Customer Reviews

Federation (Star Trek)

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book based upon the fantastic 'Prime Directive' which, until THIS book was released was THE GREATEST Star Trek novel in print--bar NONE. Judith and Gar have outdone themselves with a truly gripping story that is very difficult to put down. I at first had the impression that the crews of the original series would be 'mixing it up' with the crew of Next Generation a lot in this story, and without spoiling the plot, just DON'T expect that, and, well, it'd be hard NOT to enjoy this book regardless of what you expect. After reading it you can't help but notice the glaring storyline error's in 'First Contact' but don't worry about it, the book isn't about defining problems in the movies--it's about as good a story as you are likely to find in print, and written in superior Trek style. Gene Roddenberry would have LOVED to have these authors on his payroll--unless he DID and I am unaware of it. Gene was a visionary, and this book takes that vision and adds tremendous depth and entertainment value. Every Trek fan will find this a good read, but the true Trek Nerds will find it a GREAT book because of how the past is tied together so well, so seamlessly, so FUN. If you are struggling over which Trek book to read and 'Federation' is one you haven't got ahold of yet, well what are you waiting for? Grand Sci Fi in Grand tradition. As usual, read, enjoy and thank me later. Let me know what you thought of the book: rmgomske@lightcom.net Ciao!

I wish that Amazon had a rating higher than 5 stars; this book would get such a rating from me. First, I have to thank the authors; the Reeves-Stevens wrote Prime Directive, the first Star Trek novel I ever read. I went on to read HUNDREDS of Star Trek novels, including most of The Original Series (TOS), most of "The Next Generation" (TNG), and many of the earlier Voyager novels. This is the best Star Trek novel I have ever read. What a movie it would make.

The scope of this novel ranges across many years and a variety of civilizations, ranging from pre-WWIII through TOS into TNG and beyond. We see fascinating aspects of Zefram Cochrane and a nasty enemy, as well as Kirk and his crew, Jon-Luc Picard and his crew, and others. We see more of Zefram and The Companion. We've seen interesting science in Star Trek, including warp drive, transporters, and time travel, but this novel takes our glimpses of future science to whole new levels.

The end of the novel brings a fantastic climax, showing the Federation at whole new levels of unification, and continuing to "boldly go where none have gone before". You won't believe where they're going until you read the novel.

And then, there's another meeting with "The Guardian of Forever". The connections between the Guardian and Picard's zenoarcheological links with "the Preservers" get very interesting.

Rush to order this book from Amazon, or dash to your nearest bookstore, but don't wait to buy this book if you're a Star Trek fan. And give it serious consideration, if your a Sci-Fi fan and haven't gotten into Star Trek yet.

This novel was truely one of the best Star Trek books that I have ever read. Its version of Zefram Cochran is far better that that of "First Contact's" and I think that most people would agree with that. I also think that most people would agree that they wish thet the episode and movie writers were as good as Judith Reeves and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. The book was absolutly WONDERFUL, I would recomend it to and Trek fan. I, myself have read it three times and it was equaly as enthrawling every time.

Anytime a television series or movie franchise also becomes a publishing franchise, the question most fans ask themselves is: "Does this story fit into the so-and-so Universe, and if so, how?" Star Wars fans are always faced with this line of inquiry whenever a new book or comic book issue hits the bookshelves, and so are Star Trek fans. A writer (or group of writers) gets creative license by the franchise owners (Paramount/Viacom in this case) and has permission to play in someone else's universe. As long as the novels don't stray too far from the established parameters of characters like Jim Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, or Mr. Spock, a Star Trek novel can be well-written and entertaining. It can even (as Federation does) take established data points from the series and movies and create an exciting scenario for the "union" of the first two Star Trek series. However, both the authors and the readers know that Star Trek's "official" storyline is confined to the TV shows (all 5 series) and the 10 feature films.

So even though Star Trek: First Contact "overruled" Federation's scenario of an unexpected encounter between the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its fourth namesake (NCC-1701D), intertwined with plot threads from The Original Series' episodes Requiem for Methuselah, Journey to Babel, and Metamorphosis, as well as TNG's Sarek. Zefram Cochrane plays a central role in this multi-generational saga conceived as a "prequel" to Star Trek: Generations...and the Reeves-Stevens husband-and-wife team did a magnificent job of writing a wonderful "sequel" to Metamorphosis...knowing quite well, as their note to the reader explains, that their contribution to the Star Trek saga could be superseded by a movie in the future.

In spite of now being a non-canon Star Trek story, Federation is a well-written and entertaining novel. The authors capture the personalities of the Star Trek characters vividly, and their knowledge of the established Star Trek timelines and episodes give this work a sense of authenticity (if such a thing existed in a fictional universe) that only the best Trek writers can give to their books.

So, even if Federation strays from the "official" story, it's still a Star Trek novel worth reading.

Alex Diaz-Granados

Years go by, and a book comes along, that makes you wonder what is fact, what is fiction, what is faction; a book that makes you want to read it all over again; that makes you read each and every single word from the front cover of the dust jacket to the last bar code on the back of the jacket; that makes you stay awake in fear lest if you fall asleep you might break the rhythm of the story, or, be afraid like a child that the adventure might proceed without you to witness it...

This is it.

"Federation" is a story encompassing the biggest figures in the ST Universe, right from Kirk, to Picard, to Cochrane, to Sarek, and the crews from two different Enterprises. It spans 3 centuries, and countless worlds, and goes from here to eternity (and back!) - and I don't just mean literally.

Its the 21st century, and Zephram Cochrane is being celebrated for giving humanity the gift of the First Warp Drive, but not everyone is following Cochrane to shake his hand and to congratulate him. There is someone out there to whom Cochrane is an asset to be acquired and contained and exploited. Incalculable horrors lie in store, not just for Cochrane but for the entire human race, if he gives in. So he must escape.

Meanwhile, its the 22nd Century, and Kirk is battling to escape the scrutiny of a diligent Starfleet Admiral, intent on proving that Kirk is involved in a conspiracy that runs so deep into Starfleet, it could shake the Starfleet to its core, and in fact could mark a premature extinction bell for the entire Federation. Kirk must save his name and his life (in that order) and prove that he is not a traitor, by going against all the rules in the book. The problem is, can he do it before his time runs out?

Meanwhile, its the 23rd century, and Picard is trying his best to see through the double dealings of an extremely shrewd Ferengi, whose agenda is not at all what it seems. Enter the Romulans, and the picture becomes skewed. Enter an ancient evil from two centuries ago and there's no picture any more. But then, how could someone (or something!) survive more than 200 years, and what could be so important that it has to be pursued for more than two centuries?

These three seemingly unrelated stories appear in the book, and the authors expertly intertwine these three threads into a single explosive climax that blew my mind away!

But I'm jumping the gun... the book is much more than just a far-fetched and stretched out climax. It is a treatise, written with the love and respect that the History of the Star Trek Universe deserves in the minds of every die-hard Trekkie. Concepts like warp drive, what exactly is supra-light travel, how is it possible (agreed fictional, but still more convincing than most stuff I've read!), the story of Cochrane's personal journeys through the stars, the origin of the Starfleet Badge Insignia, to name a few. This last element, in my opinion, is the crowning achievement of this book. It melds fact and fiction with such adroitness that it's capable of making converts out of non-believers!

I would recommend this book to all Trekkies out there, as well as all non-Trekkies; if there's one book you want to read about ST, this gets my vote.

Absolute 5 / 5 stuff!

I was quite pleased with this book. It was fascinating to read it some 10 or 12 years after it was published - knowing that the Star Trek canon arc had taken the story of Dr. Cochrane in an entirely different direction. Interestingly, I have to say - that I greatly enjoyed this version of reality much more than the "real" canon arc explored in the Star Trek movies.

The consequences of the Eugenics Movement on Earth were very well explored in a fascinating manner - and were realistic.

This is probably one of the best Star Trek novels I have ever read.

The movie ST: FIRST CONTACT destroyed any reason for a fan of any of the series to ever buy a book based on these series again. This is an absolutely riviting account based on the life of the father of warp drive--a true visionary among fictional characters. However, the film not only destroyed the plausibility of this book; it also contradicted the character of Cochrane in the previous STAR TREK episode, "Metamorphosis". Still it's a great book to read that's written by two of the greats--just ask William Shatner. And finally, down with Rick Berman's playing with the STAR TREK history he had no part of, and doesn't deserve to.

In this great piece of literature, a great writing team puts forth an excellent and complex storyline.

Both authors consummate their usage of Star Trek lore, their own creative ideas, and their ability to replicate each character's individuality.

The story begins as three separate plots. The first takes place in the mid-twentyfirst century, and describes how Zephram Cochrane used his warp drive to foil, and escape from the earth-dominating Optimum Movement. The second outlines Kirk's discovery of Cohrane himself on a barren planet. The third describes how the Enterprise-D discovers an interesting artifact from one of their most dangerous enemies.

These plots are combined ingeniously and unexpectedly. In order to find out how though, you have to read the book. I give it a 9.

which as the story progresses, slowly and steadily intertwine. The plot is slow to develop, but it is interesting to read about

I decided to read this book based on all the positive reviews here. The novel definitely has a broad scope, we see Kirk and Picard's crew, as well as a new storyline involving Zephram Cochrane in the 21st century.

It's an okay read, but I can't accept that this is THE Star Trek novel to read. Without giving anything away, let's just say I thought more than one plot point involving the villain wasn't very plausible, and that's where the novel lost me.

Perhaps it's my fault for not knowing more about science or astronomy, but I was also lost in the later parts of the book by the Star Trek techno-babble. Although they should get credit for attempting to explain how faster than light travel is possible.

I don't usually read Star Trek novels. I'll probably read another one in the future. I guess what I was looking for was a grittier, tighter story that focused solely on one crew (and maybe had a more believable villain).

Granted the book was a little long and could have done without certain sections in the book. But the book was still well written and had a good story. I guess the book was supposed to immortalize Zephram Cochrane much like Shatner and the Nexus have done to James T. Kirk and TNG with Scotty.