I Am Not Spock

I Am Not Spock is Leonard Nimoy's first autobiography. Published in 1975, between the end of Star Trek: The Animated Series and the production of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the book was criticized by some fans because of the perception that Nimoy was rejecting the character Spock. He maintained he was only clarifying the difference between himself and Spock, whom he always enjoyed playing. However, he later published I Am Spock in an attempt to address the misconceptions.

I Am Not Spock
Original edition
AuthorLeonard Nimoy
LanguageEnglish
GenreAutobiography
PublisherCelestial Arts
Publication date
1975 (1975)
ISBN978-0-89087-117-1
OCLC1848987
791/.092/4 B
LC ClassPN2287.N55 A34
Followed byI Am Spock 

Development history

Nimoy stated that the title originated from an incident in an airport where a mother introduced him to her daughter as Spock. The child was not convinced, and "I am not Spock" subsequently became the title for a chapter in the autobiography that discussed how he went about building the character.[1] In the book he compared Spock's life to his own, in order to explain the differences between the personas of the two. He did state that if he were to portray any fictional character, then he would choose Spock.[2]

The chapter title became the book title, which Nimoy later called "a big mistake" as he felt that people assumed that it was an attack on the character and Star Trek in general, but did not read the book to find out what was really meant.[1] During a discussion with the publishers, they decided that the book needed to have Spock in the title, and they felt that I Am Not Spock would attract attention. Nimoy called the reaction a "firestorm".[3]

Nimoy later followed up with a second autobiography in 1995,[4] this time entitled I Am Spock,[5] although he also considered the title Maybe I Am Spock.[6] He discussed the response to I Am Not Spock in a feature called "Reflections on Spock", which was included in the Star Trek: The Original Series season one HD DVD set, released in 2007.[7]

Reception

Nimoy recalled that the fan reaction to the memoir was publicized as being negative and created an assumption that he was no longer interested in playing Spock.[3] He responded to this rumor in his second autobiography, I Am Spock.[3] Based on that rumor, when Star Trek: The Motion Picture was being made, newspapers reported that Nimoy stated in I Am Not Spock that he did not want to be involved with Star Trek any longer.[8]

In 2002, Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Brent Spiner joked that his autobiography would be entitled I Am Not Spock, Either.[9] Prior to playing the role of Spock in the 2009 film Star Trek, Zachary Quinto read I Am Not Spock for insight about the possibility of being typecast into the role.[10]

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References
  1. "Leonard Nimoy Admits "I AM Spock" In This Exclusive Interview Excerpt". MTV Geek. May 8, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  2. Itzkoff, Dave (May 8, 2009). "A Mind-Meld Q&A With Leonard Nimoy". The New York Times. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  3. Nimoy, Leonard (September 22, 1995). "The Search for Spock". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  4. Ryan, Joal (December 12, 2002). "Spock Retires?". E! Online. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  5. Simons, Frank (May 5, 2009). ""Star Trek" aims to stun fans". Reuters. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  6. Dumas, Alan (November 24, 1994). "Leonard Nimoy Just Can't Shake That 'Spock' Image". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved April 14, 2013. (subscription required)
  7. "Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season (HD DVD)". DVD Talk. November 20, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  8. Dangaard, Colin (December 14, 1979). "Shatner key to making of Star Trek film". The Phoenix. p. 29. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  9. Strauss, Bob (December 12, 2002). "Nemesis: Actor Brent Spiner brings hidden talents to the latest Star Trek". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved April 14, 2013. (subscription required)
  10. Slotek, Jim (May 7, 2009). "From Heroes' serial killer to pointy-eared Vulcan". The Sudbury Star. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
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