Intriguing look at possibilities of Star Trek
599323
This book gives a good overview look at each of the major physics-oriented aspects of the Star Trek universe.  Just how likely is it that we will develop transporters, food replicators, or (probably of greatest interest  to most of us) holo suites?  The answers are here in this well written  layman's guide.  This book is best suited for the curious, for those who  wonder if these things will one day be possible.  The authors take us down  each path, sometimes determining that it will be possible, someday, and at  other times, letting us down easy.  I thank the authors for satisfying my  curiosity as well as teaching me some theoretical aspects of physics at the  same time.
2119257
What if "National Geographic" ("Interstellar Geographic?") were still published in Star Trek's time? You might get something like this gorgeous oversized coffee-table book--a National  Geographic-style study of Star Trek's brave new worlds and new  civilizations. From a first-person account of trekking across Vulcan's  Forge, to a visit to the devastated but under-construction Starfleet  Academy, to the mysterious Q Continuum, this series of gorgeously  illustrated essays treats the Trek universe through the eyes of (and in the  style of) science writers and travel essayists, showing the ordinary Joe  (and Jane and Q'yxk) of the 24th century about the worlds of their vast  Federation. An eclectic and attractive mix of illustrators (I especially  enjoyed the work of Dave McKean, better known for his "Sandman"  covers) makes this a true illustrated treat in the  vein of all those  oversized National Geographic books. While there might be some quibbling  among Trek fans about the pieces included (would the Federation really let  information out to the general public on Q, or the Guardian of Forever?),  every section is a delight and a great gift for the Trek fan.
821675
I felt like I was reading an early Star Trek. The characters were likeable and interesting. I will want to read the sequels.
120935
Star Trek is a huge universe with many worlds and cultures with which to play. One of the more fascinating cultures in that universe are the Cardassians. Originally a slightly more dressed up Nazi allegory, they have since evolved into an interesting look at militarization, nationalism, xenophobia and the fall of bureaucracy. While Deep Space Nine and it's associated books have given us good insight into their culture, Una McCormack has increased that infor manifold. Utilizing her own previous experiences writing the Cardassians and borrowing heavily from A STITCH IN TIME - one of the best Trek novels ever, written by the actor who played Garak - Ms. McCormack gives us a LeCarr-esque political thriller.

THE CRIMSON SHADOW occurs concurrently with the inferior preceding volume REVELATION AND DUST and takes us slightly beyond that plot. The story revolves around former spy, assassin, exile and current Ambassador Garak as he tries to save his world from the political fallout of a high profile assassination and threats from within. We learn a lot about who Garak is now, after years of living and associating with humans for so long. You can hear Andrew J. Robinson while reading Garak's lines and we also get something of a culmination to Garak's post-Series character arc. We do get some due focus on Ravel Dygan, the Cardassian exchange officer serving on the Enterprise. As well, we're introduced to a few new Cardassians who round out our experience of their world.

The political action takes course in the more dour and slow manner of a John LeCarr novel, so those expecting high speed chases need not apply. We're also treated some pretty deft allegory, especially compared to the more hammfisted attempts of the first book in THE FALL. Mindful readers will probably be able to pick out shades of England's UKIP or America's Tea Party in the rhetoric of the Cardassia First party. Allusions to America's withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as similarities to post-WWII Germany. While they can be easily picked out, they don't scream from attention in the way that other easy metaphors do in Trek. Picard and his crew are sideline operators for much of the narrative, but we do get some good scenes between Picard and Garak that feel true to both characters. There is some oddity in that Worf and Garak, who served together, don't have any scenes together and Worf never talks about Garak other than in the abstract. I'm not looking for Garak and Worf to throw back a beer but a passing scene of batting witty rejoinders at each other would have gone far.

This one reads fast and is pretty gripping. The action is entirely contained to Cardassia and is more focused on its main characters. How far the ramifications of this story will go in the overall THE FALL storyline remain to be scene, but so far this has been a high point.
3698318
This novel continued the adventures of the characters in the Star Trek Universe, featuring familiar faces from TNG, DS9 and Voyager.

Continuing the war with the Borg, Captain Ezri Dax discovers a ship that had been missing for over 200 years.  Likewise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard leads the front against the Borg, and Captain Will Riker attempts to explore new avenues of defeating the enemy as well.

Exploration, fighting and discovering a new means of rapid transportation across the galaxy abound.

Definitely a great read for fans of the more recent programs and novels.
512966
Peter David once again produces another gem in the Star Trek New Frontier Series. This is the volume which ties up many loose ends and develops interesting new possibilities. There are some suprises tossed in to keep you thinking. It is well worth the read. This is a Star Trek Series that keeps you involed from one of the best authors around.
3247238
Back in the day of Captain Kirk and Spock, Federation scientists find something hinky on planet Ravanar IV: a sampled mold is inexplicably sporting colossal amounts of genetic material. What if this "meta-genome" is the work of an advanced alien race of incredible technological sophistication?, they wonder. Driven to learn more about the origins and meaning of this mysterious "meta-genome" but afraid to attract alien attention, the Federation attempts to hide a flurry of scientific and archaeological investigation inside a program of colonization ("Who me? I'm just going to the store"). Both the above-board and the surreptitious part of this mission are run out of brand-spanking-new Starbase 47 "Vanguard". When one of the investigations goes awry and leads to the destruction of a Federation starship by Tholian battle cruisers, the difficulties and hazards of maintaining a secret research program are brought home to Starbase Commander Diego Reyes and the people around him.

STAR TREK VANGUARD: HARBINGER has much of the flavor of the original "Star Trek" TV show, combining action, adventure, a bit of silliness, a bit of camp, a bit of melodrama, and a lot of faux science and tech. Like the show, it is both a Western -- expanding into the wild frontier -- and a Cold War drama -- the Federation, the Klingons, the Tholians, and the Romulans each attempting to deceive and out-maneuver the others.

HARBINGER doesn't have much of a plot; its main purpose is to set the scene for subsequent volumes in the series. It does its job just fine, drawing up a colorful multi-ethnic, multi-species set of characters, sketching out the lines for future battles, setting an appropriate tone. It's easy to read, competently written, unpretentious, and free of glaring lapses in judgment or taste -- just what you would hope for in a Trek book.
2310727
This second book in a (hopefully continuing) series explores familiar Star Trek storylines albeit with slight alterations. The first story is from the Star Trek II & III/Genesis/Khan era, but with the major change of Spock having died as a child, and Kirk has an Andorian first officer. The second story showcases a Bajor that had not been liberated, and the third story displays a Next Generation alternative where androids are populous throughout.

The different writers are carefully keeping events in context, but with new subtext that takes the reader on different paths than those they are familiar with. An excellent read - pick up the first one as well!
808293
I am a Star Trek fan.  This is the first series that deviateD from the strict dictates of Gene Rodenberry.  There is dissension among the crew on occasion and the result is even more interesting and diverse.  I especially enjoy the way the crew melds together when necessary.  In all there is still Rodenberry's vision of a better future.  Some hope that we survive ourselves in these times to become something better.
4966978
This book (as did its predecessor) takes a different tack from most book on Star Trek, focusing on the origin and writing of the stories along with the production and politics involved in producing the show. It reveals that Star Trek was doomed not by low ratings, but by high production costs and Roddenberry's inability to suffer fools gladly  (and keep it in his pants).

An interesting read for Trek fans.
2794634
An interesting plot twist with a good space opera ride.  Ryk Brown has developed the series with many more possibilities for future plots.
2864815
I liked it hence 4*, it could perhaps do with a proof read and some editing for continuity and factual content, not for the science fiction elements which obviously are not expected to be factual but plausible and I felt that they were plausible.
Initially I was not sure where the story was going with the initial chapter with "depraved acts", the author's words and this chapter could easily have been omitted and made the book more suitable for all ages. However after this the story moves on a pace and does now seem to be a conspiracy theory book with one side trying to investigate a UFO sighting and one preventing the investigation. About halfway through the book it turns into pure science fiction with a number of interesting ideas. I am not sure the romance elements work very well although they do enable a "James Bond" type ending
However an interesting book with lots of new ideas but could do with a bit of a polish.
863422
The premise of a double identity as envisioned in this narrative adds depth to the development of the main characters. The author's power of enticing the reader into this world created by words is believable. There was not reservation about accepting the premise,. The exchange of time and locale seems no more incredible than the "beam me up, Scotty!" does for fans of Star Trek.

If I were the protagonist who fell in love, how would I manage the relationship with my lover who also has this other person available for counsel, help, comfort? It remains a questions through the tale and is one of the qualities that holds the reader's interest. In my opinion. However double helpings are not always manageable!
325386
The most recent reboot of the Star Trek legacy has done an excellent job of putting a new spin on a time honored theme. If you are a Trekkie, it is interesting to note the similarities and departures. The concept of creating an "alternate reality" of the original Star Trek series is very effective and entertaining. If the writers continue to produce quality scripts, this version of Star Trek could easily exceed the original five-year mission.
1862727
This film by William Shatner is interesting, primarily to those who are fans of Star Trek.  Mr. Shatner flies around the world and interviews the actors who have played Captain Kirk and other captains involved with Star Trek.  Most of the actors have classical training and the work on Star Trek had profound effect on them.  Some of that effect may attributed to the extensive fan base related to Star Trek.
261156
This episode captures the Star Trek spirit quite well in several respects. First, this episode deals with the question "what is life?" and invites the viewer to take on an open mind. It turns out that one of the explanations for the mystery that the crew encounter in the opening of the episode is in fact a new type of life form. Second, we get to see how humans deal with the emotional aspects of discovery, failure, and the unknown. The terra-forming crew members each exhibit a different trait such as obsession over the project, disbelief in the new life form, and sadness at their failure. Captain Picard, as usual, exhibits very decisive, pragmatic, and appropriate leadership throughout. There are some moments where solutions are found a bit too easily, or it seemed that the writers just had a "writer's moment" of conveniently placing a bit of information into the dialogue, but overall, this did not detract from the episode's main theme. In sum, this is a very good episode, and very "Star Trek" in what it presents to the viewers.
1622545
Although the premise behind Deep Space Nine was that of a run-down space station at the edge of nowhere, by the middle of the second season, life seemed to be getting a little too easy for the crew of the station.  Not to say that they didn't have problems, but the adversaries and adversities they faced weren't a thousand miles away from the type of troubles that beset the crew of the USS Enterprise.  But the end of the second season of Deep Space Nine changed all that.
For almost two years, the wormhole had been attracting all sorts of relatively positive attention towards the station.  Scientists, explorers, and Ferengi business were all attracted to this spatial oddity in hopes of furthering their own interests.  But in the season finale to the second year, the series was completely turned around when the wormhole suddenly becomes a threat -- beyond it lies the mighty Dominion, who appear to be taking a very proactive, almost Rumsfeldian role in their "defense".  Suddenly, the people on the station are frightened and scared.  A Dominion attack could come at any moment.  In the third season we see Starfleet sending, not a scientific research starship, but an experimental warship, so powerful and unstable that it is almost a menace to itself.
This was the shot in the arm that Deep Space Nine needed.  Not only is this a cantankerous old space station in the middle of nowhere, but now it's a cantankerous old space station in the middle of nowhere that could come under overwhelming attack at any time.  The change in premise seemed to energize the writing and production staff.  Even the stories that do not directly involve themselves with the running story seem like a step up from the past two years.  Although Deep Space Nine hadn't been a bad series in the past by any means, we can see it developing further in this season.
As with the last two DVD box sets, the extras here are geared mostly towards the third season.  Documentaries focus on revealing the makeup "secrets" or unearthing the original design sketches of the various buildings and spaceships seen during this year.  There's also a special on Odo, featuring Rene Auberjonois who these days appears to be basing his look on that of Santa Claus.  Again with this set, the documentaries are on the short size, mostly five to ten minutes long (I doubt there is one over a quarter of an hour).
Season three slowly ratchets up the tension, mixing standalone episodes with stories that enhance the overall arc.  The big story and the characters are moving along nicely now, and the changes in the series fundamentals gave the producers and writers some great new potential for stories in the future.