Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual (Star Trek Next Generation (Unnumbered))

Full of diagrams, technical schematics, and ship's plans, the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual also takes a detailed look at the principles behind Star Trek®'s awesome technology -- from phasers to warp drive to the incredible holodeck.

Although dedicated fans and role-playing game designers had written, illustrated, and even published unofficial Technical Journals of Star Trek's primary starships, Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda's Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual was the first really detailed "owner's manual" to the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) "done by folks who actually work on Star Trek." Published in October 1991 (halfway through The Next Generation's seven-year run) and featuring Gene Roddenberry's last published words in his special introduction, the Technical Manual is the first volume of a trio of "official" Star Trek references that include The Star Trek Chronology: A History of the Future and The Star Trek Encyclopedia.

The Technical Manual's conceit is that it is a 24th Century reference work, perhaps as a Starfleet public relations publication or in-house orientation manual. The tone the authors adopt (with the exception of the "out-of-the-Star-Trek-scenario footnotes, which are insightful and often humorous) is very similar to a NASA shuttle operator's guide, matter-of-fact, dry, and -- of course -- like a technical journal. Starting with "1.0 USS Enterprise Introduction" and ending with "17.0 Conclusion," this 183 page book tells the reader everything he or she wanted to know about a Galaxy-class starship, but was afraid to ask.

Want to know, for instance, about the Enterprise-D's warp drive and the theory of warp propulsion? It's all there in "5.0 Warp Propulsion Systems." Does transporter technology turn you on, as it were? "9.0 Transporter Systems" tells you how and why a transporter works, complete with a three-page list of every detail of the five seconds that elapse between autosequence initiation and the signaling of a successful transport. All of the familiar operations we have seen on the show's many episodes and the Enterprise-D's final appearance in 1994's Star Trek: Generations are explained in "authentic" detail.

The Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual is generously illustrated with ship's blueprints, deck charts, line drawings of equipment, operations panels, readouts, and weapons. There is even a chart showing the five Starships Enterprise with a brief (one paragraph) history of each incarnation of the NCC-1701. (Star Trek fans who purchased this book when it hit the bookstore shelves in October of '91 got their first hint about the plot of Star Trek VI; the entry for the Enterprise-A not only reveals that the starship had once borne the name USS Yorktown and renamed after the Whale Song crisis, it also mentions the Khitomer conference, "which had such a profound impact on the political climate of this part of the galaxy.")

Star Trek fans -- either "old hands" who were Trekkies in the 1960s or "rookies" just catching up to Next Gen on the Spike Channel -- will probably enjoy this book...assuming it is not already on their bookshelves!


Classic Star Trek Reference Essential, Current Printing is AWFUL!   May 25, 2006
Michael P. Kukielka (Rochester Hills, MI USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I'm giving the book 5 stars because it is a superb piece of imaginitive techno babble. For Star Trek fans, the book expands upon the intricate fabric of the Star Trek universe. The book is very truthful to the series and was an important piece of reference material for the writers. I bought it when it first came out in 1991 and it was one of the first quality Star Trek reference publication. The enormous success of the book would later spawn countless Star Trek reference books up until 2001. I read it cover to cover endlessly, transfixed by the technical jargon as if it proved Star Trek could be a reality. The book was only $13.00 in 1991 and has since doubled in price. I just bought my 2nd copy because it's one of the few Star Trek reference titles still in printing, and my old copy was looking a little shabby. Sadly, I was shocked to see that the book lacked the print quality of the original. The original has a black and blue two tone color scheme which has since been replaced by what appears to be a photocopied version of the original. The print quality is HORRIBLE! The fidelity of the text and diagrams have been substantially reduced. What gives?! I bought my issue from Amazon.com so I don't believe they sold me a fake.

In any case, I'm VERY displeased I spent twice as much 15 years later to get a book with such poor print quality. I would recommend people look for an earlier printing and verify that the content is printed in black and blue.


ST:TNG Tech Manual : A Trekker Must have!!!   October 12, 1997
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Have you ever had anyone tell you "but it's just a science fiction show! I mean, warp travel?" Well, if you are a trekker you simply gotta have this book, else die of ST ignorance. Though not for people who are not familiar with the Star Trek Universe, for its very detailed, specific and precise, down to even mathematical and phisical formulas, this is a must have. It will explain the how and why things work in the USS Enterprise-D, from the communicator patch and transporter beam-out sequence, to personal phasers, tricorders, the holodeck and the Captain's Yatch. Also full of great behind the scenes stories and insights. With this book, which I am sure you will learn by heart, you will be able to tell off that arrogant non-believer when he asks " Warp nine? That tells me nothing, I mean, how fast can that be?" Well buddies, its no more than 1516 times the speed of light!!!


A Technical Manual at its Best!!!   August 26, 1997
Sai Li
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

If you are curious about any small gadget on the Starship Enterprise, NCC-1701D, then you'll find it on the Technical Manual, compiled by the original creators of Star Trek technology. This book is very comprehensive and can answer any die-hard Trekkie's questions. I recommend it to any Star Trek fan. This book is not for beginners, however


A Mexican review   September 27, 2002
Roberto Perez (Naucalpan, Edo de Mexico Mexico)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I read this book a couple years ago and I read every page of it. To know the technical capabilities of Enterprise-D allows you to enjoy the series more. You know what is posible and what is not.