Book Review: "Up 'Til Now"
So when I’m not watching TV, I’m reading books about TV. Or in this case, a book about someone on TV…
I have never seen an entire episode of “Star Trek,” but I am still a fan of William Shatner—or at least the Shatner we’ve gotten to know over the last few years. The one who is so great at making fun of himself and has won three Emmys for his portrayal of Denny Crane on “Boston Legal.” So it was only natural I would want to read his autobiography, “Up ‘Til Now.”
Fortunately, “Now” is just as manic, self-mocking and totally out there as Shatner is. And that’s a good thing…
It’s hard not to laugh out loud when Shatner interrupts a story just to plug something from his website, although it does get a little annoying during the really good stories.
Shatner has lived an amazing life, both on and off the screen. In fact, “Star Trek” is really just a small portion of the book. Much more of the pages are dedicated to his love of horses, his failures at marriage and his “music.”
But “Trek” does get its due. In fact, I think Shatner came to terms with a lot more about the show—especially his co-stars’ feelings about him—while writing this.
The book, however, is not all fun and games, as Shatner tells the story of his wife’s alcoholism and tragic death. Anyone who thinks that Shatner is just a self-absorbed jerk will be amazed by the raw emotion he exhibits when he talks about his struggles to move on after her death.
Though the book’s length doesn’t allow Shatner to go too in-depth about anything, you do get a great overview of his life and career which gives you a much better understanding about the man behind the legend.
What, you don’t think William Shatner is a legend?
If you’re a fan of Shatner, you have to read “Up ‘Til Now” even if, like me, you have no idea of the difference between Klingons and Romulans…
I have never seen an entire episode of “Star Trek,” but I am still a fan of William Shatner—or at least the Shatner we’ve gotten to know over the last few years. The one who is so great at making fun of himself and has won three Emmys for his portrayal of Denny Crane on “Boston Legal.” So it was only natural I would want to read his autobiography, “Up ‘Til Now.”
Fortunately, “Now” is just as manic, self-mocking and totally out there as Shatner is. And that’s a good thing…
It’s hard not to laugh out loud when Shatner interrupts a story just to plug something from his website, although it does get a little annoying during the really good stories.
Shatner has lived an amazing life, both on and off the screen. In fact, “Star Trek” is really just a small portion of the book. Much more of the pages are dedicated to his love of horses, his failures at marriage and his “music.”
But “Trek” does get its due. In fact, I think Shatner came to terms with a lot more about the show—especially his co-stars’ feelings about him—while writing this.
The book, however, is not all fun and games, as Shatner tells the story of his wife’s alcoholism and tragic death. Anyone who thinks that Shatner is just a self-absorbed jerk will be amazed by the raw emotion he exhibits when he talks about his struggles to move on after her death.
Though the book’s length doesn’t allow Shatner to go too in-depth about anything, you do get a great overview of his life and career which gives you a much better understanding about the man behind the legend.
What, you don’t think William Shatner is a legend?
If you’re a fan of Shatner, you have to read “Up ‘Til Now” even if, like me, you have no idea of the difference between Klingons and Romulans…
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com
