Deep Space Nine Companion (Star Trek Deep Space Nine) (Paperback)

~ Terry J. Erdmann (Author), Paula M. Block (Author) "What are the most important elements required in the development of a television series?..." (more)
Key Phrases: holosuite program, grand nagus, wormhole aliens, Deep Space Nine, Ira Behr, Ron Moore (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The challenge of putting together a television show for the first time was especially intimidating because of the traditions and the expectations for Star Trek®."

-- Michael Piller, co-creator, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

It might be hard to believe, but there was a time when launching a new Star Trek series was considered a risky venture. Maybe it was just luck that Star Trek: The Next Generation® had succeeded. Could another show capture the imagination of the viewers?

The creators of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine® built a cast of characters totally different from the more comfortable, familiar ones that had been seen on previous incarnations of Star Trek. One of the writers observed, "You can see right away they're not perfectly engineered humans....They seem more real....They represent a different way to tell a story." The setting for the show was a space station, a dark, almost sinister, alien place -- the diametrical opposite of a bright reassuring starship. This new Star Trek series set every expectation on its head -- and it succeeded. Deep Space Nine created some of the most visionary, emotionally charged and critically acclaimed hours of television ever made, and at the end of seven years it could boast of ranking at the top of the syndicated ratings year after year.

The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion is the official guide to all 176 spectacular episodes of this revolutionary series. Detailed synopses, behind-the-scenes information, and in-depth interviews with the cast and crew are provided for each show. Hundreds of photographs and illustrations -- many never before seen -- fill the pages of this book. For the casual reader or the fan who wants to know more, this is the definitive book on this groundbreaking series. From its explosive beginning to the heartrending conclusion, relive it all and see why TV Guide called it "the best acted, written, produced, and altogether finest...Star Trek series."

Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Star Trek; First Edition edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671501062
• ISBN-13: 978-0671501068
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #323,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sisko lives! And here's how to keep track of his adventures, September 8, 2000

By	John DiBello (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm an avid fan of the "Star Trek The Next Generation Companion," and this all-new volume examining what is arguably the best (certainly the most controversial) Trek series is must reading for anyone intrigued by the creation, scriptwriting and production of the series.

Each and every episode is covered in depth with a plot summary and detailed history "behind the scenes" of the episode's creation, writing, and filming. One of the reasons I enjoyed DS9 so much is the involved storyline of the series--the Dominion War--and having each of the episodes laid out in chronological order, with extensive detail on the structure of the storyline and subplots, helped me appreciate even more what Berman and Piller and company set out to do. It's filled with entertaining stories and nuggets of background information--how did they do they, where did they get the idea for that, what worked (and didn't)...it's ideal for the Star Trek fan as well as anyone interested in television writing and production.

I don't entirely agree with some of the previous review comments: understand that a book like this takes time to write and create, not to mention publish, have sales reps advance into bookstores, and print and ship. I work in publishing, and with very few exceptions, publishing books takes a *long* lead time. There's no way this could have been ready (or as complete) if it were issued last year. I'd also say, again as someone working inside publishing, that adding color photographs and a hardback binding, while nice, would dramatically increase the price of the book, probably to forty dollars or above.

The very best compliment I can give a book like is that it makes me want to go back to the original source again. If you're a Trek fan, I dare you to pick this up and not get totally involved in it, and *then* want to dig out your tapes and rewatch all your favorite episodes...and even a few that this book will give you a brand new appreciation for.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dream come true for the DS9 fan!, July 29, 2000

By	Johnny B (Hermosa Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This amazing book is an absolute must-have for the hardcore fan of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine... if you are like me and savored every episode over all seven seasons, you will appreciate the author's in-depth coverage, behind-the-scenes info on every episode, and his obvious affection for the show. This book is over 700 pages and filled with new photos & illustrations I have never seen anywhere else, including really nifty things like production drawings, some hilarious props, and even a map of Bajor. The many interviews with the cast & creators alone are worth the price. If hearing "The Way You Look Tonight" makes you misty, buy this book!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks from the author, April 27, 2005

By	Terry J. Erdmann - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am the author of the Star Trek Deep Space Nine Companion. I want to thank all of you for the wonderful reviews you've given to this book. But please do not be confused by Amazon's error: This book is NOT out of print. Both the publisher and I have informed Amazon of their error many times, but the company apparenty does have a system to correct their error. The book is "in print" and available. Period. Again, thanks for your good words. Terry J. Erdmann