Customer Reviews

Adventures In Time and Space (Star Trek (Unnumbered Paperback))

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read many of the reviews here and elsewhere, and to those who have been disappointed, I daresay that you most likely did not understand what it was you were trying to read. Adventures in Time and Space was not meant to provide any new stories, new characters, or go where no one hasn't already been. Rather, it's meant to be a character study of those characters we've already grown to love (or love to hate) and perhaps tell us why if we didn't already know. Mary Taylor has taken the very best of the best of the Star Trek fiction that has already been published - fiction that we may or may not have already read - provides a small exerpt, and then demyisifies it to the point where we understand the CHARACTERS that these novels are about. If you are looking for a list of novels that is nothing other than a list which doesn't cause you to engage your brain, then this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for a very intelligent, thought-provoking, and very well-thought-out comment on how the very best of Pocket Books' novels have brought out the true essence of the Star Trek universe's characters, then I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of Mary Taylor's Adventures in Time and Space.

Adventures in Time and Space is a clip show book featuring selections from many of the best Star Trek novels published over the past twenty years by Pocket Books. Ms.Taylor divides the book into subject areas such as 'The Crew' and 'The Vulcan Chronicles'. Each passage is selected to show some character trait or aspect of Star Trek and is preceded by very entertaining and informative commentary that sets up the passage. I found the selections to be well made though I know some people will be disappointed that their favorite novel is not represented. If you are interested in reading Star Trek novels and have never read one or have only read a specific Star Trek series then there is no better place to start than Adventures in Time and Space. It is obvious that Ms. Taylor knows her Star Trek and put a lot of though and effort into this book. A bonus for fans at the end of the book is the fan prepared Pocket Books Star Trek Timeline which places all the novels in the correct chronological order within the various series. For those readers wanting to read all the stories in order then this is the place to find that order.

I know this is heresy, but I don't have time to read all the Star Trek novels, let alone rediscover all my old favorites. This book is invaluable to me. The author (with whom I share a fondness for the Star Trek characters and their development) has taken the time I don't have to dip into all the books and to describe and excerpt the ones she recommends. I haven't made my way all the way through the book yet because I keep putting it down to go buy another Star Trek Pocket Book I've just discovered. Adventures in Time and Space is going to have a permanent place in my reference bookshelf.

This big book is a compilation of excerpts from popular Star Trek novels published over a 20-year period. Author Mary Taylor has received some criticism for "over-representing" the original series (TOS), but I don't feel such criticism is warranted. For one thing, there are more TOS novels in publication from which to choose than from the three modern Trek series combined. But more importantly, there are more TOS books that are better written, and by superior authors. Samples of their work appear in this compilation: Diane Duane ("Spock's World", "Doctor's Orders", "My Enemy, My Ally"); Melinda Snodgrass ("Tears of the Singers"); J.M. Dillard ("The Lost Years"); John M. Ford ("The Final Reflection"). There was a time, the Trekless years between TOS and the Next Generation (TNG), when paperback novels and FASA role-playing games were all that the fandom had. That was the time when Trek authors tended to come from the ranks of respected sci-fi writers who were permitted to excercise creativity in their works, to further develop the beloved characters and alien societies of the original series. Around the time of TNG's rising popularity, the quality of Trek fiction went out the air-lock. Nowadays even talented authors are seemingly restricted to formulaic drivel, which often appears to be churned out overnight. Most is just abysmal "Star Dreck". There are exceptions of course: William Shatner's series and a few of Peter David's stories. Ms. Taylor found the best of the modern series. But she got a few stinkers too, which only reinforces my opinion of most of today's Trek fiction. I would have omitted the abominable "Kahless" and included an additional TOS, Dana Kramer-Rolls' well-researched and well-written "Home is the Hunter". For fans who own every Trekkie novel in print, this book is probably superfluous. For those more discriminating, this book provides a useful random sampling.

Star Trek: Adventures in Time and Space edited by Mary P. Taylor is a journey in retrospect through time to sample the best the future has to offer. This is a one-of-a-kind tribute volume highlighting the most unforgettable moments from a generation of bold exploration by some of the most imaginative science fiction authors of our time.

Taylor is one of the initial fans who was captivated by Star Trek early on and over the course of two decades never lost her fascination. This book covers the genres of Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Within these genres we find the best-of-the-best here, dramatic confrontations, the strangest aliens and the most deadly perils that ever tested Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and their valiant crews.

This book is divided into three major Parts and they are as follows: Part 1: The Crew, Part 2: Aliens, Allies and Enemies, Part 3: Visions of the Future. Within the major parts you have eighteen chapters and within these chapters you have listed the best-of-the-best in books and movies of the Trek Universe. Now, remember this, there is a greater emphsis on TOS and that is understandable as there has been more written about this genre than the others. Nevertheless, the representation of the other genres are very well represented.

As you read on in the book you'll notice that you've read these passages before, but Taylor's analysis is what ties these seemingly unconnected parts together making a rich and vibrant character... living and breathing... ready to leap into action.

There is one other very valuable part to this book, and that is the definitive Star Trek novel chronology found as the appendix. This is a complete timeline to the Pocket Books Star Trek novels, short stories, original audio programs and Young Adult books published through November 1998. This is very valuable because now you have a liner reference to where your Star Trek library falls in relation to other books within your library.

This is a great book that includes excerpts from many Star Trek novels. The fifth star I gave it was for the timeline in the back. Being slightly obsessive-compulsive, I love reading things in the "proper order" or at least knowing what in order they are supposed to be. The other four stars are for simply showing what all is available out there in the world of Trek books. It gives us some wonderful insights into many of our favorite characters. And for those of you who are whining about the book's focus on the original series, this book is about Star Trek BOOKS. Since there are 2-3 times as many books in print about the original series as there are on any of the other 3 shows, of course Ms. Taylor included more of those excerpts in her book! It only makes since that the book be representative of ALL of the titles. Think about it! All in all, a worthwhile purchase for every Trek book fan!

This is a great book that includes excerpts from many Star Trek novels. The fifth star I gave it was for the timeline in the back. Being slightly obsessive-compulsive, I love reading things in the "proper order" or at least knowing what in order they are supposed to be. The other four stars are for simply showing what all is available out there in the world of Trek books. It gives us some wonderful insights into many of our favorite characters. And for those of you who are whining about the book's focus on the original series, this book is about Star Trek BOOKS. Since there are 2-3 times as many books in print about the original series as there are on any of the other 3 shows, of course Ms. Taylor included more of those excerpts in her book! It only makes since that the book be representative of ALL of the titles. Think about it! All in all, a worthwhile purchase for every Trek book fan!

Adventures in Time and Space is mentioned in the July 19th issue of Publishers Weekly under "SF & Fantasy Notes"...

"Mary Taylor celebrates 20 years of Star Trek fiction in STAR TREK: ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE, a collection of excerpts 'that represent the best of the characters, species and stories' from the subgenre's over 250 novels, novelizations and 'crossover series stories.' Sure to please serious Trekkers, her book also includes an exhaustive timeline that chronicles the events of the Enterprise-inspired print yarns, audio programs, TV shows and movies.

Adventures in Time and Space is a wonderful book which is an absolute must-own for any Star Trek fan. Fans of the books will especially appreciate it - they will remember the books they read by presenting the best moments from all of the books. But even for those fans who don't buy the books regularly - this book will show you the highlights of Pocket's 20 years in the Star Trek book business. You'll read the best excerpts from the best books. This book will help put the right books in your hands, so that you can continue to read about the hundreds of Star Trek missions that you can't see on TV. Reading this book is like reliving Star Trek's greatest moments. Pick up a copy of this book -- you won't be disappointed.

From looking at the cover, you would think that each of the shows would have about the same material included. Only 4 Voyager novels are excerpted, with only 6 Deep Space Nine novels. The main original series characters each get a chapter devoted to them. Picard is the only not-TOS character to get a chapter. It would be a bit NICE if the book had more balanced excerpts. Don't waste your money if you aren't an original series fan.