Spartacus (Star Trek Next Generation 20)

By Terry Mancour

Book Overview

Answering a distress call, the U.S.S. Enterprise(TM) finds a damaged alien vessel -- the Freedom -- crewed by a race known as the Vemlans. Their captain, Jared asks for assistance in repairing his ship -- assistance Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise are only too happy to provide. But once begun, their relief efforts are interrupted by the arrival of an entire fleet from Vemla, who claim that Jared and his crew are escaped slaves -- and their property As Jared and his people plea for protection and the right to be free, Captain Picard is caught between the demands of his conscience and the dictates of the Prime Directive. And when the Vemlan fleet threatens to fight if the U.S.S. Enterprise doesn't stand aside, Picard must choose between the safety of his ship...and the annihilation of an entire race.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671760513
• ISBN13: 9780671760519
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Star Trek
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Great Read!

This story is classic Next Generation problem solving for Captain Picard. Commander Data learns just how alive he really is through this experience. And you may find you have a heart for the tin man without one and his fellow man... A non stop read.

An excellent novel.

It was a borderline call whether to give this novel four or five stars; I felt that the ending was a tad too pat to really live up to the buildup, but other than that, the novel was marvellous, and the basic premise was good enough, and well-enough handled, to make up for that minor flaw. Also, this is definitely a novel for the reader who does not demand action; this was frequently true in Next Generation stories, and is definitely true here. Not a flaw in my book, but it definitely will be in that of some readers, so if you're looking for a book with a good action plot, be aware that this isn't it.

As far as ST books go, this is better than most.

I don't know which book the guy above read, but it wasn't Spartacus! The novel is not about Riker at all, it is about Data and what it means to be alive. Some very innovative speculation on metaphysics is done here, as well as some excellent characterizations. Picard is particularly well done, and I like the concept of Librarians as important people. I've been looking for another book by this guy, but I haven't seen anything. Anyone else?

I though the storyline was well written and properly focused

I have been a Trekkie for years and have read most of the books. I was only expecting to use a few minutes to start the book, and I read it in one sitting! The author caught the proper attention to the subject matter, and gave the characters proper attention. I look forward to other stories from this author. Truly new talent awaits us.