Since the novelization of "The Wrath of Khan" by Vonda N. McIntyre is based on the Screenplay by Jack B. Sowards of the story by Harve Bennett and Sowards, it is difficult to figure out who gets credit for what. The character you will remember the most from this novelization is Peter Preston. In the movie he is simply the young cadet in Engineering whose badly burned body Scotty brings to the bridge after the Enterprise evades Khan's first attack. But in McIntyre's novel Preston is Scotty's 14-year old nephew. His relationship, with Lt. Saavik as well as his uncle, is indicative of the sort of added depth you want when you read the novelization of a movie you have already seen (you wouldn't want to read it BEFORE hand, would you?). Writing these books is usually such a thankless effort, but McIntyre shows a nice understanding for the characters and their relationships. The proof of this is that she was entrusted with novelizing the next couple of Star Trek movies as well. I would think even the casual Star Trek fan would enjoy the extra dimensions she brings to what is still the best of the Star Trek movies.

With the ability to clone we're that much closer to making a race of Kahn Sighs than we think Forget Jurassic Park for a moment. Yes we do have the technology to clone sheep and monkey. Yes dinosaurs maybe down the block. But acroos the street lies an even bigger possibilility - humanbeings. We have the gen sequencers. We have computers and online services capable of linking us to labs around the world. Even now growing in a labratory could be a baby Genghis Kahn. When it first came out The Wrath of Khan was science fiction. Now it could be science fact

This is my favorite Star Trek movie novelization. It contains so much more than a play-by-play of the movie, but it also delves into tremendous characterization.. In the novel, Peter Preston Engineer's Mate is so much more. The reader also becomes aware that the young cadet is also the son of Scotty's sister. This revelation gives so much added meaning to the scene in which the chief engineer brings in the young man's charred remains after Khan's surprise attack. The theatrical release gives little more than Bones' heart-felt apology. The network television showing (which would appear from time to time on ABC) added scenes which did bring out this important plot point, but this has not been shown for many years. Why not issue a Director's Cut of this a la the original Motion Picture DVD. It would bring so much added meaning to this already classic film.

This book, published in 1981, is a wonderful introduction to Captain America. Partly text, the book contains three Captain America adventures. The first adventures shows Cap locked in battle with the Red Skull, whose acquisition of the fantastic Cosmic Cube has granted him nearly unlimited power. The book then goes on to give the story of the Red Skull, and discusses some other villains. The second adventure shows Captain America's rebirth when he is found by the Avengers (then Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man and the Wasp), and resumes his fight against evil. Then Cap's friends are discussed, and the final adventure is presented. This adventure tells the history of Captain America during the early days of World War II.

I enjoyed this book, and was glad that I was able to give it to my son. The Captain America adventures are very attractive, and quite interesting. I question the order of the book, and especially the inclusion of the Cosmic Cube adventure, which I did not think was the best choice for this short book. But, that said, it is a nice book, and an excellent introduction to Captain America.

As the skies seem to darken yet again, I can't help but feel that the time has come for Captain America to once again rise to inspire a new generation of Americans.

It seems that Dana Gioia can't do much of anything without turning the poetry world upsided down. More controversy, and all collected in this slim volume for us to take in. It starts with Gioia's essay "Fallen Western Star" which chronicles San Francisco's fall from it's height as the second largest literary center in the US. Like most of Gioia's essays, it is well-written, well-though out, and pertinant. It applies to more than just San Francisco, but discusses the danger we are in of losing all regional literature. And from there it was a hornet's nest had been poked. There are some well written discussions from Jack Foley (who edited the collection) and Richard Silberg (who opposes Gioia). Silberg makes a good case and writes almost as eloquently as Gioia does. I leave it up to the reader to decide which side is right. There are also well written responses from Dave Mason, Jonah Raskin, Micheal Lind, and Scott Timberg. There is also a letter from Howard Junker, which really doesn't belong here because it is a rant against Gioia, which is not thought out at all and clumsily written. The book is one that is essential to understanding the state of American literature. As usual, Gioia is in the center of some flurry of anger or controversy, but as usual Gioia makes a point that all of us need to understand to help save the state of American Letters.

I first saw this book at my local library and this book is very good. There are some out dated items in the book such as cold cameras, but the ccd parts we well written. The book is well written and both authors I feel have done an excellent job.

this is a great book for everybody it has grant hill to sharf to jordan

It has been some time since I read A Jungle of Stars. It is one my favorites from Chalker. If you love a good space opra with lots of twists and turns, this one's for you. A uniquely interesting take on the "Good Vs. Evil" theme.

Good illustrations and photos throughout, clear and interesting. Only problem is it's slightly dated now.

After reading and enjoying Wandering Stars in its original published version many years ago, I was really looking forward to reading this sequel. However, I found that it did not live up to the promise of its predecessor.

Most of the stories were fantasy, rather than science fiction, and I'm not particularly fond of that genre. It was a definite letdown.

I enjoy science fiction short stories and I enjoy stories with a Jewish view, so this seemed like a perfect collection for me. It was. I found it interesting to see what these different writers, from Woody Allen to Isac Bashevis Singer and Harlan Ellison, came up with for a Jewish sci-fi story. As with any story collection some are better than others. Some basic knowledge of Judaism and Jewish history helps to understand some of the stories.

An alliance of humans and alien species form a mission to investigate a Dyson Sphere, codenamed Cuckoo. Storyline involves the investigative team's moral/ethical problems involving Tachyonic Replication, the method of travel used to reach Cuckoo. (From the book cover, "Tachyonic replication was a marvelous invention. A man could send copies of himself anywhere. If one got killed, so what? He could always send replacements!") Additionally, the story involves the struggles of a young Cuckoo inhabitant named, "Fifteenth", against the cannabalistic masters of Cuckoo. All in all, it's an interesting read with fine concepts and characters.

I read this book over 20 years ago, so I'm working from an old memory here! While dated in its description of stellar mecanics, Pohl does pose an interesting premise: Stars have all the necessary ingredients to be MASSIVE thinking machines! From there, it's a short step to consider sentient stars. In the text, fusion research on earth creates a baby star that quickly reaches consciousness, sentience, and self actualization. Old Sol doesn't seem to like it very much! As with other Pohl works (like "Man Plus"), it has an interesting central concept, but the science is not very deep and the characters aren't particularly well developed.