Star Trek History and Us

<p> Since 1966 the <I>Star Trek</I> television franchise has used outer space and the thrilling adventures of the crews of the U.S.S. <I>Enterprise</I> to reflect our own world and culture. Kirk and Spock face civil rights issues and Vietnam war allegories while Picard Data and the next generation seek an ordered post-Cold War stability in the Reagan era.</p><p> The crews of <I>Deep Space Nine Voyager</I> and <I>Enterprise</I> must come to terms with our real life of war manifest destiny in the 21st century and the shadow of 9/11. Now as the modern era of the franchise attempts to portray a utopia amidst a world spinning out of control <I>Star Trek</I> remains about more than just the future. It is about our present. It is about us.</p><p> This book charts the history of Gene Roddenberry's creation across five decades alongside the cultural development of the United States and asks: are we heading for the utopian Federation future or is it slipping ever further away from reality?</p>