Well, you know what they say about opinions... | Report this post to moderator
By: falcon (Odo's file, contact) @ 05:50:02 on Oct 09, 2007

Folks, step back and take a deep breath. This review is simply one man's opinion, even if it is someone who's been reviewing books for years. If you disagree, read the book. Even if you agree, read the book. But don't diss the book based on the word of one person.

That's why conservative talk radio has been such a success - people allowing other people to tell them what they think. If you have an opinion about the book, let's hope it's based on the fact that you actually read it. If your opinion is based on someone else's opinion, you need to grow a brain.

And to Judy and Gar, thanks for coming on the site to explain the book. Most authors (actors/actresses, producers, etc.) only care about the money and don't give a hoot what their readers/fans think. Good for you guys for caring!

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falcon

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The Shatmeister as a "writer" | Report this post to moderator
By: garym (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:56:19 on Oct 08, 2007

Did Shatner just come up with the title, then?

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Shatner's book | Report this post to moderator
By: CrazyDrummer (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:40:43 on Oct 07, 2007

NO come on - don't sit on the fence Jeff! Did you like it or not?

I've always thought his books self-indulgent twaddle I'm afraid and this idea seemed like a stinker when I first heard about it. It will NOT be going no my reading list any time soon.

He's an actor NOT a writer - and judging by the couple of Shatner "Kirk" novels I ploughed through neither are the Reeves-Stephens.

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Ouch! | Report this post to moderator
By: J&G (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:16:01 on Oct 07, 2007

Hi Jeff,

Ouch. Sorry you didn’t enjoy the book, but we do hope you’ll be able to correct the record regarding some factual and continuity details.

Quote:
“It has always been my understanding that Kirk and Spock didn’t meet until the day he took command of the Enterprise.”
To the best of our knowledge, their first meeting hasn’t been established in official continuity. (And also to the best of our knowledge, there are no continuity issues between this book and next year’s movie.)

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“… Spock … was selling a stolen Vulcan artifact in the same club.”
Actually, he wasn’t doing anything of the kind. Please recheck Chapter 17.

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“Their father is a total drunk…”
This just baffles us. In Chapter 32, Kirk’s dad gets two beers from a cooler when Mallory, the person who helped Kirk get into the Academy, comes to see him, but they don’t even drink them. That chapter also describes Kirk’s father’s record in Starfleet as exceptional, with a list of commendations that runs three pages. And judging from what Kirk’s father does to Sam’s apartment, he’s still got what it takes, steady hands and all.

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“The idea that Starfleet could be so incompetent is inexcusable.”
Well, that’s certainly what Kirk thinks at the beginning of the book. But by the end, without getting into spoiler territory, when he and the readers realize that Starfleet has been ten steps ahead of him from the beginning, knows who the bad guys are, and has a flotilla in place to take care of business, it seems pretty obvious that Starfleet has been anything but incompetent. In fact, they’ve been pretty darn clever.

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“You might wonder how they end up in Starfleet – the answer is they must enlist or be sent to a penal colony.”
Again, that’s just not in the book. Chapter 54 explains how Kirk ended up in Starfleet. Chapter 55 explains how Spock ended up in Starfleet. Each makes the decision on his own, with absolutely no coercion involved. Spock’s decision is based on what’s clearly established in “Journey to Babel.” And though official continuity doesn’t have a lot to say about Kirk’s decision to join Starfleet, like most people we treat it as if it’s his calling, one that formed in childhood. (In fact, sharp-eyed readers might catch a little reference to a scene from Prime Directive regarding the moment young Jimmy – and his father -- realize Kirk’s destiny.)

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“If they were in the Academy at the same time, then why did Spock end up with Captain Pike for several years…”
Hey! That’s not us, that’s official continuity! As the Star Trek Chronology points out, references in several TOS episodes suggest Spock and Kirk were at the Academy at the same time, though the precise year of their enrolment can’t be determined. Given that wiggle room, for the purposes of the story, we chose 2249 which, though it’s not officially established, doesn’t contradict anything that has been established, either. The Chronology also points out that Spock apparently began to serve with Pike before he graduated. That certainly is an unusual situation that’s already established, so we’ll definitely be addressing it during the arc of the Academy stories.

Quote:
“Where is Gary Mitchell in all this?”
Again, that’s not us! As established in “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” Kirk was one of Gary’s instructors. That suggests that Gary entered the Academy after Kirk and, like all the other elements of official continuity having to do with the Academy, we will definitely be including it. Remember, this first book tells the story of how Kirk entered the Academy. There's lots more to come.

At least we can take heart from your comment that a thousand questions will enter the reader’s head, suggesting that we at least achieved having you wonder what will happen next! Maybe that’s what got us the single star!

On a personal note, we’re guessing this might be another opportunity to apologize again to you for inadvertently declining the interview you requested for your book. Our fault entirely, and we remain, as we have told you, available for a make-up interview anytime there might be a second edition, or for any other project.

Thanks for the publicity!

Judy & Gar

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Shatnerverse | Report this post to moderator
By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 08:59:49 on Oct 07, 2007

I love the Shatnerverse books. ASHES OF EDEN, THE RETURN and PRESERVER are among my favorite Trek novels ever. Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens are a terrific team.

I am deeply disapointed regarding this review of THE ACADEMY. I will buy the book anyway, but boy, what a mess it appears to be.

Gustavo

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gustavo@trekweb.com

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The most shocking thing about this... | Report this post to moderator
By: Davy Pavel Chekov-Jones (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:20:03 on Oct 07, 2007

...is not so much that Shatner would think to have strip-club scenes with Spock or commit some blatant continuity gaffes...

...it's that the Reeves-Stevens are involved in any way with this "train wreck." The fact that they've helped ghost-write, embellish and support these ideas is the real head-scratcher. They've been 2 class acts in TREK for years now. This material sounds beneath them. Yikes.

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I knew it was going to be bad but... | Report this post to moderator
By: dark_mr_fripperton (Odo's file, contact) @ 01:22:48 on Oct 07, 2007

...never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this bad. Mam oh man does this sound like a train wreck!

Hopefully it will majorly piss off the fans and this will be the end of Shatner's book "writing."

I have a few of Shatner's past novels but haven't read any of them yet. I am now thinking of taking his books to a used book store and not even trying to read any of his Trek work.

It's just not worth it.

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Jeebus | Report this post to moderator
By: TheSarge (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 22:21:21 on Oct 06, 2007

I've quite liked Shatner's novels and would usually overlook some of the more fanboy'ish elements in them - but even I don't think I could do this book.

Maybe if it is really cheap somewhere I might consider it but I think that the storyline would make my eyes bleed.

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