Star Trek: The Return [Hardcover]

William Shatner (Author), Judith Reeves-Stevens (Author), Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

Captain Kirk's career seemed to have come to an end after the catalysmic events of Star Trek: Generations. Now William Shatner reveals the secret of the return of Kirk. Veridian III: a world has been saved, and the U.S.S. Enterprise lies in ruins. Having joined forces, the Borg and the Romulan Empire eye their key weapon--none other than the miraculously resurrected Kirk--and a confrontation is waged between the old generation and the new.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Shatner serves up the latest installment in the best-selling multiauthored series.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Just after the events of Star Trek Generations, on the planet Veridian III, ambassador Spock comes to the humble cairn, or stones, that marks the grave of James Kirk. But he is not granted time to ponder the passing of his best friend. The Borg and the Romulan Empire have a use for Kirk, and with some mysterious alien science they resurrect the fallen captain, who they hope will give them the edge they need to destroy their greatest enemy, Jean-Luc Picard. It will take the combined powers of both generations, from Spock and McCoy to Data and Riker, to meet this almost unthinkable new threat.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 371 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; 1st edition (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671526103
• ISBN-13: 978-0671526108
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shatner's attempt to rebirth Kirk is imaginative..., June 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return (Star Trek) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I heard that William Shatner wrote a "Trek" novel that brings legendary Captain Kirk back to life, my first impression was "How corny and desperate is Shatner to do this?" and I was reluctant to even digest the idea. However, being a die-hard trekkie, I admit I was quite curious to the concept. To my delight, Shatner's tale of rebirth and unification of Spock and McCoy with the Next Generation crew was not only un-corny, but very imaginative, as well. This novel combines the action and humor of both generations of "Trek" far superior than "Star Trek - Generations" did. The idea of a Borg / Romulan dissentor alliance was unique, and the way Shatner describes the re-generation tecniques is believable when put into a 24th century context. The new Starfleet equipment (starships, cloak detection devices, etc.) are very exciting, and one must wonder if the Borg are to make a return. (Their homeworld is destroyed and the remaining collective throughout the universe is in dissarray.) Can the Borg ever recover? That question may or may not be answered in the sequel, "Avenger", also written by Shatner, which I will start as soon as I finish this review. This is an excellent novel, a page-turner, and I have a new respect for Shatner the writer, and I may even sample his "Tek" series. This is for old-school trekkies such as myself...the constant references to the original "Trek" t.v. show were a delight, and the Borg / V'Ger connection was brilliant. Great work, Mr. Shatner.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, but annoyed, December 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Trek: The Return (Hardcover)

After reading this book I can honestly say that it is one of the most intriguing trek novels written to date. I give Shatner his due, he tells a fun story, if implausible at times. I liked the Borg element and the way Shatner put together some interesting ideas. I guess what really annoyed me is the way Shatner treats characters other than kirk. In a word he butchers them. Kirk defeats worf in combat. Picard a blithering idiot while kirk has the situation well in hand. The next generation crew idiotic compared to him. Kirk is made out to be the greatest thing the galaxy has ever known. In other words superman!! But I suppose the most troubling thing about the 2 Shatner books that I have read so far(I also reviewed avenger tonight) is how the next generation crew are dumped on by Shatner. I have spectre, dark victory, and preserver and I am concerned What will be next? Kirk defeats the entire dominion in a runabout. I don't know, I liked the return because Shatner told a good story but something has to be done about the damage that gets done to characters. Mr. Shatner help me out!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shatner at his best, December 8, 1999

By 

Mark A. Stewart "Author" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Return (Star Trek) (Mass Market Paperback)

With this book, William Shatner proves he knows as much about what makes Trek work as anyone and in fact, knows more than most. This book is a thrill a page with wonderful character moments throughout. Shatner also blends the classic characters with the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine characters extreemely well and without any of them suffering from bad characterization (at least not any that is his fault in this novel) or over shadowing characters that might normally get lost when standing next to Kirk or Spock. This is still Shatner's best Star Trek novel, though all of them are well worth the read. This is also the best Star Trek novel I have ever read and it's even better than some of the films!