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cookiedoof's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alicia1701's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
jmacleod's review against another edition
4.0
This was another fun faux autobiography of a Star Trek captain.
I found it similar in writing style to Goodman’s other faux biography on Kirk. Which was fine I suppose. Mostly I suppose you’d read it only if you were a Star Trek fan. It’s supposed to cover all the in between parts of the episodes. But I found this not to be true.
Spoilers
The majority of this book takes place long before any events a Star Trek TNG fan would be aware of. Think of this as mostly back story filler of the character of Jean Luc Picard. Which again is fine.
The last 40% or so of the book is spent in the TNG era. With only one chapter really outlining the events of the series and another one for the films.
A major criticism is that the events of Best of Both Worlds is treated more as a footnote than the important part of the characters development. Same with the events of Chain of Command and Picards torture. More time spent reflecting on moments like those would’ve been a great service to the fans.
Also a minor criticism but not really. Goodman puts a lot of elements of Star Trek Enterprise in throughout the book. It’s done tastefully but they are still there and still noticeable. Perhaps a bit of revenge for the series finale of Star Trek Enterprise?
I found it similar in writing style to Goodman’s other faux biography on Kirk. Which was fine I suppose. Mostly I suppose you’d read it only if you were a Star Trek fan. It’s supposed to cover all the in between parts of the episodes. But I found this not to be true.
Spoilers
The majority of this book takes place long before any events a Star Trek TNG fan would be aware of. Think of this as mostly back story filler of the character of Jean Luc Picard. Which again is fine.
The last 40% or so of the book is spent in the TNG era. With only one chapter really outlining the events of the series and another one for the films.
A major criticism is that the events of Best of Both Worlds is treated more as a footnote than the important part of the characters development. Same with the events of Chain of Command and Picards torture. More time spent reflecting on moments like those would’ve been a great service to the fans.
Also a minor criticism but not really. Goodman puts a lot of elements of Star Trek Enterprise in throughout the book. It’s done tastefully but they are still there and still noticeable. Perhaps a bit of revenge for the series finale of Star Trek Enterprise?
tigercrossin's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this a lot faster than I thought I might! I really liked this! Unfortunately it’s not canon at all anymore with Picard now changing a lot of the end of this book, but god I wish Data could’ve just been snapped back to life omg Q please. I really love all of the little details added to the iconic moments (I’m definitely going to pretend that Data singing Joni Mitchell is canon now). It does kind of start to taper off towards the end and becomes a bit too much like a lot of episode recaps but it’s still fun to read! Honestly made me a bit emotional which I find rare in books, I’m excited to read the other Trek autobiographies now!
theraveler's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Really rounds out the Captain's psychology and offers some great insight into his character, choices, idiosyncrasies, etc.
For any TNG, I highly recommend it.
For any TNG, I highly recommend it.
j45rpm's review against another edition
4.0
Mostly enjoyable, although not perfect. The author does a great job up through Picard's command of the Stargazer, but seems to have run out of pages to cover the rest of Picard's life in the same level of detail/quality. It feels like a term paper where the last pages were written on no sleep and turned in 3 minutes before the cutoff.
Also, the epilogue is very unsatisfactory, with a reference to a prejudice against Klingons that is entirely against the ethos of someone who was Worf's Captain for so many years and the arbitrator of Gowron's succession.
Also, the epilogue is very unsatisfactory, with a reference to a prejudice against Klingons that is entirely against the ethos of someone who was Worf's Captain for so many years and the arbitrator of Gowron's succession.
cdbarker's review against another edition
5.0
Exactly what it needs to be
Having already written the autobiography of James T Kirk, the logical follow up had to be Picard. Even if much of it is not canon, it is an interesting way to look at Picard's years on the Stargazer and what missions he would talk about on the Enterprise. A solid and engaging read, all in all.
Having already written the autobiography of James T Kirk, the logical follow up had to be Picard. Even if much of it is not canon, it is an interesting way to look at Picard's years on the Stargazer and what missions he would talk about on the Enterprise. A solid and engaging read, all in all.
samofthepnw's review against another edition
5.0
Any TNG fan will enjoy this book. There is nothing you don’t already know but the perspective is different and there are many sweet connections made. I wish the last few chapters were filled out more and I wish the font of the book was larger. But besides that no complaints.
tnagumo's review against another edition
2.0
Star Trek: The Next Generation is/was "my" Star Trek. It's the first Star Trek series I watched from beginning to end when it was originally broadcast in the late 80's-early 90's. So I really wanted to like this book. But unlike the one for Kathryn Janeway, for some reason the writing seemed perfunctory, as it were checking events off a list. Toward the end reading the book became like a chore, which is sad. I wish I could have enjoyed this book more.
rachelmcg2004's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely incredible. Watchers of the series “The Next Generation” will be stunned at the easygoing yet perfectly in character voice of Jean Luc Picard as he recounts his complete life’s work up to the age of 90 for the very first time.
A subtle touch I loved was the inclusion of
All in all one of the best fan books I’ve ever read. It was impossible to put down and one of the best adventures I’ve taken with a character. So here’s to Jean Luc Picard! May you continue to astound, teach, and take us on adventures for many years to come!
Ten episodes have been confirmed for Star Trek Picard season two, and the writers are in talks to make a third season. This book is a wonderful way to explore more of (as well as brush up on) the events of this great man’s life that led him to where he is now.
A subtle touch I loved was the inclusion of
Spoiler
the red matter incident which lost him his place in Starfleet and led up to the major conflict that made up the backbone of “Star Trek Picard.”All in all one of the best fan books I’ve ever read. It was impossible to put down and one of the best adventures I’ve taken with a character. So here’s to Jean Luc Picard! May you continue to astound, teach, and take us on adventures for many years to come!
Ten episodes have been confirmed for Star Trek Picard season two, and the writers are in talks to make a third season. This book is a wonderful way to explore more of (as well as brush up on) the events of this great man’s life that led him to where he is now.