Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler

Average customer rating:

Great account of a historic business transaction

Great Storytelling, Good Lessons, Too Much Regret

This story feels real.

Outstanding work about the loss of an American Icon

A must for all automotive industry folks

Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler
Bill Vlasic , and Bradley A. Stertz
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Company Profiles | Biography & History | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Six Men Who Built The Modern Auto Industry

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Behind the Wheel at Chrysler: The Iacocca Legacy

ASIN: 0060934484
Release Date: 2001-06-19

Amazon

It all started with a misunderstanding. Kirk Kerkorian, the Las Vegas wheeler-dealer, thought Chrysler's management would back him up if he tried to take the company private. Chrysler's management thought they'd made it clear they had no interest in such a deal. As the two sides faced off--Kerkorian and legendary Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca on one side, current Chrysler boss Bob Eaton and his top executives on the other--Mercedes-Benz CEO Helmut Werner stepped in. The result is the company now known as DaimlerChrysler. But Vlasic and Stertz make clear no one really knows the result of the deal. It's far too early to tell if blending the manufacturer of sleek German luxury sedans with the Detroit-based progenitor of the minivan will succeed in the global marketplace. Instead, they show in riveting detail how the deal came to be, and the immediate aftermath. They give us private moments with the major players and show us the multilayered considerations that crop up when two gigantic companies merge. Another book will have to judge the ultimate success of the merger, but the immediate results aren't exactly promising. By late 1999, a share of the original Chrysler was worth a few pennies less than it had been before the merger was announced, and only about a dollar more than before Kerkorian made his move back in April 1995. --Lou Schuler

Book Description

Here is the book that exposed the Daimler-Chrysler "merger of equals" as a bold German takeover of an industrial icon. Taken for a Ride reveals the shock waves felt around the world when Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler for $36 billion in 1998. In a gripping narrative, Bill Vlasic and Bradley A. Stertz go behind the scenes of the defining corporate drama of the decade -- and in a new epilogue chart its chaotic aftermath.

Customer Reviews:

Great account of a historic business transaction.......2006-12-21

The take over of Chrysler by Diamler-Benz was heralded as the "merger of equals". This merger was a joke that was really a buyout of an American icon. The story of the merger is one of intrigue on two continents and is told very well here. It is an interesting book and very well written. I highly recommend it for those who want to see what happened at Chrysler after Iacocca retired.

Great Storytelling, Good Lessons, Too Much Regret.......2005-08-28

In 2000, hot on the heels of the Daimler-Chrysler merger, Bill Vlasic and Bradley A. Stertz, both of the Detroit Free Press, chronicled the merger and the run-up to it. Being from Detroit, lament pervades an otherwise riveting story full of intrigue from the Chrysler executives fending off raider/financier Kirk Kerkorian, through the unrelenting pace of the merger talks, and finally the aftermath where the former Chrysler executives started to roll over or jump ship.

At the book's core are the merger negotiations and the power struggle that followed. Starkly contrasted are the styles of Jurgen Schrempp, the awesome Daimler-Benz Chairman, and Bob Eaton, his diffident Chrysler counterpart. From the outset, Eaton is cast as a weakling who crumbles in the face of bigger personalities. The horrendous miscommunication between Eaton and Kerkorian on the eve of Kerkorian's acquisition announcement foreshadows Eaton's flaky approach to the negotiations with Daimler. Throughout the book, Eaton is portrayed as hapless and hopeless. An outsider, chosen as CEO because of a clash of egos that disqualified the vastly more talented Bob Lutz (now the septuagenarian Vice-Chairman of General Motors), he, by all the books accounts, failed to ever become part of Chrysler. Time and again, Eaton is shown to be a ditherer and a weakling - indeed he is reported to have broken down in front of hundreds of senior managers no fewer than three times.

Across the table from Eaton is Jurgen Schrempp, a big man with an insatiable appetite for action. Whether against internal Daimler rival Helmut Werner or at the table with Eaton, he comes off as a brilliant strategist with an unrelenting drive who lives for the big moments.

Irrespective of how the market will judge the merger, the book offers useful lessons for negotiators. The Americans proved the negotiator's adage that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. The Daimler executives set their objectives and then prepared their strategy meticulously. Schrempp created alternatives to a negotiated solution, including the unlikely possibility of an alliance with the Ford Motor Company. At every step, by the Chrysler management team's own admission, they were out-prepared by as much as eighteen months.

The weakness of the book is the authors' undisguised disappointment with the "loss" of an American industrial icon. It is an absolute hatchet job on Eaton who cannot possibly be as pathetic as he is made out to be. After the merger, the German executives are cast as jealous bureaucrats defending their turf. It is hard to determine whether this is an accurate description or the ever-present regret of the authors.

This story feels real........2004-07-08

I don't know how Vlasic was able to get the information in this book. The conversations ring true to me and this story feels as if it really could have occurred the way Vlasic describes it. This is one of the best books I have read in the past year. He is able to take a somewhat chaotic true story and assemble a story that flows smoothly yet also seems accurate. His ability to draw a picture of the characters is outstanding and they have proven quite prescient as time has passed.

Outstanding work about the loss of an American Icon.......2004-05-13

If you are looking to find out exactly how the Germans came in and stole Chrysler out from under its American leadership, this is the book for you. Superbly written and researched, the book is a page turner that kept me up till the early morning hours. I highly recommend it and hope that nothing like this ever happens again in corporate America. "Taken for a Ride" couldn't be a more fitting title.

A must for all automotive industry folks.......2003-12-14

Sometimes the reading gets boring in too many details, but the facts in this book are INCREDIBLE!
It shows that Juergen Schrempp never wanted to merge, but to buy, Bob Eaton was totally involved and everybody else was taken by surprise. Bob Eaton never actually ran the company, maybe that is why he sold it.

2 Books: 1) - COMEBACK: The Fall & Rise of the American Automobile Industry / 2) - Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler (Unboxed Set of Big 3 Detroit Automotive Industry Books)

Average customer rating:

2 Books: 1) - COMEBACK: The Fall & Rise of the American Automobile Industry / 2) - Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler (Unboxed Set of Big 3 Detroit Automotive Industry Books)
Paul Ingrassia , Joseph B. White , Bill Vlasic , and Bradley A. Stertz
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WFGQW4

Product Description

2 Books: 1) - COMEBACK: The Fall & Rise of the American Automobile Industry / 2) - Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler (Unboxed Set of Automotive Industry Books), in either Hard or Softcover, (See Seller Condition Comments), Shipped in one package to save on shipping costs.

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Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove off with Chrysler
Bill; Stertz, Bradley A. Vlasic
Manufacturer: HarperInformation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLXHSW

Average customer rating:

Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler
Bradley A. Stertz Bill Vlasic
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OES4BO

Average customer rating:

Taken for a Ride : How Daimler-Benz Drove Off with Chrysler
Bill -- Stertz, Bradley Vlasic
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O62G7A

Product Description

Take participants on an unforgettable learning adventure! Set in the Grand Canyon, these stimulating group activities provide an adventurous backdrop for enthusiastic participant involvement and memorable skill building. Use Grand Canyon Adventures for active learning in Creativity and Problem Solving Collaboration Teamwork Leadership Conflict Resolution Consultation Grand Canyon Adventures were researched on location and written by Carmine Consalvo. More than the usual consensus-building activities The creative design of the participant scenario booklets gives these learning activities a distinct advantage over other consensus-building simulations by supporting participants throughout the activity with helpful techniques and key learning points. Six related activities provide new training flexibility The Grand Canyon Adventures package includes interrelated activities on problem solving, collaboration, and consensus decision making, which makes the program extremely flexible. Use all six activities with your entire team, or split up your group to focus on individualized skill development with a single activity. Inspiring video gets participants involved Start your session with The River Song, an 18-minute video that sets the scene for the simulations. It is an all-original, breathtaking video tour of the sites within the Grand Canyon where the simulations take place. It will motivate and focus participants on the activities, and ensure high-impact learning. Realistic, video-based simulations set in Americas most popular scenic wonder! Up Deer Creek without a Boatman Collaboration Designed for two leaders or two teams, this exercise provides experience in working together and resolving conflict. Participants will assess their own effectiveness based on three measures of collaboration. 1 to 2 hour activity.

Book Description

An 88 page perfect bound revised and expanded text for the novice llama owner as well as some tips and hints for those more experienced. New chapters include information on breeding and birthing as well as trouble shooting while on the trail.

Customer Reviews:

Novice Llama Enthusiast.......2001-04-05

I didn't know much about llamas - just that they were cute and I liked them. I appreciated the information in this book, it has helped when I have visited llama farms and worked with these marvelous animals.

Do not buy this book.......2000-04-01

What a horrible book, I thought for the price it would be much much better. Do not waste your money. If you are looking for a good book about Llama's try "A Guide to Raising Llamas".

Concise and informative from beginning to end.......1999-03-23

Making the Most of Your Llama does just that - advice on how to get started, how to keep them healthy, how to train on the trail and how to use the by products of the llama - babies, manure and wool! I have the first edition - this one is greatly improved and expanded.

Book Description

This is the first book dedicated to unidentified celestial gamma-ray sources. The launch of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory allowed the first all-sky surveys in gamma-rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. The Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope discovered more than 270 sources of high-energy protons, more than half of which are not identified with known celestial objects. Most of these objects belong to the Milky Way and more than one class of sources are present among the unidentified sources.
Unravelling the nature of all these objects requires the combination of different sorts of instruments, like radio telescopes, optical telescopes, and X-ray satellites, together with the next generations of space and ground-based gamma-ray telescopes.
This book presents the current knowledge on the subject and outlines strategies for identification of objects with current astronomical facilities. It provides a forward look by outlining the prospects of future generation gamma-ray telescopes. The contributions are detailed and represent valuable material for undergraduate and postgraduate astrophysics students and researchers in the field.

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THE ENGINEER IN THE GARDEN, GENES AND GENETICS: FROM THE IDEA OF HEREDITY TO THE CREATION OF LIFE
COLIN TUDGE
Manufacturer: PIMLICO
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books
Genetics | Basic Sciences | Medical | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0712661689

Average customer rating:
The Engineer in the Garden: Genes and Genetics: from the Idea of Heredity to the Creation of Life

Manufacturer: Jonathan Cape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I2Y3RQ

Book Description

This unique book will familiarize healing practitioners and martial artists with basic concepts of the human body, as defined by both Western and Eastern medical traditions, allowing those engaged in healing and martial arts to develop a more complete, holistic, and scientifically forward-looking understanding of the body. Overviews of philosophical and conceptual underpinnings are followed by detailed drawings and diagrams of the body's internal systems, as seen by both traditions. Written in a clear and concise style, this beautiful and informative book presents information previously unavailable in any single text, making it an essential work for students, healing professionals, and martial artists. This lavishly illustrated book includes: Over 147 color drawings and 54 duotone photographs
An easy-to-understand overview of Western anatomical concepts
A detailed overview of Eastern medical principles, including information previously available only in specialized, costly medical texts
A comprehensive listing of Oriental pressure points and meridians in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, cross-referenced to nerves, blood vessels, and other anatomical landmarks
Twenty essential self-massage and revival techniques
Detailed principles of pressure point fighting, as used in traditional Asian martial arts

Customer Reviews:

Not misleading at all..........2007-05-20

This book is hands down the best reference book I've found for Eastern energetic theory that's not a straight up acupuncture school text. The title has been called misleading...considering that it's called "Essential ANATOMY..." I think it's pretty straightforward. It is an excellent resource for why certain pressure points work and their local Eastern and Western anatomy. It has excellent comparisons between Eastern and Western thought and theory. It is not a book of martial arts techniques. Tedeschi has plenty of those, and this one is a cross-reference, not a direct technical manual. So if you're at all interested in "meta-martial arts", this book is amazing; if you're looking to actively learn new strikes or blocks or anything like that, better go with one of his other books (the "Art of..." series seems to be good, although I don't have any of them myself.)

Elegant Anatomy.......2007-05-13

This clear, concise, beautiful book is the best comparison I've found of Eastern and Western medicines. If you're interested in exploring the differences and similarities between Eastern and Western healing traditions, this book is a wonderful place to start. It's clear, elegant, and packed with information. It is an excellent source of information on acupressure points for athletes.

Excellent - to the extent of my "buy-in".......2007-01-12

I am a nidan (2nd degree blackbelt), in Uechi Ryu karate. I have been studying karate for 8 years, and I have been studying the significance of pressure points to the martial arts for 6 years. Even so, this area is still somewhat alien to me. I know pressure points work, but this merridian stuff? I don't know...

That perspective colors my review to the extent that since I don't know the validity of merridians, I can't tell how accurate those sections are... I also can't evaluate the interactions of combining pressure points, since none of my karate partners will let me experiment on them. I don't blame them since I'm not anxious for them to experiment on me, except in a simple way. I do know from experience that pressure points do have significant effect, and from that perspective, this book is very helpful.

There are a few charts that seem too crowded for their size (that's why I give it 4 stars instead of 5), which makes me wish I had larger charts... maybe fold out charts. He does sell such charts and they are on my wish list, and some day I'll buy a set.

I really like the health aspect of the book. Most of the books that I've considered don't cover that very well, if at all.

I also really like that Marc approaches this material from a serious, well rounded approach, unlike most of the "popular press".

I like the books by Marc Tedeschi. He has a clear presentation which gives the impression that he is a level headed intellectual kind of guy, who happens to have lots of experience, knowledge and (probably) skill, in the areas he writes about. I feel comfortable reccomending any of his material... in fact, the purchase I am reviewing today (Essential Anatomy), is my 2nd purchase of this book. This time I bought the book for one of my co-instructors.

BTW - if they ever present this book in a typical book size (4x6 or smaller), don't get it. The charts in this book would lose a lot of their usefullness in a small format... Stay with this size (8x11), for all books in this area, if the charts are significant to you.

BTW#2 - If this book ever comes out in a format suitable for a PDA, I'll probably buy that too. Having good charts available while practicing would be very helpful. (sometimes carrying a PDA is easier than carrying "real" stuff)

Excellent Reference on Oriental Meridians.......2005-04-22

I was really surprised to see so many negative reviews for this excellent book. I can only imagine that the writers were expecting a book teaching them the art of Pressure Point fighting, and while there is a brief section on both healing and martial arts applications in the book, this work is really about the Meridian and acupoint system of the human body, and it succeeds brilliantly as such. Also to be commended is the author's excellent overview of Western Anatomy and explanations of how Eastern and Western concepts mesh. The book is packed with info, mostly in the form of charts with short explanations. Certainly, you aren't going to learn everything there is to know about TCM, but what a great reference! As an Asian style bodyworker, I love this book. It's the best one I've found yet on Oriental Meridians. It is very straightforward and the Meridan charts are first class. The quality of this book is also first rate: nice stiff pages that read well and will hold up to a lot of pawing and page turning. Buy and study this book to learn the "whats" and "wheres" of TCM. Then find a Master to learn how to apply this wealth of information. This book WILL show you where the points are and how the different points and the meridians affect the body as a whole.

Not enough martial arts content.......2004-11-23

I think that the title is a bit misleading. This book does have lots of good information compiled into one source. The problem is that it is more of an anatomy book than a martial arts resource. There are good illustrations though I do not think that there is enough depth or analysis in the surrounding text. Discussions of meridians and pressure points are more suited to acupressure/acupuncture students than to martial artists who are the target of perhaps 10% of the content. There is almost nothing, for example, about how martial techniques work from a bio-mechanical perspective, nor how applications affect the body medically. If you want a good overview that compares and contrasts Western and Eastern thought it's a decent reference, but if you want an in-depth study suitable for serious martial artists this is probably not your best resource.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

Book Description

Designed as a practical desktop reference, this book is the largest collection of hypnotic suggestions and metaphors ever compiled.

Customer Reviews:

a great professional book full of ideas.......2007-10-06

As a hypnotherapist, I've been using this book for many years. I always find something inspiring in it, whatever the topic or scenarios I am looking for . I just bought a second copy of it for my second ofice.

gaby pierre chami, switzerland

A great reference tool.......2007-08-12

I'm an avid collector of hypnosis books because I am a professional hypnotist always on the lookout for more techniques. This book is a wonderful reference book for novices and advanced hypnotists on all levels. The beginning starts with dos and don'ts of hypnosis, as well as "if...then" and "when...then" and "as this happens, this will happens" phrases for later referencing. The end of the book has a large selection of hypnosis scripts for everything from relieving pain to self-confidence to helping cancer patients. You name it, it's in this book.

I've used this book so many times, I've lost count. It really is a valuable MUST-HAVE book that any serious hypnotist should own. It's well worth it.

great to deal with.......2007-01-16

Every thing was exactly as described, with prompt delivery. Could'nt imagine better than this.

one of rhe best books out there in Hypnosis.......2005-12-14

A must have if you pratice Hypnosis. A classic!

Great find!.......2005-09-09

This book is full of many different suggestions, comments & information. It covers many, many different topics/issues people are going to hypnotherapists for help with. It is well worth the money to invest in your future as a hypnotherapist.
The book is hard cover, with over 600 pages. I began using it within a few days with 2 clients of mine. The suggestions I used out of the book were very helpful & worked very well.
Denise

Average customer rating:

A Great Read!

An excellent novel.

STNG #20 Spartacus - A great early novel!

ST-TNG: Spartacus

Almost worth five stars

Spartacus (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 20)
T.L. Mancour
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Next Generation | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Perchance to Dream (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 19)

Contamination (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 16)

Foreign Foes (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 31)

Boogeymen (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 17)

Doomsday World (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 12)

ASIN: 0671760513

Book Description

Answering a distress call, the U.S.S. Enterprise™ finds a damaged alien vessel -- the Freedom -- crewed by a race known as the Vemlans. Their captain, Jared asks for assistance in repairing his ship -- assistance Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise are only too happy to provide. But once begun, their relief efforts are interrupted by the arrival of an entire fleet from Vemla, who claim that Jared and his crew are escaped slaves -- and their property!

As Jared and his people plea for protection and the right to be free, Captain Picard is caught between the demands of his conscience and the dictates of the Prime Directive. And when the Vemlan fleet threatens to fight if the U.S.S. Enterprise doesn't stand aside, Picard must choose between the safety of his ship...and the annihilation of an entire race.

Download Description

When the Enterprise answers a distress call from a damaged alien vessel, an entire fleet from Velma arrives and claims that Captain Picard and his crew are aiding their escaped slaves. The Velman fleet threatens to fight if Picard doesn't stand aside, and Picard must choose between his ship's safety and the annihilation of an entire race.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read!.......2006-01-21

This story is classic Next Generation problem solving for Captain Picard. Commander Data learns just how alive he really is through this experience. And you may find you have a heart for the tin man without one and his fellow man...

A non stop read.

An excellent novel........2003-12-12

It was a borderline call whether to give this novel four or five stars; I felt that the ending was a tad too pat to really live up to the buildup, but other than that, the novel was marvellous, and the basic premise was good enough, and well-enough handled, to make up for that minor flaw. Also, this is definitely a novel for the reader who does not demand action; this was frequently true in Next Generation stories, and is definitely true here. Not a flaw in my book, but it definitely will be in that of some readers, so if you're looking for a book with a good action plot, be aware that this isn't it.

STNG #20 Spartacus - A great early novel!.......2003-09-15

I found this particular early Star Trek The Next Generation novel to be quite interesting in its premise, plot and execution. It is, quite unfortunately, the only Star Trek novel written by this author, lending one to the belief that it either didn't originally sell too well, or the author "stepped up" to the plate only this one time! That is too bad, considering that T. L. Mancour did a wonderful job with the story. It's not quite, five star material but it is certainly a very good early STNG story.

The cover art for this numbered novel is definitely among the better ones of the early Star Trek The Next Generation titles.

The premise:

The Enterprise answers a distress call and finds a disabled alien vessel known as the "Freedom," which is crewed by a species known as the Vemlans. The vessels captain, Jared asks for and receives very welcome help from Captain Picard and crew. After the relief effort begins, they're interrupted by the arrival of an entire fleet of vessels from Vemla and they claim that Jared and his crew are escaped slaves and request that their property be turned over at once. Reminiscent of one particular STNG episode and a later Star Trek Voyager episode, it turns out that Jared and his crew are Androids, which prominently brings Commander Datas' involvement into the story.

Here is where this novel stands outs, as of course, Jared and his crew request asylum with Captain Picard and the Enterprise. The author plays this out very well as Captain Picard wrestles; not only with his personal convictions but with the Prime Directive as the Vemlan fleet is threatening the destruction of the Enterprise if they do not return the slaves and his decision "must" be made.

What follows is certainly, as stated above, one of the better early STNG novels that makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library and I'd definitely recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}

ST-TNG: Spartacus.......2003-06-30

Star Trek - The Next Generation: Spartacus written by T.L. Mancour is a book concerning the rights of artifical life forms. As this book delves into the question we get to see our faults as related to this question.

The U.S.S. Enterprise finds a damaged vessel in a remote corner of space known as the Freedom, and it is in need of repairs in order to proceed on its journey. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is all to glad to furnish assistance, but things are not as they appear to be on the surface. This ship is from the planet Vemla where these people are the last of the survivers of that world. But in reality these people are escaped slaves but not just ordinary slaves but android slaves seeking their freedom.

As events in the novel progress, the Vemlan fleet threatens to fight for the return of their property... this leaves Captain Jean-Luc Picard in pickle. Picard must choose between his conscience and the dictates of the Prime Directive... whether to get involved or leave the androids to their own devices.

Now, comes Data, and the choice has been made for Picard and he has no choice in the matter but to get involved. This all makes for interesting reading as a society makes androids that are far superior from alien technology and society is not prepared for the consequences. Ethical dilemmas abound in this book as Picard struggles to do the right thing.

I enjoyed the book and it was very quick reading and the character development... especially that of Data as he mulls over in his mind to find a solution to Picard's problem and he makes a decission that will change the fates of the Freedom's crew forever. This is a solid 4 star book as it is well thoughtout and is highly readable.

Almost worth five stars.......2001-04-05

"Spartacus" adresses a theme perhaps not enough dealt with in star trek: the rights of artificial beings.

I know. We had many TNG episodes concentrated around this very theme, but it's a question that, if properly adressed, will always be worth asking.

"Spartacus" is set in season four after the episode 'Brothers', but, if I recall correctly, befor Wesleys departure in 'Final Mission'.

The book is relatively original, containing many good scenes in interesting settings. The story advances smoothly, and gives room to many characters, making them disagree openly with each other.

I ecpecially liked the fact that Data didn't steal the whole show, while being a prominent character. I think star trek books should give more room to less explored characters, and Spartacus is much better in this field, than many other trek novels.

The characterization is a bit troublesom, though. The novel shows many characters as much more concervative as they are in the series, and makes Federation sound almost like a bunch of snobs, who don't care about anything important or even mildly profound. Also I think the subject of the novel would have had much more to give than we got from this good novel, wich made me think, but had a dissappointing and somewhat not believable ending.

Product Description

5 massmarket paperback Star Trek Next Generation Titles - 16 Thru 20 - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-In-Law - Perchance to Dream - Spartacus

Spartacus: Star Trek Next Generation #20

Average customer rating:

Spartacus: Star Trek Next Generation #20

Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Star Trek the Next Generation: Spartacus

Average customer rating:

A good read
As far as ST books go, this is better than most.
Boring, boring, boring!

Star Trek the Next Generation: Spartacus
T. L. Mancour
Manufacturer: Globe Fearon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

A good read.......2005-07-08

Spartacus begins with the Enterprise answering a distress call from a ship that turns out to be crewed by androids, who are fleeing the planet of Vemla. The Vemlans themselves consider the androids slaves and rebels, and want to kill them (although they say "destroy", since they don't think the androids are people).
The androids petition the Fedaration for asylum (or provisional membership- I can't remember), and Picard must hear arguments for and against that. Basicly, this comes down to "Are they people? are they alive? are they a race?" The Vemlans (an annoying [female]official and a male captain who hates the androids, but shows more sense; there would've been less of a stereotype if their genders had been reverced) make plausible arguments that can't be blown away easily. Their ideas are wrong, but beleivable. After all- this's what they've believed for centuries, so it has to be moderately plausible.
The Vemlan captain is a plausible character, who has both positive and negative qualities. The official is a jerk and too obsessed with vengeance and her own power.
The androids (who decide to be called "Spartacans" and people, instead of Vemlan androids because "android" means "a manlike object" and the historical figure Spartacus reminds them of themselves) have distinct personalities. For the most part they are positive, but they have flaws, as would be expected. The android captain (I can't remember his name; sorry)is mostly a good character, but he is willing to do almost anything for his peoples' survival. He plans to destroy the Enterprise if he has to, and the crew never find out. His wife and second-in-command is a bit gentler, but still developed some. The only other developed android (sorry, Spartacan) character is Maran, the librarian, who has a friendship/romance with Data. I like her; she talks with him about why he immitates humans, and if he should try to make his own way of doing things instead.
The interactions among the Enterprise crew were believable- I don't remember all, but Data and Geordi's friendship was there. The Enterprise people aren't paragons in this story- they're people. Picard is suspicious, and Data fails to win over hte Vemlan captain.
Also, in the debate, everyone had valid points. Picard brought up the Borg, and along wiht the question of "Are the androids a race?" he said, the same question could be asked of the Borg. Crusher asked if they could be considered a race since they needed a labrotory to reproduce. Ultimately she thought that the Spartacans were people, but not a race. The Vemlan captain's opinions had to do with experiance and emotion.
My only problems were a) it was stiff in places- but that's Next Generation, period and b) if Data is the only successful android in the Fedaration, after many tries- how did these other people, with less advanced technology, manage to mass-produce them?
That aside, it's a great book. It ends well, but not perfectly. The Vemlans don't change their minds (well, the captain decides to rebel)and it's possible that the Spartacans won't be accepted into the Fedaration. I like the realism of that imperfection, within a satisfying conclusion.

As far as ST books go, this is better than most........1999-10-20

I don't know which book the guy above read, but it wasn't Spartacus! The novel is not about Riker at all, it is about Data and what it means to be alive. Some very innovative speculation on metaphysics is done here, as well as some excellent characterizations. Picard is particularly well done, and I like the concept of Librarians as important people. I've been looking for another book by this guy, but I haven't seen anything. Anyone else?

Boring, boring, boring!.......1997-10-17

I have never read a more boring book. This book is not a well developed as many of the other Star Trek books. This book is about Riker and how he doens't know that he's on a ship with many androids. Well please you don't need to know anything about this book. Read Imzadi, if you're really curious about Riker, it's a lot better.

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