Customer Reviews

The Involuntary Human

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On my weekly, traditional browse through Galaxy Bookshop (Sydney, Australia), I swung past the "G" section to check out if David Gerrold's latest "War of the Chtorr" title was out yet. I was surprised to see a 477 pp hardcover omnibus, "The Involuntary Human" - and even more surprised to see that this book publishes the complete text of Gerrold's controversial (and axed) "Star Trek: The Next Generation" script, the excellent "Blood and Fire" (pp 69-135).

Recently, "Blood and Fire" was rewritten as an installment of his "Voyage of the Star Wolf" original SF book series, and it was even more recently announced that the story was being revamped as a TOS story for the "Star Trek: New Voyages" fan films. Now we can finally own a hardcover copy of the original TNG script. (Previously, the author sold copies in script binding, via the Internet and at conventions, for HIV/AIDS charities. I was fortunate enough to have read it in 1988.)

In addition, this new hardcover volume includes: new foreword and afterword to "Blood and Fire"; a preview chapter from his eagerly-awaited, long-delayed, next "War of the Chtorr" title; the original, previously-unpublished version of "Chess with a Dragon"; quotes from his "Solomon Short" limited chapbook; and several fascinating short story reprints from various SF magazines.

I highly recommend this collection. But if you want a copy, hurry. "The Involuntary Human" is said to be limited to 1000 hand-numbered, (some autographed, some also slipcased) copies.

Long-time fans of science fiction will readily recognize the name of David Gerrold, who began writing professionally in 1967 but who made his name in writing the popular Star Trek episode 'Trouble with Tribbles'. Since then he's moved on to explore the universe of Hugo, Nebula and other top science fiction writing awards, and THE INVOLUNTARY HUMAN gathers the best of his writings under one cover, displaying his many talents. Genre fans - especially those who knew Gerrold's works primarily from Star Trek fame - will find this an exceptional gathering of his diverse talents.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Table of Contents

* The Truth About David Gerrold by Spider Robinson
* Author's Rebuttal by David Gerrold
* Interlude #1: Solomon Short
* The Martian Child
* Pickled Mongoose
* Interlude #2: Solomon Short
* Blood and Fire
* A Shaggy Dog Story
* The Strange Death of Orson Welles
* Interlude #3: Solomon Short
* It Needs Salt
* The Satanic Limericks #1
* And Eight Rabid Pigs
* The Satanic Limericks #2
* The Baby Cooper Dollar Bill
* Interlude #4: Solomon Short
* Digging in Gehenna
* King Kong: Behind the Scenes
* King Kong: The Unanswered Questions
* The Kennedy Enterprise
* Chester
* Interlude #5: Solomon Short
* Chess With a Dragon
* The Green Man
* The Diamond Sky
* Interlude #6: Solomon Short
* Riding Janis
* Dancer in the Dark
* thirteen o'clock

This book is still available at NESFA Press website : [..] ALL BOOKS COME SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR.

A great book, with lots of enjoyable moments. However, it just further insults his fans who have been waiting fifteen years for The War Against the Chtorr series to be completed. Gerrold is a great author, but he should stop releasing new works and collections until he finishes the series that brought him the most fans. Yes, A Method for Madness is supposed to be released soon, but that has been delayed more than Guns N Roses "Chinese Democracy" and I fear the quality may be similar when eventually released. Please Mr Gerrold; finish what you started before doing anything else new.