Shaykitteh's World of Books

I originally read and reviewed the hardcover book, checked out from my library, but the publisher is now offering an e-book version so I am basing my review on the new e-book, released March 10, 2015. I was able to read this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have completely re-written this review, however Amazon is still showing my original review date from 2014 even after deleting the original and submitting a new review.

This autobiography of George Takei is a great look at one of the most famous Asian actors during his early career, as well as an in-depth look at how it was to be on Star Trek, TOS (The Original Series). Takei's personality shines through the book, giving it charm and class while sharing personal stories of his life on and off-screen and sharing stories of his interactions and friendships with the Star Trek cast.

TO THE STARS first takes us into Takei's past, and how living in an internment camp in WWII made him the person he is today. We forget, when teaching children about WWII, that the US also put it's own citizens into camps. While they may not have been death camps, this people lost everything they owned, were separated from family and treated like second class citizens, even after the camps closed and they were "allowed" to live like normal people again. This autobiography touches on what George Takei experienced in those camps, and the impressions it made on him.

Once free from the internment camp, we are shown Takei trying to become himself instead of what others wanted him to be. From the beginning, he wanted to be an actor. His parents supported him in this, encouraging him to get a degree that would be useful even if the acting career didn't take off. Luckily for us, Takei struggled through the early auditions, sometimes-mediocre plays, and "I'll do anything!" movies and ended up working with Eugene Roddenberry on making Star Trek into the cult hit it is today. Takei also shares how Roddenberry constantly pushed for Sulu to have more of a speaking part, to go more deeply into Sulu's character, and to encourage the show's producers to show strong characters, regardless of their race or gender. George Takei's autobiography also shows his life after Star Trek, and how he became involved in politics.

TO THE STARS concludes with Gene Roddenberry's death in 1991, with the closing of a door in Star Trek's history. Though there is so much more about George Takei's life - post 90s - that would be exciting to read about, especially his work in the LGBT community and with Allegiance, this autobiography delivers exactly what was promised: George Takei's journey to boldly go where no man has gone before.

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