Bookworm Speaks!- The Klingon Art of War

Bookworm Speaks!

The Klingon Art of War 

by Keith R. A. DeCandido

****

Acquired: Half-Price Books

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Hardcover: 160 Pages

Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek (May 6, 2014)

Language: English

Subject: Fiction

****

The Story: Passed down from the time of Kahless, ten precepts have shaped Klingon culture andindoctrinated Klingons in the Way of the Warrior. With this new translation, people from all walks of life—and all worlds—can harness the ancient Klingon wisdom and learn to embody courage, discipline, and honor.

The Review: This book makes the Klingons feel real. It adds a lot of depth to their history and society that should please both Trekkies and common fans alike. The book actually references certain aspects of Klingon society that really appear in the television universe such as Klingon writers(!), janitors and others. The Klingons, by intention or not, have become the archetype for the “violent thug” alien or fantasy race that crops up in the field of Speculative Fiction. This book breaks that trope very well, showcasing the Klingons as undoubtably a warrior race but one with a proud tradition, code of honor, and history. 

What also aids the book in the reference department is how it alludes to events in the television show and actually puts a little depth into the events mentioned in some cases. This is special to Bookworm, while he has not read particularly many Star Trek novels, most of the ones he has read tend to be stand-alone stories or simply novelizations of episodes. He has on the other hand watched many of episodes multiple times. In particular Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which is referenced multiple times throughout the text. This goes back to the previous perk of making this book feel real, in that it is connected to a larger universe. 

This all well and good, deep lore is always fun to read. This book goes further than simple lore, the text can honestly connect with the reader on many levels. In the context of the tales of ancient Qo’nos are timeless lessons of honor, strength, courage, and overcoming adversity. The book takes time to emphasize that in spite of the warrior culture taking emphasis, such virtues can be applied to any profession. The book even goes so far as to mention that a Klingon janitor uses these principles in his daily work. Although, to Bookworm the fact that a writer is expressly mentioned gives him enormous comfort and makes this book relatable on a very personal level. 

There is very little that can be called a flaw with this book. The biggest one that Bookworm can really think of is that the cover seems a little boring, if not anticlimactic. Considering it is an in-universe story about one of the most famous races in all of science-fiction, one would think that the cover would be a bit more epic than the utilitarian style one we got. Still, the old saying about judging covers applies here in spades. It is merely a criticism that Bookworm thought worthy of mention. 

Final Verdict: Many comparisons have been made between the Klingon Art of War and Sun Tzu’s the Art of War. If that is to be the case then Bookworm will have to give Sun Tzu a read in the near future. In spite of its geeky origins, this is a surprisingly mature book that can offer insight that anyone struggling on the path of life can relate too and utilize on their path. 

It sure taught Bookworm a few things. 

Five Bat’leths out of Five

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