Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780671009274
ISBN number: 0671009273
Label: Star Trek
Manufacturer: Star Trek
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 343
Printing Date: March 01, 1998
Publishing house: Star Trek
Sale Popularity Level: 610714
Studio: Star Trek
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Brief Book Summary:
Just over a year ago, Captain James T. Kirk was lost to the Nexus while saving the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-B from destruction. Aboard the science ship Intrepid II, Captain Spock, commanding some of his old crewmates, must face the loss of his closest friend. But while still in mourning for one friend, he must come to the aid of another.
Decades ago, Spock had teamed up with David Rabin, the young son of a Starfleet Captain, to fight an attempted coup on Vulcan that would have turned the planet's people away from the path of logic. Now a Starfleet officer, Captain David Rabin has been assigned to a harsh desert world much like Vulcan, where the Federation is determined to protect the lives of the inhabitants. But Rabin's efforts are being sabotaged and he has asked for Spock's help against the unknown forces that may well destroy the society he had come to save.
While reflecting on his youthful adventure with David Rabin, Spock joins with Rabin to face and enemy out of their past and confront deadly Romulan treachery. In the process Spock will decide if the path of his life now leads back toward the family traditions he had once sought to escape.
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Rated by buyers 
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I would say that this book very well describes the beginnings of the Rise of Spock as we all know and love him. The conflict between he and his father, his very first interactions with Starfleet and Humans, whom he would spend a considerable amount of his life around, until he moved on into the Reunification Act with Romulus. This is essential to any fan of Spock.
Rated by buyers 
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Sarek's wisdom was more profound, far seeing, and stronger than Spock's. Spock's entry into the Federation was a mistake. Spock desire for glory and power would make him famous. Jim Kirk like David Rabin would provide the stepping stones and alliances for his rise to power and the power would be self-assuming. Spock potential for intelligence and brilliance lost a web of deceit and corruption. The self-fulfilled Sareks predictions of aggression and violence associated with the Federation would stain Spock. "You are no part of me","Observe what you have done to your mother, to one of those humans among whom you will go. Your presence will damage them." So true.
Vulcan science is awesome. Federation very first contact was with Vulcan. Vulcan practiced for the most part isolationism from Vulcan. Sered wanted Vulcan to withdraw from the federation. Sered's aggression in taking hostages was his painful flaw and other attrocities include radiation poisoning of his cult followers, of which McCoy medical skills coveted for a cure.
Spock's career with the federation was devoid of peaceful scientific discover; replete with acts of "Cowboy verses Indian" violence; and entangling in the internal affairs of numerous races. Sarek pleads with great love for his son Spock to remain peaceful, but Spock likes the power of violence, death, and destruction and yields to the temptation. Amanda knows Sarek loves his son. "Never that..The idea of my son, handling weapons, learning the madness of the ways of violence, is totally unacceptable." Sarek want's Spock to stay on Vulcan and gain mastery over his emotions, but Spock believes he has been betrayed by Vulcan tradition and seeks the wisdom of the Federation.
Spock asks, "Why would T'Pau give us swords if we are to shun weapons?" T'Pau herself said, "It is to remind thee not to deny the past, yes. But it is also to remind thee how narrow and sharp is the edge between chaos and civilization." T'Pau warning concidences with Sarek's plead for peace. The Federation is no bastion of peace. The federation maintains peace through political coercion, military power, and entangling hegemony. Membership in the federation is militaristic; the federation is at war with the Klingons and Romulans and very active in asserting its power. Sarek speaking to Amanda reasons "Spock has rejected thousands of years of peace to choose Starfleet and its ethic of war, it glorification of violence. How long can anyone survive that way?"
The prime directive can be preempted on will. The prime directive should be the supreme moral guideline governing the Federation interactions with alien planets, however, the prime directive has become more an ideal than a practical application. In large part, the Prime directive applies only too countries the federation has not interest in controlling or influencing.
Reunionification has good intentions but has produced no good fruit. Interaction between conflicting groups is the only way to break down the barriers between the two groups. Balance of Power creates short-term stability but over the long run fails because of its meddlesome nature. Containment is a futile doctrine and no group likes being governed against their will and so, colonization becomes a doomed endeavor.
Spocks disrespect towards Sarek is distasteful. "In all respect, sir, I do not require your consent. " A law unto himself, this lack of consent would constantly make Spock his own authority and self-governing law. Spock arrogantly and self-righteously believes his wisdom transcendent Sarek and Surek. Spocks reunionification with Romulan put him at odds with both the Romulans, who wanted him dead and the Federation, who wanted to protect sensitive information falling into the hands of the Romulans. In both cases of potential espionage and defection, Spock was a protected for his information. Spock's cowboy diplomacy had no affect on reducing military tensions between the Federation and the Romulan empire. Pardek did not become a significant political figure, nor did Runeak gain influence over the military.
Did Spock kill Sered? A fatal blow to the solar plexus. The author does not reveal that fact. Self appointed Spock leads a Sered following on Romulus in his own Romulan following during Reunification. Spock enters the cave proclaiming, "Are these your God's?"
Rated by buyers 
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The story never really picks up and for the most part it's written like a fan-fiction. Gene Roddenberry who was a very outspoken athiest would be rolling over in his grave at the Jewish references. It just doesn't feel like Star Trek and Spock isn't quite himself. The authors bend the Star Trek universe to their whim and it really doesn't work. Once again, you can find better writing and more interesting stories from fans on the Internet.
Rated by buyers -
This novel opens in 2296, about a year after Kirk's death/disappearance. Spock is now captain of Intrepid II and is summoned to assist an old friend, David Rabin. The two had met many years before on Vulcan. The novel jumps between to two encounters which have many similiarities.
The action is intense throughout the book, depictions of both the new and familiar characters is handled well. For Spock fans (which should be just about everyone reading this book) it is a feast of background information on his teenage years and decision to enter the Academy.
The main flaw, in my opinion, was that it drug on a bit. I think that it would have been better if it were about 50 pages shorter.
The same authors also wrote VULCAN'S HEART two years later, which contains references to this novel.
Rated by buyers -
This is to review the audio cassette version. Run time over 3 hours (2 cassettes). Nimoy does a very credible job in reading this and portraying the various characters in the story. Sound affects are excellent, and the music does not get in the way. The story line does a great job of tying together some loose ends of Spock's past. We find out what led to Spock joining Star Fleet and as an added bonus how he ends up in the diplomatic corp (sic. STNG - Romulans). Even with jumping back and forth between past and present the story holds together quite well. Anyway, I highly recommend this audio book, very enjoyable!
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