Starred review from September 1, 2015
A faux memoir of Star Trek's iconic Capt. James T. Kirk that draws on nearly half a century of the franchise's history. Star Trek, in all its various forms, has become an indelible part of the American science-fiction landscape. And while its fans may continue to debate which fictional captain was best at his or her job, its first, James Tiberius Kirk, is certainly the best known. This book, an autobiography presented in an in-universe style, covers everything from Kirk's childhood to his disappearance from the Enterprise (as seen in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations). There are plenty of nods and winks to the fandom-Goodman, the book's "editor," also wrote for Star Trek: Enterprise and penned a Star Trek-themed, Nebula Award-nominated episode of Futurama-but the references never get in the way of the storytelling. If anything, the book is refreshingly accessible; readers won't need any knowledge of Star Trek in order to enjoy the overall tale. In fact, this book could just as easily serve as a primer to the entire franchise. Its strength lies in how it takes elements from disparate moments over the Star Trek canon and weaves them together in unexpectedly thoughtful and emotionally moving ways. For example, Kirk's relationship (or lack thereof) with David, the son he had with old flame Dr. Carol Marcus, is a running thread throughout the book; Kirk himself is painted as a child of absent parents who didn't want to repeat that mistake with his own son but who realized too late that he'd done just that. However, in a surprisingly touching afterword "written" by Spock, the Vulcan points out that Kirk's regrets over not having a family were unfounded: "His children are the crew members who revered him and carry his legacy now to the limits of known space. His family lives on." An accomplished, stirring tribute to a beloved sci-fi series that will captivate fans and newcomers alike.
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