Enterprise Logs: Star Trek (Paperback)

~ Carol Greenburg (Author), Robert Greenberger (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the annals of adventure and exploration, few names shine as brightly as those of the various vessels bearing the noble appellation of Enterprise. Equally distinguished are the many brave captains who have led their respective ships into battle, danger, and glory. STAR TREK® : ENTERPRISE LOGS celebrates the proud history of those ships and their captains with an outstanding collection of new stories starring each of the men and women who have held command upon the bridge of one Enterprise or another.

STAR TREK®

ENTERPRISE LOGS

From the trim fighting sloop that actually fought for freedom in America's Revolutionary War to the state-of-the-art starship commanded by Jean-Luc Picard, this unique anthology presents some of the most thrilling moments in the careers of Kirk, Pike, Decker, Garrett, and many other legendary captains, as told by several popular and bestselling Star Trek authors, including:

Diane Carey * Greg Cox * Ann Crispin * Peter David * Diane Duane * Michael Jan Friedman * Robert J. Greenberger * Jerry Oltion * John Vornholt

From yesterday's history to tomorrow's boldest imaginings, join the ongoing saga chronicled in STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE LOGS.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter One: Captain Israel Daniel Dickenson

The Sloop-of-War Enterprise

"In every revolution, there's one man with a vision...."
Captain James T. Kirk, Star Trek

Diane Carey

Diane knows a little more than most of her colleagues about ships and the rigors of command. In addition to being an accomplished author of science fiction and historical fiction, she is also a seafaring type, preferring older vessels. In fact, Diane braved the lash of early winter, crewing aboard the 1893 Schooner Lettie G. Howard and arriving at New York City's docks. She stopped rigging and cooking just long enough to complete the following story.

This summer, Diane adds her own vision to the Star Trek universe with a new series of novels, starting with Wagon Train to the Stars and introducing one and all to the U.S.S. Challenger.

Diane's contributions to Star Trek extend back more than a decade, including the giant novel Final Frontier, which gave readers a glimpse at George Kirk, father to James. She has written six Original Series novels, four novels set during The Next Generation (including the first original story), six adaptations and one original Deep Space Nine story, and two Voyager novelizations.

With her husband, Greg Brodeur, Diane continues to whip up exciting stories, and shrewd readers will detect the loving attention paid to the starships, making them vital characters along with their crew.

Diane adds:

Special thanks to Captain Austin Becker and the Sloop-of-war Providence of Rhode Island, replica of John Paul Jones's fighting ship, for their help and good works in preserving Revolutionary War history.

My admiration and gratitude also go to Captain Erick Tichonuk, First Mate Len Ruth, and all the crew at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum of Basin Harbor, Vermont, for their hospitality and advice, and their faithful tending of the replica Gunboat Philadelphia. The original Philadelphia resides at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Another of Benedict Arnold's gunboats, believed to be the Spitfire, has recently been found at the bottom of Lake Champlain. As a sailor of historic ships, I convey my applause to the team recovering this national treasure, and hope she soon rises to receive the tribute she deserves.

The Veil at Valcour

"Are the Americans all asleep and tamely giving up their liberties?"
Benedict Arnold, 1775

Dawn, October 11, 1776

"That's the signal gun! Row for it, men! Royal Navy in sight! Heave! Heave!"

Frosted orange leaves roared across the chop. Wind snatched away the coxun's orders. Beneath me a dirty bateau clawed upward, punching through whitecaps against a bitter wind. An hour ago the wind had been at my back. Now, scratching down the Adirondack hemlocks and spruces, it chipped at my nose and cheeks and froze the moisture in my eyes.

"How near are we? Will we see the Continental Navy soon?"

"Heave! Few minutes. Hard over, larboard! Heave!"

Black lake, black land -- the large double-ended bateau muscled up on its right side as if hauled by a winch! I let out a strangled shout and became intimate with the gnawing water at my left elbow. Everything was so black, so dark, that I entertained a brief crazed fear that the men in this boat were the only Americans here and we would face the British ships all alone.

The coxun's fingers dug at my collar as he pulled me back to my seat. "Keep a grip on them fascines there, your honor."

"What happened?"

"Tiller's over. We're coming into the strait."

"It's the devil's own dark! How could you know to turn?"

"Wind dropped. We're in the lee of Valcour Island. We'll meet up with the American navy any minute."

While the boat hurled itself vertical on the unhappy chop, then skated sickeningly downward, I sat upon a prickle of hardwood saplings, twice as long as I was tall, stripped of every branch and tightly bound into nine- or ten-inch bundles so that they were almost tree trunks again. Five of these bundles, a great weight indeed at nearly two hundred pounds each, were strapped across the bateau's wide beam, and caused the boat to wobble and struggle horridly. Along with those, piles of evergreen boughs with warty bark and needles assaulted my legs with every shiver. What could a navy want with trees?

I strained to see into the darkness, but might as well have had a mask over my eyes. The shore of New York, on our left until now, remained invisible. Around us, Lake Champlain was deeply cloaked.

Then, out of the night, came a voice blasting on the wind. "Hands to the tops'l sheets and braces! Bring the tops'l yard abeam! Don't worry, boys, we possess the caution of youth! Other words, none!"

A huge dark mass surged out of the night, angling over my head as if I'd stepped onto a porch. Swinging in a wide arch came a thirty-foot wooden spear with four enormous triangular sails lancing the sky like great teeth. A ship's bowsprit, inches away!

"Oh!" I dropped back and kissed the water again.

Moonless night had hidden an entire ship!

The ship's sides were mounted with bundles of cut evergreens, a shaggy fence making the vessel into a giant bottlebrush. What an otherworldly sight! Camouflage?

"Hard over, Henry!" the voice again came as our bateau rowed abreast of the massive shuddering object. If the boat and the ship came together on the same wave, we'd be crushed. "Port brace, haul away! Lavengood, Thorsby, Barrette, man the bunts and clews. LaMay, show them the lines, quick, man! Barclay and Rochon, lend Hardie a hand! McCrae, your brace is fouled in the spruces. Don't hurt your hands. McCrae, do you hear me? Stephen!"

Black hull planks bumped the bateau. Bracketing his mouth, the coxun shouted up. "On deck! Heave us a painter!"

High above, a wall of angular gray sail snapped in anger. Then, flap, flap...crack! -- the wind filled it! The ship heeled hard, bit the water, and leaped beyond us.

"Sheet her in and stand by! Larboard, slack your sheet! Clew the tops'l! McCrae, what do you think you're doing? Rochon, I said stand by on that sheet!"

That wind-muffled voice -- did I recognize it? Or was it wishfulness after three cargo boats and two fishing smacks?

Just above me, a lantern flickered to life, dancing on the night. Its fiendish glow changed everything. Hemp ropes veined a hundred feet into the sky. Two great wooden strakes carried a huge sail that swung like a swan's wing.

From an unseen hand, a rope snaked out to the bateau, falling a foot from me. The coxun snatched it up, and twisted it to a cleat, and thus we wheeled sidewise toward the surging wooden wall.

"Is this the right ship?" I called. "I'm seeking Israel Daniel Dickenson, aboard the Betsy. Or is it the George? I've got conflicting information on the ship's name."

"We don't call our ships that way." The coxun grasped a spruce bow fixed to the ship and with superhuman power dragged the bateau close, and we skated an inch from disaster. "Get up there, man, before we're beat to splinters!"

As the bateau heaved upward, I stood and put one foot on the bateau's rail. "I'll break my neck!"

"Jump!" the coxun bellowed, "or you'll have seventy ton of sloop in your gullet!"

With one toe I pushed upward, hands scratching for a grip. Boughs rustled, my cloak and tricorn hat disappeared, and I was carried up and away, a fly clinging to a mule's black belly!

"Fend off!" the coxun called. Oars blunted the ship's sides. The boat roached away.

"Heaven help me!" With me riding her wet flank, the ship clawed forward and

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671035797
• ISBN-13: 978-0671035792
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #733,410 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It feels like you're there, June 19, 2000

By	Mel Orr (Durham, North Carolina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was absolutly amazing! All ten stories were so detailed that they may make you feel like you're right there part of the action.

The Captain Israel Daniel Dickenson story is by Diane Carey, is set during the American Revolution, and is the prescective of his brother-in-law, Adam Ghent. Also there is an appearence of General Benedict Arnold, and the story ends with a letter written by Arnold shortly before his death in 1801.

The Captain Osborne B. Hardison story is also by Diane Carey, is set during WWII. It involves a friend of the captain's from the past. In the introduction Carey provides a key of all the navy abbreviations. A nice touch to this story is that the formant of this story is all dialouge.

The Captain Robert April story is by Greg Cox, but initially Diane Carey was going to do this captain because she has written two previous April stories (Final Frontier and Best Destiny). However, Carey wanted to do the two historical stories more because Gene Roddenberry was inspired by these two ships. This story is set in 2246 and has guest appearences of Kor and Kruge, and sets a background story on the Tarsus IV incident (The Conscience of the King).

The Captain Pike story is by Jerry Oltion, who has already written a Pike book (Captain's Table book 6, Where Sea Meets Sky, also a good book), and explores the crew a little more. Here, Number One is given a name, which was also mentioned in the Captain's book. In this story, we see a new race with empathic problems.

The James T. Kirk story is written by Michael Jan Friedman and is focused on a murder investigation. I'm not usually a Kirk fan, but some how Friedman wrote Kirk in a way that I like. We see here yet another ex-flame of Kirk's.

The Captain Will Decker story is by Diane Duane, and is set prior the first Star Trek movie. Duane gets a bit of hand with the details but the story is good nonetheless.

The Captain Spock story is by A.C. Crispin, the longest standing author of the Star Trek book universe. The story is set prior to Wrath of Khan. Here we developments of the Spock-Saavik relationship that is explored more in Vulcan's Heart.

Warning to readers!:

Don't read the following story if you intend to read The Captain's Daughter by Peter David, because the story is given away. I should know because now the story is blown away for me.

The Captain John Harriman story is by the wonderful Peter David, who has already written a story partially about him, the Captain's Daughter. This story focuses on an encounter with a Romulan examiner.

The Captain Rachel Garret story is by Robert Greenberger, who also wrote the Introduction of this book. The story is focused on an unexpected first contact experience. Here, we are reintroduced to Richard Castillo.

The Captain Jean-Luc Picard story is by John Vornholt, and is set in the Captain's Table. Picard tells the story of being on Andorian Homeworld trying desparately to stop a civil war.

If you enjoy the Enterprise legacy, then this book is a must.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Infinity and Beyond -- Long Live the Enterprise!, July 24, 2000

By	Carolee Wende (Lanham, MD United States) - See all my reviews

The format of this book is an unusual concept, as it puts into a lively chronological perspective the personalities and foibles of the ships Enterprise and their captains down through the years. This anthology brings together the creme de la creme of Star Trek writers, and allows them to shine in the short story format. There are a couple of weak links in the grouping, but, as a whole, this collection of stories is worth a prominent place in any Star Trek aficionado's collection of treasured tomes, to be read and reread until the pages start to crumple! I'm even recommending it to my less-than-obsessed with Star Trek friends.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enterprise Logs - Fascinating and well told stories!, July 20, 2003

By	K. Wyatt "ssintrepid" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

From the colonial shores of America during the revolutionary war to the southern Pacific ocean in the embroiled second world war to the farthest reaches of the galaxy the proud name Enterprise has born the banner of honor, freedom and justice, conveying humanities best to friend and foe alike. In these pages you will find ten exceptional, intriguing and truly inspirational short stories written by several of Star Trek's finest authors. Along with the exceptional stories contained within the pages of this exceptional anthology there is a brief bio of the author telling each story.

Captain Israel Daniel Dickenson commanding the Sloop-of-War Enterprise
The Veil at Valcour by Diane Carey - Given her extensive experience with sailing ships of this time period, very few authors could've taken on the task of telling this wonderful story about the Sloop-of-War Enterprise, a ship seized by colonial sailors from the British during the American Revolutionary war. Although I have little clue of the majority of the terminology used in this story, I found the story itself to be truly inspirational.

Captain Osborne B. Hardison commanding the U.S.S. Enterprise
World of Strangers by Diane Carey - Here, Diane Carey takes on the task of telling a brief story of the USS Enterprise during WWII in the Pacific. She takes and accomplishes that task quite well as she turns not so much to telling the tale of the combat itself but to the human side of the equation and the terrible sacrifices and loss this war brought on. Only one minor point of contention on my part, military time doesn't work as it is portrayed in this great story.

Captain Robert April commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Though Hell Should Bar the Way by Greg Cox - Having read every Trek novel written by this author up to the date of this publication, I believe I can say unequivocally that Greg Cox's stories in the Star Trek universe are absolutely exceptional and a complete joy to read! In this short story we meet Captain Robert April as he's leading his ship and crew at breakneck speed to get to Tarsus IV in time before a famine starts taking lives. Along the way though, they encounter Klingon commander Kor and his orders to stop any and all Federation vessels from approaching Tarsus IV.

Captain Christopher Pike commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Conflicting Natures by Jerry Oltion - I've only had the please so far of reading one of Jerry Oltion's previous stories, but I can definitely say now that he has an excellent writing style that I enjoy. Here he tells the hilarious story of Captain Pike, after engaging Klingons having to pick up an Eremoid that wishes to "observe" the crew in their day to day routine. The camaraderie of the crew really sticks out in this one.

Captain James T. Kirk commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 & NCC-1701-A
The Avenger by Michael Jan Friedman - Star Trek's most prolific author proffers up this tale of Captain Kirk on a mission to see that peace talks between the Draqqi and the Iach'tu end successfully. Early in his career, Kirk had been briefly stationed on Draqqana and of course, there is a woman involved. There is a murder of a high profile Draqqi in the midst of the peace talks and Kirk pairs up with that woman who is now the chief Draqqi investigator. This story is in quite good keeping with Michael Jan Friedman's excellent style of writing.

Captain Will Decker commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701
Night Whispers by Diane Duane - Although it had been quite some time since Diane Duane had visited Gene Roddenberry's universe, with this story she makes an excellent return. We visit Captain Will Decker as he is in the process of overseeing the refit of the USS Enterprise right before the events depicted in Star Trek The Motion Picture. Here, Captain Decker must solve the puzzle of some strange script written into the LCARS computer system recently installed on the Enterprise.

Captain Spock commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A
Just Another Little Training Cruise by A. C. Crispin - This fine author had also taken a lengthy respite from Gene Roddenberry's universe and makes a triumphant return with this outstanding story. Here she tells the tale of Spock, the Captain of the Enterprise as she is being used as an Academy training vessel and the beginnings of his "feelings" toward Saavik. We learn when and where they met and this tale beautifully sets up the events in the exceptional novel, "Vulcan's Heart" by Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz.

Captain John Harriman commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-B
Shakedown by Peter David - As one of Star Trek's premier authors, Peter David's stories are well told, thought provoking, captivating, humorous and oft times, quite compelling as is the case with this outstanding story of Captain Harriman. "Somehow" he's been captured by the Romulans and is being interrogated by Rokan, the Tal Shiar's top interrogator. As is with the majority of Peter David's work, this story was a true pleasure to read.

Captain Rachel Garret commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C
Hour of Fire by Robert Greenberger - In this exciting and invigorating tale, Robert Greenberger takes us to a point early in Captain Rachel Garret's command of the Enterprise. She and the Enterprise are on a mission to find an M Class planet for a race known as the Warin. What is especially poignant about this story is her interaction with the crew and then how that crew deals with the emergency that arises. This story was extremely enjoyable.

Captain Jean Luc Picard commanding the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D & NCC-1701-E
The Captain and the King by John Vornholt - One of the best series of books to have come out to date was the Captain's Table series and this story is a real treat as John Vornholt revisits this mythical place. This is an interesting tale of how Picard helped a "would be" King of Andoria make the ultimate sacrifice. {ssintrepid}