Portraits of American Genius

It is Roddenberry's time in the book world, as witnessed by Gene Roddenberry by Joel Engel (Nonfiction Forecasts, Mar. 21) and Star Trek Creator by David Alexander (Nonfiction Forecasts, May 16)--and now this volume, which is the most reverential. The tone is set by the book's inclusion in a new UC series, Portraits of American Genius. Fern, an ex-nun and a Trekkie, lived with Roddenberry and his wife during the last year of his life (1990-91) and views him as a visionary. Their discussions dealt with questions like ``What is life,'' ``What is the role of faith in human existence?'' and other staples of pop metaphysics, plus a bit about Roddenberry's psychology. The book will appeal primarily to the most devoted Trekkies, who will not be daunted by such terms as ``mind-meld,'' ``Borgs,'' ``IDIC'' and ``pon farr.'' $30,000 ad / promo; author tour. (Aug.)