Star Trek on the Brain

by Robert Sekuler

Book Overview

Using anecdotes from the original "Star Trek" episodes, movies, and spin-offs, the authors explore the phenomenon behind this popular media classic. "Those who can enjoy some lighthearted fun with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716732793
• ISBN13: 9780716732792
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Star Trek Brain Candy

For starters, this is NOT a scholarly book. It's brain candy -- delightful but still brain candy. (From reading the reviews on this page, you'd think it was written by some cutting edge neurologist whose goal in life is to figure out why Neurontin actually WORKS.) Still, it gets 4 Stars from me for having two whole pages devoted to the DS9 episode "Babel" -- in which the entire cast is striken with aphasia. Major Kudos to the authors for differentiating between Brocca's and Wernicke's Aphasias. Subtract kudos for not mentioning the STNG episode "Darmok" where the characters communicate in metaphor. Kudos Regained for their simple explanation of schizophrenia -- it will surprise a lot of readers and is essentially if simplisticly correct. I read Star Trek on the Brain in one sitting. It made me laugh and it made me think. It didn't make any connections I hadn't already made myself. I'd reccommend this book to anybody with a working knowledge of Star Trek who'd like a little "dessert" with their critical studies.

School Library Journal Review

This book was on School Library Journal's Best Books of 1998 List. It was originally reviewed in SLJ's December 1998 issue.

Out of this world and into your brain. Fabulous!

A wonderful diversion that also gives good science. The chapter on sex could teach Bill and Monica new tricks. I loved learning why we are the way we are through references to my favorite Star Trek characters -- now I know how Jordie can see with no eyes and why B'Elana has a chip on her shoulder -- but even those who never watched Star Trek will get it.

If you enjoy your brain, come learn more!

Delightfully fascinating and complete, this book is important for anyone who owns a brain and is interested in its workings -- that is, anyone who wants to understand themselves, or others, better.The rich variety of the Star Trek milieu provides Sekuler and Blake with a deeper-than-usual backdrop against which to illuminate both the differences and the similarities which make us all human.From sex to aggression, the authors deftly explore the drives, behaviors and processes which constitute our experience of living in the world.Prior familiarity with Star Trek is not needed. Anyone drawn to the book by that name alone will be very pleasantly surprised by how much more they find here. Conversely, strangers to that fictional universe will gain a fresh appreciation of it as literature which explores the nature of the human condition.

A perfect combination of entertainment and explanation.

This book is not just for fans of Star Trek... I found myself fascinated with the information contained. The writing was clear, concise and entertaining and having the Star Trek references made it even more fun. I recommend this for anyone interested in how the brain works, whether or not they know where Rigel 4 is.