Star Trek: Open a Channel – A Woman’s Trek Review
Price: $50
Published by: Insights Editions
Format: Hardbound
Publication Date: 10/1/2024
ISBN: 9798886633016
Pages: 272
Trim Size: 9.25 x 11
Star Trek: Open a Channel – A Woman’s Trek is an ambitious and heartfelt tribute to the women who shaped the Star Trek franchise, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Written by Nana Visitor, best known for her role as Major Kira Nerys on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the book takes readers on a journey through six decades of the franchise, centering the voices and stories of women who have played a pivotal role in its enduring legacy.
What sets this book apart is its focus on personal narratives. Visitor interviews a stellar roster of actresses, including Kate Mulgrew (Voyager), Sonequa Martin-Green (Discovery), Gates McFadden (The Next Generation), and Jeri Ryan (Voyager, Picard). These conversations provide an unfiltered glimpse into their experiences portraying complex characters in a genre often criticized for underrepresenting women. Their stories are compelling, revealing the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry while championing meaningful representation.
Beyond the actors, Visitor expands the scope to include the real-world impact of Star Trek on women who were inspired by the series. She delves into interviews with scientists, astronauts, and military personnel, most notably Samantha Cristoforetti, who spoke to Visitor while aboard the International Space Station. These anecdotes highlight Star Trek’s broader cultural significance, showcasing how its optimistic vision of the future continues to inspire across disciplines.
The book’s design deserves praise as well. The hardcover edition is visually stunning, featuring full-color illustrations, behind-the-scenes photographs, and a clean, reader-friendly layout. The attention to detail enhances the experience, making it more than a collection of essays—it feels like an artifact of the Star Trek universe. (Perhaps littered among other hardcover books on the desk of one Samuel T. Cogley).
While Star Trek: Open a Channel offers a historical perspective on Star Trek, it was not written as a volume of Star Trek history. Readers looking for a comprehensive analysis of the franchise’s overall cultural impact or history need to read elsewhere. For a deeper, broader dive, consider the Voyageur Press tome, Star Trek: The Complete Unauthorized History. Some discussions in Open a Channel may seem familiar to those steeped in Star Trek lore, but Visitor’s unique perspective as an insider and a woman delivers fresh insight.
Star Trek: Open a Channel – A Woman’s Trek proves an important addition to the Star Trek literature. It gives space and honor to the stories of the women whose contributions have often been underacknowledged—and it also examines how these stories resonated for today’s women. Perhaps more importantly, it can act as a sourcebook for girls who these characters will influence now and in the future.
ESA astronaut and huge Star Trek fan Samantha Cristoforetti shares on the last page of the book. “I’m not sure that I would be on this path had it not been for Star Trek.” Her profile follows several pages documenting the lives and careers of women who attribute inspiration in their fields to Star Trek.
Whether you’re a lifelong Trekkie or someone interested in the intersection of media and representation, this book is well worth your time. Nana Visitor has crafted a deeply researched and engaging book that honors Star Trek’s legacy while reminding us of the power of storytelling to inspire change—a worthy addition to any Star Trek bookshelf.
About Nana Visitor (edited from the Insight Editions book page: Author: Nana Visitor started her career in the theater as a dancer on Broadway. She starred in Chicago, toured opposite Angela Lansbury in the musical Gypsy, and was Twiggy’s understudy in the musical My One and Only. Besides playing Major Kira in Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Nana has appeared in dozens of guest shots, including Torchwood and Battlestar Galactica.
Visitor has many Family Guy episodes to her credit, and an asteroid is named in her honor. Nana is very proud of her community on Instagram (@visitornana), where she is Mama Nana and passes on what she’s learned about being human through her personal experience and the lens of neuroscience. She will be giving a TEDX talk on the subject at Space Force soon.
A non-exhaustive list of actresses featured in the Book include:
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Nichelle Nichols
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Majel Barrett
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Kate Mulgrew
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Sonequa Martin-Green
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Terry Farrell
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Gates McFadden
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Denise Crosby
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Marina Sirtis
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Chase Masterson
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Tawny Newsome
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Jess Bush
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Jeri Ryan
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Roxann Dawson
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Mary Wiseman
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Rebecca Romijn
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Nicole de Boer
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Hannah Cheesman
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France Nuyen
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BarBara Luna
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Linda Park
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Isa Briones
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Alison Pill
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Noel Wells
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Stacey Abrams
These actresses represent a diverse array of characters from various Star Trek series, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the franchise’s portrayal of women.
The book also covers writers and other women critical to Star Trek‘s success and its world-building, such as Dorthy Fontana and Lucille Ball.
Insight Editions provided the Star Trek: Open a Channel – A Woman’s Trek for review. Images courtesy of Insight Editions unless otherwise noted.
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