Unification

This book is based on the two-part episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where Spock travels to the Romulan homeworld. His goal is to give impetus to the unification movement that is slowly developing on the Romulan homeworld. A group of Romulan idealists are trying to push forward the idea that the Romulan Empire should reunite with their Vulcan cousins. Unfortunately, the Romulan government is totally opposed to the movement, considering any such advocacy an act of treason punishable by death. Spock departs without being sanctioned by the Federation, which makes him somewhat of an outlaw. Captain Picard and Data are sent to make contact with him in an attempt to determine what he is trying to do. Since the Enterprise has no cloaking device, they are forced to obtain transport on a Klingon ship. The captain of that ship has a foul disposition, as he is trying to improve his position in the fractious Klingon Empire. It has just recovered from a civil war and not everyone has settled on the idea that the war is over. Meanwhile the Enterprise uncovers a plot by the Romulans to invade and conquer Vulcan. Therefore, under the command of Will Ryker, they follow the clues to the site of the invasion. It is thwarted while Picard and Data manage to escape from the Romulan homeworld after being captured. There are many subplots in this story, the most significant of which is the residue of the mind meld that took place between Sarek and Picard in an earlier episode. In an attempt to understand Spock's motives, Picard travels to Vulcan to speak to Sarek. However, Sarek is in the last stages of a terminal illness and he is only occasionally lucid. He manages to regain his sanity for a short time, but has no valuable information about Spock. Since Spock never melded with his father and they were nearly always at odds, in many ways the residue from the mind meld makes Picard closer to Sarek than Spock. This situation is handled very well, revealing some of the details of the relationship between Sarek and Spock. In many ways it is typical of a large number of human father-son relationships. The episodes that this book is based on are some of the best in the ST:TNG series and this book continues in that sphere of excellence. Like all good books based on a movie or episode, it expands on the action, giving details that simply could not be included in the visual work.

Unification is the novelization of Star Trek The Next Generation's outstanding fifth season episodes "Unification, parts one and two," guest starring Leonard Nimoy as Spock, in a long awaited reappearance of a Star Trek The Original Series cast member in the twenty fourth century incarnation.The "Unification" novelization is also the first published story by Jeri Taylor who later wrote Voyager's "Mosaic" and "Pathways." Having been a screenwriter, producer and executive producer between the two shows, she "truly" knows the characters and her depth of character knowledge plays out extraordinarily well in this novelization. Credit for this novelization also goes to those who originated the story idea; Rick Berman and Michael Piller, with the part one teleplay being written by Jeri Taylor and part two written by Michael Piller.The premise:In this exciting and extraordinarily gratifying STNG tale the Federation learns that Ambassador Spock has disappeared and they receive evidence that he is now on Romulus. Fearing a betrayal of this magnitude, Starfleet sends Captain Picard on a mission to find Spock and bring him home to the Federation. They believe that he is the most capable person for this mission based on his brief but terribly poignant friendship with Spock's father, Sarek.As the story unfolds, you will find that this novelization is even more captivating than the two part episode, given the author's opportunity to add a few things here and there that the shows producers weren't able to squeeze in. Considering that this novelization was written by Jeri Taylor, in some ways, the entirety of this novel should be considered canon in the Star Trek universe.I highly recommend this novel as it is very true to the ethos that is Star Trek, making it a very enjoyable read! {ssintrepid

I saw this episode when it came out years ago and my Father bought me the book for my birthday later that same year. Loved both interpretations, but a decade later I couldn't recall much of the story other than that I enjoyed. So I decided to reread the novel and I was very glad that I did!The plot is exciting and moves along quickly. I could hardly put it down and my pulse was pounding for last 40 pages or so. Picard and Spock are naturals together - even on the written page the chemistry between them was evident. Fans of Tasha Yar will enjoy seeing her daughter as one of the chief nemisis for Picard. Star Trek has often been reflective of our politcal climate and I couldn't help but notice the similarities Vulcan and Romulus had with West & East Germany. (Remember this book was written prior to that unification)This book takes on the feel of a Star Wars novel the way the author introduces ,develops and weaves new charachters into the plot. At times the Enterprise Crew almost took a backseat to these interesting new comers. The alien lounge singer, the meticulous middle manager, the inflexible bureaucrat, and the success obsessed Star Fleet Junior officer all could just as easily shown up in that famous bar scene in Star Wars. They bring an interesting slant to the story and if you're not careful, they might teach you a little bit about yourself and those around you!"Star Trek Unification" is a fun, fast and entertaining read and a 'must' for any fan of Next Gen or the original series. Cowboy diplomacy, indeed!

This book follows the episode closely, with some additional scenes thrown in as a treat! This book is FAST reading, and a MUST for all ST:TNG book fans. Highly recommended!

I liked the episode, and when I got the novilization, I was pleasently surprised. Jeri Taylor inserts more great content into an already almost perfect story.