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Star Trek: New Worlds, New Civilizations
Rating: 
Series: All
Published: November, 1999
Author: Michael Jan Friedman
Review by: CL8 Sonata Form |
"Star Trek: New Worlds, New Civilizations" is a bit of an oddity when it comes to categorization. It's not a reference book, nor is it a novel. The closest description one could come to is that it is a collection of short stories, but using that term would be a disservice of understatement to this book. New Worlds, New Civilizations is filled with brilliant artwork and imaginative diagrams relating to and depicting those stories. Most of the stories are told from the perspective of a Federation reporter, or some other observer. Anyone who grew up reading issues of National Geographic will immediately recognize the style of writing and layout.
The book and those stories within are divided into four sections corresponding to one of the four mystical elements: fire, water, air and earth. Naturally, each of the stories draws its ethos from one of those four elements. We're taken to Vulcan, where a Vulcan master leads a Human reporter through the scorching desert, a rite of passage for young Vulcans. On rain-soaked Ferenginar, Quark and a coalition of Ferengi plot against the new Grand Nagus Rom and his social reforms. We're taken to an obscure outpost of the Federation Department of Temporal Investigations where a pair of grumpy officers watch and study the Guardian of Forever. We see how native San Franciscans resolve to rebuild after the devastating attack on Earth by the Dominion-allied Breen.
They only reason I hold back a fifth star is that some readers may not appreciate the style of some of the artwork, which in some places is a bit severe. This is the only complaint I have. Harmoniously blending material from the first four Star Trek series, New Worlds, New Civilizations reminds us how rich and lush the universe of Star Trek is. It reminds us how many storylines are possible, just by elaborating on existing materials. For anyone who's burnt out with Star Trek, upset with Enterprise, or just loves curling up with a National Geographic, I hoheartedly recommend New Worlds, New Civilizations. It will revitalize your love for the genre.
Title: Star Trek: New Worlds, New Civilizations
Author: Michael Jan Friedman
Review by: CL8 Sonata Form
