This book got a borderline rating of four stars; I was tempted to give it 3, but decided its virtues MUST overcome its shortcomings. There are many things to like, starting from the writer's love of Star Trek, his meticulous search for patterns over hundreds of episodes, the dilemmas and peculiarities arising from this fictional universe's creation (which are very rewarding, especially if you have been an "active audience" yourself and discover many of your own observations reflected). On the cons, there is a tendency for oversimplification, a simplistic view of SF that I do not share, and (though that ain't the writer's fault entirely) a selectivism in terms of episodes and situations used as examples: the writer it more of a TNG fan than of the original series and, though I cannot blame him for only making a tiny addendum in terms of DS9 and Voyager, i WOULD prefer a greater focus on the original Star Trek series. Overall, a fascinating read, examining in depth the issues of contact between alien cultures and the conflict that goes hand-in-hand with it, the issues of identity and the show's extraordinary faith in individuality, the way stories shape life and our dilemmas (and how this is tipped on its head when myths are involved), and the sense of wonder paired with the show's overall anti-religious stance. A must for any trekker, and a very interesting read for any (thinking) lover of SF. ( )