From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond
CHOOSE ADVENTURE!
Publisher : Pawpress. Release date: June 21, 2022
Language : English Paperback : 334 pages ISBN : 978-1880882306 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1880882320 Kindle eBook: ASIN : B09W465P6H Kobo, Apple, other eBooks: ISBN : 9781880882313 Print versions, hardcover and paperback are available everywhere fine books are sold, worldwide! New! Check your fave eBook seller |
Escaping The Potato was just the beginning... Having had a number of odd brushes with death, Author Chester L. Richards has always boldly gone where few have dared. His mantra: view all that comes your way — the good, the terrifying, and the ugly — as a series of adventures. Judge for yourself how this works from a few snippets of From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist...the first of several books (look for more beginning winter 2023) ... “It took much practice, and many accidents, before I got the hang of it. Even then, The Potato, in its death throes, did not always behave as a Proper Sacrifice should and blazing hot molten lead would explode out from the bubbling caldron.” From The Potato “He swung his rifle around and pointed it towards my belly, his finger nervous on the trigger. I froze.” From Land of Troubles Read how this story began “One day, Judy and I were taken for a walk. We wandered around for a bit, climbed a narrow flight of stairs and were ushered into the Sanctum Sanctorum. There, waiting for us, was Gene Roddenberry.” From Star Trek “My last vision of the raft, before I was driven to the black bottom of the silty river, was of Terry, half overboard, his outside leg caught between a maverick oar and the side of the boat.” From Lava Falls “'Three...two...one...fire!'…Hisssss…Pop! ‘Uh, oh!’ said the technician as the meters all swung to zero and red lights lit up down the length of the long control panel. My signals also had disappeared…‘We just blew up the [rocket engine] test stand.’” From "Rocket Science." Read more. The loss of the love of his life, Sarah, knocked the stuffing out of Chet initially. But writing these, the stories she loved, brought him back. May reading them bring you the zest for life the author regained from recalling them. Read the story |
Praise for From The Potato to Star Trek
and Beyond
"I wholeheartedly recommend this book with 5 full stars, shining brightly! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great read. Some thoughts and reminiscences from a well lived (and slightly worn) life!
I’m sincerely glad that I read this book! The first page left me with a lump in my throat. The final page left me (literally) with tears in my eyes...He is so compelling that by the time he is telling us about his father, mother, and grandfather’s hernia, I’m committed and genuinely care about them, and I found myself rooting for their success even though they have already been gone by the time the book was written...He also describes the ‘potato’, but not until you’re 66% through the book, and it is the absolute LAST thing that you could possibly imagine it to be...The book is genuine, it is honest, and it is him!...I will never watch 'The Tholian Web' again without thinking about an orbital rocket defense network, how many mirrors and how much gas it takes to make a laser, or the dangers of hidden rocks and waterfalls in a river again...And I appreciate that...
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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Richards, a seasoned rocket scientist, shares a series of enthralling stories that not only detail his experiences with the unpredictable and the extraordinary but also serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The title of the book itself, which combines seemingly unrelated concepts like potatoes and Star Trek, alludes to the wide variety of experiences that take place inside its pages. Richards skillfully crafts a story that flows from almost fatal meetings with "The Potato" to unplanned contacts with Gene Roddenberry, the man responsible for creating Star Trek. The commonplace and the remarkable are juxtaposed to produce a lively and captivating story that has readers flipping pages with eagerness.
Read full review by Deb Patrick, TheBookReview.com
"Wisdom of Space and Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author Richards' memoir is classic storytelling through the eras. I liked the black and white photos of iconic moments coloured by the words and my imagination. I wanted to know the author beyond his external stories and he delivered his inner fears and triumphs quenching my curiosities about his life motives. I recommend this book.
--Tom Dutta, Host The Quiet Warrior Show, TedTalks speaker, Author, Business Consultant
"What a beautiful book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I returned to Solvang yesterday, following a three week absence, to find a copy of Chet's book. I could hardly wait to read it, and started flipping through some of the stories immediately. 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
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Great read. Some thoughts and reminiscences from a well lived (and slightly worn) life!
I’m sincerely glad that I read this book! The first page left me with a lump in my throat. The final page left me (literally) with tears in my eyes...He is so compelling that by the time he is telling us about his father, mother, and grandfather’s hernia, I’m committed and genuinely care about them, and I found myself rooting for their success even though they have already been gone by the time the book was written...He also describes the ‘potato’, but not until you’re 66% through the book, and it is the absolute LAST thing that you could possibly imagine it to be...The book is genuine, it is honest, and it is him!...I will never watch 'The Tholian Web' again without thinking about an orbital rocket defense network, how many mirrors and how much gas it takes to make a laser, or the dangers of hidden rocks and waterfalls in a river again...And I appreciate that...
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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Richards, a seasoned rocket scientist, shares a series of enthralling stories that not only detail his experiences with the unpredictable and the extraordinary but also serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The title of the book itself, which combines seemingly unrelated concepts like potatoes and Star Trek, alludes to the wide variety of experiences that take place inside its pages. Richards skillfully crafts a story that flows from almost fatal meetings with "The Potato" to unplanned contacts with Gene Roddenberry, the man responsible for creating Star Trek. The commonplace and the remarkable are juxtaposed to produce a lively and captivating story that has readers flipping pages with eagerness.
Read full review by Deb Patrick, TheBookReview.com
"Wisdom of Space and Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author Richards' memoir is classic storytelling through the eras. I liked the black and white photos of iconic moments coloured by the words and my imagination. I wanted to know the author beyond his external stories and he delivered his inner fears and triumphs quenching my curiosities about his life motives. I recommend this book.
--Tom Dutta, Host The Quiet Warrior Show, TedTalks speaker, Author, Business Consultant
"What a beautiful book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I returned to Solvang yesterday, following a three week absence, to find a copy of Chet's book. I could hardly wait to read it, and started flipping through some of the stories immediately. 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
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I loved From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond, Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist by Chester L. Richards...
The author made a conscious decision early on to seek adventure in his life, and has he ever. Rather than having a beginning, middle, and an end, this book is a series of stand-alone essays about those adventures...He starts right off with a chapter from the title. When he was a graduate student, he and his friend Judy decided to write a script for Star Trek. Much to their surprise the powers-that-be liked it. He and Judy were swept up into the vortex that was TV production in the 1960s. The experience was enough to convince him that he didn’t want to be a professional writer and to convince Judy that she did.
Adventures that were more physical involved paddling down unexplored rivers in Africa, another thing I love reading about (but would not want to do).
I particularly enjoyed the chapters that involved engineering. My husband was a structural engineer and he also had fascinating stories to tell, something I didn’t expect from what I had thought of as a dry enterprise.
Richards’ final story is called 'The Original War Baby' (World War II, for you youngsters). Unfortunately for him, I’m a week older than he is, so I’m taking that title away from him."
--Caroline McCollough. From “Page Turners,” July 2023 issue of Mensa Bulletin.
The author made a conscious decision early on to seek adventure in his life, and has he ever. Rather than having a beginning, middle, and an end, this book is a series of stand-alone essays about those adventures...He starts right off with a chapter from the title. When he was a graduate student, he and his friend Judy decided to write a script for Star Trek. Much to their surprise the powers-that-be liked it. He and Judy were swept up into the vortex that was TV production in the 1960s. The experience was enough to convince him that he didn’t want to be a professional writer and to convince Judy that she did.
Adventures that were more physical involved paddling down unexplored rivers in Africa, another thing I love reading about (but would not want to do).
I particularly enjoyed the chapters that involved engineering. My husband was a structural engineer and he also had fascinating stories to tell, something I didn’t expect from what I had thought of as a dry enterprise.
Richards’ final story is called 'The Original War Baby' (World War II, for you youngsters). Unfortunately for him, I’m a week older than he is, so I’m taking that title away from him."
--Caroline McCollough. From “Page Turners,” July 2023 issue of Mensa Bulletin.
Jeffery J. Puschell, Ph.D.
Title / Principal Engineering Fellow
Chief Scientist, Space Systems
Raytheon Intelligence & Space
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
SPIE Fellow
NASA GXI Phase A Study Lead
NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
NASA EVI-5 GLIMR Instrument Scientist
Chief Scientist, Space Systems
Raytheon Intelligence & Space
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
AIAA Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
SPIE Fellow
NASA GXI Phase A Study Lead
NASA ESTO IRIS Principal Investigator
NASA EVI-5 GLIMR Instrument Scientist
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What can I tell you about my friend of decades, Chester L. Richards? He’s a fine musician, a rocket scientist, a wonderful writer and an adventurer, but most of all, he married well.”
--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.
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--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.
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Marilyn Scott-Waters, Writer and Illlustrator. Her works include:
Title / “The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself,” “Haunted Histories,” “The Search For Vile Things.”
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I would highly recommend From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. The book is informative, even educational, but author Chester L. Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout.
The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones.
Chester’s book made me look back at my own life and consider what experiences I have had that might be as interesting to others. (Personally, I would never visit a country whose army actively reduces its population.) For better or worse, the number of harrowing moments I’ve had are much scarcer. (Be on the lookout early next year for my autobiographical pamphlet.)
Happy Reading!
--Steve Pastis
Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chester’s Friend
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The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones.
Chester’s book made me look back at my own life and consider what experiences I have had that might be as interesting to others. (Personally, I would never visit a country whose army actively reduces its population.) For better or worse, the number of harrowing moments I’ve had are much scarcer. (Be on the lookout early next year for my autobiographical pamphlet.)
Happy Reading!
--Steve Pastis
Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chester’s Friend
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Steve Pastis
Author, Fables for the Clarinet, Elk and Penguin Stories, Ten Good Reasons to Fix that Airplane. Writer/Editor The Good Life publication for seniors. Chet’s Friend
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I was so moved from the first words, about how the author wrote these stories as a tribute to his wife, and as a way to heal after she died. What a wonderful way to deal with the pain so many of us experience. And the Star Trek story -- really interesting to see how the process in Hollywood works. And the story of The Potato, and all the other adventures that kept almost killing him. And the rocket science stories. I loved those…as a former technologist, I’m always interested in knowing how science works.”
-- Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
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-- Mary Kenner, Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
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Mary Kenner
Associate Editor, RKEdit, retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
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From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist is a highly entertaining and easy to read memoir. The author’s writing style is witty, sometimes close to oral language, and his stories are funny, reflective, and inspiring. Richards’ memoir is a collection of stories from his own life, his experiences, and his ups and downs, but also a heart-warming ode to other people who made him the person he is now. It’s well worth reading!
-- Rose Teague, Reviewer, Books That Make You
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Richards reeled me in with his heartfelt introduction and kept me interested and engaged with his tales of adventure, misadventure, work, and life.
I had never heard of Richards and was concerned that it might be a barrier to my enjoyment but it didn't matter at all. This is the memoir of someone who has lead a truly fascinating life and I'm confident that his stories would entertain any reader.
--BiblioKel, Goodreads Review
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I had never heard of Richards and was concerned that it might be a barrier to my enjoyment but it didn't matter at all. This is the memoir of someone who has lead a truly fascinating life and I'm confident that his stories would entertain any reader.
--BiblioKel, Goodreads Review
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This is a truly inspiring memoir written by a man who has lived an extraordinary life. There is something for everyone between the pages of From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. If you are a science buff, then this rocket scientist has stories for you. If you are a father or son, then you will find something you like. So will fans of Star Trek, science fiction, suspense, travel and more. This is a great book to read while traveling and it will spark your imagination.
--Hannah S., Reviewer, NetGalley
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--Hannah S., Reviewer, NetGalley
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FROM THE POTATO TO STAR TREK & BEYOND really IS a fascinating memoir of a rocket scientist! Chet Richards is a brilliant scientist with eclectic and adventurous tastes. Each memory is presented as a separate and often completely unrelated chapter full of surprising (if not hair-raising) experiences. The reader is forced to keep reading to the end because they WANT to see what happens next. Very unique book.
--Marti, on Amazon and Goodreads
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--Marti, on Amazon and Goodreads
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What a fascinating mind Chet has! This book more than highlighted that, how his various personalities and his experiences touched those around him.
The author got so much from his journey, and it really shows in his writing. Wonderfully written to illustrate not only experiences but relationships.
Read this book. You won’t regret the time you spend doing so, it’s wonderful.
--Samantha T., Goodreads
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The author got so much from his journey, and it really shows in his writing. Wonderfully written to illustrate not only experiences but relationships.
Read this book. You won’t regret the time you spend doing so, it’s wonderful.
--Samantha T., Goodreads
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