Adventures in Time and Space

Star Trek: Adventures in Time and Space edited by Mary P. Taylor is a journey in retrospect through time to sample the best the future has to offer. This is a one-of-a-kind tribute volume highlighting the most unforgettable moments from a generation of bold exploration by some of the most imaginative science fiction authors of our time.Taylor is one of the initial fans who was captivated by Star Trek early on and over the course of two decades never lost her fascination. This book covers the genres of Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. Within these genres we find the best-of-the-best here, dramatic confrontations, the strangest aliens and the most deadly perils that ever tested Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and their valiant crews. This book is divided into three major Parts and they are as follows: Part 1: The Crew, Part 2: Aliens, Allies and Enemies, Part 3: Visions of the Future. Within the major parts you have eighteen chapters and within these chapters you have listed the best-of-the-best in books and movies of the Trek Universe. Now, remember this, there is a greater emphsis on TOS and that is understandable as there has been more written about this genre than the others. Nevertheless, the representation of the other genres are very well represented.As you read on in the book you'll notice that you've read these passages before, but Taylor's analysis is what ties these seemingly unconnected parts together making a rich and vibrant character... living and breathing... ready to leap into action.There is one other very valuable part to this book, and that is the definitive Star Trek novel chronology found as the appendix. This is a complete timeline to the Pocket Books Star Trek novels, short stories, original audio programs and Young Adult books published through November 1998. This is very valuable because now you have a liner reference to where your Star Trek library falls in relation to other books within your library.

This is a great book that includes excerpts from many Star Trek novels. The fifth star I gave it was for the timeline in the back. Being slightly obsessive-compulsive, I love reading things in the "proper order" or at least knowing what in order they are supposed to be. The other four stars are for simply showing what all is available out there in the world of Trek books. It gives us some wonderful insights into many of our favorite characters. And for those of you who are whining about the book's focus on the original series, this book is about Star Trek BOOKS. Since there are 2-3 times as many books in print about the original series as there are on any of the other 3 shows, of course Ms. Taylor included more of those excerpts in her book! It only makes since that the book be representative of ALL of the titles. Think about it! All in all, a worthwhile purchase for every Trek book fan!

I have read many of the reviews here and elsewhere, and to those who have been disappointed, I daresay that you most likely did not understand what it was you were trying to read. Adventures in Time and Space was not meant to provide any new stories, new characters, or go where no one hasn't already been. Rather, it's meant to be a character study of those characters we've already grown to love (or love to hate) and perhaps tell us why if we didn't already know. Mary Taylor has taken the very best of the best of the Star Trek fiction that has already been published - fiction that we may or may not have already read - provides a small exerpt, and then demyisifies it to the point where we understand the CHARACTERS that these novels are about. If you are looking for a list of novels that is nothing other than a list which doesn't cause you to engage your brain, then this book isn't for you. But if you're looking for a very intelligent, thought-provoking, and very well-thought-out comment on how the very best of Pocket Books' novels have brought out the true essence of the Star Trek universe's characters, then I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of Mary Taylor's Adventures in Time and Space.

I know this is heresy, but I don't have time to read all the Star Trek novels, let alone rediscover all my old favorites. This book is invaluable to me. The author (with whom I share a fondness for the Star Trek characters and their development) has taken the time I don't have to dip into all the books and to describe and excerpt the ones she recommends. I haven't made my way all the way through the book yet because I keep putting it down to go buy another Star Trek Pocket Book I've just discovered. Adventures in Time and Space is going to have a permanent place in my reference bookshelf.

Adventures in Time and Space is a clip show book featuring selections from many of the best Star Trek novels published over the past twenty years by Pocket Books. Ms.Taylor divides the book into subject areas such as 'The Crew' and 'The Vulcan Chronicles'. Each passage is selected to show some character trait or aspect of Star Trek and is preceded by very entertaining and informative commentary that sets up the passage. I found the selections to be well made though I know some people will be disappointed that their favorite novel is not represented. If you are interested in reading Star Trek novels and have never read one or have only read a specific Star Trek series then there is no better place to start than Adventures in Time and Space. It is obvious that Ms. Taylor knows her Star Trek and put a lot of though and effort into this book. A bonus for fans at the end of the book is the fan prepared Pocket Books Star Trek Timeline which places all the novels in the correct chronological order within the various series. For those readers wanting to read all the stories in order then this is the place to find that order.