I Am Not Spock is Leonard Nimoy's first autobiography. It was published in 1977, between the end of Star Trek: The Original Series and the production of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Blurb[]
- Who is this man?
- To a watching world he is the logical, powerful, stalwart first officer of the Starship Enterprise – the adored object of millions of Star Trek fans.
- For 3 years, 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, he functioned as the half-Human, half-Vulcan Mr. Spock, an extraterrestrial. He is not. He is Leonard Nimoy. An actor. A teacher. A writer. A father. A husband. A real flesh-and-blood Human being.
- Now while the phenomenal popularity of Star Trek still grows, Nimoy doffs the pointy ears and placid face and reveals himself totally – his relationship with fellow actors; the backstage frenzies; the near-cancellation of Star Trek; the lean years; the loneliness, the battles and the ultimate struggle to survive his own success!
- If he is not Spock, who is?
- If he is not Spock, who is he?
- What is the logical answer?
- Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.
Contents[]
- Preface: If I'm Not Spock, Who Is?
- Introduction
- The Alien Connection
- I Am Not Spock
- Metamorphosis
- Warp One
- Impact: The Public and the Press
- Spock and Me: The Divided Self
- A Family Affair
- Why?
- Instant Replays
- Mission to Mission
- The Goodies Box
- Live Long and Prosper – L'Chaim
Reception and legacy[]
Nimoy later deeply regretted the title as it suggested that he was rejecting the character Spock. In reality, he maintained he was only clarifying the difference between himself and Spock, whom he always enjoyed playing. According to Nimoy, "I made an enormous mistake choosing the title for the book. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime, but this one was a biggie and right out there in public." He noted that the choice created a "firestorm that lasted several years and caused a lot of hard feelings." In 1995, he published I Am Spock in an attempt to atone for past mistakes. [1]
Zachary Quinto read I Am Not Spock prior to the filming of Star Trek for insight. [2]
During an interview on TRR: "If Memory Serves" after the Star Trek: Discovery episode "If Memory Serves", Ethan Peck mentioned reading both Nimoy's books to prepare himself to take on the role of Spock.
In an episode of The Simpsons, "Comic Book Guy" purchases Leonard Nimoy's three autobiographies, I Am Not Spock, I Am Spock, and the fictional I Am Also Scotty.