Star Trek: The Return (abridged audiobook) by William Shatner, Judith Reeves-Stevens and Garfield Reeves-Stevens


It's Star Trek. It's William Shatner. What More Can You Ask For?

Published by Simon and Schuster Audio in 2001.
Read by William Shatner
Duration: 3 hours, 6 minutes
Abridged

The audiobook lasts about 3 hours and is read by William Shatner, who is also one of the authors.

I admit, I picked Star Trek: The Return on a whim - the fact that it was read by Shatner himself was a big plus. Shatner is nothing, if not interesting. His book is much like the man himself (at least his well-known public persona) - lots of action, bluster, bravado, noise and Shatner's well-known and unique speaking style.

This book takes place immediately after the events of the Star Trek: Generations movie. If you haven't seen the movie lately, don't fret. Shatner uses it as a launching point only and goes on his own way. 

William Shatner in
Star Trek: Generations
At the end of Star Trek: Generations, Kirk has been killed by sacrificing himself to save a planet and possibly the entire Federation. Jean-Luc Picard respectfully buries him under a pile of rocks. Star Trek : The Return has the Romulans and the Borg coming to find Kirk's body so that they can re-animate his brain and learn all of his secrets. Kirk cannot be contained by the Borg or the Romulans and soon enough he's off saving the galaxy again.

 Of course, William Shatner's Kirk is featured prominently throughout, which helps to make it an entertaining listen. Any armchair psychologist can have a field day with William Shatner's apparent need to keep his hand in the Star Trek franchise, especially by bringing Kirk back (again...he was presumed dead and definitely gone at the beginning of the Star Trek: Generations as well). This is hardly great literature but I had fun.

 Three of the movies are tied together in a neat little bundle (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek: First Contact) I enjoyed this audiobook during my commute for a few days. An entertaining diversion.

 I rate this audiobook 4 stars out of 5.

This audiobook can be found on Amazon.com here: Star Trek: The Return.

 Reviewed on January 23, 2009.

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