Star Trek: Prime Directive
{5/5} “For every civilization which was more advanced than those making up the Federation, there were a hundred which were less so. And every one of those less-advanced worlds would, in time, have been overwhelmed by the Federation’s superior technological culture and well-intentioned aid and enlightenment — unless drastic measures were taken.”
Star Trek: Prime Directive by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, published in 1990
Captain Kirk and his officers have been drummed out of Starfleet. A horrible disaster happened at Talin IV and they were deemed at fault — they broke the Prime Directive. Kirk has a different opinion and he won’t be satisfied until he can return to Talin IV and clear his name.
This is a masterpiece, with a fabulous depiction of the characters. A reunion scene is glorious, as is a first contact.
It’s an unusual entry in the series in that the characters are apart for much of the book but, as Kirk says to himself at one point — even when they’re apart they’re a team.
It’s an argument about the importance of the Prime Directive. It’s about determination, and learning about beings different from you.
This is the 2nd time I’ve read it.
I’ve read 3 Star Trek novels by the Reeves-Stevenses plus 6 novels they co-wrote with William Shatner. They also wrote 4 nonfiction books about Star Trek.