Boldly Go

July 18, 2022
The 91-year-old Hollywood legend returns with more diverting anecdotes and musings about his earthly life and beyond. In an assemblage of essays covering everything from his historic spaceflight in 2021 to his deep reverence for the natural world, Shatner’s curiosity shines through as he leavens the seriousness of his lifelong quest for meaning with his signature self-effacing humor (“Some say I have... my own... style... of pausing”). He opens with a literal dive into the deep end, sharing his decision, at 90 years old, to go swimming with sharks in the Bahamas for Shark Week. He attributes his longevity and prosperity to activities such as this, noting that, at a minimum, allowing oneself to be open to being “awed by life” can facilitate finding happiness. There are ample confidences that will delight Trekkies—while on set with the late Leonard Nimoy, Shatner writes in “Pieces of Humanity,” “a constant refrain was ‘Spock wouldn’t do that,’ sometimes with a wink, sometimes not”—in addition to embarrassing moments, as when Shatner read poetry to a crowd of dismayed bikers at a performance that was mistakenly advertised as a heavy metal concert. The result is a refreshingly self-aware portrait of a man determined to live every moment to the fullest.

December 1, 2022

At 91 years old, Shatner narrates with vitality and the same wry humor fans have loved for decades. There's no mistaking his strong and distinct voice. He keeps listeners alert with his pacing--a great gush of words followed by a slower cadence that accentuates specific phrases. Classic Shatner. This is Shatner's 11th nonfiction book, and it's a mix of memoir and ruminations about life, regrets, and his quest to make himself a better person even in his ninth decade. The audiobook opens with Shatner swimming with sharks after his 90th birthday. "I have an inverted instinct for danger," he says. "My mind doesn't run screaming away from it; it somehow forces me to run toward danger." Essays range from attending Star Trek conventions, grappling with the death of Leonard Nimoy while they were estranged, the importance of family, and his spiritual (rather than religious) beliefs. He also discusses how he and his fourth wife of more than 20 years divorced in 2020. "But only on paper," he explains--for inheritance purposes. "Some may call it modern," he says. "Others may call it strange." VERDICT Shatner's upbeat collections of thoughtful musings is read with verve and good humor.--Kevin Howell

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