The Better Man (Star Trek, Book 72) [Mass Market Paperback]

Howard Weinstein (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Trek (Numbered Paperback) | Publication Date: December 1, 1994

When the planet Empyrea, a colony of genetically perfected human beings, demands that the Federation remove a science station which has been in place for nearly twenty years, the Starship Enterprise is assigned to transport to the planet the Federation ambassador who negotiated with the Empyreans long ago, an ambassador who was once Dr. McCoy's closest friend, but is now a bitter rival.

On Empyrea, McCoy discovers Anna, a daughter he never knew he had. McCoy soon realizes that the isolationist Empyreans must not learn her father is an off-worlder, and that her genes are less than "perfect". As relations with the Empyreans collapse around him, McCoy must find a way to save his newfound daughter from the harshest penalty her planet can impose.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

When the planet Empyrea, a colony of genetically perfected human beings, demands that the Federation remove a science station which has been in place for nearly twenty years, the Starship Enterprise^TM is assigned to transport to the planet the Federation ambassador who negotiated with the Empyreans long ago, an ambassador who was once Dr. McCoy's closest friend, but is now a bitter rival.

On Empyrea, McCoy discovers Anna, a daughter he never knew he had. McCoy soon realizes that the isolationist Empyreans must not learn her father is an off-worlder, and that her genes are less than "perfect." As relations with the Empyreans collapse around him, McCoy must find a way to save his newfound daughter from the harshest penalty her planet can impose.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; First Edition edition (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671869124
• ISBN-13: 978-0671869120
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,165,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good characterizations but a sham of a plot, December 31, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Better Man (Star Trek, Book 72) (Mass Market Paperback)

When a mystery is central to the plot of a novel - when the plot develops because of the mystery - and then the mystery is shrugged away with barely a murmur at the end, left unsolved - one must suspect that there IS no solution, that the author had no idea who was behind the critical sabotage: that he himself, not any character, is the culprit. I was very much aware of "author intrusion" off and on as I read this book, beginning with the needless rehashing of the series episode "Amok Time" (surely every Star Trek fan *knows* that story, and readers who don't won't care!). But nowhere was I more aware of the author than at the end: I closed the book and said out loud, "What a cheat!" Weinstein never demonstrates that anyone *could* have sabotaged the Federation installation; not only that, but by having the unknown saboteur's programming escape the intense scrutiny of Spock and Scott *even after they knew that sabotage had occurred*, he demeans these characters' skills. The only true reason for the sabotage is (besides creating some tension) to provide a reason for one lone Empyrean's change of heart, and to achieve this single end, Weinstein is (I'm sure unintentionally) disrespectful to Star Trek characters and to the reader's intelligence. This is a contrived novel and one I found very disappointing: I still want to know whodunit and WHY, and I don't believe the author knows.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McCoy, McCoy Where for Art Thou?, February 27, 2001

By 

Alan Audrey Parks "Sarek" (Chicago, IL (USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Better Man (Star Trek, Book 72) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you love the trio, and wonder about McCoy's past, then this book is a must! Watch Spock and McCoy battle with the words they use so well, while Kirk is unusually confussed. See McCoy do as any father would to protect his little girl, who just happens not to be so little anymore. And see the dynamic trio come together in the face of danger with surprising skill as only they can, while supporting their valued friend.

This book is a must for those who love to see the trio in action within another secret that becomes news. I laughed throughout the whole book while getting insight into McCoy's past.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good story; would have made a good episode., March 22, 2006

By 

James Yanni (Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Better Man (Star Trek, Book 72) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a well-written if not flawless story, paying particular attention to characterization and ideas but not without its moments of action and high drama. It's not quite good enough to get into the five star range, but only just; it wrapped up a bit TOO neatly for words, leaving one very major subplot/plot complication completely unaddressed, but it was still a very enjoyable and worthwhile read, particularly for fans of McCoy.