On my weekly, traditional browse through Galaxy Bookshop (Sydney, Australia), I swung past the "G" section to check out if David Gerrold's latest "War of the Chtorr" title was out yet. I was surprised to see a 477 pp hardcover omnibus, "The Involuntary Human" - and even more surprised to see that this book publishes the complete text of Gerrold's controversial (and axed) "Star Trek: The Next Generation" script, the excellent "Blood and Fire" (pp 69-135).
Recently, "Blood and Fire" was rewritten as an installment of his "Voyage of the Star Wolf" original SF book series, and it was even more recently announced that the story was being revamped as a TOS story for the "Star Trek: New Voyages" fan films. Now we can finally own a hardcover copy of the original TNG script. (Previously, the author sold copies in script binding, via the Internet and at conventions, for HIV/AIDS charities. I was fortunate enough to have read it in 1988.)
In addition, this new hardcover volume includes: new foreword and afterword to "Blood and Fire"; a preview chapter from his eagerly-awaited, long-delayed, next "War of the Chtorr" title; the original, previously-unpublished version of "Chess with a Dragon"; quotes from his "Solomon Short" limited chapbook; and several fascinating short story reprints from various SF magazines.
I highly recommend this collection. But if you want a copy, hurry. "The Involuntary Human" is said to be limited to 1000 hand-numbered, (some autographed, some also slipcased) copies.
