by Diane Duane “As if you could chop a mind in half, like an apple.  He’s one whole being—a Spock—and the sooner you armchair shrinks get that through your heads, the better you’ll be able to deal with him.”—McCoy, regarding the behavior of Spock’s Human and Vulcan ‘halves.’ Romulan commander Ael i-Mhiessan t’Rllaillieu discovers her government is kidnapping Vulcans so they can harness their mind power through genetic experimentation and developing galactic WMDs.  Ael decides mnhei’sahe—honor—demands she cannot support her Empire’s actions. She enlists Kirk […]

by John M. Ford “If you do not wish a thing heard, then do not say it.” “If you are going to bite, bite deep.” “Only a fool fights in a burning house.” This is the book that explains Klingons.  It explains their philosophy of honor, their warrior culture, why so many have names that begin with “K.” It begins to develop a language and a belief system for the Klingons.  It is a beautiful and thoughtful book, philosophical and action-packed at the same time. […]

by Kirsten Beyer “What lay beyond the ledge looked like small stars suspended in the darkness above, and below and emitted the only ambient light in the shaft.”   “Lieutenant Kim and Commander Fife can speak their theories, but conditions were nominal until the tremors began.”   “The Doctor registered a smile creasing his holographic lips that elicited a smile from Glenn.” Thirteen more Old Star Trek books under my belt, and another package from Amazon brings me a newly published one!  Time to take a break […]

by David Dvorkin “Vulcans and Earthmen are both descended from an ancient race who colonized most of the known galaxy.  Almost all of the humanoid races we know of are descended from them, and that probably includes you.  Of course there has been genetic drift and adaptation to extreme conditions, producing anomalies like the Vulcans.” Enterprise picks up a group of terrorist prisoners for transport to Starfleet Headquarters.  Even though the terrorists being transported are VERY DANGEROUS, Enterprise must rush to the aid of the […]

by Diane Duane “It didn’t necessarily follow that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one; that was a choice that could be ethically made only if the “one” was your own self.” (The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas) This is possibly my most favorite Star Trek book (tied with “Uhura’s Song”).  It is one of my favorite books of any genre.  Upon re-reading it, I realized how much the concepts in this book have shaped my beliefs […]