Book ~ "Live Long and ... What I Learned Along the Way" (2018) William Shatner and David Fisher

From Goodreads ~ "Star Trek" legend and veteran author William Shatner discusses the meaning of life, finding value in work and living well whatever your age.

"I have always felt," William Shatner says early in his newest memoir, that "like the great comedian George Burns, who lived to 100, I couldn't die as long as I was booked." And Shatner is always booked.

Still, a brief health scare in 2016 forced him to take stock. After mulling over the lessons he's learned, the places he's been and all the miracles and strange occurrences he's witnessed over the course of an enduring career in Hollywood and on the stage, he arrived at one simple rule for living a long and good life: don't die.

It's the only one-size-fits-all advice, Shatner argues in "Live Long and ... What I Learned Along the Way" because everyone has a unique life - but to help us all out he's more than willing to share stories from his unique life. With a combination of pithy humor and thoughtful vulnerability, Shatner lays out his journey from childhood to peak stardom and all the bumps in the road (sometimes the literal road, as in the case of his 2,400-mile motorcycle trip across the country with a bike that didn't function).

Everyone knows who William Shatner is ... he is an actor, author, producer and director originally from Montreal.  He was in Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Practice, Boston Legal among others.  He has been in plays, including the Stratford Festival early in his career.  He is also a musician, author, screenwriter and director, celebrity pitchman and owner, trader, breeder and rider of horses.

There are ten chapters in this book:

1. A Fortunate Life
2. The Show Must Go On
3. A Passion for Passions
4. An Emotional Appeal
5. The Basic Ingredients:  Health and (Some) Wealth
6. My Curious Quest for Adventure
7. Working to Find Happiness
8. Relationships are not All Relative
9. My Principal Beliefs
10. Where Does the Time Go?

This is the second book I've read by Shatner.  In this book, he shares stories about his life and what he's learned in his 87 years ... his childhood, marriages, children and grandchildren, career, interests, passion, etc.   I liked the writing style and this book and I could "hear" Shatner's voice as I was reading it.

Here are some of his tidbits of wisdom, which are good reminders ...

1. His secret to a living a good long life?  Don't die!  Keep living and try not to slow down.
2. Always say "yes" to opportunities.
3. Find your passions.
4. Be happy.
5. Don't allow your fear of dying cause you to lose your passion for living ... be actively engaged in life until your very last breath.

Book ~ "Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man" (2016) William Shatner and David Fisher

From Goodreads ~ Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner first crossed paths as actors on the set of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Little did they know that their next roles, in a new science-fiction television series, would shape their lives in ways no one could have anticipated. In seventy-nine television episodes and six feature films, they grew to know each other more than most friends could ever imagine. 

Over the course of half a century, Shatner and Nimoy saw each other through personal and professional highs and lows. In this powerfully emotional book, Shatner tells the story of a man who was his friend for five decades, recounting anecdotes and untold stories of their lives on and off set, as well as gathering stories from others who knew Nimoy well, to present a full picture of a rich life. 

As much a biography of Nimoy as a story of their friendship, Leonard is a uniquely heartfelt book written by one legendary actor in celebration of another. 

Leonard Nimoy was an American actor, film director, photographer, author, singer and songwriter. He was best known for his role as Spock of the Star Trek franchise, a character he portrayed in television and film from a pilot episode shot in late 1964 to his final film performance in 2013.  He past away in 2015 at the age of 83.

This book is written by William Shatner, his Star Trek co-star and friend of many years.  The book starts with Nimoy's childhood, growing up in Boston, the son of Jewish immigrants who had escaped from the Ukraine.  His parents had wanted him to go to university so he would have a "stable" career but instead he wanted to pursue acting.  Doing many odd jobs that rarely lasted more than two weeks while he was picking up acting jobs, he caught a break when he was cast as Spock in Star Trek.  In addition to playing Spock in TV shows and movies, he was also in plays, non-Star Trek movies and eventually directed movies (such as Three Men and a Baby).  Later in life, he became a successful photographer.

I will admit that I'm not a Star Trek fan but I do like learning more about different people.  I thought Nimoy would have an interesting life and he did.  It was interesting to learn Nimoy's story told from Shatner's point of view.  They didn't always get along but Shatner's love and respect for Nimoy comes through.

I liked the writing style and would recommend this book even if you aren't a Star Trek fan (like me).