The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells is a classic science fiction/fantasy novel. It is based in England around the late 1800's and also thousands of years into the future. It is an epic tale of a journey through time. Every one of the Time Traveler's friends and colleagues doubted him. They didn't believe that he had gone into the future. But he did. He visited a gentle breed called the Eloi. They were all alike. They dressed the same, walked the same, looked the same, and even reacted to life's conflicts in the same way. These identical "people" served him gratefully, giving him all the fruit he could ever want. He tried to learn the Eloi language, but their short attention spans caused him to not learn very much. The Time Traveler began to dream as to why this race of people was so alike. He couldn't figure it out. He decided that he had found himself in a utopian society, where neither reason nor strength was needed. He didn't find the real reason out, until he had discovered his time machine to be missing. Night fell and all he could do was search. When he found it he also discovered a horrifying secret about the reason as to why the Eloi were so perfect. It was a terrible secret, one that you will only know if you read this book. Believe me, it's quite a twist. All in all, I would have to recommend this book to anyone. It has elements of every genre in it: horror, science fiction, fantasy, drama, and comedy. It is just a really well rounded book that all can enjoy.

OK, we've all seen at least one of the movie versions of H.G. Well's The Time Machine, but none of them truly compare with the oringinal Sci-Fi classic. The book tells the story of the Time Traveler's journey nearly a million years into the future and the very unexpected and disturbing society he finds there. The Time Traveler formulates various theories based on what he observes of the society, which each, in turn, prove to be oh, so wrong! [Warning: mild spoiler] In the end, his realization of the future is especially terrifying considering it is the result of our current social structure (or H.G. Well's, anyway).

I especially recommend this book for those of us with short attention spans - it's only 140 pages (and that's the large print version). But don't get the wrong idea, this book still has more depth and creativity than most 500 page books i've read and is a great read, even compared with today's science fiction standards.

This book has to be considered a classic considering it spawned a whole genre of time traveling books, movies, and tv shows whcih imitated it. Get a hold of a copy and read it today!

Leave it to H.G. Wells to come up with a book on time traveling into the future and leaving us, the readers, totally captivated. What a visionary. The movie, which I have seen many times, did a great job of keeping to the original storyline. If you have not seen it, please do so. Amazing film.

What I love about the book is how much further Wells went with the story. Towards the end of the book, our weary time traveller proceeds further into the future to actually witness our earth and sun dying. The barren lands growing cold. Life at its final stages. How utterly eerie yet thrilling all at the same time. Wells describes the sequences so vividly. Who would not do the same if a time machine was made available to them?

For you first time readers, enjoy. It is a terrific ride.

This is an excellent, well-written story with good characterizations, both in terms of creating new characters (notably Spock's son, the title character) and in faithfully portraying the established characters and the interrelations between them. I could easily envision this story as being canonical, as being made into an episode of the original Star Trek series if only it had been written fifteen years earlier.

In it, the author begins in what may be the ideal way to begin a Star Trek novel: she starts with an episode from the series, and builds a "what if" sequal to it; in this case, she builds on the episode, "All Our Yesterdays", in which Spock and McCoy are trapped (temporarily) 5000 years in the past, during the ice age of a planet that is (in the present) about to be destroyed when its sun novas. During that episode, Spock (for reasons never adequately explained, but apparently having something to do with the unplanned nature of their time-travel) reverts to the barbaric, emotional, pre-logical state of Vulcans in that time period. (Why McCoy didn't revert to the superstitious, unscientific state of humans at that point in time is never explained, either.)

In any case, this book assumes what is only hinted at in that episode: that Spock and the woman Zarabeth who was (sort of) native to that time became lovers, physically as well as emotionally, and that unknown to Spock, she was pregnant with his child when he and McCoy returned to the present. When Spock learns of this through archaeological evidence, he uses The Guardian of Forever (from the episode "City On The Edge Of Forever") to return to the past and rescue the boy, and the rest of the story builds on that concept. The plot is handled extremely well, although I did find the ending rather unsatisfactory. (Though I must admit, it, too, would have fit very well into an original series story; it seems to follow the series guideline, "Never make a change to the cast or status quo of the characters; any change of that sort must be eliminated by the end of the story.")

This book was the best!The character of Zar(Spock's son)was believable and very well conscieved.Plot:Spock goes back in time to the planet Sarpeidon to find his son,Zar.After braving dangerous blizzards,Spock finds Zar,and brings him to the Enterprise.Then,all of a sudden,the Romulans attack the Time Planet(home of the Guardian of Forever)led by Spock's old nemesis,Subcommander Tal("The Enterprise Incident")!Kirk then leads an away team to the Time Planet to stop the Romulans before they alter history!

In the classic episode "All Our Yesterdays", Spock and McCoy were transported to the planet Sarpiedon----5,000 years before it would be destroyed----while trying to help Kirk, who had also ended up there in a different region of the planet. This particular time machine had the effect of causing Spock to act as Vulcans would have in their warlike past before Surak's philosophy of logic would spread: he ate meat, showed no shame for emotions, and fell in love with Zarabeth a woman whom he ultimately had to leave behind.

Two years later, Spock is shocked to discover that Zarabeth give birth to his son, Zar. He uses the Guardian of Forever to bring Zar forward in time, as tradition dictates that he must teach his son the Vulcan mental disciplines and culture so that he may be accepted into the family. But can Zar accept his father for who he really is before the Romulans discover the secrets of the Guardian and serious consequences arise for the course of history?

This book was very good read but I felt it did not tell me enough about Leonard Nimoy. He basically mentions is work only. Nothing about his upbringing and childhood. Mind you the book and is thin i.e. only 130 odd pages. I greatly enjoyed the Dialogues between Nimoy and Spock and I liked the introspective thoughts of the first few chapters where Nimoy wonders who Spock is. It's a daft thing to complain about but I found it confusing that the anecdotes changed mid-chapter without a line break. I kept looking for some connection that was not there until I got used to it. It's great that I don't have to wait 20 years to read "I am Spock".

This book is well-written and intelligent. Since I read Nimoy's later autobiography, "I Am Spock," first, that probably changed my perception of what might have been a 5-star review. Many anecdotes from this first book are incorporated into the second, but not all. Also, I find Nimoy's maturer style more insightful, as well it should be. (Some readers do prefer the young, "unjaded" personality that comes through in "I Am Not Spock," and that's understandable, too.) The second book came after the Star Trek movies, and is, therefore, a more complete life story. If you find this book expensive or can only afford one book, buy the second book. Die-hard Spock fans, however (of which I am one), will enjoy reading both books. Nimoy's voice in "I Am Not Spock" is clearly the voice of a youth of the 1960's, and in that respect, it does take one closer to the source, as this '60's cultural identity was influential in the formation of the "Spock" character. On the other hand, it takes the maturer voice of his second book to point out that fact. By the way, don't think he knocks the "Spock" character in this book. After reading "I Am Spock," I was curious to discover whether Nimoy had really loved Spock all along, as he insisted, or if he'd had an early disenchantment with the character, only to regret it later and try to backpedal in his second book to dispell the negative vibes that followed "I Am Not Spock." Not a chance: in "I Am Not Spock," it is immediately apparent that Nimoy loves Spock. And, although he would like for people to understand Nimoy as a well-rounded, human individual, (including the woman who insisted he stop trying to look like that Spock man on TV!) he never disavows the character, "Spock," to achieve his aim. Critics who claimed Nimoy hated "Spock" obviously didn't read past the title of this book.

I read this book after reading Nimoy's later (1990's) book I AM SPOCK. The differences were interesting. This book is written by a man of the idealistic 60's who describes his struggle as a creative actor against the wallet-minded producers of his works (and so on) vs. the more jaded (or wiser, depending on how you look at it) Hollywood veteran of the second book. Still, this book gives a better insight into Nimoy the *person*, which is what I find most interesting. This is definitely of interest to anyone interested in a glimpse of the psychology of an actor 20 years ago.

Oh, and trekkies. ;)

After purchasing this audio novel I was initially upset because it was only an hour long. I much prefer my audio novels to be at least 2 hours long. With a foul mode in place I began to listen to the tape. In a few short minutes I was quickly swept up into the story, recogizing my favorite Star Trek actors as they played their parts. The audio novel although short has an excellant production quality. The story is concise and easy to follow. I would like to thank John DeLancie for directing this project and for the participaction of the other actors. I would not hesitate to recommend this audio novel and look forward to others from John DeLancy, Lenard Nimoy and the rest of the Star Trek gang. (The RAMA science fiction series would be great.) Please make them at least 2 hours though.

So, I had a crush on Spock in '73...I bought the book. VERY different and very "I think therefore I am-ish"...but still a nice addition to any collection and I will say it's the first (&last) of his writing I have (Sorry Mr. Nimoy).

"No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own...." Thus begins The War of the Worlds, written by science-fiction mastermind H. G. Wells, who brought you other incredible novels, such as The Time Machine.

This suspenseful story of Martians invading Earth is full of surprises. The narrator tells of his encounters with the powerful Martians and their stunning technologically advanced weapons and machines, which range from iron-melting heat rays to death serving war machines.

This novel has its ups and downs. One down is that the author sometimes describes the surroundings too much. But, the book does have the eerieness of a suspenseful book, keeping you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. Will mankind survive? Will the invading Martians take over the Earth? Will the Martians destroy the Earth? Find out when you read the spectacular book, The War of the Worlds.

I read War of the Worlds more than 20 years ago, and have seen it come back in many forms, including musically accompanied audio tapes. I never get tired of this timeless story. I was highly disappointed in the movie version, as I wanted to see Martian Fighting Machines that walked about on 3 legs (Perhaps George Lucas had this in mind when he created Imperial Walkers). I was more pleased then as now with the images that the book stirred in my mind. The narrative style, written by a Victorian-age author about a Victorian-age circumstance, is well worth reading. My only disappointment with the book is that the end was anticlimatic. It would have been more thrilling if Wells had said that the Martians had been weakened to the point that mankind could rally and finally expunge them. Still, it is a study in human arrogance, contrasted well with the valiant spirit of those who sacrificed themselves in fighting the Martians so that others could escape. All in all, a very moving book, and well worth your time.

This is the book that got me interested in Science-Fiction in the first place, and i've never really read anything else that has drawn me in in quite the same way. It is along with two other H.G. Wells books (The Invisible Man, The Time Machine) quite possibly the blueprints for everything else that followed. For me the only apocolyptic books that came even come close to War Of The Worlds, are The Stand and The Day Of The Triffids.

It works on a number of levels. You can read it as a novel about a Martian Invasion and it works, or you can reads it as a political commentary on the British empire and it still works. It also gives you a pretty good account of life and attitudes in England a century ago.

Quite simply in my humble opinion it is the best piece of literature written in the last 150 years. Now if only Hollywood would make a proper adaption of it. One set in England in the 1890's and with proper tripod fighting machines.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier arguably had the silliest of plot concepts, and the touches of buffoonish humor did not help the movie much either.

Sybok, a renegade Vulcan from Spock's past, has managed to seize Nimbus III, the 'Planet of Intergalatic Peace'. But it is a ruse, what he really needs is a starship to take him to the center of the galaxy. Once there, Sybok believes he will meet God.

Dillard attempts to fill in the many character gaps in Shatner's Kirk centered story, giving each brainwashed member of the crew a chance to have center stage and a moment to shine. Thus it is more of an ensemble piece than the film. Dillard also clarifies some of the fuzzy plot points, making the hijacking and trip to God a tad easier to believe. There is also an honorable attempt to fit the concept of Nimbus III into the Trek Mythos rather than having it just be a gimmick jumping off point for the story. But despite all this hard work this novel is worthwhile reading only for those who would like to see a silly story told in a more well thought out manner. Strictly for Trek buffs.

Yeah, so what they said. The movie was a bomb, and the book tells the story the way it should have been.

Trek books are a tricky thing. Novelizations are a tricky thing. This particular Trek novelization does everything it should, and more. The only problem is that an artist is only as her subject matter, and Find God in the Center of the Galaxy still remains a hokey premise.

But let's focus on the good things. Every major Trek player gets a focus in this novel, including Sulu, who had a big part in all of McIntyre's novelizations. I was glad to see Dillard continue his story in the same vein. We get to see his and Scotty's "secret pain", as well as several other characters in the movie who got left out.

All the characters have depth -- the three delegates, the Klingons, Sybok himself, even the funky-toothed guy drilling holes in the opening shot. Every one is three-dimensional. Example: Klaa (Klingon captain) is no longer a chip-shouldered upstart with delusions of grandeur. He's a Klingon worthy of Klingons, and his motives in pursuing Kirk are revealed as devious and calculating, rather than dumb and bumbling as they appeared in the film.

This novel ties the movie into the others. Star Trek II-V form one continuous tale, without a whole lot of break in between. Yet they still make very little reference one to another. In this novel, we see a Kirk who was re-rejected by a dear love only months before, who lost his son very recently, and who is still coping with Spock's death and resurrection.

I have nothing but praise for the work of J.M. Dillard thus far. And this is no exception. If you, like me, consider Star Trek V the red-headed stepchild of the Star Trek series (no offense to all you red-headed stepchildren), then please read this novelization. Give it a shot. You'll like it. Or I'll buy you a Twinkie. (not really though)

The movie version of "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" was an unutterable turkey, totally unconvincing on a number of levels. This book, while remaining true to the movie in most major plot points, varying only in minor detail, nonetheless manages to be a great deal more plausible and internally consistent, both with itself and with the established Star trek universe as a whole. The characterization is better, the plot flows more smoothly and makes more sense, and several details that were completely implausible in the movie are at least arguable here, if not completely acceptable. The book is quite enjoyable on a simple action-story level, and on deeper levels it is at least as good as most Star Trek stories, better than some if also not as good as others.

Definitely recommended for any "Trek" fans who would like to see the movie version turned into a viable story, and if you actually liked the movie, there's nothing here not to like.

But I need more. I picked up the book whilest at the library one night, attracted to it mainly by its cover. I started to read it that very night, got hooked on it, and spent just about every free moment I had, which isn't a lot for a high school student sometimes, reading the book. I was really getting into it, but also noticed the fact that I seemed to be far from a conclusion as I saw the pages before the ending growing fewer and fewer. The book itself is excellent, and will be even better in a sequel, assuming there is one, and I'm really hoping for one. So while the book was excellent, the ending was not the greatest all considered.

I got the book about a week ago, and was pleased at such an easy read.. and I got it for 4.97, hardcover at that. It was WELL worth my money. I am, for the interested, a 16 year old male. And like many have said, it reads like a comic.. which is what it originally was. I'm an alien buff, and astrology guy, and a computer geek... this book was me. Some people will not like, but then again some people didn't like 'The Hobbit'. In my opinion, if you dig comic plots that run high on the 'techno-modern' side (X-Men, Spawn, etc.), are into aliens, and want a book you can put away in a week easy... this is it. I eagerly await a sequel.

Its like watching a T.V. Show were there are 10 minutes left and you know everything is not going to be finished by then So you know you'll have to wait untill next week to see what happens, but in this cause there is no next week, I doubt a sequal will come out before 2000. Good book though.

An open letter to Leonard Nimoy
DEAR LENNY,
LENNY, YOUR BOOK WILL SELL BECAUSE OF ITS ARTISTIC SHOCK VALUE...HAD YOUR PERFECT MODELS HAD THEIR CLOTHES ON, YOU MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A REAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE ON WOMEN'S RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION. USING WOMEN'S BODIES TO SELL THINGS IS PRETTY COMMON...YOU'VE JOINED THE CLUB.
bruce birnberg

... this is a beautiful book. It celebrates the sensual and spiritual without the predictable "the body is evil" ethos that is so sadly common in the Jewish and Christian religions.

The body is beautiful, reflective of the beauty of its Creator (if you believe in one), and of the beauty of nature. Leonard Nimoy proves himself to be a suprisingly skilled photographer in capturing the beauty.

Nimoy, for so long defined by his portrayal of a fictional character in a television and film series, has shown a different, and appealing, side of himself in this work. Highly, highly recommended.

I can understand how the religious would be offended by this work; it's got all the ingredients that would offend religious people.

But - but but but - I also have this to say.

As a Jewish woman, I'm tired of turning on the TV or going to a film and seeing negative portrayals of Jewish women. In film, actors like Ben Stiller are routinely - and almost exclusively - paired with blond, WASP leading ladies. This sends the wrong message. It makes Jewish women feel bad about themselves, and gives Jewish men the message that something is wrong with Jewish women.

Nimoy's work will not seem "Kosher" to many.

However, my immediate, gut emotional response - was to seeing an attractive, sensual portrayal of a Jewish woman on the cover, even if it was somewhat "immodest".

Does this represent me as a Jewish woman?

I sure hope so!

Does Fran Drescher?

Absolutely NOT.

THANK YOU, Mr Nimoy, for a much-needed celebration of Jewish femininity.

I hate to sound too negative, but it speaks well of contemporary poetry that this volume is out of print. Nimoy is a better actor than he is a poet; these verses are unbearably sentimental and metrically uninspired.