Customer Reviews

The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I originally bought this book hoping to get the entire list of 285 Rules. Guess what -- the book only has 70 of the Rules. The reason being, that the full list was never revealed on the series. (Yes, there are apocryphal lists of the rest of the Rules circulating in cyberspace, but they are fan-written and not canonical Trek. Hence, they are not included in this book.) Perhaps more Rules will be made public in future movies. The book does have some blank spaces at the back to list new Rules as the appear. But until they do, we'll have to be content with the 70 Rules we have, because, as Quark says on page vi, "I doubt you humans could handle much more."

This is a pocket-sized book that simply lists the Rules for handy reference, along with some B&W stills from the series. It doesn't tell you anything about the cultural context, history or practical application(s) of the Rules -- for that, you should get Legends of the Ferengi also by Ira Steven Behr & friends.

Before I go any further, I should clarify that, contrary to popular stereotypes, the Ferengi are NOT supposed to be based on Jews. (They are based on "Yankee Traders" -- see TNG episode "The Last Outpost.") As a rabbi who is also a Trekker, I can tell you that some of these Rules go directly against true Jewish values: "When in doubt, lie" (#266) would violate the Ten Commandments, as would "Never ask when you can take" (#52). "Females and finances don't mix" (#94) isn't very Jewish either, since the Book of Proverbs clearly says of the virtuous woman that "she considers a field and buys it; with her profits she plants a vineyard." In the "ultra-orthodox" Hasidic world that some fans [wrongly] believe these rules are spoofing, the women frequently have their own businesses. So no, Ferengi culture is not Jewish culture.

The only reason people think the Ferengi are a metaphor for Jews is because the old stereotype says that Jews love money, and the Ferengi really *do* love money -- but then again, doesn't everybody love money? As Rule #284 states, "Deep down everyone is a Ferengi."

And that's the reason this book is so much fun. The Ferengi Rules spoof the world of business in a way that lets us all admit that financial success is OK. In a society where we are all supposed to idealistically disdain money as "the root of all evil" but where, in real life, we all need money to survive, the straightforward greed of the Ferengi culture let's us have a good laugh at ourselves -- and frees us up to pursue our own success. I keep a copy of the Rules on my desk, and have sometimes used them in the Ferengi section of the Amazon community (otherwise known as "Auctions and ZShops") to give good feedback. What buyer doesn't smile at being told that "Good customers are as rare as latinum -- treasure them" (#57). Conversely, the Rules provide a humorous way to deal with all those net spammers who want my time for free -- because, after all, "Anything worth doing is worth doing for money" (#13). I could go on and on, but I'll end this review here, even though "Enough is... never enough" (#97.)

From the latinum-tongued Ferengi come many witty verbal gems and commonplaces that we hew-mons would do well to commit to memory. Entertaining, insightful and hilarious, the Rules of Acquisition are a treasure not to be neglected by any Star Trek fan, or any cold-hearted, fiscally relentless money-monger. Be the life of the party as you enlighten your friends and family with these sharp-tongued Rules. And make sure to charge them for it. After all, free advice is seldom cheap.

Six bucks for a tiny trade paperback with a small fraction of the Rules and black-and-white photographs from the show? Quark is laughing at you. Anyway, as we learned from a DS9 episode some time after this book was published, they're not really rules at all, they're just suggestions. All hail Grand Nagus Rom.

This is a great book for any Trekker. The Ferengi is one of the more entertaining races in the Star Trek universe. I have often quoted the Rules in conversation. I was delighted when I learned this book was available. I was a little disappointed that this book did not include all the Rules of Acquisition but this was still a lot of fun to read. There is probably some sound business acumen to be gained from these rules though the morals leave something to be desired. As Americans, though, we are a capitalist society and like it or not the Ferengi way mirrors a lot of the more negative aspects of our culture. It is not always pretty but we should try to learn from it. Of course, Free advice is seldom cheap #59 so I do not expect anyone to take my advice on learning from these rules. But this is a fun way for people to see some of our own folly. A guy like Quark is probably not a bad friend in spite of all his flaws.

This book was excellent! I would definitly buy a sequel. It has plenty of good advice for all the want - to - get - rich people. There were two things though. I looked up the rules in my Deep Space 9 magazines and two had different numbers. But that didn't ruin the book at all. I liked the photos too

A great little precursor to "Legends of the Ferengi." Giving the timing of this little treasure, it's a very good trek extra. As far as it being rules to live by, I don't know about that. For collector's sake, this is a pure must to have! It's definitely worth the nominal fee. (Just don't pay retail)

As a long-time student of Star Trek and the Ferengi, I was disappointed with the inaccuracies in this book, and with its sheer superficiality. (Misquote a slew of "rules," slap 'em on paper, put a cover around it, and pass it off as a "book.")

I was disappointed to see how small this book is -- physically and content-wise. It's a small paperback that lists the Rules of Acquisition (1 per page). No frills, no extras. I guess it would be a handy pocket-reference guide if someone needed a pocket reference to the Rules of Acquisition (maybe a young Ferengi studying for a test at school?).

I would have like to see a little more (maybe a cross-reference to the Episode or Book where the Rule was 1st mentioned or an index or a little background on the Ferengi culture and the role of commerce, etc.)

Time is money, so I'll keep it short: This Booklet is worth the money - buy it!

Nice and funny book... easy to read.