Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories

For nearly thirty years Nichelle Nichols has been part of the StarTrek mythos: Lieutenant Uhura, communications officer of the StarshipEnterprise, the first African-American woman to have a major continuing role ontelevision. Her candid and insightful autobiography, Beyond Uhura: StarTrek ? and Other Memories, takes readers on her life's voyage ofpersonal discovery and professional triumphs. Granddaughter of a rebellious son of a slave owner, Nichelle Nichols wasraised in a socially progressive family. By the age of sixteen the young singer-dancer had already been praised by Josephine Baker, and worked with DukeEllington. With tenacity and talent, she quickly established herself as a first-rateperformer in nightclubs, on stage, and eventually in theatre and on film. From the beginning of her Hollywood career, some would say she had twostrikes against her: she was Black and she was a woman. Faced with racism, abrush with the mob, and an attempted rape, Nichols courageously fought againstthe injustices that stood between her and her dreams. Through an early job in television--years before Star Trek--Nichols metGene Roddenberry. Writing of her pivotal role in the Star Trek universe, shetakes readers where no book has gone before--into the heart and mind of itscreator, her onetime lover, and life-long friend, Roddenberry. She also revealsthe real story behind the scenes with the Star Trek family, and details theevolution of the Trekker phenomenon with humor, affection and respect. A symbol of hope and promise for millions of viewers, Nichols continues towork toward the same goals Lieutenant Uhura and all of Star Trek embody.Whether spearheading a national recruitment drive to bring minorities andwomen into the NASA astronaut corps, or producing space-oriented educationalfilms and programs for young people, Nichelle remains devoted to inspiring asense of wonder and promise for humankind's real-life future among the stars.Nichols, Nichelle is the author of 'Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories' with ISBN 9781572970113 and ISBN 1572970111.