Welcome to StarTrekReaders.com, the website for the STAR TREK reference books by Alva Underwood.
The Star Trek Reader’s Reference series of books provides a more thorough look at the world of the United Federation of Planets and the StarFleet that promotes exploration, first contact, and military might in an alien world peopled by Klingons, Romulans, and Hortas, to name a few. Born out of a desire to share the wealth of information the novels provide, the reference books offer in alphabetical order and as accurately as possible, characters, places, events, missions, references, and allusions.
Volume 1
A fan of STAR TREK since seeing her first episode "Devil in the Dark," Alva Underwood has provided a wealth of information about that world as offered in the first twelve novels that appeared between 1970 and 1979. She has brought together, as much as possible, far-flung information from a variey of sources, providing complete documentatin of sources and a bibliography. Offered here are biographies of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, Chapel, and, of course, the Enterprise. Found within are tantalizing glimpses of the Romulans (originally Vulcan stock that chose to leave Vulcan), Klingons who hate and fear Kirk but find him utterly fascinating, and a greater variety of aliens than could be seen in the TV episodes. Do you know that Kirk enjoys rombold cakes served either with a dressing or jelly? And just how many Alices did Mudd create? Have you considered that Kirk, Spock, and McCoy have had enough dalliances to have fathered a small town of offspring? Do you know that quives are cultivated on Vulcan? And that NCC stands for Naval Construction Contract? This reference is a MUST for the serious reader of Star TREK novels.
Volume 2
This volume continues the task of providing a reference for the second set of novels: 1980-1983. Here is a more complete biography of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov and tantalizing bits of information about the many aliens, more than the TV series could offer. Do you know that a Regillian bloodworm comes in sizes ranging from 0.5 centimeters long to one that challenges a Terran adult python? Or that Spock was a pirate and that he served time at the Minos prison? That the crew is periodically subjected to a Sigmund? Do you know Kirk's favorite saying about being fooled? The second reference, a must have for the serious reader, continues the work begun in the first, and its intent is that it be a reference tool for the continued enjoyment of this fascinating world first conceived by Gene Roddenberry and so ably continued in the many novels.
Volume 3
This third reference, focusing on the novels of 1984-1985, expands the data compiled in the references for the novels 1970-1979 and 1980-1983. Within these pages are biographies of the eight main characters, a description of the starship "Enterprise", and plot summaries of the thirteen novels between 1984-1985. Immerse yourself in the world of Star Trek found in the novels and enjoy a reference tool for the reader of Kirk's adventures. Want to know more about the characters of the original series? Want to know about the origins of the Klingons and Romulans as well as other aliens? Interested in playing the Klingon Game, learning the levels of mind touch, and meeting new "Enterprise" crew members?
Volume 4
This Reference continues expanding much of the original material detailed in the first three volumes. New adventures are detailed and old adversaries are visited. Biographies offer new material discovered in the novels, and a Vulcan course of study is included. How the Romulans split from the Vulcans is detailed here as well as new information about Andorians, Tellarites, and Vulcans. Here you can visit with new crewmembers, meet a Coridani, swim with a waffa, learn about the Denebians, shudder at the inhumane actions of Ravens and contemplate Matter as God and the Romulan concept of mhnei'sahe, while joining in the fun concocted by the natives of Direidians as a prank played upon Romulans, Klingons, and Kirk's crew. Learn more about Romulan's twin worlds, ch'Havran and ch'Rihan, how the Enterprise was nearly destroyed by a minute black hole, and Kirk's second out-of-body experience. Immerse yourself in a galaxy where Terrans continue to expand their knowledge, meet fascinating new peoples, and "go where no one has gone before."
Volume 5
The fifth volume is based on novels published in 1988-1989. Main character biographies continue to expand as does information about Romulans and Klingons and a host of other aliens. In this volume, the reader will discover a new Spock romance, revisit Sarpeid, learn about the expanded Memory Prime Centers, meet the Sackers, new aliens on the block, learn about Sulu's pet, Filbert, and catch a glimpse of sentient life that may have set the stage for the emergence of Data in The Next Generation. This fifth volume continues the effort to collect information from the novels and weave it into a coherent history while adding new information to that which already exists. The effort also reflects the joy Alva Underwood discovered in the pages of STAR TREK novels and it salutes the efforts of Roddenberry and the novelists who continue the adventure!
Volume 6
The sixth volume is based on novels published in 1990-1991. Associate with new aliens like Obo, a Belandrid who's a wiz at mechanics, the ;At. who appear to be "warm stone;" Midgwins, Kaldorni, and Dombraatu, now extinct. Meet new villians like Harnessad Dreem seeking revenge on Spock, the blue-eyed Klingong assassin Klass, and old ones who confront Enterprise. Visit new worlds: Zebulon-Theta with no life forms larger than coyotes; Hellsguard a Romulan laboratory; Lahit a homeworld of three distinct sentient beings; Octavius Four; and Kalajia Seven. Expand your knowledge about Captain Pike's first contact; John C. Kirk, a World War II fighter pilot; Captain Kirk's dishonorable discharge from StarFleet; and the adventures of Scotty, Sulu and Chekov in their distant past. Read biographies of Christopher Pike, his Number One, and Janice Rand. Discover Sarek's first name and Spock's full name. Read about Sulu's babies, Uhura's participation in Pan-American games, and Kirk's three wives. Study the Klingon game, similar to chess with a deadly version and be concerned with Kirk's disembodiment. Learn more about plat tow (7 pages) and pon far (5 pages). Meet the diversity of sentient representatives in Enterprise's crew and discover the secret Vault beneath StarFleet Command Headquarters. Enjoy the latest collected information about the continuing missions.
Volume 7
Volume seven of the "Star Trek Reader's Reference to the Novels" offers additional information about the adventures of Kirk and his Bridge officers, especially Kirk's early years and Dr. McCoy's first deep-space assignment. Meet a variety of fascinating new villains including Dr. Omen who believes he's created the perfect weapon, a Romulan captain who seeks to destroy an entire species because he fears they will be weapons against Romulans, Roy Moss who feels he has not received the adulation he deserves, and High Assassin Shil Andrachis who believes, killing is both a gift and a right. Meet others who offer new experiences such as the Reys of Gullrey, archeologist and musician Dr. Andrea Benar, and Variants who are genetically altered human stock. Read about a horrid new species, now extinct, and follow Kirk as he "becomes" a Kh!lict. Delve further into the mysteries surrounding the Probe that nearly destroyed Terra. Take on the Klingons in a new ploy against the Federation. Experience an ice plant almosr defrayed when too many of its native marine animals are taken from the seas and meet the Kitka who are aware of an intelligent life form known as a kraken who shares their world. Sail along on the Great Starship Race that pits the resourcefulness of Kirk and crew against the machinations of a Romulan captain. Study how Kirk resolves a near-war situation by reading from the Obirrhat Holy Book, learn how Kirk, Spock, and McCoy evade the Reborning process on Sanctuary, and discover new theories about orphan cultures.
