by Wil Wheaton
First published 2014
Wil Wheaton achieved early fame as a child actor in Stand By Me and later as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But success in Hollywood didn't bring him happiness or financial security. He made an unconventional choice to leave the entertainment industry and start over. His journey led him to Topeka, Kansas, where he discovered his true identity as a geek at heart. Wheaton chronicles his transformation from struggling former teen star to successful writer and blogger. He explores the challenges of being forever linked to Ensign Crusher in the public mind and his frustration with a stalled acting career. The book details his discovery of web design, HTML, and blogging, which eventually launched his popular website wilwheaton.net. Wheaton writes candidly about personal moments, including his reaction to September 11th and his relationships with his wife and stepchildren. Through honest storytelling and self-deprecating humor, he shows how he rebuilt his career and found genuine fulfillment by embracing his geek identity and connecting with others who share his passions.
Genres: autobiography, computers, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Topeka, Kansas
Period: 21st-century
ebook · O'Reilly Media