Product Description
In retaliation for stepping on some high-ranking toes, maverick career diplomat Benton Hawkes finds himself posted to Mars, where slavelike living conditions, unfulfilled promises, and discontent have brought the planet to a state of open revolt. Reprint. PW. " ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Shatner comes into his own with a vengeance
Many authors take a while to come into their own, and Star Trek's William Shatner has done it with a vengeance in Man O' War, the first of two Benton Hawkes novels.Hawkes, the novel's protagonist, is an ambassador sent to mediate a rather thorny dispute between Red Planet, Inc, owners of the colony on Mars, and the men and women employed as laborers there.Upon arriving, however, he finds that the men and women of the workforce are kept as virtual slaves, barely earning enough to survive while being worked to death in the underground caverns of the Martian colony.Having discovered beforehand that someone with a high-ranking position back on Earth has taken out a contract on his life, Hawkes then undertakes a second mission: to find out just who is behind the plot to assassinate him.What he uncovers has far-reaching consequences that will affect not only the Martian colony, but the Earth as well.

I have found Man O' War to be a very good book, and Shatner seems to have found his niche as a Sci-Fi author in writing it.It's fast-paced, exciting, and a cracking good adventure that will appeal to fans of the s/f genre as well as those who might just enjoy a good mystery now and again.I promise that anyone who picks up this tome will not be sorry they did.

Entertaining and fun.Shatner makes good.
This novel is wonderful for what it tries to be.It isn't so much about a person, but about a person who gets thrown unwillingly into interglobal intrigue and is still able to keep on his toes.Wonderful and subtlehumor, and interesting character motivations are only a few of the goodthings about this book.Read it for fun.

Terrific! Anxious to read "The Law of War"
Benton Hawkes is superb. I didn't think it was possible but Shatner out did Kirk with this wonderful charactor. I have read this book several times & will again. I have & will continue to recommend this book to myfriends & others. The action scenes keep you on the edge of your seat,& just when you think you can relax, Shatner lets you have it again.It's like a dramatic piece of music. I listen to my vamped music, which ispowerful, which intensifies the book all the more.Many thanks to Mr.Shatner for this & the rest of his books.

A Martian Sci-Fi action story that is a lot of fun.
A hard fisted, straight talking diplomat is given a tough job. He must bring peace to revolt-ready 21st century Mars, avert a world-wide disaster that could kill millions, and uncover a plot that includes the plannedmurder of the Martian governor, a position to which he has just beenassigned. Benton Hawkes takes on all types of enemies, from bomb plantingtraitors, murderous assasins, space pirates and cunning politicans as hetries to get to the bottom of his own attempted murder and a plan thataffects the 21st century breadbasket for Earth's population, Mars. Thestory is full of action with gunfights, riots, hand-to-hand fights inspace, and pitched battles on the Martian surface.Sure Benton Hawkes isalways in danger and he will always find a way out of it.The storyreminds you of an old Saturday matinee where you know that the hero willbeat the bad guys in the end, but the fun is in how they get to that place. If you want a deep technical science fiction story that explains the greatsecrets of humankind and the universe, then this probably isn't for you. However, if you enjoy a story with action and enough of a plot to keep youwith a few mysteries till the end, this story from Mr. Shatner will giveyou several hours of enjoyable reading.

Captain is out of his depth
An actor writing his own action scenes, stolen from the umpteen thousand shows he's already been in.Snore... The planet Mars a bread basket for Earth.Mars is a dead rock desert so far out that the cost oftransportation alone would make a lump of dung more expensive thanemeralds.Why doesn't he make the Gobi Desert the bread basket for Earthinstead? He sets it in the middle of the 21st century?He might as wellhave said 31st century, 41st century, anything.He apparently never heardof the Rocket Equation. In summary, this books s**** eggplant bigtime onthe score of believability alone. The rest is a poor clone of a TJ Hookermovie of the week. ... Read more

Product Description
A contest to determine whether there is life after death pits Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle against each other in a battle of rhetoric and wit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

interesting novel about a strange historical event
The novel describes how the "Scientific American" in 1923 starts a special contest (to raise its sagging circulation): everyone who can give proof that there is life after death and you can get in contact with the spirits of the deceased, that one can divine the future, do something supernatural ... will win a price money of several thousand dollars.Spirtism was a great hype at this time.The "Scientific American" choses as judges Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes who in later years turned spiritist and believer in ghosts, divination, etc.) and Harry Houdini (rational magician who always worked to reveal self-proclaimed spiritists as fraudsters who are making money from people mourning for their lost ones).

The interesting and rather surprising fact about this storyline is: it is true!Of course the dialogues, several details and several supporting characters are more or less made up for the book, but the general background events really happened - so it makes the book a very interesting reading.You learn more about the lifes of Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle (everything seems to be well researched by the authors as far as I can say from looking some of it up in biographies).And the authors try to present Doyle's and Houdini's points of view without unfair prejudgement and give reasons and "proofs" for both views.But that's also the thing that might dissatisfy the reader most, especially if he does not believe in spiritism, like me, because some of those "proofs" for supernatural powers given in the novel are obviously made up for "artistical" reasons.

Flawed by quite good
This was by no means a master work.But I found it engaging as a yarn and insightful as a treatment of Houdini, and of his time battling to expose shadowy mediums and hucksters.I read it all in one big gulp and wanted more.

William Shatners Not So Good First Attempt.
Not very captivating... unless you know alot about Houdini ... Read more

Product Description

One man holds the key to an Empire as vast as the stars

Jim Endicott is a man with a secret--hidden even from himself. Encoded in his DNA is a cybernetic weapon that can alter the balance of power in the Galaxy--for good or evil. But all Jim knows is that his dreams are shattered and he must take destiny into his own hands as a mercenary, a warrior for sale to the highest bidder.

The dreaded Hunzza fleet, the deadliest armada in the Universe, is armed to destroy Jim's home planet and the star that gives it life. Now, Jim must discover the truth about himself and decide which side he's really on, for the secret in his DNA is the only force that can save the galaxy before it's too late!In this second Quest for Tomorrow novel, the famed Star Trekstar and author continues a series that is crackling with high-tech action, rich with memorable characters, and bright with the glow of a legend in the making."Inventive, well plotted, interestingly peopled, deftly paced and controlled: a quantum leap ahead for Shatner."
--Kirkus Reviews ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Disappointing sequel to the first "Quest" story.
It may be that the first "Quest" book had a ghost writer, or maybe Shatner had to hurry through this.The segues are confusing and the characters have absolutely no depth.AND THIS FROM A SPACE OPERA FAN!! I'll return and read the third installment, but only out of respect forShatner's other work.

interesting
A good light read. I emphized with Jim, but it seemed a little tocontrived and drawn out - with everything a little too artifical. Slightlyconfusing in parts, I would borrow it from the library but not but itmyself

A quick reading book
I enjoyed the plot. It had a few poor transitions between events but ifyou look past them the story flows well.

Great sequel!
Shatner is getting to be a great writer and I was really impressed!I liked the first book so much, I bought this book while it was still only out in a hardback version just so I could read the sequel right away!I think they should have the sequel come out in paperback sooner though. I do not often pay hardback prices for this type of reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Science FictionLarge Print EditionHigh-tech weaponry, spectacular action scenes, and breakneck pacing . . . combines Star Wars and cyperpunk.Publishers Weekly Young Jim Endicott has one dreamto attend the Solis Space Academy, gateway to the stars and the civilization known as the Confederation. Jim doesnt realize that he has a secret encoded in his DNA. A secret that threatens an empire. His Academy application sets off an explosive chain of terror hurling a young man into an adventure way beyond his wildest dreams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

There's better science fiction out there
From other reviews I had read, I had high hopes for "Delta Search." This book didn't meet those expectations at all. The story is contrived and overused, the characters are unrealistic and unattractive, and the ending was inane. This is what one gets when reading the pop culture junk that pervades our society. Please don't waste your time on this book like I did. There are plenty of other great books out there to be found. Now if you are looking for a good novel along a similar line with realistic characters and an engaging story line, I would recommend "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card instead.

Best Book i ever read
William Shatner is now my favourite writer.This Series Quest for Tomorrow is one of the best i've read and the next ones are sure to be just as exciting.... ... Read more

Product Description
Asimov's Foundation trilogy is gathered together for the first time on audio. 3 cassettes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Isaac Asimov Audio Collection
Anyone who enjoys science fiction (NOT science fantasy--science FICTION) will enjoy the works of Isaac Asimov.He writes of a future of humans as humans, and logical advances of scientific gadgets (in the 1940's he wrote of Dr. Seldon using his pocket calculator, and punching in entries; needless to say, the pocket calculator, nor even true computers didn't exist when he wrote this).His stories are pleasant, and it is easy to use your imagination when it involves human beings as we know them.They just happen to have been born in the distant future, and live lives as we understand, and Isaac Asimov works them into plots, easy to understand, and at the end you will be baffled as to why you didn't see the logical outcome he so brilliantly brought to you. ... Read more

Product Description
The scum of the galaxy are the last hope of humankind . . .

Aboard the stolen, renamed starship Endeavor, the Stone Cowboys rocket across the heavens toward a confrontation they cannot avoid . . . and, most likely, will not survive. But first, Jim Endicott must mold the street-hardened gang of thugs and hoodlums into a disciplined commando unit. Once harboring dreams of joining the Space Academy, Endicott has already altered one past using the astonishing powers of Omega. And now the untried captain and his misfit crew must take on a powerful alien race devoted to the obliteration of the human "cancer." With tension, unrest, and mutiny brewing dangerously all around him, Endicott faces the deadliest challenge he has ever known. Because the cutthroats riding the Endeavor into the enemy's turf for a war to the death are the only champions courageous -- and foolhardy -- enough for the mission. And they have nothing in the universe left to lose . . .

Customer Reviews (3)

Kolumban Drug Cartel
Shadow Planet is the fifth in the Quest for Tomorrow series.These novels are fairly light science fiction.While intended for young adults, they also can be enjoyable reading for adults.

In the previous novel, Jim Endicott has discovered that aliens are supplying a deadly drug to the crew and passengers of the colony ship Outward Bound.He convinces the Stone Cowboys youth gang, who have been distributing the drug, to help him assault the alien ship, killing all but one of the alien crew.He then becomes Captain, renames the ship Endeavor, and sets a course toward Kolumba, the alien's home planet.

This novel begins with another set of aliens, the Communers, completely destroying the Outward Bound.The Communers are using the Kolumbans as stooges to attack the Terran Confederation.While the Kolumbans were originally noble savages, so to speak, the Communers have subverted them to consumerism by giving out picture boxes showing various sentients, including humans, using flashy cars and other goods.Sound familiar?

This series has an old fashion, pulp-era feel.While Shatner introduces contemporary scientific and technological concepts, they are usually only nonessential props rather than central elements of the plot.He also overuses coincidence to resolve problems, so the plot seems jerky at times.Moreover, only Jim Endicott shows any character growth;everyone else is fully defined when they are introduced.Overall, it would make a good script for a TV movie, but is not serious literature.

Recommended for young adults and more mature readers who don't mind a little light reading while awaiting the next Robert Jordan novel.

Quest for Tomorrow: Shadow Planet
Quest for Tomorrow: Shadow Planet written by William Shatner is a gripping space saga. Shatner's writting ability is getting better as we see in this book.

This is Shatner's fifth book in this series called Quest for Tomorrow and his ability to continue to write in the series must come from his own life. I found the book to move quite rapidly once you start reading as Jim Endicott finds new life, he battles an insect race called the Communers. Drugs are killing people and are sold by the Kolumbians.

This book reminds me, in short, of a soap-opera or a western but with a space motif. Shatner does pace this book well and there are the twists and turns you'd expect. This is a very well-written and a high-tech thriller. As mankind starts to colonize the universe they will eventually meet some who think the colonization is threatening and will resort to covert actions. Thus, Shatner's book in a nutshell... but the ending I'll leave for the reader to enjoy.

The book hinges on hope and there are those who will like it for that reason alone. I have this nagging thought though, does Shatner have a ghost writer for this series if so who is it.If Shatner is writing this series by himself than more power to him this isseries, Quest for Tomorrow is an excellent Sci-fi grouping.

great space opera
In the far distant future, mankind has colonized so many worlds that they are perceived to be a threat by the Communers, an insect like race with a hive mentality.Humanity doesn't know about this deadly enemy because the Communers prefer to remain in the shadows using guerrilla tactics and other races to destroy their enemy.Terran colony ships housing ten million humans are being given drugs that will cause mass destruction.

The Stone Cowboys, led by teenagers Kerry Korrigan and Jim Endicott figure out the truth and hijack the Kolumban ship, the Endeavor, killing all its' crew save one.Somehow, some way, they intend to stop the Kolumbans from producing the drugs that will harm humanity.However when he learns that the Communers deceived the Kolumbans, Jim must come up with a plan that will save both races from their common enemy.

William Shatner of Star Trek fame has made the transition from actor to writer very successfully.His "Quest For Tomorrow" series is great space opera in the tradition of Arthur C. Clarke and Andre Norton.SHADOW PLANET is full of heroic action, exotic aliens, and a young, bright, charismatic leader (think Luke Skywalker) who takes an ex-gang and forms them into a fierce fighting unit.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Product Description
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise^TM

Her five-year mission: To explore strange, new worlds; To seek out new life and new civilizations; To boldly go where no man has gone before..."^TM

These words, first spoken on television on September 8, 1966, gave the world its first glimpse of Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future. Since that day nearly thirty years ago, Star Trek® has become the most incredible collaborative effort ever seen in motion pictures, television, and publishing -- a phenomenon that has inspired seven movies, four television series, and a line of bestselling books. Star Trek's popularity is astounding; nearly fifty percent of the American public identify themselves as Star Trek fans.

To celebrate Star Trek's heroic future vision for humanity, Pocket Books is pleased to present the updated, full-color, illustrated history of the Star Trek phenomenon: Where No One Has Gone Before^TM: A History in Pictures. From the genesis of The Original Series to the short-lived animated series, to the aborted second television series in the late 1970s, to Star Trek's resurgence in the movies and an incredible three more hit television shows, this is the complete Star Trek story -- an epic tale that now spans thirty years.

With more than thirty pages of new material, Where No One Has Gone Before is the ultimate collector's edition and features personal accounts, anecdotes, and full-color photographs from the actors, fans, and backstage professionals who helped make the show so incredibly popular.

The entertaining and informative text provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the world of Star Trek and includes essays by the master of science fiction and science fact, the late Dr. Isaac Asimov. The photo selection is the result of an exhaustive, national search for the best in Star Trek photography.

Where No One Has Gone Before is a book for all Star Trek fans, from the most loyal enthusiast to the causal viewer -- anyone who has marveled at adventures that continue to transport us all to the final frontier. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An illustrated love letter to Star Trek....
Over the years, many books have been written about Star Trek's growth from a popular-yet-low-rated television series to the huge cultural phenomenon it is today.Some are strictly technical (Gene Roddenberry and Stephen Whitfield's The Making of Star Trek), others are a mix of in-depth analysis and insider's insights (David Gerrold's The World of Star Trek), while still others are personal memoirs (William Shatner's Star Trek Memories).Most of them describe the growing pains of Roddenberry's concept of "Wagon Train to the Stars" and tell the now-familiar story of how NBC commissioned two pilots (rejecting "The Cage" for being too cerebral); how the fans saved the show for a second season but couldn't stop NBC from cancelling Star Trek in 1969; how those same fans kept the spirit of Star Trek alive during the "in-between" decade from the show's debut in syndication to the release of 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

J.M. Dillard, author of many Star Trek novels (The Lost Years, Mindshadow, plus five movie novelizations), contributed the text for Star Trek: Where No One Has Gone Before -- A History in Pictures.Published shortly after Star Trek: The Next Generation ended its seven season run and before both the premiere of the seventh feature film and the debut of Star Trek's third spin-off, Voyager, Where No One Has Gone Before covers Star Trek's first 28 years, from its creative genesis as the proposed chronicles of Starfleet Capt. Robert April and the Starship Yorktown to the pre-production of Star Trek: Voyager (which ended its run in 2001).

Although its well-written and includes two essays by the late great Isaac Asimov, informative sidebars in each chapter and an introduction by William Shatner, Where No One Has Gone Before's main asset is the wealth of pictures, many of them publicty shots of the several casts, but also many stills from the Original Series, the short-lived animated series, the first seven Star Trek features, and the first two spinoff series.

And even though it is a history of Star Trek, don't look for juicy "dark" revelations about the troubles (real or imagined) behind the scenes.Jeffrey Hunter's departure from the show is never examined in detail (the book Captain's Logs, an unauthorized history of Star Trek, blames Hunter for being excessively demanding, telling producers what camera angles not to use when photographing Capt. Pike and other prima donna behavior).It's not written as an expose -- Dillard, after all, is a Star Trek fan who also is an authorized Star Trek writer, and the intended audience is, of course, the vast number of other Star Trek fans.

A STAR TREK FAN'S DELIGHT!
It took Leonard Nimoy almost three decades to finally admit that he was Spock.It hasn't quite taken me that long to admit to being a "Trekker".The fear of being labeled a "geek" or a "nerd" was so overwhelming that I would shun any mention of the show outside of my circle of fellow Trek fans.

Well, I have come out of the Star Trek "closet", proudly announcing my enjoyment of all things Trek, past and present.This book is a treasure for those of us that have followed the original series as well as the subsequent spin-offs as of the book's publication.

Insightful background on the various shows along with great photographic stills and illustrations makes this a "must-have" for the devoted follower.

It's definitely for those of us grateful for the "journey" of which Gene Roddenberry initiated back in the mid-sixties.

It's also a good primer for those that don't quite understand what all the fuss was about.

Review of the past
This book aims to be a review of the series in pictures, and it does it very well. A lot of shots with great quality throughout the book makes it very enjoyable reading. An extensive reference for all series, even the animated ST:TOS. A lot of interesting behind-the-scenes information makes this book more then a bunch of pictures. Half of the book is on TOS, we also get a good section on DS9 (no Voyager, as it has been written in 1994). All and all, a great collection book for the Star Trek fan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (69)

A Fun Apocryphal Trek Story
Ashes of Eden takes place before the events of the Star Trek: Generations movie.

Kirk is wallowing in his self-pity over not being in command of a starship. His arch nemesis from the academy has just been promoted to Chief of Operations which leads Kirk to quit Starfleet.

At the announcement ceremony, Kirk notices a mysterious woman who is part Klingon, part Romulan. Their paths connect again during a daring attack in Kirk's apartment.

The woman, Teilani, begs Kirk to help her protect her planet from attack. Her planet which boasts eternal youth needs protection from a 65 year old man?


Shatner had help in writing this book - as he does in the following Trek books - from Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. They know how to write popcorn novels.

While these books fit in as a sort of apocryphal storyline, they are quite enjoyable for the Trek fans.

You get to see some of the original crew back in action as old fellas and teaming up with The Next Generation crew.

You also see how Shatner used this book to reach out to fellow Trekian, Jimmy Doohan (Scotty) and ask for forgiveness for the way their relationship fell apart.

This book did so well commercially that Shatner and his team were asked to write additional Kirk/Picard novels.

My First Star Trek Novel.
I am 31 years old and I have been a Star Trek fan since I was about 9 or 10.However, until now I have never read a Star Trek book. I guess now that I am out of school and have more time on my hands I can read more for fun instead of an assignment.I also haven't had a new Star Trek adventure in a few years now via TV or the big screen so I decided to start checking out the adventures that have been coming out since the beginning of Star Trek.I began with Ashes of Eden!!!!

I enjoyed this book a lot.I was warned before I began that Shatner was basically writing this for himself."William Shatner was aboard the enterprise not Captain Kirk"However, I still got a big kick out of this book.Sure Shatner had Kirk go out on an adventure, having endless sex with a woman 1/3 his age.Not to mention he was the big hero at the end(I didn't ruin anything this is before the movie Generations you know he didn't die). Shatner not only knows the Star Trek Universe but he knows the characters, not just Kirk but all the others too.

Captain Kirk is thinking that his adventures are a think of his past, until he meets a young woman who is offering him one more adventure (among other things)Kirk accepts the mission even though McCoy and Spock do not approve.He heads to a planet out of federation space.What he doesn't know is the new leader of Starfleet decides it time to get revenge of Kirk for something Kirk did in his past.He goes after Kirk and brings along the crew that knows Kirk best.They are all along for the ride.Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura.Shatner brought in past adventures from the TV Series and the movies and combined it with original idea to create a great story.

Next for me is Collision Course by Shatner.

Grade: A-

Excellent
A great story or book on tape for anyone.If you have seen any of the first six Star Trek movies or the original series this is a must hear/read.

Part I of the Kirk Saga.The beginning novel of the greatest Star Trek saga ever written.
Like many great sagas out there the first chapter tends to be the best, and Ashes of Eden proves that theory to be true.The finale of the 10 part Kirk Saga "Captain's Glory" is absolutely superb too, but that review is on another webpage.Anyway, I read this book originally when I was 15 years old when it came out and couldn't put it down.I have recently reread Ashes of Eden as well as its two counterparts "The Return" and "Avenger."(these three novels make up the first trilogy entitled "The odyssey").

This time around I enjoyed Ashes of Eden ten fold.Not only is the book fast paced, full of action, and actually more of a love story, it has many things that trek fans love.Great interaction between the original crew, the Excelsior in action, and the true fate of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A.

If you have never read a Shatner Kirk novel YOU MUST START WITH THIS ONE!William Shatner does a marvelous job building on each novel and when the day comes you finally read the concluding chapter "Captain's Glory", you will be grateful you read them all in order. There are 9 novels totaling the Kirk Saga.

Again, Star Trek Ashes of Eden is a superb novel and arguably one of the greates Star Trek novels ever printed.10/10 A+.

Civilian Kirk Captains the Enterprise Again
This is the first Star Trek novel that William Shatner collaborated on. He has since collaborated on others and written many on his own, in addition to the successful Tek Wars, which was made in to a TV series.I read the original hardback version, which is now out of print.

Here we find a retired, now civilian, James Kirk in a new adventure to save an independent planet recognized by the Federation, but claimed by both the Romulan and the Klingon Empires. Kirk is once again asked to become the Captain of the Enterprise.

But the Enterprise is no longer a Federation Ship. She has now been decommissioned and stripped of much of her equipment, too top-secret to be allowed on a now-civilian vessel.The vessel has been bought by an independent planet, Chal, and handed to Kirk, for his new assignment.That assignment is unclear at first, but the full story gradually is revealed, and Kirk finds himself on a different adventure than he first imagined.

Kirk's former crew under Captain Sulu get caught up in a high-level plot to undermine the whole Federation, and the trail leads right to the top. A showdown occurs at the planet Kirk has been contracted to save, where Kirk's former crew are pitted against Kirk and his new planetary defense force.

Kirk finds himself facing down the Commander in Chief of the Federation, who shows up to join his special team, Sulu and crew, in a new twist of this strange scenario developing on planet Chal.Kirk in his new role on behalf of Chal, is captain of the private, remiliatarized Enterprise as a defense ship for the almost defenseless planet.

A secret treasure of information on the planet holds a key to interpreting this mystery, unexpected even by the beleaguered inhabitants who invited Kirk to develop a defense for them. ... Read more

Product Description

A new life...or is it"?

Jim Endicott isn't himself. Becoming one with the Omega Point, he used its awesome intelligence to alter his own past and save the lives of the only parents he's ever known, But does the alternate Jim remember the past? Dimly aware of his vast Omega powers, Jim must deal with a heartbreaking revelation: Carl and Tabitha, his "parents," aren't who he thinks they are at all! Who are they? And why are they sending him far away on a world-sized starship, crammed with millions of misfits and outlaws?

No longer on the fast track to the Space Academy, Jim falls in with the Stone Cowboys, a deep space street gang that will teach him about courage, loyalty, and love -- in the form of a gangmate named SamanthaForging ahead with his new life, Jim nearly forgets hisformer Omega destiny until "the Heat" appears, a strange narcotic with lethal effects that threatens to take over the ship -- and beyond....

Customer Reviews (3)

Starting Anew
Beyond the Stars (2000) is the fourth SF novel in the Quest for Tomorrow series.In the previous volume, Jim Endicott has used the power of the Omega Point to change the past.In this branch of the multiverse, his mother does not alter his DNA and, while still pursued by Delta and attacked by Commander Steele, his misaimed shot does not kill Carl as in the other timeline.

Jim, Carl and Tabitha all survive the attack, but Carl is badly wounded and Tabitha is in shock.They flee from the cabin to Hannaport on the other side of the mountain.There Jim is put aboard a freighter headed for the Outward Bound, a colony ship.Carl and Tabitha go elsewhere to lure away Delta's forces.On the Outward Bound, Jim becomes friends with the leader of the Stone Cowboys gang and more than friends with Samantha, a Stone Cowgirl.

Jim is alone, in a strange place and surrounded by strangers, with different ways and customs.For the first time, he must fend for himself, make his own path in the world.He has help from the Stone Cowboys, yet he must learn to meet their expectations or they will turn on him.At the same time, he wants to be true to the behavior and beliefs instilled by Carl and Tabitha.

This novel presents a new story of another Jim Endicott.It explores other facets of the ConFed society and other avenues for a young adult.Recommended for Shatner fans and anyone who enjoys young adult SF stories.

-Arthur W. Jordin

A surprisingly good book for its length!
I just finished Beyond The Stars I was pleasantly surprised by the story.I have always like William Shatner books and this was an excellent addition to his collection.The ending did leave something to be desired but I can't wait for the next so I can see what happens to Jim Endicott.

Looking for excitement? Snap into a book about slim Jim
Though there may be a few moans and groans about yet another Shatner novelI must say this one was somewhat riveting though his last book made my headhurt. Perhaps someday Shatner will seal Endicott's fate and give him a goodend (within the next two, hopefully.) ... Read more

Product Description
On the planet Nimbus III, a harsh world deep in the neutral zone, the three major powers -- Federation, Klingon, and Romulan -- attempt a revolutionary cooperative program, jointly developing the planet as an experiment in peace. But that makes Nimbus III an irresistible target for terrorists, who seize control of the planet, and the EnterpriseTM is sent on a daring mission of rescue. And soon Kirk and his crew find themselves on a much more dangerous and disturbing journey, to the center of the galaxy and the forbidden secrets it holds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

AVERAGE OR A LITTLE BETTER THAN MOST STAR TREK NOVELS.


I'm another follower of Star Trek who DID NOT, repeat did not, see this movie.Have boxes full of Star Trek books going back 20 years but had not seen the movie nor had I read the book. Came across the paperback for Star Trek V at the local Goodwill last week for .45 cents, cover looked interesting, so decided to read. I have all the Star Trek TNG, DS9, and Voyager DVDs, yet generally shun the movies. My favorite of all would be the Star Trek Deep Space 9 materials. Have no real explanation for that, generally just not interested in all the feature films (10 is it now). Crazy, I know but there it is. Enjoy reading the novels though, had a B.S. in college and really get into the science always present in most books of Star Trek. Anyway.....The Final Frontier:

James T. Kirk is experiencing psychological problems in this novel, Spock is flagging just coming off a return from death, a new Enterprise that doesn't perform very well with Scotty working more than sleeping (even the elevators are working properly and good luck beaming anyone up or down), and the crew pretty much scattered on leave.That leaves Dr. McCoy as the most well adjusted person in this book, how bout that for a change.All these elements transpire just at a time when a hostage situation arises on Nimbus III.Nimbus III is the planet of cooperation, friendship, and peace, between Romulans, Klingons, and the Federation.However, whatever can go wrong seems to be going wrong at the moment.Then Sybok (Spock's long lost, fanatical half brother) shows up to help make a bad situation turn worse, all he wants to do is take the armed rabble off Nimbus III, and oh yes, steal a Starfleet ship, read Enterprise here, to pass through the Great Barrier so he can test his theories whether the Sha Ka Ree is all he thinks it to be.Meanwhile a Klingon bird of prey is cloaking taking a bead on the Enterprise by the most proficient gunner in the Klingon fleet.The plot is jumping at this point.For me sadly the ending kinda tails off.

This novel remains a 3-star read for me due to my dislike of hostage situations: they have happened more times than I can count in Star Trek.If a reader enjoys these types of situations then this book may be a 4-read for them.Either way, 3-star or 4-star read, this novel is worth the time and effort spent. Sorry for those of you who shelled out money to see the movie, reading these reviews I sense the book to be much better, as most books generally are.

Live long and prosper.......read a lot of Star Trek books, too.

Semper Fi.

Great story
If any of you have watched the Star Trek movies you know this book is the written version of the movie. It's a real great plot. The book starts off with Spock, Kirk, and McCoy camping in Yosemite, my favorite part in the whole story. Kirk gets a call from Starfleet during this camping trip and is sent of a rescue mission. I won't tell you much of the mission, for I don't want to spoil the fun, but I will tell you it is a great adventure. Many people say that Spock betrays Kirk in this story, but to be honest, he really doesn't. Should refusing to kill you brother really be called betrayal? I don't think it should. This story has many funny things in it. It is a great book. One I would suggest you get.

A story that REALLY improves upon an utterly horrible movie script
I believe gigantic kudos goes out to J.M. Dillard for making The Final Frontier a GREAT deal more entertaining that the absolutely dreadful film written and directed by William Shatner. For those who MUST read all the Trek novels available, certainly you will enjoy this more than you could ever hope to like the film version, but while it is light years ahead, you can only polish up this story so much.

And what about *the story*?Without question, Trek V has the most ridiculously contrived and laughable plot of ANY Trek story, either in written form, on TV or on the big screen. I was 100% caught up the the hype that the previews created before the film was released...I gotta hand it to whoever edited them together, because they actually made the movie look exciting and very worthwhile to look forward to...unfortunately the end result was just pure drivel.

So Spock has a brother who has abandoned all Logic and has embraced the lawless and violent traditions of the Vulcan past before the supression of emotions helped save their race. Moreover, he is a devout believer in the Almighty, too (I know, not only does it SOUND like a stretch, but they never pulled it off--not even remotely in the film).So Sybok (Spock's emotionally disturbed Bro) is determinded to not just embrace his emotions and belief in God, but he is hell-bent on Proving His existence, as well.Not an easy task in a Galaxy full of Athiests. The story just becomes even more silly as it continues. Word has it that after Leonard Nimoy's triumphant success co-writing and directing Trek IV (arguably one of the all-time best films in the ENTIRE franchise history) Shatner flatly refused to do another movie unless he was given the chance to write and direct as well...and unfortunately, the Final Frontier is the end result. One wonders how Paramount managed to Green Light the fantastic Undiscovered Country after such a disaster? At least they ended on a great high note.

One interesting side note: while Shatners writing of this movie is abysmal to say the least, he has shown unexpected finesse in writing later novels set in the Trek Universe, some of which can be viewed as the best in print (this is in part largely due to his co-writers who are easily the best Trek authors writing today IMO).

J.M. Dillard should once again be credited for taking such a horrible script and turning it into a MUCH better story than it otherwise would have been -- but you can only do so much with a crappy story, and Dillard did more than I felt would normally have been considered possible based on what was there to work with in the first place.

Trying not to copy others, but they're right
Yeah, so what they said.The movie was a bomb, and the book tells the story the way it should have been.

Trek books are a tricky thing.Novelizations are a tricky thing.This particular Trek novelization does everything it should, and more.The only problem is that an artist is only as her subject matter, and Find God in the Center of the Galaxy still remains a hokey premise.

But let's focus on the good things.Every major Trek player gets a focus in this novel, including Sulu, who had a big part in all of McIntyre's novelizations.I was glad to see Dillard continue his story in the same vein.We get to see his and Scotty's "secret pain", as well as several other characters in the movie who got left out.

All the characters have depth -- the three delegates, the Klingons, Sybok himself, even the funky-toothed guy drilling holes in the opening shot.Every one is three-dimensional.Example:Klaa (Klingon captain) is no longer a chip-shouldered upstart with delusions of grandeur.He's a Klingon worthy of Klingons, and his motives in pursuing Kirk are revealed as devious and calculating, rather than dumb and bumbling as they appeared in the film.

This novel ties the movie into the others.Star Trek II-V form one continuous tale, without a whole lot of break in between.Yet they still make very little reference one to another.In this novel, we see a Kirk who was re-rejected by a dear love only months before, who lost his son very recently, and who is still coping with Spock's death and resurrection.

I have nothing but praise for the work of J.M. Dillard thus far.And this is no exception.If you, like me, consider Star Trek V the red-headed stepchild of the Star Trek series (no offense to all you red-headed stepchildren), then please read this novelization.Give it a shot.You'll like it.Or I'll buy you a Twinkie.(not really though)

Dillard makes Shatner's concept work, almost.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier arguably had the silliest of plot concepts, and the touches of buffoonish humor did not help the movie much either.

Sybok, a renegade Vulcan from Spock's past, has managed to seize Nimbus III, the 'Planet of Intergalatic Peace'.But it is a ruse, what he really needs is a starship to take him to the center of the galaxy.Once there, Sybok believes he will meet God.

Dillard attempts to fill in the many character gaps in Shatner's Kirk centered story, giving each brainwashed member of the crew a chance to have center stage and a moment to shine.Thus it is more of an ensemble piece than the film.Dillard also clarifies some of the fuzzy plot points, making the hijacking and trip to God a tad easier to believe.There is also an honorable attempt to fit the concept of Nimbus III into the Trek Mythos rather than having it just be a gimmick jumping off point for the story.But despite all this hard work this novel is worthwhile reading only for those who would like to see a silly story told in a more well thought out manner.Strictly for Trek buffs. ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: That's Dancing!, Mad Hot Ballroom, Every Little Step, the World's Best Prom, William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet, Dancing With Time, Ballets Russes, Rize, He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin', Pulse: a Stomp Odyssey, Flamenco at 5:15, Bone, Dzi Croquettes, the Dancer's Body, Ballet, the Dancemaker, Sharing the Dream, Girl 27, Ride, Rise, Roar, Ballerina. Excerpt:Ballerina Ballerina is a documentary film that follows the training sessions, rehearsals, and everyday lives of five of the top-billed Russian ballerinas today. The film features footage of classes at the Vaganova Ballet Academy as well as performances in the Mariinsky Theatre. A hyperlinked version of this chapter is at Ballet is a documentary shot in the Cinema Verite style by Frederick Wiseman . It is considered one of the most authoritative films on ballet and dance. Released in 1995, it portrays rehearsals, choreography, performances, business transactions, and other day to day life of the famed American Ballet Theater . Much of the footage dates from the 1992 season. It also includes scenes from the company's European tour, namely in Greece and Copenhagen. Appearances are made by Susan Jaffe , Julie Kent , Julio Bocca , Angel Corella , Amanda McKerrow, Alessandra Ferri and others. Various ballet masters and choreographers also appear, including Kevin McKenzie , ABT's artistic director, Ulysses Dove , Irina Kolpakova, Natalia Makarova and Agnes de Mille . Various colorful business transactions by then-director Jane Hermann are also included. Of note, the film is unique amongst dance films in its inclusions of candid scenes in the rehearsal rooms, lounges, wardrobe and set designers, recreation in amusement parks and bars, and other "non-dance" moments. The film is currently released to the public by Wiseman's distribution com... ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor and novelist. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T. Kirk, captain of the starship USS Enterprise, in the television series Star Trek from 1966 to 1969, Star Trek: The Animated Series and in seven of the subsequent Star Trek feature films. He has written a series of books chronicling his experiences playing Captain Kirk and being a part of Star Trek as well as several co-written novels set in the Star Trek universe. He has also authored a series of science fiction novels called TekWar that were adapted for television.Shatner also played the title veteran police sergeant in T.J. Hooker from 1982 to 1986. He has since worked as a musician, author, producer, director, and celebrity pitchman. From 2004 to 2008, he starred as attorney Denny Crane in over 100 episodes of the television dramas The Practice and its spin-off Boston Legal, for which he has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. As of 2009, Shatner stars as the voice of Don Salmonella Gavone on the animated series The Gavones. ... Read more

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"BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY."™

During the 1960s, in an age when the height of technology was a crackly AM transistor radio, Star Trek® envisioned a time when communication devices worked without wires.

"WORKING"

Computers of the decade took up entire climate-controlled rooms and belonged only to the government and a few very large corporations. Yet Captain Kirk had one small enough to sit on the top of his desk -- and it talked back to him.

"AHEAD, WARP FACTOR 2"

While man still hadn't walked on the moon, the crew of the Starship Enterprise™ traveled between star systems faster than the speed of light. Its crew was able to walk on other worlds.

Over the past three decades, Star Trek has become a global phenomenon. Its celebration of mankind's technical achievements and positive view of the future have earned it an enduring place in the world's psyche. It has inspired countless viewers to become scientists, inventors, and astronauts. And they, in turn, have wondered if they could make even a little piece of Star Trek real in their own lifetime. As one noted scientist said when he saw a plywood, plaster and plastic set that represented the ship's warp engines, "I'm working on that."

As in his missions aboard the fictional Starship Enterprise, William Shatner, the actor who is Captain James T. Kirk, and his co-author, Chip Walter, take us on an adventure to discover the people who are working on the future we will all share. From traveling through space at warp speeds to beaming across the continent, noted scientists from Caltech to MIT explore the realms of what was once considered improbable and show how it just might be possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

I'm Working on That: A Trek from Science Fiction to Science Fact
Not what I was expecting.I thought there would be more technical info.I was let down, the title did not match the book.

Excellent Introduction to Future Technology
For fans of Star Trek technology that wonder whether we will ever be able to travel at warp speed or have our own Data assist at work or home - this is a fun and educational read.Shatner's breezy style makes for an entertaining read.Reading this inspired me to delve more deeply into space/time physics and theories.

Thought provoking
Very interesting- I bought this for my father as a gift, but I ended up reading it first! It's very easy to read for us non-science types and the format keeps you turning the pages.

Resistance is Futile. Drop yours shields. Comply!
This is a glorious book embodying the absolute finest work done by William Shatner. In a wonderful tribute to exploration, he trips, stumbles and collapses through his own confusion. But, as the Captain who I grew up to respect and admire, he bravely embarks on a voyage of discovery and adventure. He boldly goes where few have ventured before.

Seriously, he clarified many thoughts, ideas, concepts, facts and fiction. Frankly, I am surprised that he was able to make any sense out of it and teach me. I tried my best to read about relativity, time, sub-atomic molecules and atoms, and space travel because it fascinates me. I regret to inform the Captain that I have been assimilated into your collective as a minion.

In fact, Mr. Shatner covers topics including nanotechnology, robotics and a host of health, age and other previously unknown by-products! You must read the entire book. It's not a light-weight book by any stretch of the imagination. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING WHERE WE ARE GOING DURING THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS.The more sophisticated literature is beyond my comprehension, therefore, this book is the perfect learning device!

Since I was a boy, my father always grimaced when I steadfastly watched the original Star Trek series. He told me that Captain Kirk, Spock, McCoy and all the incredible space-bunnies were brainwashing me. Today, my children are amazed as I sit motionless, stuck in time, and oblivious to anything else, (time warp?...did I flunk already?) as I get my coordinates correct to watch another exciting episode of Enterprise. I am delighted with the current Star Trek series, Enterprise. It bridges the gap between today, the past, and the future.

Captain Kirk (oops Mr. Shatner) expounds on this topic and presents a brilliant discussion about our humanity and how technology is going to make our lives easier. This book is extremely interesting to read for comparison between all the science fiction and actual technology developed today in such a short period of time. Our global society is converging between virtual reality and literal reality.

The entire Star Trek adventure has shown the world endless possibilities. The Star Trek adventure promotes our unique love, curiosity and sometimes, even higher levels of intelligence and understanding.

"Fantasmic" worlds exist among us. We must learn to adapt with humanity, technology, cultures and our brave new world.

The "Trek" to reality
Life-like androids,transporter beams and traveling at warp speed are just a few ideas from "Star Trek"scients are working on right now!See how the science-fiction of the series is becoming science FACT.I like this book because it's neat to know these things will be REAL.I often thought as a kil watching Star Trek"Wouldn't it be great if we really had that?"Whether you like sci-fi,science or both you'll find this book fascinating. ... Read more

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With the superior artisanship and eye for the natural horse that has made him the world's most celebrated photographer of horses, Robert Vavra presents a book of all-new images, profiling eighteen stunning equines spanning six breeds: Arabian, Andalusian, Morgan, American Saddlebred, Friesian, and Peruvian Paso. As in Vavra's most popular books, all are alone and running free in glorious natural settings: a white Arabian in a sun-washed desert; a black Friesian galloping in snowdrifts; a gray Andalusian amid violet flowers; a chestnut Arabian prancing in autumn leaves.

Customer Reviews (24)

Absolutely beautiful!
Having lost my first copy of this fantastic book, I finally decided to replace it and buy a new copy.I love the photography in this book.It is stunning! I am a horse lover, and can really appreciated the beauty captured in Horses of the Sun.I would highly recommend it :-)

Horses of the Sun: Robert Vavra
This is a must have for horse lovers. The photos are outstanding. The text is also worth the purchase.

18 horses of 6 breeds
Great focus on a limited number of similar horse breeds.

If You're a Vavra fan, you'll like this book...
Overall, I'd have to agree with the reviewer's comments from Lakewood, OH.

Anyone familiar with Vavra's work will recognize his dreamlike, romanticized approach to horse photography. More "artsy" in style, tone and layout - than the straight forward approach.

Lots of soft-focus photography with heavy post-production image editing (layering of horse upon background, and vice-versa). I own two of Vavra's books (this being the second one to "Equus: The Creation Of A Horse"), so whether or not one likes this style of equine photography is a matter of personal taste. Still, this is a beautifully printed and bound book, with some outstanding equine photography.

See my review of "Equus: The Creation Of A Horse" for further reviews of Vavra's work.

Forward by William Shatner (yes, Captain Kirk!).

If you are a horselover and enjoy books on equine photography in general, check out the work of Gabrielle Boiselle, Johnny Johnston, Henry Dallal, Fulvio Cinquini, Jennifer Forsberg Meyer, et al.All have made their career photographing horses, and it shows. Boiselle is a personal favorite.

FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS GUY BACK WHEN I HAD MY HORSE!!
HE MUST LOVE THE ANIMALS BECAUSE, HE PHOTOGRAPHS THEM SO, WELL!!HE FOCUSES ON THE EYES OF THE ANIMALS IN MANY PICTURES AS IF, HE IS LOOKING AT THEIR SOULS!!!I DO NOT REGRET PURCHASING THIS BOOK AT ALL!!!!!!!!! I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES HORSES!!!!!
SHIRLEY GREER
... Read more

Product Description

The Dominion War is over. The Federation is at peace. What better time for two legendary starship captains to set aside the demands of duty and simply take some well-deserved time off?

But when James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard arrive on Bajor to dive among the ruins of an ancient sunken city, conditions are far from what they had planned. The small group of scientists the captains have joined suddenly find their equipment sabotaged -- isolating them from Deep Space Nine™ and any hope of rescue -- as one by one, a murderer stalks them.

Cut off from the people and technology on which they have always depended, Kirk and Picard must rely more than ever on their own skills and abilities, and their growing friendship, to solve the mysterious deaths and protect one of Bajor's greatest living treasures.

At the same time, Kirk finds the events he and Picard struggle with are similar to one of the first challenges he faced as the new captain of the Starship Enterprise™, less than six months into his first five-year mission.

Now, with time running out for a dying child trapped in the scientists' camp, and Picard missing after a diving disaster, Kirk must search his memories of the past to relive one of his earliest adventures, propelling him into a harrowing personal journey that reveals the beginning of his path from young Starfleet officer to renowned legend, and the existence of a new and completely unsuspected threat to the existence of all life in the universe.

From the breathtaking shores of Bajor's Inland Sea to the welcoming arms of a seductive and deadly alien commander intent on making Kirk her own, Star Trek®, Captain's Peril is the exciting new novel that spans space and time to present Captain Kirk's most personal, and most extreme, adventure yet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Good promise...
This book, by Shatner, is somewhat keeping in the mood of self-praise that Kirk has become eponymous for. However, "Captain's Peril" is a good read, if for nothing else then for the two sub-plots of the book, and the intrigue that runs underneath the primary plot of the book.

The book begins off with a prologue, in which the Cardassians are fighing the Bajorans on the latter's home planet for control. Suddenly, chapter one begins some fifteen years later, with the two most celebrated Starfleet Captains taking a well-earned vacation, by planet-diving (diving from outer space, entering the planet's atmosphere in a pod, and later on, using the more orthodox (!) means of a parachute to land). This planet happens to be Bajor, still rebuilding after the Cardassian occupation ceased more than a decade ago, and where the natives are by nature suspicious of out-worlders.

Kirk, and Picard equally so, like to be in the middle of things, but not this literally when they find themselves first in the midst of the Bajor desert (with no means of communicating anyone, more so because they are not expected at their welcome site for another two days!) and later in the midst of a murderer's multiple attacks on the unsuspecting excavation camp inhabitants.

When Picard is deemed dead in the middle of things by 'something' which even Kirk can't explain, things begin to get murky and from there on, the story becomes dark and focused.

Shatner has tried the tactic of inter-mixing two plots in a single book, by alternating a couple of chapters from the present (at Bajor) and then putting in a few from some of Kirk's earliest command days on the Enterprise. While the two stories are interesting by themselves, sincerely speaking, I found a connect in the two missing. Agreed that the point of change-over is made almost seamless at times, but in the bigger scheme of things, the two stories simply don't gel together.

[Note: I understand that this book is the beginning of the Totatility trilogy. If that's the case, this was a rather lame attempt of introducing the concept.]

But as I said, the two plots by themselves are pretty good and well written. Also, adding to what I said at the beginning of this review, this book is perhaps 'not' so full of Kirk as some of the other ST:TOS books I've read so far.

Of the two captains, Kirk is the clear hero of the book. No prize for guessing that, though!

Overall score: 3.5 / 5 (benefit of prejudice --> 4 / 5)

Great story
This book is the first in a trilogy, and as such does a wonderful job introducing the reader to the Totality.The story is well written, and really fleshes out Kirk's character.Sadly, most other characters (including Picard) aren't given the same treatment.All and all the story is great with lots of action.This book is a fun read.

Very good reading
Anyone who enjoys Startrek books will enjoy this book by THE Captain himself. I recommend all three books by William Shatner.

Part VII of the Kirk Saga.Beginning of the end.
This is the first chapter of the Captain's trilogy that leads into what's in my opinion an excellent conclusion to the Kirk Saga.After a couple of year break in between the Mirror Universe trilogy and this trilogy I had lost some interest in Star Trek.Even all of William Shatner's novels have been excellent, I had started college when this book came out (Summer 2001) and just didn't read it.This year (2006) I regreted that decision greatly after reading Captain's Blood and Captain's Glory (which I just finished Captain's Glory last week.Highly highly recommended).

Anyway, for me Captain's Peril acted almost like a prequel because I read parts 2 and 3 first.Let me tell you I really wish I had read Captain's Peril when it came out.It introduces the Totality, tells a great early adventure of James T. Kirk on his first Enterprise NCC-1701, and a great "bonding" adventure between Kirk and Picard that hasn't been in any of the previous novels.This novel is excellent and I would highly recommend you don't do what I did and read all three books in the totality trilogy in order.This book is a little slower than the ones in the past but still a very enjoyable and entertaining read.Highly recommended.9/10.

May be the best by Shatner yet.
Shatner's previous novels, while interesting and fun, had a bit too much of the tendancy to make "his character", James T. Kirk, into a superhero/demigod. This tendancy is hardly unique to Shatner, but it's even more unbecoming when coming from a mature man who clearly identifies with the character (for the rather obvious reason that he played it on TV and the movies) than it is when coming from an immature hero-worshiping fan. This book largely avoided that problem, and if some fans of "The Next Generation" will feel that Picard came off looking rather pale by comparison to Kirk, that was more because Picard was given somewhat short shrift than because Kirk was made to look too good. And it isn't entirely unfair to make Picard come across as stodgy and dull by comparison to Kirk; he IS.

There are really two stories here; one is set on post-Dominion war Bajor, where Kirk and Picard are "vacationing". The other is a flashback, told mostly by Kirk to Picard (although not in his own voice; we get it in standard third-person narrative while Picard is hearing it directly from Kirk), a story of his first real adventure on the Enterprise, many years ago. The transitions between stories weren't always entirely seamless, and some of the excuses used for returning to the flashback story when Kirk WASN'T telling the story to Picard were somewhat weak, but the story itself was extremely good, showing some of the tensions between Kirk and his crew (particularly Spock) before they became acquainted well enough to trust each other's style and judgement. We also see a cameo of Uhura's first taste of bridge action, which was handled very well.

The other story, the "current" one, wasn't quite as good, in fact started quite slowly, but actually picked up quite well by the end. By itself, I probably wouldn't have given it more than three stars, but it would have been a high three stars, almost good enough for four. I suppose it isn't surprising that Shatner continues to have a much better feel for the original series characters and settings than the later ones. ... Read more