Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of I Am Spock

I Am Spock
I Am Spock
Author: Leonard Nimoy
ISBN-13: 9780786889105
ISBN-10: 0786889101
Publication Date: 10/1996
Pages: 356
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 17

3.9 stars, based on 17 ratings
Publisher: Hyperion (Juv)
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

13 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed I Am Spock on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
The biography of Leonard Nimoy and about the lessons he has learned about life and fame. Written years after the book "I Am Not Spock", Leonard has come to accept that part of his life and tells a lot of good stories about working with the crew from Star Trek and interesting tales from his life before and after Trek, as well. A great read.
unhyper avatar reviewed I Am Spock on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
If you are considering getting this audiobook, you've probably read the book itself, and therefore know what it is: an autobiography by Leonard Nimoy, best known for the part of Spock in Star Trek. This review will focus only on the audiobook version.

This is an abridged audiobook, but a terrific job has been done at editing the book for recording. This is, by far, my favourite audiobook, and incidentally, based on my favourite autobiography. I've listened to various autobiographical audiobooks, including some read by William Shatner, George Takei, and so forth. In all of those cases, the actual book overshadowed the narrations. Shatner especially tends to read quickly and, in my opinion, rather stoically.

Aside from the content, which I find intriguing, the reason I love this audiobook above all is the affable and energetic delivery. Nothing in this recording sounds "narrated" or "read on tape." Nimoy's voice reflects the emotions corresponding with each story it recites; when recalling vexing times, he sounds genuinely frustrated, and when telling humorous stories his voice carries suppressed laughter.

The narration is so natural and engaging, that I feel like I am listening to the man himself telling me stories from the chair across from mine. I feel as though he is sharing memories, instead of just narrating words off a transcript. This is why this audiobook remains my absolute favourite.

However, even the most engagingly narrated audiobook is only interesting to a listener so long as the subject matter is of interest; if you find Nimoy's work intriguing, particularly his character of Spock, and Star Trek in general, you are likely to greatly enjoy this audiobook - or the book itself.
wisdomspath avatar reviewed I Am Spock on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I am such a Trekkie and Spock my very favorite character of all. This book is great for anyone who ever loved Star Trek (all versions) and all the wonderful characters.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 58 more book reviews
A wonderful book chronicling Leonard Nimoy's coming to grips with the persona that made him a star.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 19 more book reviews
I found this book to be very interesting and well-written. It's a quick read but very informative.
Luvbug avatar reviewed I Am Spock on + 225 more book reviews
It is a good book and well written but I got so tired of his complaining about not getting his way. I felt like I was reading a book about a spoiled little kid.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 168 more book reviews
This book is an absolute must read for any true fan of Star Trek. It is a love-letter, pure and simple, from Leonard Nimoy to the whole Star Trek universe. He writes with exuberance and fondness about every aspect of his career association with Mr. Spock. This book is exactly what any true fan hopes to read!

Nimoy jumps right into the Star Trek lore---again, just what any fan (this fan, for sure) would desire. His childhood and early struggles as an unknown actor are tackled in about 2 pages. No slogging through that stuff.

He traces Star Trek's humble beginnings, Spock's quick rise to popularity, and discusses his series costars with compliments and affection. His friendship with William Shatner (contrary to other reports) is filled with admiration and respect (just like Spock and Kirk!). He takes us through the show's cancellation and its ultimate revival into a successful movie franchise. Indeed, he reveals the struggle and inner sadness he faced when, in ST: The Wrath of Kahn, the Spock character was killed off, perhaps for good. These are the tidbits and anecdotes this fan wanted to read about and savor.

Again, this is a must read for any and all Star Trek fans. I turned the pages with a satisfied smile throughout the whole book.

Previously, Nimoy wrote "I Am Not Spock", which I have not read, but which evidently might have been a discourse on all the ways the show and the role of Spock trapped him, typecast him and thwarted his career. Well, from the very first page of "I Am Spock", Nimoy apologizes profusely and takes pains to undo that damage and set the record straight. Here, it's evident he clearly grew to cherish the role of Spock, and eventually came to be protective of its legacy. As a fan, that's the heart of Star Trek, and very good news indeed.

True fans----don't skip this one!

***** Five stars!!
reviewed I Am Spock on + 3 more book reviews
I love all the behind the scenes info and history.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 2 more book reviews
A delightful second shot for Nimoy to tell the extraordinary tale of his dual reality as both himself and his alter-ego, Spock. Or maybe himself and Leonard Nimoy. He's not quite sure.

And you won't be, either.

I truly hope he writes another autobiography. He's well worth the read.
SoAlice avatar reviewed I Am Spock on
Very intresting look into Leonard Nemoy's life after acceptance of being known as Spock. He at one point put out a book titled I Am Not Spock, but later recanted and wrote this. I really enjoyed it. If you love Star Trek or just Spock this is defintly worth the read.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 431 more book reviews
Biography of one of Star Trek's best known stars
reviewed I Am Spock on + 277 more book reviews
An interesting take on Nimoy and Spock. It features an intersting conversation between Spock and Nimoy.
reviewed I Am Spock on + 209 more book reviews
For any Star Trek fan.