James Doohan (1920–2005)

I really wasn't expecting much and that's what I got. A rehashed Star Trek from the point of view of someone below decks. Although the main character was okay to hang out with for a while, I didn't find either him or the world around him or the story being told compelling. It was one small thing after another with some sort of slow-burn mystery that kept putting me to sleep. I only made it to the middle of the book before I decided it was time to set it aside for something more entertaining. At least I still have James Doohan's signature in the front of the book (a chance find in a used book sale).… (meer)

In Beam Me Up, Scotty: Star Trek’s “Scotty” – In His Own Words, James Doohan recounts his life from youth through the final appearance of James Montgomery Scott in Star Trek Generations. He discusses growing up in rural Ontario, dealing with his alcoholic father and trying to find his place. World War II offered the opportunity to discover it, though as he describes, he spent many years in Canada and Britain waiting for the war. Doohan participated in the D-Day landings only for a stray shot to take his right middle finger. He then learned to fly, contributing in other ways while discovering his love of aviation. Following the war, Doohan began acting on radio and stage before transitioning to television and film, with Star Trek typecasting him and opening up opportunities through the fan community and all it afforded him. Doohan concludes, “To me, Scotty is Scotty and was already a full human being as soon as I opened my mouth with a Scottish accent. I tell people that he’s one percent accent and ninety-nine percent James Doohan… The way I look at Scotty is, hey, I love engineering myself. I wish I could be an engineer. Scotty may not be so much James Doohan as he is an idealized version of James Doohan. A James Doohan who, as a boy, loved things that ‘went’ and dreamed of escape” (pg. 205). Doohan’s memoir is distinctly enjoyable, with his characteristic optimism shining through his every anecdote. A great read for any Star Trek fan that pairs well with the autobiographies of Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, and Walter Koenig.… (meer)