Book Club: Star Trek Books

I've just finished reading the recent crop of Trek books, so I'll just
comment in a bit of a general sense. I read the TNG era "Destiny" trilogy
when they came out, without having read any of the books leading up to them,
and I was pretty impressed. Oh, I knew that Riker was captain of the Titan,
but that was pretty much it. I'd heard that Janeway had been killed off, but
I wasn't really thinking about that. So I was surprised to find Chakotay
commanding Voyager. I like Chakotay, even as Captain, but why did someone
feel the need to kill off Janeway? Though I suppose if Lucas can sanction
Chewbacca getting killed...

Anyway, I was pretty happy with Destiny. David Mack did a decent job of
rendering the characters. I just have a few complaints. I didn't read the
book where Ezri Dax got command of the Aventine, but I don't think I've ever
known a character less deserving of commanding the most advanced ship in the
fleet. I always thought that Ezri Dax was a stunningly weak character to
follow in Jadzia's footsteps, and while I think that David Mack wrote her
well, I truly dislike her as A) a starship captain, and B) captain of such a
ship. Battlefield promotions I get, but not keeping that ship. And I don't
have a problem with women captains. The female Romulan Commander from TOS
"The Enterprise Incident", Kathryn Janeway, Erika Hernandez... no, I just
don't believe in Captain Ezri Dax of the USS Aventine.

Speaking of Captain Erika Hernandez, I know that everyone seems to take an
image from the "Ships of the Line" calendar as definitive proof that NX-02
crashed, but I like the ship and the captain, and I think it's kind of
rotten what they did to them. I won't go into lots of detail, but her ship
gets mutinied (if that's a word) out from under her, and the character is
relegated to what is essentially imprisonment for the bulk of the series.
Granted, she plays a major role in saving the day at the end, but at that
point she really isn't Erika Hernandez. She's more like someone who used to
be Erika Hernandez. A big let down. But the rest of the series was pretty
good. I will also say that the Borg seem to be gone, finally. Good thing or
bad thing I don't know. (And an intentional return to the Delta Quad to
confirm that the Borg are gone seems to be upcoming in a planned book). But
that sort of leads to Post-Destiny books. I've read "Full Circle", "Losing
the Peace", and "A Singular Destiny", and I have to say that while "Full
Circle" was a fascinating and personal story of Chakotay dealing with the
loss of Janeway, the other two books, while interesting, were also less
interesting for their content than they are for the foreshadowing of a
future threat to be encountered in a miniseries about "The Typhon Pact".
While "A Singular Destiny" moved very quickly, was interesting, and advances
the story in a unique fashion, I simply found it quite light, and not
entirely satisfying. And "Losing the Peace" had essentially the same
problem. I like the picture that was shown of the unprecedented refugee
problem, and the characters were well drawn, but I found it, in the end,
unsatisfying. Good story, interesting and fast moving, but light weight.
Unsatisfying. I'm looking forward to the Typhon Pact books. Unless, of
course, it's just going to be another war/soap opera series that is
eventually unsatisfying. Next time, I'll talk about the recent "Enterprise"
Relaunch series, which just gave us the most detailed look we've ever had at
the Earth/Romulan War. And of course all comments are welcome.

Notes From Behind the Counter

I'm planning to open the doors for discussion of books, movies, or any other
subject of interest to visitors. In the next several days, I'll talk about
some books that I've read lately, and encourage any interested visitors to
share their opinions.

Kapact

For Sale! One Available! "War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler" Just $2.00 USD Plus $3.98 Shipping and Handling!

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War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler (Paperback+ Free DVD) Oliver North
In War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler, Marine combat veteran Lt. Colonel Oliver North gives you a chance to revisit the front lines with infantrymen slugging their way up the boot of Italy, bomber pilots threading the shell bursts over Germany, and sailors of the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine dueling German U-Boats in the icy Atlantic. The whole panoramic spectacle of the war in Europe is here, from the perspectives of American, British, Russian, French, and even German individuals who saw history unfold before their eyes.
Using dramatic first-person testimony, North reveals:
· The reality of combat: how it felt to live through the Battle of Britain as a citizen and a pilot, on the ground and in the air
· The stories of Yanks in the RAF: how Americans fought Hitler before Pearl Harbor
· America’s first taste of battle in North Africa against the Germans—and the French
· How farm boys and field workers climbed the cliffs of Normandy and brought down the army of the Blitzkrieg
· A date with destiny: men and women who joined up together to fight for liberty
· The saga of war on the home front: how women faced enormous challenges in America, Russia, and Britain and helped win the war
· Amazing stories of resolve on the battlefield: from Anzio to the Bulge to Berlin.
Featuring extended interviews with veterans that cover the war in Europe from beginning to end, War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the World War II generation—a remembrance of the bravery and honor of these heroes. It belongs in the hands of every veteran, every student, and every American

This book has some minor wear to the front and back covers, and a few pages are bent from handling. The spine is uncreased, and the DVD is unscratched.

For Sale! One Available! "Romance/Sci-fi Special Bundle Deal" Just $2.00 USD Plus $2.98 Shipping and Handling!

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Maid in Manhattan (2002) (Wide Screen Edition NTSC)
Maid in Manhattan is the fun, breezy story of a single mother (Jennifer Lopez, Out of Sight, The Wedding Planner) born and raised in the boroughs of New Yourk City who is a maid in a first class hotel. By a twist of fate and a case of mistaken identity, she meets a handsome heir (Ralph Fiennes, Schindler's List, Red Dragon), who believes she is a guest at the hotel. Fate intervenes further, throwing the pair together for one great night.
The disc has no scratches. The box shows some very minor wear.

The Core (2003) (Full Screen Edition NTSC)
In the fun, exciting sci-fi adventure, "The Core", fear is in the air as research reveals that the earth's core is stalled and unless it gets a jumpstart, the world will burn! The world's last hope rests on the shoulders of a heroic group of 'terranauts', led by Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank who travel to the center of the earth to try to save the planet. This is a great sci-fi adventure!
The disc has no scratches. The box shows some minor wear. One unfortunate puncture in the front protective plastic sleeve.

For Sale! One Available! "Timeslips & Terrors by Laura Wright" Just $10.00 USD Plus $4.95 Shipping and Handling!

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Timeslips & Terrors (Trade Paperback) by Laura Wright

Over twenty short stories and two novellas await the hapless reader inside Timeslips & Terrors. The reading itinerary includes an evening with the Spider. An undervalued archaeologist finds the object of his desire and embraces the consequences that follow. Enjoy your stay in the lovely town of Last Chance where the locals make a lasting impact on visitors. Relax at the posh Walnut Lodge Resort where the party never stops. One man trembles as the perfect murder unravels into a nightmare. One mother will stop at nothing to protect her child and another man learns how the simplest of curiosities can lead to unimaginable horror. The combination of flash fiction and lengthy stories promise there’s a perfect literary "fit" for every reader. Story elements vary from psychological to suspenseful and supernatural.




This book is new, with no wear and an uncreased spine. It normally sells for $15.95 USD...

For Sale! One Available! Naval Adventure Special Bundle Deal $5.00 USD Plus $4.95 Shipping and Handling

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  Passage to Mutiny (Mass Market Paperback)(The seventh book in the Richard Bolitho series)(1976)A novel by Alexander Kent

It is October 1789, in New South Wales. Into Sydney, capital of Britain's infant colony, sails the frigate Tempest. She is one of His Majesty's ships employed in policing the new southern trade routes. Her captain is Richard Bolitho, who hopes to be ordered home to England. Instead, he is despatched on a mission to the islands of the Great South Sea, where he must face hazards of fickle winds, pirates and savage islanders. But he is menaced by deeper fears; the men of the Bounty have mutinied in these same waters; and from distant Europe comes news of a revolution in France...
This book shows some very minor wear to the front and rear cover. The spine is uncreased.

Badge of Glory (Mass Market Paperback)(The first book in the Blackwood Family series)(1982)A novel by Douglas Reeman

In an era of Empire and an age of change, tradition meshes with new technology to shape the destiny of men and nations. As the Age of Sail gives way to the power of steam and battleground muskets yield to sharp-shooting rifles, Captain Philip Blackwood eagerly takes command of his old vessel, the H.M.S. Audacious, in the summer of 1850. Sent out to Africa to eliminate the last strongholds of slavery, then on to the Crimean War, Blackwood and his men battle brutal heat and bitter opposition to uphold the Royal Marines' motto-Per Mare-Per Terram. The first volume in Douglas Reeman's stirring story of the Blackwoods, Badge Of Glory begins a vivid saga that spans a century and a half in the life of a great seafaring family and their enduring British heritage.
This book shows moderate wear to the front and rear covers, but the spine is uncreased.

For Sale! One Available! "The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick" Just $25.00 USD Plus $4.95 Shipping and Handling!

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"The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick"
From the Amazon.com review...
Creating epic documentaries about war is nothing new for Ken Burns, nor is the subject of the Second World War, which never ceases to be a popular subject of films and TV shows. Yet with The War, Burns has definitely succeeded in breaking new ground, exploring in depth the effect of the war on common Americans, and not just the soldiers of The Greatest Generation that fought it. As the narration says at the beginning, "The war affected people in every house, on every street in every town in America." This is nothing less than an attempt to show how the war altered the lives of an entire nation through the portrayal of four individuals from four communities--Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alambama; Luverne, Minnesota; and Sacramento, California--that could represent any town in the country that went through the war. The result is another stunning achievement for Burns and co-director Lynn Novick. Together the filmmaking team succeeds in bringing the war home through the testimonies, letters, and footage of the people from these towns. The storytelling is compelling--Burns and Novick manage to find the most vivid, intimate, and personal dimensions of a global catastrophe--and brought to life with exceptional voice work from marquee stars like Tom Hanks, Alan Arkin, and Samuel L. Jackson. Much of the footage is brilliantly restored; even the most die-hard History Channel buff will see clips here that they've never viewed before. Many old grainy family films look almost as clean and bright as if they were just shot using a modern camera with black-and-white film (keeping in mind that most of the footage was shot without sound, the audio effects work on The War is particularly impressive and should bring attention to the underappreciated work of the foley artist). It took Burns and Novick six years to make this seven-part, 15-hour film--not surprising, really, considering the miles of footage they must have accumulated in the course of their research--and the time and effort shows in the results. The DVD also includes a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, extensive commentaries, and more, in addition to a companion book, The War: An Intimate History. --Daniel Vancini

The case shows some very minor corner wear, and a few surface scratches ON THE BOX ONLY. There are no scratches on the discs.