Another, more modern-feeling take on the "generation ship that gets lost" theme. Of course, the history laid out here is far from anything that could remotely be considered canon, but it's interesting history, and I like it. All in all, a pretty good outing.

This novel is science fiction that is heavy on the science. It also does a very good job of filling in behind the scenes details of the Federation, Starfleet, the Enterprise and Captain Kirk. Some may be put off by the lack of constant action and swift pace of later novels, but that should not deter you. A really good read if you will stick with it. ( )

Lots of attention to detail. ?áLots of explanations of science, character development, strategies to solve the problem. ?áSome interesting ideas, some points at which I just shook my head in disbelief. ?áThe cover here, giving Uhura a corner, somewhat fits, as she is in command briefly. ?áThe cover I read (blond girl w/gun looking like she'll ambush Kirk) is wrong.

Specifically I learned that this is Gerrold's 18th book... doesn't seem right; I'll have to investigate.
I like that a catastrophic variable is named Ellison's star.
I appreciate the reference to the tradition in the La Forge family for breeding fine officers for Starfleet" including the contemporary Admiral George La Forge.
I like the use of 'waste' as an expletive and wish it had caught on as soon as this was published." ( )

This novel is by an outstanding science fiction author who wrote the script of one of the most beloved episodes (The Trouble With Tribbles) in the original Star Trek Series. If I don't rate it more highly, it's that especially given that background, I found the novel disappointing--more emphasis on the hard science than the characters: a bit arid, even if well done in that regard. ( )