Another must-have for any Star Trek collection is the set of James Blish TOS episode adaptations put out by Bantam Books. In total there were 12 numbered collections plus a thirteenth book containing adaptations of the two Harry Mudd episodes along with a new Mudd story. I read library copies of these books in the 1970s and filled out my own collection during the 1980s.
Star Trek (1) - First published January 1967. My copy is from the 20th printing.
Star Trek 2 - First published February 1968. My copy is from the first printing, and I purchased it on 20 July 1985.
Star Trek 3 - First published April 1969. My copy is from the first printing, and I purchased it on 22 November, 1986.
Star Trek 4 - First published July 1971. My copy is from the 9th printing. I found a note in my diary indicating that I finished reading Star Trek 4 on 18 January 1979, but I believe that was a library loaner and that I purchased this copy later.
Star Trek 5 - First published February 1972. My copy is from the 6th printing. Again it looks like I also borrowed a copy of this from a library and read it during January 1979.
Star Trek 6 - First published April 1972. My copy is from the 6th printing.
Star Trek 7 - First published July 1972. My copy is from the 6th printing, and was purchased on 2 July 1988.
Star Trek 8 - First published November 1972. My copy is from the 8th printing, and was purchased on 20 July 1985.
Star Trek 9 - First published August 1973. My copy is from the 5th printing, and was purchased on 20 July 1985.
Star Trek 10 - First published February 1974. My copy is from the 8th printing.
Star Trek 11 - First published April 1975. My copy is from the 5th printing.
Star Trek 12 - First published November 1977. My copy is from the first printing.
Mudd's Angels contains adaptations of
Mudd's Women and
I, Mudd as well as a new Mudd story. First published May 1978. My copy is from the 2nd printing, and was purchased on 8 January 1985.
I would often come across these books while perusing various used book stores. I typically purchased a second copy of the book if it was from an older printing than the copy I already owned. Therefore I have a few extras of these adaptations, as seen in the photo above. Details on these copies:
Star Trek 1 - 21st printing, purchased 27 July 1982
Star Trek 3 - Book Club edition, 16th printing, purchased 2 February 1985
Star Trek 6 - 10th printing, purchased 5 July 1983
Let's start with the grand-daddy of all Star Trek behind-the-scenes books -- The Making of Star Trek. It is a fascinating look at the production of the show, written contemporaneously with its creation. The book includes b&w photographs, sketches, memos, budgets, and much more. This was one of my earliest book purchases, probably in the late 1970s. The copyright page references an 18th U.S. printing in August 1976, and a first Canadian printing in October 1968. I bought the book in Canada, but I'm quite sure it's not a 1968 print. Perhaps a typo? Did they mean October 1978? Or perhaps this is the 18th U.S. printing?
Another early insider book is The World of Star Trek by David Gerrold. It was first published in 1973. My copy is from the 10th printing, and was purchased on 19 July 1982. A revised and expanded edition, which includes information on the first three Star Trek films, was published in 1984. My copy is from the first printing and was purchased 11 July 1984.
David Gerrold published another insider guide in 1973, this one focused specifically on The Trouble With Tribbles, his well-received episode from Star Trek's second season. My copy is from the 8th printing, and was purchased on 7 July 1983.
Susan Sackett was Gene Roddenberry's personal executive assistant for many years. She has published several Star Trek books, with Letters to Star Trek, published in 1977, being the first. My copy is from the first printing and was purchased on 17 June 1982.
Walter Koenig wrote a very insightful and well-written behind-the-scenes book entitled Chekov's Enterprise, published in early 1980. It focuses on his experience making the first Star Trek film. My copy is from the first printing and was purchased on 19 July 1982.
