Spock's World
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Product Description
Product Description
The author of three previous bestselling Star Trek novels presents the story of a devastating crisis that threatens the existence of Spock's home planet, Vulcan--as well as the complete saga of the planet Vulcan, from its formation millions of years ago up through the 23rd century.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Diane Duane is the author of numerous science fiction and fantasy novels, amongst them the fan-favourite Star Trek titles DARK MIRROR and the 5-volume Rihannsu series of novels exploring the world of the Romulans (the first four volumes of which are now available as the omnibus THE BLOODWING VOYAGES 1416525777) released together with the fifth volume (THE EMPTY CHAIR 1416508910) in January 2007.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While I have long been a fan of the Star Trek series (from the original series through the successive spin-offs: Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and the films), I rarely have time to read fiction, so it was only after great prodding on the part of a friend that I got this novel. I had once complained that the Star Trek universe seems to have far more affinity for the aggressive, combative Klingons (warrior schools, language camps, etc.) than the erudite and level-headed Vulcans. Perhaps that is why my friend thought this novel would have particular appeal. She was right.
This novel is a grafting-in of the original series, with Spock, Kirk and McCoy as primary characters, along with the rest of the usual crew of the Enterprise. It seems there is a Federation-threatening crisis on Vulcan, and the planet is in the process of a referendum, to decide whether or not to remain as part of the Federation with the humans of earth and other constituent planets. Entering in the situation is a formidible character from the original series episode Amok Time, the Vulcan mating time -- T'Pau, remarked by Kirk as being the only person to ever turn down a seat on the Federation council. Does this speak of a mistrust that could lead the Vulcans out of the Federation? The referendum is not merely a breaking of alliances, but rather an isolationism -- all Vulcans will be required to return home, or permanently exiled. All diplomatic, trade, and military ties will be severed.
The psychological and political make-up of the Vulcan world is explored from the very outset of Vulcan civilisation through different historical periods that would have made up the equivalent of classical, medieval and reformation times. One seed of Vulcan xenophobia is their first contact situation, which turned out to be with pirates who were intent on invasion and looting. As it turned out, Vulcan was a heavily armed planet at the time, warring with itself (Vulcan's history parallels Earth's in that respect), and that armament was unexpectedly turned against the invaders. Vulcans, far from evolving without emotions, displayed the most dramatic and intense emotions for a long time in their history. The character of Surek is prominent here, the one who led Vulcan out of its emotionalism for its own survival.
Another character who makes an appearance is T'Pring, Spock's 'intended', the woman to whom he was betrothed, and who subject Spock and Kirk to the combat in the mating ritual. It turns out that T'Pring has never lost interest in Spock, nor in the humiliation she suffered in front of T'Pau. Vulcans are not without emotions, it seems, but rather, a people who have mastered them to a greater degree. But not always, apparently.
Diane Duane puts chapters about the Vulcan history interspersed with the 'present day' action aboard the Enterprise as it journeys to Vulcan, and then the final debate and referendum vote. The text is engaging and well-developed in terms of fitting in with the overall narrative strands of the Star Trek universe.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Pocket Books start off their run of hardback novels based on classic Star Trek with #01: Spock's World by Diane Duane.
The story is set in the years between Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Duane makes references to her own previous novels (published by Titan Books in the UK) of #4: The Romulan Way, #19: The Wounded Sky and #21: My Enemy My Ally. Although it's not critical to read these beforehand, it does give the ending away to #19 if you haven't read it yet.
Kirk, McCoy and Spock are all summoned by T'Pau to come to Vulcan. The Planetary Council has been called to vote upon the point of whether Vulcan should remain part of the Federation, or secede and remove the illogical and emotional influences of others, particularly humans, from their midst.
As the story unfolds, the depths of political manoeuvring and duplicity that have occurred in forcing this agenda into the Vulcan public consciousness are both shocking and satisfying to any fan of Classic Trek. The reintroduction of characters from the show and Duane's novels is very welcome and adds to the richness of the plot.
Alternate chapters in the story deal with important events in Vulcan's past, from the creation of the very planet itself through to Sarek's appointment as Ambassdor to Earth. These give an insight into Vulcan's past, those people who made the biggest impacts on the species and how those events rippled out to the current day.
This is not an action novel, it is all about Vulcan and reads like a well crafted political thriller, something of a departure for Trek fiction. That said, I found it to be one of the most satisfying Classic Trek novels I've read and certainly one of Duane's best. The ending was very well done and her use of McCoy as a detective was brilliant.
The speeches that Kirk, Spock and McCoy give in the council sessions are very well written, each one displaying the passion that each has in his chosen area. McCoy's is exceptionally good and his answer when dealing with a Vulcan `heckler' was a laugh out loud moment.
A worthy start to the line of Trek hardbacks and a must have for any Classic Trek library. Enjoy!
The story is set in the years between Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Duane makes references to her own previous novels (published by Titan Books in the UK) of #4: The Romulan Way, #19: The Wounded Sky and #21: My Enemy My Ally. Although it's not critical to read these beforehand, it does give the ending away to #19 if you haven't read it yet.
Kirk, McCoy and Spock are all summoned by T'Pau to come to Vulcan. The Planetary Council has been called to vote upon the point of whether Vulcan should remain part of the Federation, or secede and remove the illogical and emotional influences of others, particularly humans, from their midst.
As the story unfolds, the depths of political manoeuvring and duplicity that have occurred in forcing this agenda into the Vulcan public consciousness are both shocking and satisfying to any fan of Classic Trek. The reintroduction of characters from the show and Duane's novels is very welcome and adds to the richness of the plot.
Alternate chapters in the story deal with important events in Vulcan's past, from the creation of the very planet itself through to Sarek's appointment as Ambassdor to Earth. These give an insight into Vulcan's past, those people who made the biggest impacts on the species and how those events rippled out to the current day.
This is not an action novel, it is all about Vulcan and reads like a well crafted political thriller, something of a departure for Trek fiction. That said, I found it to be one of the most satisfying Classic Trek novels I've read and certainly one of Duane's best. The ending was very well done and her use of McCoy as a detective was brilliant.
The speeches that Kirk, Spock and McCoy give in the council sessions are very well written, each one displaying the passion that each has in his chosen area. McCoy's is exceptionally good and his answer when dealing with a Vulcan `heckler' was a laugh out loud moment.
A worthy start to the line of Trek hardbacks and a must have for any Classic Trek library. Enjoy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Spock's World by Diane Duane is the best Star Trek novel ever written, bar-none. Duane's anecdotal history of the planet Vulcan is juxtaposed with a framing sequence wherein the planet considers secession from the Federation, and the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk is sent to remind Vulcan "of favors done it in the past by the Federtation" ... also, to allow several of her officers to testify in the debates. The historical chapters function to inform us why Vulcan Society would consider turning inward to isolationism at this point in its history... while the Enterprise chapters show us HOW this political movement unfolded... We learn who is behind it... and, ultimately, we come away with the unshakeable sense that, for Duane, the planet Vulcan (and its... fascinating inhabitants) are very, very real... For the stretch of this novel (and perhaps for a long while afterwards), you will feel the same. (Incidentally, Duane's other classic, THE ROMULAN WAY--parts of which are excerpted in SPOCK'S WORLD--does the same for Romulans...)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent insight into Spock's race, planet, & culture
The vulcans are one of the favorite races for many Star Trek fans. This books provides so much insight into their history, which is only hinted about in many of the series' shows,... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2001
The best Star Trek novel yet written.
Of course, this is only one person's biased opinion. At a time when the Star Trek novelization universe was dying on its feet (for this reader,) this hardcover came along. Read more
Published on 17 May 1999
The best Star Trek novel yet written!
I have read about 50 Trek novels, and this is by far the best. Not only is it a compelling story, but great history of Vulcan, and Spock's bloodline. A wonderful read! Read more
Published on 29 April 1999
NEED SUMMARY OF SPOCK'S WORLD
Please, help me! I am a Star Trek fan and I have to read three books for school. They are very interesting, but I have to sum up them in English. Read more
Published on 13 April 1999
One of the Best Star Trek Novels
Diane Duane is probably the best writer to ever do a Star Trek novel, mostly because she understands literary science fiction, not just the television/movie genre. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 1999
The Ultimate Star Trek Novel
I think of all the Trek novels ever published, this was the most faithful to Gene Roddenberry's original version of Star Trek, a place of wonder, of exploreing the universe, and... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 1998
One good story, one not-so-good story
Star Trek novels are usually pretty bad. Spock's World is half an exception.
There are two stories in this book. One is a fascinating history of the planet Vulcan. Read more
Published on 18 July 1998
An Enjoyable History of Vulcan & a Tolerable Political Story
I preferred The Wounded Sky to Spock's
World even though I tend to prefer the
political material of the latter to the
adventure material of the former. Read more
World even though I tend to prefer the
political material of the latter to the
adventure material of the former. Read more
Published on 31 July 1997
Awesome!
This was the first Trek book I ever read, and I became hooked. It's great, great, great. After this book I realized what the Trek world was all about, and I loved it. Read more
Published on 2 July 1997
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