Being Human (Star Trek New Frontier, No 12) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Peter David (Author) "THEY WERE FOUR WORDS, four innocuous words which-considered individually-were not especially alarming..." (more)
Key Phrases: warp section, conference lounge, saucer section, Thallonian Empire, Lord Cwan, Captain Shelby (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
BEING HUMAN Throughout the Star Trek: New Frontier saga, Mark McHenry, the navigator on the U.S.S. Excalibur, has demonstrated abilities beyond those of the somewhat odd human being he appears to be. When the inhabitants of an innocent solar system are confronted by a menace linked to the source of McHenry's powers, his true heritage is revealed at last.

Meanwhile, Zak Kebron is going through a startling change that will leave him both more and less than he was.

About the Author
Peter David is a prolific Star Trek author whose novels include Imzadi, Triangle, Q-in-Law, Q-Squared and the New Frontier series, featuring Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the USS Excalibur, specially created for Pocket Books.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671042408
• ISBN-13: 978-0671042400
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #341,352 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 12 in The Star Trek: New Frontier Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Being Human Star Trek New Frontier, December 13, 2001

By	Joe Zika "Khemprof" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Peter David is interesting as a writer, and we are not disappointed here either. I enjoyed this book as with most of the author's work.

The book focus is on Mark McHenry and where he came from. As an avid Star Trek fan myself I was pleased to see a tie in with the original series. More specific when Kirk et. al. were on Pollux IV where they met Apollo. Now we find out that that Apollo was more randy then TOS lead us to believe. After all this is fiction and a good imagination from the author. Now enters Apollo's sister Artemis cunning and resourceful.

We see a continuation from Restoration and tie ins from Gateway and the Double Helix series. Now we see Captains Calhoun and Shelby on different Starships doing what they do best after a conjugal tryst. And the interplay of all the other favorite characters was interesting and enjoyable.

The Danteri make an offer to Si Cwan and his sister Kalinda can't refuse, but as with all interesting books the bad guys have a trick up their respective sleves. Remember Lodec well he surfaces here and proposes to bring back the Thallonian Empire... at what cost? Calhoun says never trust the Danteri.

The book was well thought out and easy reading and the ending... well you have to read it. We now have the answer as to why Q could do nothing with Mark McHenry.

This book is worth buying and answers some of the questions many of us had about how McHenry could do what he could do. From the author that created "Q" to put it in the words of Spock fascinating. I say captivating... read it and enjoy.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Frontier vs. Greek Gods, a match of a lifetime, November 18, 2001

By	"decaptain" (NC) - See all my reviews

These past reviews have given you no real good reason other than 'its good' to read this book. The material in this book is creative and fresh and new and it has something for fans of all the Trek series. If you remember the episode of the Original Series where Kirk and crew meet the Greek god Apollo out in the middle of space, you'll have one leg up in reading this book. Even if not, you'll have one heck of a time having fun learning finally where Mark McHenry comes from. This book focuses on McHenry, his past and explains why Q was truly baffled by his pressence last year in the E-X-calibur series. Though it features McHenry, its also one that focuses on all the main Excalibur officers and picks up where Restoration left off. Though I advise you, if you want to get into Shelby's side of the story and learn more about her ship and crew of the Trident, one that does include some good characters, Mueller as the XO, and two characters from the short lived Animated Series, read Cold Wars ( plus it'll explain how Burgy is the new XO on the Excalibur. )
This book has other interesting story lines that you shouldn't miss out on. Keborn begins to question his friend and for once, we really get to see or get exposed to Keborn more than a giant wall that stands in the back of the Bridge. Soleta is focused on as well. Dr. Selar and Burgy's son Xyon has some good moments with Moke, Calhoun's new adopted son from Restoration and one of the biggest shockers and attention grabbers is that the Danteri summon Shelby and crew to bring Si Cwan and Kalinda to their homeworld to speak on the subject of a new Thallonian Empire. Peter David really leaves the fans crying for more at the end of this book for much is left open, especially for the characters of Robin Lefler, Morgan Primus, and McHenry. Artemis and her Greek gods plus some Egyptian gods show up in whats one of the more interesting space battles in Trek. This is a must read for New Frontier fans and everyone looking for a good and fresh book. Also read NF's Cold Wars to get the most out of the Excalibur, Trident and many familiar faces from Kira, Picard and DS9 characters as well as Gabreck from the Exeter ( Restoration, ) Jelico and Adm. Ross, Scotty and more in Cold Wars then a continuation in Being Human.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Being McHenry?, April 4, 2002

By	Eric B. Parker "utsugi6string" (Lakeland, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the twelfth installment of the New Frontier series, Mark McHenry's origins are revealed. From the other books, it's quite obvious that McHenry is a strange bird. He exhibits abilities that stretch human capabilities by normal standards. Here you will find out just how much "potential" McHenry has.

David does an outstanding job developing a storyline that revolves around McHenry, but as usually, branches off into so many intriguing directions. Being Human is not only play on words, but also a most appropriate title that hits the crux of the storyline. Though McHenry may be different, he just wants to fit in.

This book is a nice bridge between adventures of the "old" Excalibur and the "new" Excalibur. David ties off some loose ends like: How exactly did Calhoun manage to get off the Excalibur in time? Then he opens countless new threads that will give us readers many more enjoyable books to come.

Some of those:
- What is the mysterious change that is coming over Kebron?
- How will Robin and Si Cwan handle their "relationship"?
- Can the Thallonian Empire once again be rebuilt?
- Who/what is the strange thing that Moke sees running around?

This is another fine addition to Peter David's New Frontier series. He once again deftly ties his series into one of the old television shows. This time it happens to be from Star Trek the Original Series. I was left wanting more, and eagerly await the next installment. I'm sure any New Frontier fan will feel the same way.

I really can't say enough about how good this series is. Any one book is a treat unto itself, but the series is like a well-planned 12 course meal.