of the screenplays. There is little character development and little suspense - I think we are expected to already be familiar with the plots. At times the writing is problematic for contemporary readers, as when a Starfleet officer is referred to as " a craggy Negro" or Klingons are described as coming from "Oriental stock." At times I wonder if the author is trying to be funny, as when Kirk and company defeat their opponents using "space age Karate techniques."
These stories were fun to revisit for nostalgia, but they don't do justice to the actual episodes and are too lacking to work as stand-alone stories.
These stories were fun to revisit for nostalgia, but they don't do justice to the actual episodes and are too lacking to work as stand-alone stories.
November 23, 2008
This day (Nov 22, 2008), I picked up all four volumes of Blish's adaptations of the "real" Star Trek's episodes for $20 (which I consider a bargain, so please don't comment on the mint-condition set you picked up at the swap meet for $2 :-)
I've never quite followed how Blish came to write these versions but in some cases they veered far from what found its way to the TV screen. Another thing I find attractive about this series is that Blish is a serious writer who gave some effort to making these stories good and readable.
I've never quite followed how Blish came to write these versions but in some cases they veered far from what found its way to the TV screen. Another thing I find attractive about this series is that Blish is a serious writer who gave some effort to making these stories good and readable.
September 30, 2018
This seemingly random collection of episode screenplays have been transformed into short stories, and I thought the book would be a way to relive my childhood interest in TOS.
As short stories, of course, they are entirely lacking. The stories all seemed woefully pedestrian, predictable, obvious, and uninspired. I know, I am speaking ill of some of the greats of science fiction who authored these stories, which were then novelised by James Blish. For their time, I'm sure they were novel and groundbreaking, but, for me, they have not aged well.
It was still an interesting read for the sake of nostalgia, but this one is going right back into circulation, if you know what I mean.
As short stories, of course, they are entirely lacking. The stories all seemed woefully pedestrian, predictable, obvious, and uninspired. I know, I am speaking ill of some of the greats of science fiction who authored these stories, which were then novelised by James Blish. For their time, I'm sure they were novel and groundbreaking, but, for me, they have not aged well.
It was still an interesting read for the sake of nostalgia, but this one is going right back into circulation, if you know what I mean.
August 4, 2025
The 3 books by this author that comprise his reader I anthology are excellent. repeating my review of the books after book3... this author has a real knack to producing almost all the story line of the original series episodes of Star Trek... and does this in a very efficient reading volume... For anyone who saw and loved Star Trek OS with Kirk Spock McCoy and all the rest... I'm certain you'd enjoy the trip down memory alpha lane... And for those (disappointed) few who never watched and don't have time to binge on Star Trek OS (only 3 seasons)... I'd say spend the time to read this author's books... maybe you'll change your mind about watching.
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April 8, 2024Rather dryly written adaptations of Original Series Star Trek episodes into short story form. They are somewhat different from the actual episodes though. A good and different way to refresh on these stories.
September 27, 2022
I grew up reading these novelizations. They're comfort reading more than anything else. This particular hardcover edition gives the missions a bit more heft.
October 20, 2011
I gave this book 5 stars because...this book is just amazing. It had some part that could habe been better,but it is other wise a great book. I loved it becuase it is exiting. You just dont sit down and read, you enjoy this book. I don't like to down books that are great, but this one was very misleading because it would tell you what is going to happen, then it does something else,well that is just a good plot..... This book is not just words it is a book. This a very good book if you like sci-fi. I like sci-fi and this book just noked me off the ground it was so good. I kinda liked star trek before this but this realy opened it up to me. This is just a great book.
August 20, 2011
"It's life, Jim! But not as we know it...not as we know it...not as we know it...Captain!" lyrics from "StarTrekking Across the Universe."
Wonderful fun. I am a ST nerd, and this book helped me stay that way. I loved watching this series as a child, learned to appreciate it as I got older, and maintained it as an escape in my current days. Live long and prosper!
Wonderful fun. I am a ST nerd, and this book helped me stay that way. I loved watching this series as a child, learned to appreciate it as I got older, and maintained it as an escape in my current days. Live long and prosper!
March 15, 2014
These novels occasionally differ from the original series. Although many trekkies may not like this, I find it refreshing.
September 11, 2016
The Star Trek Reader 1 and 2 was what got me into fandom!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews