Beyond Uhura

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference

Cover image
Author(s):	Nichelle Nichols
Publisher:	Putnam
Published:	19 October 1994
Pages:	320
Reference:	ISBN 0399139931
Audiobook
Narrator:	Nichelle Nichols
Publisher:	Random House Audio
Published:	1 November 1994
Reference:	ISBN 0679435093

[edit] Blurb

For nearly thirty years Nichelle Nichols has been part of the Star Trek mythos. As Lieutenant Uhura, communications officer of the Starship Enterprise, she was the first African-American woman to have a major continuing role on television. Her candid and insightful autobiography takes readers on her life's voyage of personal discovery and professional triumph – beyond Uhura.

Granddaughter of the rebellious son of a slave owner, Nichelle Nichols grew up in a socially progressive family. By the age of sixteen the young singer-dancer had already been praised by Josephine Baker and had worked with Duke Ellington. With tenacity and talent, she established herself as a first-rate performer in nightclubs, on stage, and eventually in film.

From the beginning of her Hollywood career, some would say, she had two strikes against her: she was Black and she was a woman. In the face of racism, a brush with the mob, and an attempted rape, she fought courageously against the injustices that stood between her and her dreams.

Through an early job in television – years before Star Trek – Nichols met Gene Roddenberry. Describing her pivotal role in the Star Trek universe, she takes readers where no book has gone before: into the heart and mind of this man, the series' creator, and for a time her lover and afterward a friend. She also reveals the true story behind the scenes with the Star Trek family, and details the evolution of the Trekker phenomenon with humor, affection, and respect.

A symbol of hope and promise for millions of viewers, Nichols continues to work toward the same goals Lieutenant Uhura and, indeed, all of Star Trek embody. Whether spearheading a national recruitment drive to bring minorities and women into the NASA astronaut corps, or producing space-oriented educational films and programs for young people, Nichols remains devoted to inspiring a sense of wonder and promise for humankind's real-life future among the stars.

Her autobiography is a moving testament to the indomitably of the human spirit.

Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.

[edit] Contents

• Acknowledgments
• Prologue
• [12 untitled chapters]
• Epilogue
• Index