The Joy Machine (Star Trek, Book 80) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ James Gunn (Author), Theodore Sturgeon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Timshel was once the vacation spot of the galaxy, full of culture, natural beauty, and friendly, hospitable inhabitants. But now Timshel has cut itself off from the universe. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Concerned, the Federation has sent agents to investigate, but none have returned.

Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship EnterpriseTM are shocked to discover the truth: the people of Timshel have succumbed to an insidious new technology that guarantees every citizen total pleasure, a soul-destroying ecstasy that has enslaved their entire civilization. Kirk and Spock have faced many threats before, but now they face the most seductive menace of all: perfect happiness.

And the rest of the Federation may soon fall under the irresistible control of the Joy Machine.

From the Publisher

Timshel was once the vacation spot of the galaxy, full of culture, natural beauty, and friendly, hospitable inhabitants. But now Timshel has cut itself off from the universe. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Concerned, the Federation has sent agents to investigate, but none have returned.

Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise^TM are shocked to discover the truth: the people of Timshel have succumbed to an insidious new technology that guarantees every citizen total pleasure, a soul-destroying ecstasy that has enslaved their entire civilization. Kirk and Spock have faced many threats before, but now they face the most seductive menace of all: perfect happiness.

And the rest of the Federation may soon fall under the irresistible control of the Joy Machine.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067100221X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671002213
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,487,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For Nostalgia Buffs, August 14, 2002

By	Jamie Jeffords (South Carolina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Joy Machine read just like an episode of the Original Series. Had it been an actual episode, it would have been considered somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as favorite episodes go, IMHO. Nevertheless, even though it is filled with cliches, predictable twists, and a pat ending typicl of ROS episodes, I had a good time "visualizing" the novel as an episode. I gave it three stars because that was a neat experience. For literary merit (or close proximity there f) it deserves less.

For the Trekker completists only.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things people don't realize, March 19, 2001

By A Customer

It was many years ago when Theodore Sturgeon wrote down his ideas for this book. He died before he actually was able to write it. When James Gunn was approached to write the book using Sturgeon's notes he wasn't sure he wanted to do it but agreed. The book was based on the original Star Trek and a lot has changed since then. Maybe the time for the book had passed but I thought it was very well done.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The story line is not original. Deja Vu all over again., November 19, 1998

By	Mr. Shep Willner (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

A quarantined pleasure planet, a drug-induced ecstasy, and a planet controlled by a computer: Where have I seen these themes used before? Oh yes. "Shore Leave," "The Apple," "The Return of the Archons," "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky (TOS)"; "When the Bough Breaks" (STTNG); and "Once Upon a Planet" (Animated series). I agree with the first review. Bypass this novel for better ones on the store shelves.