I am not a huge Star Trek fan but I do like William Shatner! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I highly recommend.

William Shatner...what an interesting man! I could hear his voice in my head while I read this. He's a great storyteller and really a funny man. I enjoyed this immensely. Thanks to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. #LiveLongAnd... #NetGalley

William Shatner can be a wonderful storyteller, but he's running on fumes in this new book. I couldn't finish it.

Typical Shatner - kind of funny in places, kind of arrogant in others, a little biographical, overall a fairly light read. Nothing earth shattering but a pleasant enough read all the same. I can't believe he's in his late 80s. How did that happen?

If you are a Star Trek fan then this is a book you want to read. If you are a fan of William Shatner then this is the book for you. He provides you with interesting stories that you will enjoy reading and learning about. You'll be happy you took the time to read it. There is even more to this book than what you'd even expect.

It's as interesting to the point of captivating at times, it's quirky and odd at times, it never stops moving - all like Shatner himself. a great book to read yourself or give as a gift.

He is The Captain for a reason. Told with his trademark wit and deadpan humor, I really enjoyed this latest autobiography from The Captain. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Live Long and.. What I Learned Along the Way" by William Shatner is a memoir on living life the best way you can. Now I will say yes I knew of William Shatner from Star Trek and many other shows/movies but thought he was an arrogant jerk. But this book has changed my mind about him and would like to meet him one day. He really is open in this book especially about feeling like a loner even in a group of people I am so like that. He really is down to earth more than the character types he usually plays. This book was interesting and very encouraging. I like how he talks about no matter what your age embrace the adventure in life and stay active. If if you are only a slight fan of his but need encouraging to live life and enjoy it read this book.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
-This is a very good book. I found it sad at first when he talked about his need to be loved, his wives, the ridiculousness of one's reaction to simple noise when a marriage is shaky (1st wife: I can't take the clicking of the dog's nails on the linoleum floor).
-Then he talked about his passions - everyone should have passions and he's right about that. Passion for what you love doing, eating, etc. Up until the end he will indulge in his passions, giving them up one by one because of age (such as skiing).
-He goes through difficult subjects such as religion and atheism, beliefs and principles, friendship, retirement, and death.
-Sad and funny, serious at times, overall truthful and inspiring, but always emotional (without the tears). I love William Shatner! #LiveLongAnd... #NetGalley

3.5 stars

Most people know that William Shatner played 'Captain James T. Kirk' in the original Star Trek television series and the movies it inspired. Shatner also starred in many other TV series; acted in movies and stage plays; directed films and television shows; did video games and soundtracks; made albums; wrote books; and more. In fact Shatner has an extraordinary work ethic, exemplified by the fact that he's still taking on new projects at the age of 87.

Shatner's compulsion to have a job was spawned partly from his struggles to "put food on the table" when he was a young man with a family and no steady income. Shatner sometimes found it hard to get acting jobs so he grabbed every opportunity that came his way with (almost) no regrets. An exception might be a movie he made in Esperanto (the universal language) - which was a "foreign film in every country in the world." 😊 By the time the movie was released Shatner had forgotten the language and "couldn't understand what the film was about" - but he worked as hard on it as anything else he's ever done. And Shatner's done a lot, because he almost never says no to a job offer.

I've read other books Shatner wrote, but this one seems the most personal. Shatner acknowledges that many of the things he's done were driven by loneliness, by a desire to be wanted.....a feeling he apparently didn't get from his mother. Young Bill found it hard to make friends, and - in grade school - sent valentines to himself so he wouldn't be humiliated by getting none. Shatner notes that "he spent his life seeking love", which probably contributed to his reputation for philandering.....and his multiple marriages. He's been married to his current wife Elizabeth for many years, and speaks of her with great respect and affection.

Shatner also mentions his close friendship with his Star Trek co-star Leonard Nimoy, which ended - for unexplained reasons - a few years before Nimoy died. This estrangement seems to be one of the great regrets of Shatner's life.

Shatner acknowledges that many of his most affectionate relationships have been with his dogs and his horses, companions he's had for almost all his life. Shatner is an excellent horseman and finds his most restful moments atop a steed, an activity that requires complete concentration.

Shatner writes a touching story about paying a visit to fellow equestrian Christopher Reeve, who's perhaps best known for playing Superman. Reeve became a quadriplegic after falling from a horse, and needed a specially equipped chair to provide life support. Shatner was worried about the visit being awkward, but the two men had a pleasant hour-long conversation about their passion for horses.

Shatner relates many compelling - and often humorous - stories about his life, endeavors, family, friends, horses, dogs, motorcycles, paramotoring, aspirations, career, and so on. He admits that he was a bow and arrow hunter many decades ago - an activity he now deeply regrets. Much of the book, however, is devoted to Shatner's personal reflections and philosophical observations - thoughts he wants to share as the end of life approaches.....an end that Shatner would stave off forever if he could.

Shatner's success leads many individuals to ask him for advice, and he tells them: "Don't follow my advice.....I am not a font of wisdom." As a general suggestion, Shatner tells people to "gather knowledge" and "from that huge pile use those things that make sense in your own lives." Shatner then reminisces about what he's learned during his long and fruitful life: what worked - or didn't work - for him.

In summary, Shatner found that it's important to:

- Be passionate: yearn for things, pursue them, and - if you obtain them - savor them.
- Understand your emotions - they make life richer.
- Preserve your health.
- Be open to new experiences - have adventures.
- Find happiness in your life.
- Form relationships.
-Try to leave more good in your wake than bad.
- Have principles, but be flexible. Compromise if you have to.
- Invite people over to watch 'Monday Night Football.' 🏈😊
- Just keep going.

Toward the end of the book Shatner laments the realization that he will expire someday, saying: "I find it very difficult to grasp the reality that I am going to die.....Whatever else there might be, this beautiful present will be gone, and I am loving every second I can hold on to my life." I'm sure many people feel the same way about their own lives.

I enjoyed the book, which has entertaining stories and interesting philosophical musings. I think fans of William Shatner would like the book, and I recommend it to them.

💕LIVE LONG AND PROSPER, WILLIAM SHATNER.💕

Thanks to Netgalley, the authors (William Shatner and David Fisher) and the publisher (Thomas Dunne Books) for a copy of the book.

For years there were a lot of jokes about William Shatner, his ego, his dramatic pauses when he spoke, the infamous Saturday Night Live "Get a Life" skit. It was great to watch him in STAR TREK reruns and T.J. HOOKER had a respectable run if fan-favorite BARBARY COAST didn't, but mostly the actor himself was set back on a shelf. However, a few years ago I started attending his panels at DragonCon, and I was surprised. He wasn't just some addled actor riding on his fame; in fact, when people asked him about some of his roles he would briefly answer and then go on to a subject that fascinated him: the composition of the universe and stars and planets and comets, communication between man and animals, advances in medical science, new scientific discoveries of all kinds. Here was a guy in his 80s who could kick back and rest on his laurels, and his greatest determination was to keep learning.

That's what this slim book is about: what William Shatner has learned in 85 trips around the sun. There's nothing earth-shaking here or profoundly philosophical, yet at the same time it struck a deep meaning to me. On our [husband and I] vacations, we like to go to museums. Not to beaches to loll around in the sun, or mountains to loll around in hammocks, or spas to loll around getting massages. We go to science museums and military museums and history museums and even quirky places like the American Helicopter Museum and the National Christmas Center. (I want to live at Greenfield Village myself.) I want to learn something every day until the day I die. And this is Shatner's philosophy exactly.

He also talks about keeping trying even when you're down to the lowest you can go (there was a period after STAR TREK when he was living in his car with his dog), about keeping up your curiosity, even about his failed relationships and the fact that he alone was responsible for them; about his love for his horses, about things that have been dangerous (like parasailing) that he was afraid to do and tried anyway, because he was more afraid of regretting not having done it. About his beliefs, and about his tenure with Priceline, sometimes simply about life. All in a very conversational style in the words of a man who knows the threads of his life will someday come to an end and he doesn't want to regret it when he gets there.

I enjoyed it. You may, too. Worth trying.

Actor/author William Shatner will forever been ingrained in the minds of my generation as Captain Kirk. We can’t help ourselves. But as he says in the book other generations will remember him as T.J. Hooker and another as Denny Crain. These are the characters he played that we most remember. But there is a many behind those performances and he’s shared his life with us before in his autobiography. Now he offers us his views on life with LIVE LONG AND…WHAT I LEARNED ALONG THE WAY.

With age one becomes reflective and others expect you to impart wisdom on them as to what the secret of life is. Shatner provides that answer succinctly here: he has no clue. Age does not always make you wise and one person can’t have all the answers. But he is more than willing to share the things he’s learned at age 83.

The advice he provides is not only insightful to the man himself but offers things that actually should help people. While he may not consider himself to be a wise man he does provide wisdom for those reading. His suggestions all revolve around one easy concept: open yourself to new experiences, don’t say no to things that come your way. If you are willing to open yourself up the possibilities are endless.

Consider his views on love. He talks about how much he loved his father and how his mother was not the nurturing type. It wasn’t her fault, it was just who she was. He didn’t love her less but her way of raising him affected his relationships as he grew up. In spite of that he formed a nice viewpoint on taking the risk of falling in love. Says Shatner in the book “Loving a relative or a child or a pet or a friend is relatively easy and carries with it little emotional risk. Exposing yourself to loving another person carries with it tremendous risk.” It seems like a simple concept but it’s one few consider.

His secret to be happy in life? “To be happy in life, do those things that make you happy and don’t do those things that make you unhappy.” Once more, simple. Almost like the Groucho Marx joke of it hurts when I do this, well then don’t do that. And yet so many never consider this.

The book ends with his reflections on death and his determination not to let those thoughts intrude on him living the life he wants to while he’s still here. Great advice. Why think about dying when you can actually be living instead.

A wry combination of humor and insight, reflections of his past where he succeeded and failed and discussing his passions all work together to present a way of looking at life some never bother to take the time to do. Shatner may claim not to be a wise man but he does offer some wise words. What more could we ask for?

I really wanted to like this book as Shatner is a Montrealer as I am and I wanted to read his story.

But wow, he is as conceited in his book as he is in real life. and reading this book makes me dislike him intensely.

It is well written and to the point, but he is so narcissistic that any fun in reading this book was removed.

Live Long And... By William Shatner was such a great book. I really enjoyed it. The stories about his life and the things he has done is quite amazing. Rather strange that some readers keep referring to the lack of Star Trek Material. Shatner has obviously had a long and distinguished career and this is the premise of the book. Not a Star Trek diary.

William Shatner has, indeed, lived long and prospered so I am more than willing to sit at his feet (hypothetically) and listen to his pearls of wisdom. From Shakespeare to Star Trek to becoming the face of Priceline (with a smooch on the patio from James Spader on the side) the tales are sad, funny and typical Shatner.
This was a pleasant read, much like spending time with an eccentric uncle who revisits the highs and lows of his life. Now in his eighties, there's some regret expressed and wise words related to the reader to avoid the same. Overall, this is Bill Shatner's celebration of a life well lived and loved.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Well written and enjoyable book. William Shatner's personality shines on each page, as it feels like he is telling you the stories captured in this book. The life lessons he learned were told in a relatable manner.

Hard to believe that William Shatner is now in his mid 80’s. Love his style, sense of humor, passion and the ability to reinvent himself. He has lived an interesting life and I would love to adopt his philosophy of just saying YES! That small word has opened so many doors for him. Shatner is an inspiration.

*will post in additional online venues shortly.

A courageously honest and revealing self-portrait by Shatner, sharing attitudes and philosophies that have worked for him and those that haven't. Fans will appreciate this glimpse into his motivations and the understanding of a well loved actor that it offers.

WOW! What can you say about William Shatner that hasn't already been said? This was a fun book to read. It was laugh out loud funny and there were a few times that I wiped away a tear.

My thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Dunne Books for this advanced readers copy.

I am an original Trekkie. I fondly recall watching repeats of Star Trek with my Mom on a nightly basis that ended at one in the morning. I also remember helping my older brother dress up like Spock for a Halloween party, diligently creating the golden "Enterprise" symbol that I sewed upon his shirt. To this day, I still make the iconic symbol with my hand, separating my four long fingers and saying, "Live long and Prosper!" , engendering either a humorous and knowing response, or they just think I'm weird! Nonetheless, I love biographies and I like William Shatner, so naturally I wanted to read this book.

I've always marveled at the fact that Shatner is the author of so many Star Trek fictional books, and he has written earlier autobiographies. Perhaps for that reason, this offering seemed like a fairly quick read, and he doesn't delve too deeply into his experiences on the Star Trek set or his relationships with his fellow cast members. The one fact he makes clear is that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Mr. Spock, was his best friend- but for some unknown reason was not talking to him at the time of his death. He honestly has no idea why, and it was made clear that he was not welcome at Nimoy's funeral (he instead participated in a Red Cross fundraising event that day).

William Shatner, 86 years old at the writing of this book, discusses his strong work ethic, shares some interesting and funny stories, explores relationships, religion, and the mystery of death. I expected more of a hollywood tell-all, but this was more philosophical than anything else. I could almost imagine him speaking to me, which I really enjoy when a celebrity achieves that writing style. It adds that special authenticity.

My biggest takeaway from this book was the man's incessant drive to work, and his creedo to live each day as a gift. He has a great positivity and common sense about life, and it was quite refreshing to read.