The Rings of Tautee (Star Trek, No. 78) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dean Wesley Smith (Author), Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

The mischievous creature who calls himself Q has subjected Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the "Starship Enterprise" ™ to many of their strangest experiences. But little had been known of Q's curious existence or that of the advanced dimension from which he comes. But now Picard knows more than he ever dreamed about an ancient conflict whose consequences might spell
the doom of the entire galaxy.
The galactic barrier has fallen and Q's oldest enemy is free once more. Captain Picard and his crew find themselves in the middle of a cosmic war between vastly powerful entities. The future of the Federation may be at stake, but how can mere mortals turn the tide in such a superhuman battle? Picard has to find a way, or neither the Q Continuum nor the galaxy will survive.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An entire solar system begins to disintegrate into cosmic rubble, and Captain Kirk suspects that rumors of a new Klingon superweapon are all too true. The Tautee system houses a flourishing pre-Warp civilization not quite ready to join the Federation, so the Prime Directive limits Kirk's ability to prevent the disaster, and to make matters worse his rescue efforts provoke an attack from four Klingon warships. But soon Kirk recognizes that he must get to the bottom of the forces at work in the Tautee system, because they could spill over into the rest of the galaxy.

About the Author

Dean Wesley Smith is the author of over 30 Star Trek novels either solo or written jointly with Kristine Kathryn Rusch. He has edited all six volumes of the Star Trek STRANGE NEW WORLDS short story anthologies and lives in Eugene, Oregon. --This text refers to the Unbound edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek; First Edition edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067100171X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671001711
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good Star Trek., September 22, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rings of Tautee (Star Trek, No. 78) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Star Trek book that I've ever read. It's well written and has a wonderfully creative plot. Having watched the show, I can easily identify with all the characters. The comment about the bridge having no seat belts, especially when they could be so helpful, is especially good (I've always wondered myself). Reading this allows Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the others live on beyond even their years. I'm going to buy the "Invasion" series now

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, February 16, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: The Rings of Tautee (Star Trek, No. 78) (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the best Star Trek Novels I've ever read, and I've read plenty. A very powerful story, and while I don't generally care for the "Enterprise saves the entire galaxy/universe/quadrant from destruction" plotline, that's because it's not generally done as plausibly as this. Like the best of the Star Trek stories, this one deals with a serious, debatable philosophical question: the value and morality of the Prime Directive and the conflict between a maverick like Kirk who gets things done regardless versus a by-the-book captain less inclined to bend rules. This question was handled very evenhandledly, the characterization of the other captain was very well done, as was the characterization of the aliens at the center of the story, and the drama involved was truly gripping. If you have any liking for Star Trek at all, this is a must-read; if you don't, you MIGHT still find yourself liking (and respecting) this story.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rescue Mission with the Klingons, July 24, 2001

By 

picardfan007 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rings of Tautee (Star Trek, No. 78) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Rings of Tautee is not your run of the mill save the inhabitants story. It has one big difference. This exciting story by Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch has Kirk transporting hundreds of people from a dying civilization. The scenes that make this one stand out? The ones where he struggles with the Prime Directive and his classmate and friend, Captain Bogle. The Klingons join in this rescue with great reluctance. It's not another shoot from the hip Jim Kirk here. I have always said he's not the space cowboy that the next generation always claimed he was. Just as Picard has finesse in negotiation; Jim also has the ability to seek out a peaceful resolution without firing a phaser.