REC.ARTS.STARTREK.TECH READING LIST
                                       
Updated June 16, 1994
Maintained by: Joshua Bell <jsbell@acs.ucalgary.ca>
Archive site: ftp://ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca/startrek/minifaqs/reading-faq 

    
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Contents:

     * 1. Episode Guides - Can you name the episodes? 
     * 2. Must Haves - Quasi-canonical stuff 
     * 3. Good Stuff - Good, but don't quote them 
     * 4. Pretty Pictures - Be afraid, be very afraid 
     * 5. Don't Ask Me - Stuff I don't have or have reviews of 
     * 6. Where Can I Get Them? - Mail-ordering info 
     * 7. Isn't There... - What books there aren't 
     * 8. Contributors 
       
    
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   Typical question: 
   

>Could somebody post a list of "canon" material?  And maybe a *brief*
>list of the major "non-canon" items, such as FASA...?

   
   
   As Gym Z. Quirk (Taki Kogoma) has often pointed out, "official
   Paramount canon" is the movies and live-action television only. No
   books, period. 
   
   Roddenberry-Canon is not entirely consistant, but is usually all of
   TOS, TNG, DS9, ST I, II, III, most of IV, and some of VI, but not TAS,
   or ST V. 
   
   For the purposes of Treknology (the point of this group), however,
   some concessions are made. I've tried to make these reviews as
   unbiased as possible (not very), and put them in increasingly
   non-canon order. 
   
    
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1. Episode Guides

   
   
   While Vidiot and Hackman have on-line (free) episode guides for both
   TOS and TNG, you can't walk into a store and buy them printed and
   bound (at least, in my part of the world). If you're looking to spend
   money, these are the ones most bookstores will have. 
   
  THE STAR TREK COMPENDIUM
  
   Allan Asherman. "The complete reference book" to the Original Series,
   the Animated Series, and the Film Series. Various editions exist; one
   including Star Trek VI is the latest, and has a white cover. The
   author tends to (IMHO) harp on minor items in Star Trek, and
   interprets everything from the IDIC view, as if that drove the writers
   of every episode. Each episode or film is given a short summary, and a
   behind-the-scenes analysis about twice as long as the summary. 
   (US$13.00. Pocket Books, 1992(?). ISBN 0-671-68440-X) 
   
  THE STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION COMPANION
  
   Larry Nemecek. A compendium for the Next Generation. The first edition
   covers the first five seasons of TNG, I personally prefer this style
   to Asherman's companion. Each episode is given a short summary, but
   the accompanying notes are strictly factual, and don't include much
   analysis. This is a must-have book for Treknologists, as it includes
   info such as ship classes for barely glimpsed ships, information on
   yet-to-be-seen maps and the like. 
   (US$13.00. Pocket Books, 1992. ISBN 0-671-79460-4) 
   
  THE NITPICKER'S GUIDE FOR NEXT GENERATION TREKERS
  
   Phil Farrand. Synopses of all TNG episodes from seasons 1 through 6,
   plus any of continuity glitches (which arm someone is leaning on),
   effects muckups (when they forget to light something, or the mike boom
   shows), technical inconsistencies (holodeck matter, door controls),
   and various rants. The author has a deep seated communicator
   obsession, and is very unimaginative in terms of coming up with
   explanations for the problems he finds. Fun for r.a.st.tech'ers to go
   through an find trivial explanations for things he stays awake at
   night pondering. 
   (US$12.95. Dell Publishing, 1993. ISBN 0-440-50571-2) 
   
   And in the blast from the past category... 
   
  THE STAR TREK CONCORDANCE
  
   Bjo Trimble. One of the first big Star Trek publications by fandom,
   this volume is hard to come by. The cover is an "episode wheel" giving
   page numbers and abbreviations for all of the episodes detailed within
   - in the 1976 edition, both TOS and TAS are treated equally. Episodes
   are listed by stardate, a brief interlude of fan art takes up a few
   pages, then a season-by- season listing of the episodes with a short
   synopsis fills out the first half of the book. The second is a
   lexicon, or encyclopedia of sorts for TOS and TAS era information
   about Star Trek, much of which is still valid, some of which has
   strange quirks. Throughout the book is line art and tracings from cels
   of the animated series. 
   (Ballantine Books, 1976. ISBN 0-345-25137-7-695) 
   (Cover price, US$6.95, but I got mine for C$85 in 1994.) 
   
   The bibliography of the new Encyclopedia says that a new version of
   the Condordance, which will include the feature films, is scheduled
   for publication soon. 
   
    
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2. Must Haves

   
   
   These are generally accepted by the .tech community as being fairly
   definitive sources, although not perfect by any means. 
   
  THE STAR TREK ENCYCLOPEDIA: A REFERENCE GUIDE TO THE FUTURE
  
   Michael Okuda, Denise Okuda, and Debbie Mirek. GET IT. Not much more
   can be said about this reference. 396 pages of references and
   cross-references, definitions and citations. From "A & A Officer" to
   "Zytchin III", with a mini-chronology, entries on warp drives,
   subspace, and perhaps most importantly, starships. Not too much
   detail, but very nice drawings of ships such as the Nebula and
   Ambassador classes, plus lots of background information and a table of
   starships. And it has an diagram of a humuhumunukunukuapua'a, which
   makes it perfect. 
   (US$18.00. Pocket Books, 1994. ISBN 0-671-86905-1 (trade pbk), ISBN
   0-671-88684-3 (hardcover)) 
   
  STAR TREK CHRONOLOGY: THE HISTORY OF THE FUTURE
  
   Michael and Denise Okuda. A comprehensive look at the timeline of Star
   Trek, from the distant past through both generations to the future. It
   is based on "official canon" with the occasional speculation from
   episode scripts, Roddenberry's own writing and TAS episodes, but on
   the whole, it is derived from the show with few assumptions. 
   (US$14.00. Pocket Books, 1993. ISBN 0-671-79611-9) 
   
  STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL MANUAL
  
   Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda. The authors are the Technical
   Advisors for both TNG and DS9 (as well as designers and graphic
   artists). It is an in-depth look at the workings of the Galaxy Class
   starship, specifically the Enterprise. It offers a lot of information
   that would be too boring to present on the show, and has occasional
   conflicts (mainly when writers "cheat" with technology), but as a
   whole, a must-read. 
   (US$13.00. Pocket Books, 1991. ISBN 0-671-70427-3) 
   
  STAR TREK FIFTH SEASON WRITER'S GUIDE
  
   This is the bible for writers, and is basically "canon until proven
   otherwise". It should be at the top of the list, but I don't have it.
   You can get it from Paramount, I believe. 
   
   "... very general, with statements like "Picard trusts his Number One
   absolutely" or "Geordi can best be described as a blithe spirit" ...
   as Ron Moore said when he autographed a copy of this for me, "This is
   a very precious document. You're going to treasure it for a long
   time." It can best be thought of as an intro to TNG for beginners."
   [Benjamin Chee] 
   
   Along similar lines... 
   
  ORIGINAL SERIES WRITER'S GUIDE
  
   "You can get the TOS Writer's Guide from Lincoln Enterprises (address
   is in one of the FAQs). In the 70s, that's all there was, "The Making
   ...", Gerrold's "The World of ...", "The Concordance", and Franz
   Joseph's "Technical Manual". These were considered 'canon' even
   before such a term was used." [Chris Wayne] 
   
   Times have certainly changed! 
   
    
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3. Good Stuff

   
   
   These references aren't held (by most posters) in as-high a regard as
   the previous volumes, but a "serious collector" will have them;
   primarily because nothing better is available. 
   
  THE MAKING OF STAR TREK
  
   Stephan E. Whitfeild and Gene Roddenberry. First published in 1968,
   and is meant as a "how to write for Star Trek". Part I of the book is
   a discussion of how Star Trek came to be. Parts III-V are a look at
   the production of the episodes. Most important here, however, is Part
   II of the book "An Official Biography of a Ship and Its Crew", written
   as a reference guide for writers - how does the ship work, who are the
   officers, etc. While it has some anachronisms (Starship Class instead
   of Constitution Class), it is a very good source of Tech information
   about the original series, and the closest thing to an official TOS
   reference we're ever likely to see. 
   (US$5.99. Del Ray/Ballantine, 1968. ISBN 0-345-35019-1) 
   
  STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL JOURNAL
  
   Shane Johnson. A set of diagrams and plans looking at the Enterprise.
   While the text is of dubious quality, and doesn't add much, the
   diagrams are very useful, and the fold-out cross- section of the
   Enterprise graces my wall. It is done in "Okudagram" style, and makes
   a good companion to the TNG Tech Manual. 
   (US$6.95. Starlog Press, 1992.) 
   
  THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION MAKEUP FX JOURNAL
  
   Michael Westmore and Joe Nazzaro. Another Starlog publication,
   detailing what goes into making the aliens of Star Trek. From a tech
   standpoint, it gives some background and names for some alien species,
   straight from the makeup artists. 
   (US$6.95. Starlog Press, 1992.) 
   
  MR. SCOTT'S GUIDE TO THE ENTERPRISE
  
   Shane Johnson. A tech manual for the movie-era Enterprise. It contains
   detailed diagrams, and a thorough discussion of ship's systems.
   Unfortunately, the author has taken a number of liberties, such as
   placing TransWarp drive on the Enterprise-A, setting TOS in the 2190s
   and the films in the 2210s, and technology descriptions that don't
   quite match "canon Trek". 
   (US$12.95. Pocket Books, 1987. ISBN 0-671-70498-2) 
   
  THE WORLDS OF THE FEDERATION
  
   Shane Johnson. A detailed look at all known aliens encountered on Star
   Trek up to season 1 of TNG. It includes TAS aliens, and is a very good
   volume, but once more, the author makes some guesses, trying to answer
   "unanswered" questions, but which have later been answered in more
   reliable sources. 
   (US$12.95. Pocket Books, 1989. ISBN 0-671-70813-9) 
   
    
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4. Pretty Pictures

   
   
   You'll be hard pressed to get .tech support for the validity of any of
   the following; often they outright contradict episodes, movies, and
   later references. The first (ST:SFTM) used to be the only thing out
   there... but no longer. 
   
  STAR TREK: STAR FLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL
  
   Franz Joseph. First published in 1975. It houses a number of sections
   - Articles of the Federation, Starfleet Command, ships of the
   Starfleet, a detailed look at the Class I Starship (Enterprise), and
   standard equipment. While this was a mainstay of Tech discussions in
   the past (or so I've heard), it is beginning to show its age - it has
   many conflicts with later information, and the writing is both sparse
   and hard to follow, explaining little. 
   (US$12.00. Ballantine, 1975. ISBN 0-345-34074-4) 
   
  STAR TREK STARSHIP TACTICAL COMBAT SIMULATOR
  
   I've only glanced at pages 1-58, but pages 59 through 78 give rather
   nice pictures of "real" TFS ships (Excelsior, Enterprise, Reliant,
   Grissom, D-7, Klingon Bird of Prey, Romulan Bird of Prey), and not so
   "real" ships. It also provides speculation about the speeds, weaponry,
   defenses, and other data about all of the ships. While I just like the
   pictures, others may like the textual information. FASA has a
   relatively poor reputation on the 'net, but the pictures *are* good. 
   (FASA Corporation, 1986. No ISBN given.) 
   
  JACKILL'S STAR FLEET REFERENCE MANUAL: SHIPS OF THE FLEET, VOLUME 1
  
   Eric Kristansen. Done in the style of the "Jane's" series of
   contemporary military journals. "...not exactly accurate with regards
   to Trek's starships. The diagrams of the ships are quite excellent,
   almost on par with FASA's [TCS]. It is clearly a one-man show,
   however..." [Benjamin Chee] 
   (No ISBN given.) 
   
  JACKILL'S STAR FLEET REFERENCE MANUAL:SHIPS OF THE FLEET, VOLUME 2
  
   Eric Kristiansen. "...designed to acquaint you with vessels that you
   may run across in your travels throughout time, space and dimensions
   of the universe" [Mike Welsh] 
   (US $15.95. No publisher or ISBN given. 1993.) 
   
  HISTORY OF THE VESSEL ENTERPRISE, FROM THE 16TH TO THE 24TH CENTURY
  
   Ronald M Roden Jr. A collection of over 150 different vessels from the
   past 4 centuries, including British, United States, French warship
   class ships as well as many privately owned vessels bearing the name
   Enterprise. From the Enterprise of England in 1587 all the way to
   Starship Enterprise NCC-1701D. "A very interesting book." [Mike Welsh]
   
   (US$14.95. First INTERGALACTIC Printing, 1992. ISBN 0-962-94323-1) 
   
  STAR TREK, SPACEFLIGHT CHRONOLOGY
  
   Stan and Fred Goldstein, illustrated by Rick Sternbach. The pioneering
   days, the major events, the turn of the 21st century, the birth of the
   Federation, the first starship Enterprise, starfleet and the trek to
   the stars. Actually begins in the 20th century with the launching of
   Sputnik I in 1957 up to the the 23rd century with the starship
   ENTERPRISE NCC-1701. "Lots of pictures in this one!!!!!!" [Mike Welsh]
   
   (US$8.95. Pocket Books, 1980.) 
   
  STARSHIP DESIGN
  
   Todd Guenther. "It's set up like a tech journal. Ships of the Star
   Fleet are produced by the same company as are many other things. It
   give many technical layouts of various ships." [Chris Wayne] 
   (Devon-Aurora Publications, 1987.) 
   
  SHIPS OF THE STAR FLEET I: CRUISERS AND FRIGATES
  
   "... a more refined and complete version of "Starship Design." When
   New Eye Studio says that _SotSF_1_ is a 5 star book, they mean it.
   The attention to detail and the quality of the graphics make it one
   of the best treknology purchases I have ever made. Alas, you get what
   you pay for, and the few remaining copies are pricey, and IMHO likely
   to get pricier still as collectors glom onto them and despite
   Paramount's wishes, hang onto their copies with both hands." "Volume
   1 discuses something they refer to as "Class 1 & 1A" starships.
   Basically, the big heavies, TOS Enterprise, TFS E, the Reliant, and
   variations on those themes. Missing are the Excelsior and Grissom."
   [AJ Madison] 
   (Mastercom Data Center, 1991) 
   
  SHIPS OF THE STAR FLEET II: AKYAZI PERIMETER ACTION CRUISERS
  
   "... more speculative than Volume 1... Volume 2 covers an entirely
   non-canon patrol ship class. However, the book is very imaginative,
   and at the same time completely in keeping with the what is known
   about the 23rd Century Starship technology." [AJ Madison] 
   (Mastercom Data Center, 1992) 
   
  STARFLEET PROTOTYPES: THE JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND IDEAS 
  
   "Another book, very similar to _SotSF_1_, while imaginative, suggests
   various designs that have a kind of "let's play with autocad" look to
   them. Its cute, but some of the ideas espoused are sketchy, and
   require some suspension of disbelief to think Starfleet would
   actually commision any of these designs." "Comment: they got too
   artsey-fartsey in attempting to suggest the book really was published
   in 2292..." [AJ Madison] 
   (Available from New Eye Studio, 1992) 
   
  STARFLEET SHIP RECOGNITION
  
   Fan produced. "Setup similar to "Enterprise Officer's manual" by
   Geoffrey Mandel" [Chris Wayne] 
   (Starfleet Publications Office) 
   
  STAR TREK OFFICER'S MANUAL #2012
  
   "This is the work that is claimed to have been the final straw between
   Paramount and FASA. Although, I do not know what the exact points
   were." [Chris Wayne] 
   (FASA Corporation, 1988. ISBN 1-55560-079-4) 
   
  FEDERATION SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL
  
  KLINGON SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL
  
  ROMULAN SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL
  
   "Okay, these weren't the best in the world. They do have some really
   nice designs in them, however (others bite big weenies). Ignore the
   time line info (or add 52 years to each date, which brings everything
   up to snuff), and add about double the number of phasers to each Fed
   design (they forgot that there are two pairs of phasers per mounting
   on the dish, dorsal and ventral). if you get the chance, pick them up
   cheap; they are going to be worth money someday (I've seen their
   asking price double already)." [Scott Taylor] 
   (FASA Corporation) 
   
    
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5. Don't Ask Me

   
   
   I have no information about these other than seeing them in catalogs.
   Additional information is welcome! 
   
  STARFLEET DYNAMICS
  
   A look at TOS through TFS ship design, technical information, and
   tactics. Said to be very good by "regulars". 
   
  STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION OFFICER'S MANUAL
  
   By FASA, again Paramount has pulled the plug. Provided deck plans and
   speculation, which the TNG Tech Manual later overruled. A very scarce
   collectors' item now. 
   
   Starlog publishes a number of things, such as blueprints of Starbase
   79, the Lynx timeship, the Avenger Class (now known to be Miranda
   Class), the Enterprise in both TOS and TFS eras, etc. Check any issue
   of Starlog for more information. 
   
    
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6. Where Can I Get Them?

   
   
   The Encyclopedia, Compendium, Companion, Chronology, TNG TM, ST:TWOF,
   and ST:SFTM can be found in most bookstores with a descent SF
   collection. For me in Alberta, Canada, thats Coles. 
   
   Some mail order sources: 
   
   Intergalactic Trading Co.
   P.O Box 1516 Longwood, FL 
   USA 32750
   (407)831-8344 
   
   They charge $2.00 for an illustrated catalog, and have a good
   selection of out-of-print books. 
   
   New Eye Studio
   P.O Box 632
   Willimantic, CT
   USA 06226
   (800)423-0559
   (203)450-1943
   FAX: (203)456-2710 
   
   ($2.00 for a catalog) 
   
   Other addresses are to be found in the FAQs and also in most SF
   magazines such as Starlog. 
   
    
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7. Isn't There...

   
   
   There is no official TNG or otherwise guide to starships other than
   the Star Trek Encyclopedia, which isn't as complete as most of us
   might like. However, we'll probably have to live with it for the
   foreseeable future. 
   
    
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8. Contributors:

   
   
    Benjamin Chee <isc36410@leonis.nus.sg>
    Inge Heyer <heyer@stsci.edu>
    Mike Welsh <welsh@acad.mwsc.edu>
    Chris Wayne <cwayne@triton.unm.edu>
    AJ Madison <ajm@sw.stratus.com>
    Mike Welsh <welsh@acad.mwsc.edu>
    Scott Taylor <izzylobos@aol.com>
    
   
   
   (Pssst! Got your name in here? Have a WWW page you want your name to
   point at? Give the guy at the bottom there your URL and he'll add it
   in ASAP!)  
     _________________________________________________________________ 
   
    Joshua Sean Bell <jsbell@acs.ucalgary.ca>