Rating: 
Summary: Truly Awful
Review: Without Gene Roddenberry's approval [Ford was already in the Great Bird's bad graces], this novel went ahead. Miffed that GR didn't understand his sense of humor [which is admittedly drier than dust], Ford decided to pull the stops out & throw in some 'zaniness'.Always beware anything labeled 'zany'. It *sounds* terrific: do a 'Kirk/Klingons Battle For A Planet Under Organia's Rules' only silly. And while we're at it, throw in several other Trek writers [Diane Duane & Peter Morwood spring vividly to mind] as an in-joke. *And* while we're at it, throw in the funny bits from -The Great Race! AND while we're at it, make it a musical!! **AND**...!!! At which point the airy confection plummets earthward like candy-coated rock. Sometimes, good things are better left with a few less inclusions. This would have been a stitch if Ford had heeded that still, small voice that said "One and' is enough!" But by heaping 'just one more level' he does the equivalent of adding a cup of sugar when a pinch is required. Glutinous, gooey, and truly sick-making, this is the novel that *should* not have been printed.
Rating: 
Summary: The funniest book I have ever read in my life!
Review: And I've read plenty. This is not my favorite Trek book, but it certainly ranks /way/ up there, surpassed only by "Time for Yesterday." It's a bit, well, different. You don't really expect a pie fight in Star Trek. However, it's great. The part about the little bitty ship with the...strange...computer controlling it trying to dock with the inflatable starship... "'Let me in,' /Jefferson/ screeched, "or I'll huff and I'll puff.." But I won't spoil it for you. Go read it! (I personally think it's worth about five times whatever you buy it for.)
Rating:
Summary: John M. Ford Is a Bad Man!
Review: I've told him so in person, at least once. This book was out of print for a while -- alegedly because the sort of Trekkie Getalifes so perfectly skewered in that "Saturday Night Live" skit with Shatner rose up in arms and demanded to know how anyone dared actually make funny k\jokes with ST characters. There's an episode of the British teevee series "The Goodies" in which the Goodies are on trial for violating the sacred boredom of a Welsh folk music festival. "And what did they do?" demands the druid (played by former "Dr Who" Jon Pertwee). "They set about to *entertain* us!" Well, "Mike" Ford set about to entertain us, succeeded brilliantly (if you're not a humourless stuffed shirt) and he hasn't written another "Star Trek" novel to this day. There may be a connection. Predictable mediocrity is apparently preferable in the "Star Trek" franchise universe to lightning in a bottle brilliance that requires thinking outside the box. That said, writing a musical novel is rather a startling concept -- though several of the songs are excellent, particularly "In Monochrome", the tribute to film noir in the sequence in which Uhura and a Klingon junior officer (and fellow film buff) find themselves in a noirish predicament. This book also contains what may be the shortest "Dr Who" reference in fiction -- watch for the Brigadier and the Sergeant-Major. And one of the GREAT lines -- i can hear it in my mind -- *and* i can perfectly visualise precisely what happens immediately afterward -- "Will *someone* please give the Captain a pie?" ((Incidentally -- should anyone question my credentials as a reviewer of "Star Trek" material -- i was at the World Science Fiction Convention at which "Star Trek" was previewed before it went on the air. I was one of the crowd there who gave it a standing ovation. And i have been a fan of the series -- though neither a "trekkie" nor a "trekker" by any means -- ever since.))
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely hysterical, fall on the floor, . . .
Review: . . .hold your sides funny. In my reviews of Classic Star Trek novels, it must be understood that I adhere to the original canon
as invisioned by Gene Roddenberry, and not the "Star Trek" universe accepted by Rick Berman and company. I generally rate a classic novel thus: Adherence to Canon -- does this novel adhere to the vision of the original Star Trek? Yup! But the modern carriers of the "Star Trek" torch might not think so! Believability (within the confines of 23rd century Star Trek viability) -- is this novel well-plotted and well
written? Can I picture this novel or imagine myself in it? Yup! It's just silly enough that one can actually envision it! (It'd make an entertaining amusement park ride -- or Three Stooges show!) Coherence and Consistency -- does this novel internally consistent? Is it consistent with other Star Trek
novels by the same author? Is it consistent with what is known of the CLASSIC Star Trek universe? Yup! But again, modern Star Trek heretics won't think so! Mitigating Factors -- pluses or minuses which dramatically affect the enjoyment of this book A brilliantly written spoof of the Star Trek universe which remains respectful of Classic Trek, while taking shots at what Trek was becoming/has become! Read and re-read!
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek at its best
Review: Star trek has always been at its best when It doesn't take itself too seriously and How Much for Just the Planet really fits the bill. This story is so good it makes me wish the crew was intact and young enough to make the movie. I first read it on my way to chemotherapy appointments. I would be laughing to myself on the bus. It must have been quite a sight...a middle aged woman, bald as a billard ball, reading a Star trek novel and laughing out loud. It really brightened my day.
I believe this is one of the best stories written ,especially if you get the musical references.
Rating:
Summary: The funniest Star Trek book of all time...
Review: This book is great. It has a interesting plot, but the book's prime is in its last 40-or-so pages. It has all the elements of slapstick, Laurel & Hardy/3 Stooges style, combined with the entire bridge crew getting spotlight, and the zaniest Klingon crew ever seen. Double the fun if you have a good background in black & white film, but still excellent without it.
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek + Comedy = One Great Book!
Review: This is one of the funniest books I have read. I laughed out loud many times. I think Star Trek and comedy do mix well when done properly, and this book does it right. From little jokes to slapstick humor, this book is hilarious. The funniest part is near the end, where Kirk, Federation Ambassador Sanchez, the Klingon captain and his first officer Arizhel end up dashing all over their hotel, trying to fix a very messed-up situation. It's the classic scene, with everyone just missing each other and mistaking each other for someone else, but it's done so well that I couldn't stop laughing! I also enjoyed the fact that the Klingons weren't portrayed as inherently evil. It was great to have Kirk & Co and the Klingons being civil to each other, for once. Also, Captain Trofimov, her ditzy Vulcan science officer T'Vau, and the bird-guy Tellihu are hilarious. I wish that John Ford would write a book about them, too - they are so much fun! Anyway, if you don't like comedy and Star Trek, don't read this book. But if you're looking for some great goofy fun, pick it up and get ready to laugh!
Rating:
Summary: One of the worst
Review: This is one of the worst books I've ever read, and I have read everything. It fails both as a star trek novel and a novel in general. It tries to be funny, but fails misurably. Exept maybe for a certain part where the absolutely pathetic American TV-shop commercials, that are clearly directed to peole who cannot count from 1 to 5 are made fun of, wich is quite cratifying. But unfortunately that's it. If you respect star trek, don't read this book at any cost. It has nothing intellectually or entertainingly challenging to offer.
Rating:
Summary: hilarous sequel to Final Reflection
Review: this sequel has much more humor than Final Reflection or any other book. I suggest you buy the book if you need medicine of laughter. but Final Reflection is still the best Star Trek novel.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Wow! I got this book when I was purusing the Ster trek isle mainly because the cover looked so weird- its painted not photographed. Then I read it. I laughed through the whole book. It is even better the second time. A must read.
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