Announcing the birth of Chester L. Richards' new book series
TREKS BEYOND THE GREAT POTATO
Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist
A life of adventure, science, and survival—one man’s journey from writing for Star Trek ® to exploring the edges of the world.
About the Treks Beyond the Great Potato series
Chester L. Richards has lived the kind of life most people would dismiss as fiction, except he has the scars, patents, photos, and Star Trek® writer’s credit to prove it. A retired aerospace engineer and co-writer of “The Tholian Web,” from the original Star Trek series, Chester has spent his life following curiosity wherever it led: riding raging rivers from Ethiopia to Alaska, close calls with creatures — some human — with sharp teeth and fangs, and into the future with rocket science and rooms filled with brilliant minds.
In his The Treks Beyond the Great Potato series Chester invites readers not only to join him as he survives hair-raising and safer intoxicating times, but to see the universe through his eyes. Everyday challenges become adventures, failures become lessons worth sharing, science opens the door to wonder, and spending time with good people are his keys to a life well lived.
At the heart of the series is the remarkable Sarah, Chester’s late great love and muse, whose enchanting spirit runs through the stories, still inspiring him to write. Still making him, their remarkable cats, and Hector the Wonder Dog laugh.
Funny, suspenseful, tender, and alive with curiosity, The Treks Beyond the Potato books invite readers to see their own lives differently — to reach further, love deeply, laugh at the absurd, and recognize that every life has a trek worth taking.
In his The Treks Beyond the Great Potato series Chester invites readers not only to join him as he survives hair-raising and safer intoxicating times, but to see the universe through his eyes. Everyday challenges become adventures, failures become lessons worth sharing, science opens the door to wonder, and spending time with good people are his keys to a life well lived.
At the heart of the series is the remarkable Sarah, Chester’s late great love and muse, whose enchanting spirit runs through the stories, still inspiring him to write. Still making him, their remarkable cats, and Hector the Wonder Dog laugh.
Funny, suspenseful, tender, and alive with curiosity, The Treks Beyond the Potato books invite readers to see their own lives differently — to reach further, love deeply, laugh at the absurd, and recognize that every life has a trek worth taking.
Praise for Treks Beyond the Potato Books
Reader praise for the The Trek Continues: More memoirs of a rocket scientist
"I had to keep turning the page to see what would happen next!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed the first book. And with the new book I read so many pages, I just couldn't stop because I wanted to know what would happen next. The stories in The Trek Continues -- such fun to read! I like the new Star Trek story, and in this book, that there's more science...and the dog, and cats, chasing each other. I could just see it. That last story...ah that is beautiful...Sarah was amazing. And the highlight of his life. And after the trauma of losing her, he goes on with other stories...hopping all over the place. I forgive him for hopping...he's a good storyteller. Interesting...we get into his mind and how it works...I like it...I guess I like him. He leads an interesting life...of his own making. Maybe people should make more out of their lives...thinking about that."
— Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
"I loved the new Sarah stories. And cats. Cats are the best. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved the new book! "The Fairy" = hilarious. I loved the new Sarah stories. And cats. Cats are the best. I especially enjoyed the history of UCI. I was so glad the Anteater won the competition for mascot. Chet was spot on about the mud. Loved the bit about Hycon Engineering. Sounds like a fascinating time. Thank you, Chet, for writing these stories."
— Marilyn Scott-Waters, Writer and Illustrator. Her works include: The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself; Haunted Histories; The Search For Vile Things.
"Some lives are lived quietly. Chester L. Richards’ is not one of them.
A retired aerospace engineer and inventor with 19 patents, Richards has spent his years chasing adventure in every imaginable form: co-writing the iconic Star Trek episode "The Tholian Web" as a college student, navigating raging rivers, exploring uncharted landscapes, tinkering with space technology, and embracing the sheer unpredictability of life. The Trek Continues, the second book in his Treks Beyond the Great Potato series, picks up where his first memoir left off and once again proves that Richards’ life story reads like a thrilling blend of science, travelogue, and human reflection.
— the_laconic_reader
"For readers who enjoy memoirs that combine intellectual curiosity with true tales of exploration, this book is a treat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book is packed with vivid, hair-raising adventures. Chester L. Richards recounts rafting accidents where survival hung by a thread, encounters with aggressive baboons raining 'missiles' from above, and brushes with toothy river creatures lurking beneath the surface. But between the adrenaline-filled moments, Richards shares remarkable behind-the-scenes insights into space science, like his work on uncanny superfluids or candid stories from astronauts such as Gordon Cooper.
What makes this memoir shine is not just the adventure, but the humanity at its core. Richards writes movingly about Sarah, the love of his life, whose loss spurred him to gather his memories into books. His reflections on love, grief, resilience, and companionship with his pets (like the unforgettable Hector the Dog) lend the narrative a deep, emotional resonance.
Richards’ storytelling style is witty, warm, and wonderfully unpretentious. He never romanticizes danger, nor does he let grief overshadow his zest for life. Instead, he weaves science, humor, danger, and tenderness together under a single guiding theme: every day is an adventure.
— Christina Thomas, Goodreads review
Editorial Praise
"For readers who loved the first volume, this one delivers everything they came back for. For anyone new to the series, start at the beginning and clear your schedule. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some lives resist summary. A retired aerospace engineer with nineteen patents who co-wrote one of the most beloved episodes of the original Star Trek, navigated deadly white water rapids in Ethiopia during a civil war, had near-death encounters with crocodiles in Africa, and surfed Southern California between all of it. Reading The Trek Continues is the experience of keeping up with someone whose capacity for living has never once slowed down to match the pace of ordinary biography.
This second volume picks up exactly where the award-winning first book left off, and the momentum is fully intact. The stories gathered here have the same quality that made readers love the first collection: the sense that they are absolutely true, that no amount of invention could have improved them, and that the man telling them has somehow extracted maximum adventure from every situation he has ever found himself in. Near-death experiences land with the matter-of-fact weight of someone who has had enough of them to develop perspective. The behind-the-scenes details of the Tholian Web night and its surprising legacy give Star Trek fans something genuinely new to hold onto.
— Jason Anderson, The Book Review
Full review and more reviews of The Trek Continues
"In The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist, Chester L. Richards offers a warm and adventurous journey through the many chapters of his life. Blending humor, reflection, and heartfelt memories, Richards invites readers to see the world through the eyes of someone who has touched both the stars and the soul. While the book picks up from his earlier memoir, this collection stands strongly on its own, with stories that explore space, rivers, wilderness, love, loss, and the enduring power of memory...
Richards has a true gift for storytelling. His tone is warm and conversational, making even the most harrowing experiences feel like tales swapped around a campfire. Whether he's reflecting on his college days, his innovative work as an engineer, or wild moments in the great outdoors, each anecdote brims with energy and insight. His brushes with danger—whether in a surging river or face-to-face with nature’s more toothy inhabitants—aren’t just entertaining; they illuminate his deep-seated hunger for experience and understanding.
-- From Books That Make You
Full review and more reviews of The Trek Continues
I really enjoyed the first book. And with the new book I read so many pages, I just couldn't stop because I wanted to know what would happen next. The stories in The Trek Continues -- such fun to read! I like the new Star Trek story, and in this book, that there's more science...and the dog, and cats, chasing each other. I could just see it. That last story...ah that is beautiful...Sarah was amazing. And the highlight of his life. And after the trauma of losing her, he goes on with other stories...hopping all over the place. I forgive him for hopping...he's a good storyteller. Interesting...we get into his mind and how it works...I like it...I guess I like him. He leads an interesting life...of his own making. Maybe people should make more out of their lives...thinking about that."
— Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
"I loved the new Sarah stories. And cats. Cats are the best. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved the new book! "The Fairy" = hilarious. I loved the new Sarah stories. And cats. Cats are the best. I especially enjoyed the history of UCI. I was so glad the Anteater won the competition for mascot. Chet was spot on about the mud. Loved the bit about Hycon Engineering. Sounds like a fascinating time. Thank you, Chet, for writing these stories."
— Marilyn Scott-Waters, Writer and Illustrator. Her works include: The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself; Haunted Histories; The Search For Vile Things.
"Some lives are lived quietly. Chester L. Richards’ is not one of them.
A retired aerospace engineer and inventor with 19 patents, Richards has spent his years chasing adventure in every imaginable form: co-writing the iconic Star Trek episode "The Tholian Web" as a college student, navigating raging rivers, exploring uncharted landscapes, tinkering with space technology, and embracing the sheer unpredictability of life. The Trek Continues, the second book in his Treks Beyond the Great Potato series, picks up where his first memoir left off and once again proves that Richards’ life story reads like a thrilling blend of science, travelogue, and human reflection.
— the_laconic_reader
"For readers who enjoy memoirs that combine intellectual curiosity with true tales of exploration, this book is a treat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book is packed with vivid, hair-raising adventures. Chester L. Richards recounts rafting accidents where survival hung by a thread, encounters with aggressive baboons raining 'missiles' from above, and brushes with toothy river creatures lurking beneath the surface. But between the adrenaline-filled moments, Richards shares remarkable behind-the-scenes insights into space science, like his work on uncanny superfluids or candid stories from astronauts such as Gordon Cooper.
What makes this memoir shine is not just the adventure, but the humanity at its core. Richards writes movingly about Sarah, the love of his life, whose loss spurred him to gather his memories into books. His reflections on love, grief, resilience, and companionship with his pets (like the unforgettable Hector the Dog) lend the narrative a deep, emotional resonance.
Richards’ storytelling style is witty, warm, and wonderfully unpretentious. He never romanticizes danger, nor does he let grief overshadow his zest for life. Instead, he weaves science, humor, danger, and tenderness together under a single guiding theme: every day is an adventure.
— Christina Thomas, Goodreads review
Editorial Praise
"For readers who loved the first volume, this one delivers everything they came back for. For anyone new to the series, start at the beginning and clear your schedule. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some lives resist summary. A retired aerospace engineer with nineteen patents who co-wrote one of the most beloved episodes of the original Star Trek, navigated deadly white water rapids in Ethiopia during a civil war, had near-death encounters with crocodiles in Africa, and surfed Southern California between all of it. Reading The Trek Continues is the experience of keeping up with someone whose capacity for living has never once slowed down to match the pace of ordinary biography.
This second volume picks up exactly where the award-winning first book left off, and the momentum is fully intact. The stories gathered here have the same quality that made readers love the first collection: the sense that they are absolutely true, that no amount of invention could have improved them, and that the man telling them has somehow extracted maximum adventure from every situation he has ever found himself in. Near-death experiences land with the matter-of-fact weight of someone who has had enough of them to develop perspective. The behind-the-scenes details of the Tholian Web night and its surprising legacy give Star Trek fans something genuinely new to hold onto.
— Jason Anderson, The Book Review
Full review and more reviews of The Trek Continues
"In The Trek Continues: More Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist, Chester L. Richards offers a warm and adventurous journey through the many chapters of his life. Blending humor, reflection, and heartfelt memories, Richards invites readers to see the world through the eyes of someone who has touched both the stars and the soul. While the book picks up from his earlier memoir, this collection stands strongly on its own, with stories that explore space, rivers, wilderness, love, loss, and the enduring power of memory...
Richards has a true gift for storytelling. His tone is warm and conversational, making even the most harrowing experiences feel like tales swapped around a campfire. Whether he's reflecting on his college days, his innovative work as an engineer, or wild moments in the great outdoors, each anecdote brims with energy and insight. His brushes with danger—whether in a surging river or face-to-face with nature’s more toothy inhabitants—aren’t just entertaining; they illuminate his deep-seated hunger for experience and understanding.
-- From Books That Make You
Full review and more reviews of The Trek Continues
Praise for From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a rocket scientist
"I wholeheartedly recommend this book with 5 full stars, shining brightly! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read full review by Thaddeus Tuffentsamer, Daily Star Trek News. Also an Amazon Vine Voice Review.
"In his captivating memoir, "From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond," Chester L. Richards invites readers on a rollercoaster ride through a life that defies convention. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read full review by Deb Patrick, TheBookReview.com
"What a beautiful book! A modern epic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D. Chief Scientist, Space Systems, Raytheon Intelligence & Space Division, AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), SPIE Fellow (Society of Photo Instrumentation Engineers), NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
See more about The Trek Continues and full early reviews
More about From The Potato to Star Trek and full reviews
Read full review by Thaddeus Tuffentsamer, Daily Star Trek News. Also an Amazon Vine Voice Review.
"In his captivating memoir, "From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond," Chester L. Richards invites readers on a rollercoaster ride through a life that defies convention. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read full review by Deb Patrick, TheBookReview.com
"What a beautiful book! A modern epic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D. Chief Scientist, Space Systems, Raytheon Intelligence & Space Division, AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), SPIE Fellow (Society of Photo Instrumentation Engineers), NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
See more about The Trek Continues and full early reviews
More about From The Potato to Star Trek and full reviews
