I like that headline but it’s not actually true. Prolific author and well-known Star Trek fan Dayton Ward posted a list of non-fiction Trek books he wants to read or revisit, and I added my picks in an exchange on Bluesky. So, I did not collaborate with him and we’ve never even met (although I think we would get along famously), but his article plus my suggestions add up to a good to-read resource.
First, check out Dayton’s post. It’s always a pleasure to read content from knowledgeable Star Trek fans, and his suggestions are solid. And he was wise to set the following parameters, because otherwise a reading list can just become every book that says Star Trek on the cover:
While some titles will include info on the 1970s animated series and/or the follow-on movies featuring the original series cast, my primary focus will be the original show. Certain books offering an overview of the entire franchise – or at least “the entire franchise” as it was when a particular book was written – may be added to the list at some point as stretch goals if I hit the main targets, but even then I’ll likely stick to the parameters I’ve set up. This also isn’t meant to be an inclusive list…
To his selections I added the following. Some are titles Dayton considered but left off, for the reasons stated above. At least one — the DeForest Kelley biography — was new to him. (You can read his replies to my suggestions at the Bluesky link above.)
Where No Man…William Shatner, Sondra Marshak, Myrna Culbreath
I cannot say I love Marshak’s and Culbreath’s writing style, but this is the first book about Shatner and I am a completist, so this has to be on my list. Also, it comes from a time when Shatner’s public persona was a little less polished. See also this post for more on that era.
Star Trek Concordance. Bjo Trimble
This episode guide and lexicon was groundbreaking and invaluable when Ballantine published it in 1976, plus it had a spinny “Enterprise Index Tricorder” built into the cover. I also love the two fan versions put out in 1969 and 1973.
The Encyclopedia Shatnerica. Robert E. Schnakenberg
Does anyone else own this book? I have seen exactly one other copy out in the world — but in writing this post I discovered the author produced a revised version in 2008. So I have now ordered it. Thanks, Dayton.
Boarding the Enterprise. David Gerrold, Robert J. Sawyer
This is an intelligent and challenging collection of essays examining philosophical, scientific, and cultural questions, edited by two prominent thinkers in our fandom. It is not a light beach read, but it is the best analysis I’ve read of this cultural phenomenon. My article on the book is here.
A Harvest of Memories. Kristine M. Smith
Deforest Kelley is the least known of Star Trek’s major players, because he was a more private person than some and because he never wrote his own book, so perhaps the best way to get a little closer to the actor is through a woman who called him a friend for years.
To Boldly Go: Season One, Two, and Three. Gerald Gurian
Dayton chose Star Trek: Lost Scenes for his rare-pics fix, and it is an excellent book, but I encouraged him to add this three-volume work to his list. Gerald has a remarkable collection and we are lucky he shared it.
Designing the Final Frontier. Dan Chavkin, Brian McGuire
Star Trek is as defined by its look as by its acting and writing, and this examination through the lens of midcentury modernism is fascinating. Plus, the research is impeccable and the images are excellent.
Star Trek Vault. Scott Tipton
This did not make Dayton’s cut because it is “more of a franchise book than a TOS book” and that is valid, but don’t let that stop you. This is another thoroughly researched work, and it is unique because it includes 14 reproductions of cool collectibles. If you ever feel the need to own some vintage merch, the Vault delivers.
Star Trek Star Fleet Technical Manual. Franz Joseph
On this point I must simply disagree with Dayton. Again, his reasoning is sound, given his rules: the manual is “‘inside the box’ and I was making a conscious choice to exclude those.” But, for me, any guideline that eliminates this foundational resource must bend to add it.
Those are my nine book suggestions, but I also pushed for the inclusion of the Inside Star Trek newsletters (and here is my ongoing review of those), the Star Trek Giant Poster Books (my series on those) and the Spockanalia fanzine (which I own but have not yet covered).
Thank you, Dayton, for the list and the inspiration to add to it. I am often skeptical of Star Trek lists, as they are written either by people with little knowledge or designed simply to generate clicks (or both), but I really liked what you did here and I recognize the expertise and the years of fandom underpinning it.
Collecting Trek 
One response to “Dayton Ward and I created a Trek non-fiction reading list”
I love talking Trek with knowledgeable, passionate fans who prefer to approach it from a place of love and care, especially of their experiences from childhood and growing up with it in its various incarnations are similar to mine. I’ve followed your site and postings for years, and you’re definitely one of those folks. I hope our paths do manage to cross one day.
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