I am not Spock (original 1975; udgave 1975)

Nimoy recounts his experiences on Star Trek in a role that sort of took over his life.

In his 1975 autobiography, I Am Not Spock, Leonard Nimoy wrestles with the way the Spock character from Star Trek came to dominate his career, opening some doors, but also leading to expectation that he would continue playing similar roles. He describes acting as a craft and how Spock offered him the opportunity to hone that craft, writing, “In Spock, I finally found the best of both worlds: to be widely accepted in public approval and yet be able to continue to play the insulated alien through the Vulcan character” (pg. 11). Discussing panel discussions that he attended on college campuses, Nimoy writes, “For a long time I have been aware that many people would rather meet and talk to Mr. Spock than to Leonard Nimoy… Occasionally, Nimoy steps momentarily into the Spock character by choice or by accident. The response is a wave of joyous recognition” (pg. 66). At the time, many who read this book felt that Nimoy resented the character, but what comes through instead is gratitude for the opportunities Star Trek afforded him with a frank discussion of his search for work that would be as fulfilling. He describes the making of certain episodes, some behind-the-scenes events, and the social commentary that kept Star Trek relevant long after it ended. In 1975, Nimoy had no way of knowing there would be a feature film only four years later or that he would continue portraying Spock through six films, guest appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and then a new series of films in the twenty-first century. So, while dated, I Am Not Spock is a good look at a specific slice of television history, much like Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Sondra Marshak, and Joan Winston’s Star Trek Lives!, also from 1975. Twenty years later, in 1995, Nimoy wrote a second volume titled, I Am Spock, in which he discussed how he had reconciled his initial hesitancy about the character’s legacy and pointed out the way portraying Spock led him to approach things from a new perspective. ( )

Very old and expensive, Peter Healey got it in America for me.

Somewhat meandering, but nice look at Nimoy reflecting on his career in the late 70s. ( )

This autobiography is really short. Even so nimoy repeats his self several times and could have used a good editor.

The story is not told in chronological order, so its good its so short or I'd get lost

Basically Leonard tells how he is not Spock, but sometimes he forgets this. Yes in a way he has been typecast, and he has tried to run from that, but it just pays the bills so damn bad. It's clear that he has never had a real job, and talks about acting as if its so much more difficult or challenging than other jobs, but most of those stories could be the same as an 50-60 hour a week job. (And the rest of us don't have an off season).

What I liked best where the copies of internal paramount memos (think the 60s version of emails) back and forth about silly things like pens, and handling of fan mail etc.

Also Nimoy puts in many dialogs of the Spock Character versus what he'd like his Nimoy character to be. Its interesting, and reminds me of some of the conversations with myself I have had.

In general I recommend Shatner's "My life up to now" over this, but if you want to see Nimoy in his mental state of the 70s, this should be good. ( )