ST: Sarek (Star Trek: The Original Series)

Rating:
Summary: My favorite Star Trek book!
Review: This book is exremely interesting from begenning to end. It actually made me cry at one point but it also had some comedy and action in it. I especially liked the chapters of Sarek and Amanda's past. This book is a "must read" for all non Star Trek fans and the most dedicated Star Trek fans.

Rating:
Summary: A good story based on characters and cultures
Review: When people ask me about the qualities that make the original Star Trek series so appealing, my response is, "characters and cultures." The primary story lines were about sentient beings who found themselves in complex situations and where the gadgetry and weaponry played only secondary roles. Granted, Kirk was a Napoleanic character, but that is a characteristic that early starship captains would have to possess. The other characters were so well-defined that even the lesser roles are as well-known as the main three. We were introduced to the Vulcans, Romulans and Klingons, similar species, but all with exaggerated human characteristics. The Vulcans, a superhuman race with logic and ethics taken to an extreme, the warlike Klingons who nevertheless possess a strict code of honor and the Romulans, for whom deceitful plotting is an art form.
This tale, which is set in the time immediately after the movie, "The Undiscovered Country" is based largely on a growing movement among humans to keep Earth for the humans. It turns out that it is another plot hatched by a secretive race who have interacted with Sarek and the Federation for many years. Once again, we are led through many of the subtle cultural backgrounds of the Vulcans, Klingons and Romulans.
We are along as many of the journal entries of Spock's mother Amanda are read, as we learn a great deal more of the Vulcan culture as well as the origin of the rift between Spock and his father. Klingon honor, mating rituals and marriage rites are also explored, as we are exposed to more of what that complex race uses to guide their lives and rules of succession. The Romulan capacity for long-term plotting is exposed once again, although we do see how their honor is such that they are willing to sacrifice themselves to aid others.
This is one of my favorite Star Trek books because it does rely on characters and shows us so much of the nonhuman cultures. The plot is well-defined and moves along rather quickly as the staid diplomat Sarek proves himself capable of being much more, including a spy.