From the beginning of "Star Trek," its late creator, Gene Roddenberry, often used US history and current world events as inspiration for his stories. Some of those themes are reflected in Goodman's work.

His "Articles of Federation" strike an especially familiar note.

"Our worlds hold these truths to be self-evident that all species are created equal," with the stated goal "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic and intergalactic tranquility, provide for the common defense, and promote the general welfare," Goodman writes.

The pivotal event of Goodman's history is "The Romulan War" which, he said, has echoes of World War Two. The relationship between "Star Trek"'s Romulan emperor and his admiral was inspired by Japan's wartime admiral, Isoroku Yamamoto, Goodman added.

The class of spaceships that included Captain Kirk's Enterprise, and the way their construction was farmed out across the Federation, was inspired by the B-52 bomber program, which spread over several US states to gain wide political support.

And the character of Captain Jonathan Archer from the 2001-2005 TV series "Star Trek: Enterprise" is "the George Washington of the founding of the Federation," Goodman said.

The book comes housed in a plastic pedestal display which lights up with the push of a button to the familiar voice of actor George Takei as Admiral Hikaru Sulu introducing the history.

"A deluxe history book" was the idea behind the book's design, said design manager Rosanna Brockley. "We really wanted it to look elegant."

"Star Trek Federation - The First 150 Years" is published by 47NORTH and produced by becker&mayer! and has a list price of $99.99.

But if #1SheGeek's comment from StarTrek.com - "I HAVE to have this. I will die without it" - and Alexander's comment from blastr.com - "Shut up and take my money!" - are any indications, Goodman's book may be poised to explore sales numbers that boldly go where few "Star Trek" books have gone before.