During the 2020-21 pandemic year, everyone in the world needs heroes in their lives. Role models represent a way to stand tall in our struggles against a deadly illness that plagues all of humanity. Star Trek, viewed through the lens of Sun Tzu and Lau Tzu’s philosophical takes on war and peace, can show us the best way to battle inner demons and problems seemingly beyond our control – ones that demands we act thoughtfully, quickly, and efficiently when confrontations with nearly unstoppable forces push us to our limits.

The Tao of Star Trek: Discovering Our Inner Selves Through Outer Space – What Sun Tzu and Lao Tzu Teach us about the Dueling Philosophies of War and Peace Illustrated in the Very Best Star Trek Stories provides parameters for each of us as we go about our daily lives in 2021 and beyond through a critical literacy approach to ninety of the best Star Trek stories in franchise history, covering the first three television series in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

If one understands the essence of The Tao Te Ching and The Art of War as guideposts, any individual can see the wisdom of the ideas of both Lao Tzu and Sun Tzu when applied to Trek character behavior in compelling stories that are a metaphors for daily lives in 2021 – nearly 45 years after the first Gene Roddenberry episode broadcast on NBC in October of 1965.

In The Tao of Star Trek, readers will find the ninety best stories of the first three Star Trek television series. In each one of this stories, proverbs or partial texts written by either Lao Tzu or Sun Tzu are used as guide posts to view character growth. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, the reader will next have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in these stories by applying the fictional tales to their own life challenges.

In the section, Everyday Reflections, readers are asked to examine how their own lives have taken a peaceful or combative approach with others in a personal or professional setting. Readers are also asked to keep a journal and reflect on their actions and how they can implement effective changes to their lives by modifying their behaviors or attitudes to better coexist in society.This section may also include historical facts and display the author’s perspective on social change, war, culture, economics or other important trends shown in America or throughout the world throughout time.

The next and final section of each lesson, titled, Everyday Actions, asks the reader to take actions to make their world a better place. These acts may rest in interpersonal relations with family members or friends, co-workers, school mates, or may manifest themselves in communities or on a larger scale of state or national levels. Whatever actions the reader may or may not choose to take will be ethical in nature and only recommended to help right wrongs still happening today.

Star Trek remains today as a cultural touchstone in American culture – and one also beloved by Trekkers around the world.

By examining former and current tales in a serious fashion allows us to make serious changes in our lives that would likely be praised by either Lao Tzu or Sun Tzu if they were alive today.

What would Captains James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard do if confronted in a no-win scenario?

How would Mr. Spock or Commander Riker react to protect their captains, their crew, and the galaxy against hostile forces?

It is hoped that this book will challenge and test you, not only as a fan of the Roddenberry franchise, but as a human being in search for becoming the very best you can be in the 21st century.