During our book discussion last weekend of "A Rock and a Hard Place", Peter David's "New Frontier" series was mentioned. Guess what? - the ebook version of the omnibus containing first several novellas are on sale this month, along with other Trek novels (& one reference book). #TrekBookClub

Just a reminder there are a few more hours to pick the next book before the poll closes. Please vote if you can. Thanks!🖖📚 #TrekBookClub #Treksky #TrekBooks #TrekLit #BookSky

42. Here is the poll for the book discussion after the SCE novellas. The winning book will be announced on Sun. October 5 and will be discussed in early December (exact date TBD). #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace #TrekBooks #TrekLit

41. For the book discussion after the SCE novellas, here are 3 choices. Please pick the one you’d like to read & discuss. 1️⃣ Prometheus Bk #1: Fire With Fire 2️⃣️ How Much For Just the Planet? (TOS) 3️⃣ Acts of Contrition (VOY) 📅 Ends: October 4, 2025, 11:00 PM UTC 📊 Show results

40. For our next TBC discussion, we will dive into the “Starfleet Corps of Engineers” novellas. On Sat. Oct. 18, we will discuss 2 novellas, “SCE #6: Cold Fusion” & “SCE #14: Caveat Emptor” (no Sun discussion this time). Please join if you can! #TrekBookClub #TrekBooks #Treksky

39. That’s a wrap on #ARockAndAHardPlace by Peter David, who authored many novels and comics for Star Trek as well as for franchises such as "The Incredible Hulk” & “Spiderman”. I’m glad we were able to honor him in our own small way. Thanks to everyone who posted, replied & liked. #TrekBookClub

Please take this poll about this past weekend's discussion book. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

38. How would you rate “A Rock and A Hard Place”? 1️⃣ A 2️⃣️ B 3️⃣ C 4️⃣ D 📅 Ends: October 4, 2025, 10:00 PM UTC 📊 Show results

The Stephanie character was sort of recycled in the New Frontier Captain’s Table book about Mackenzie Calhoun. In that book, you learn about why Calhoun fell out with Starfleet (before coming back to captain Excalibur), and it has to do with another young lady/daughter named Stephanie #TrekBookClub

Here was what I found: - Transition from the S1 1-piece jumpsuit to the 2-piece uniforms in S2 - Beverly returned to the Enterprise after a year at Starfleet Medical & the departure of Pulaski (TNG S3) - Kobayashi Maru (TWOK) - Picard’s model of the Stargazer in his ready room #TrekBookClub (1/)

Head canon: The planet of Paradise later gets ravaged by environmental catastrophe. Stone helps a handful survive. Later he takes over a Federation research vessel foolish enough to beam some people down. Says, “Tell me: why are you here? And tell me where I may find William T. Riker…”

Here is this novel’s entry from the Star Trek reference book “Voyages of Imagination”. Peter David talked briefly about how Stone could be seen as a template for Captain Calhoun from his “New Frontier" series. We discussed this point yesterday here. #TrekBookClub

QumwI the Eminently Quotable 😂 Pitch perfect Peter David humor mixed with Klingon history which is a perfect recipe for me #TrekBookClub

37. Since this was an early TNG novel, I couldn’t find any references to self-sealing stembolts (or Chateau Picard 😊). However, there were a few callbacks to earlier Trek episodes. What were some of your favorite Trek references in #ARockAndAHardPlace? #TrekBookClub

This one thing--I don't think Peter David understood Troi's empathy. In the scene where she vents to Beverly, she says she can't "accidentally" read someone. She most certainly can! It was a lot more natural than PD made it sound. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

Ultimately for me they were very different. Riker had everything stone didn’t. Family, stability & trust. They both however have a keen strategic mind. It was their methodology that was like chalk & cheese. Well written characters. #TrekBookClub

Well as we can see Stone is good for the assignments that on the fringe of going South. He is good at the not so nice assignments. Riker is a middle of the road commander. He does get the job done often. I think they are somewhat matched. www.facebook.com/share/1CC8Ut...

36. If there is a topic you would like to discuss which hasn’t been mentioned yet, please post it here. Some potential topics include a favorite section, a memorable guest character or a favorite sequence. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

[Conclusion and Wrap Up] 35. Compare and contrast Commanders Riker and Stone? How were they similar? How were they different? What types of assignments would Riker be better than Stone at? What other assignments would Stone be better than Riker at? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

#TrekBookClub He wanted to challenge himself and find a place where he could strike out to prove himself and achieve something tangible without the rules and regulations of Star Fleet. I want to see him succeed because he's not bad just very traumatized. His story from here prob isn't interesting.

Stone has a wild spirit that was controlled by his environment. Being with the terraformers, he can help tame a world. I think he is in his element on this world. He will forge a new path for himself. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

34. The novel concluded with Stone resigning from Starfleet and deciding to stay on Paradise and help the terraformers. Why did he decide to do that? What do you think will happen to him? How would you want to see his story arc continue? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

I feel like I’m earning an honorary degree in psychology after analyzing Stone this weekend. The Wild Thing held a mirror up to him maybe? Like the wild thing, he didn’t ask to have horrors visited upon him and was acting on survival and ruthlessness. A no frills life. #TrekBookClub

A very intense scene it is. Riker was so unsure if he would die or be saved. Stone must have had one maniacal look on his face to make Riker fear for his life. I am glad that Stone did rescue him. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

That was a hard one. I can understand Starfleet not getting involved in the coup. Ianni was an independent world. However, I can't understand, given the violence, why Ianni was still given UFP membership?? That disgusted me, so, yeah, it explains a lot about Stone. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

Stone describes the Enterprise as a savage, unpleasant environment for him. Stone can’t put up with the hypocrisy of civilization when he has seen what people are capable of. He knows he is at the end of his rope. He is dangling from a cliff just as much as Riker is. #TrekBookClub

The Wild Thing’s thoughts and actions are in perfect harmony. Unlike everyone else in the story. I think Stone lies to people because he perceives they are always lying. In a way, he is mocking them, satirizing them. #TrekBookClub

33. The final battle between Stone and the Wild Thing Leader. How were these two characters similar? Why did Stone show emotion (e.g. sadness?) when the Wild Thing Leader died? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

It was interesting to get his POV. It reminded me of the book White Fang. This thing did not ask to exist, and all of its instincts and actions are consequences of its creators. Pretty sad actually #TrekBookClub

32. We get more background history about Stone when he recounted to Riker the traumatic events on Ianni which affected him deeply. What did you think of this section? Does this explain all his actions/conversations and why he is the way he is? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace (1/2)

31. Stone and Riker meet face-to-face and we learn more about Stone’s feelings towards Riker. How would you summarize Stone’s approach to the start of his conversation with with Riker? What was Riker feeling during this time? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

30. Wild Thing Leader confront Stone and then Riker. We rarely get a narrative which includes a bit of perspective from an animal. What did you think of this sequence? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

He was a great character. Made an impact with limited page space. He is very much a Stone proxy, Stone as an animal, gunning for Riker, which helps unify the two plots even though they don’t cross until late. #TrekBookClub

Personally family comes first. That said I work hard at my career to provide for my family and teach my children valuable life lessons. Different for Riker obviously but he is a role model and leader. Great traits am sure he will later pass on to Kestra and Thad (😢RIP).

He's oozing jealousy there. Stone resents the fact no one helped him when he needed it and he's angry that it's so easy for Riker--personally and professionally. Whereas nothing is easy for Stone at all. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

29. We meet the Leader of the Wild Things. What did you think of this character? Was he the villain of this story arc? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

28. While recovering in a cave, Riker thinks about losing the chance to have a family and has a conversation with an imaginary Carter about focusing on one’s career vs. having a family. If you can pick just one, which would it be? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

Because nature is simply unpredictable and in some circumstances and undefeatable foe. At least with a person/beast you can match them and learn. #TrekBookClub

27. Using the holodeck version of Riker, Stone thinks about what he would say to him when they meet. How did Stone’s lines to holo-Riker provide a peek into Stone’s views about himself? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

With a person, you can predict their behavior and also take advantage of any mistakes or vulnerabilities. Mother Nature is what it is and can't really be exploited to an advantage. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

That he oozes trust and loyalty. He is someone no matter what you can rely on. Despite the risk to himself. We saw this throughout TNG and no more so than in Picard. He left Nepenthe to rescue Picard & in the finale was willing to die to try save him. #TrekBookClub

Great evidence of Stone’s instability. How can you have a grudge against someone you’ve never met, never interacted with. Stone has a super unhealthy, parasocial fantasy built up in his mind with Riker, who isn’t even aware of his existence. #TrekBookClub

Is Stone the “rock” and Paradise the “hard place”?🤔 #TrekBookClub

26. Riker confronted the natural elements of the planet while conducting his search. How was having Mother Nature as an adversary different from having a person as an adversary? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

#TrekBookClub Very good leader, not quite as with it in his personal life until he settles down with Deanna. My favorite Riker moments are, of course, his sitting down in a chair.

He knew he couldn't use a phaser but knew also that the situation couldn't escalate. Stone lives on the edge. It seems like he is a "Do or die" kind of guy. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

This was a weird one as it didn't seem to fit anything we'd seen on the show. OTOH, I understand his honest evaluation of Troi to Picard here, but I also see why she'd be defensive about it. He'd known her for 2 years while he covered for Stone, whom he just met. #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

25. Riker was attacked during his search for Carter and his family. What were some things we learned about Riker from watching how he volunteered and conducted his search for his missing friends? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

24. Stone saw a picture of Riker for the first time. Why did he wait so long before finding out what Riker looked like? What were some thoughts which were going through Stone’s mind when he saw this “larger than life” person who he has temporarily replaced? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace

23. Stone was interested in a romantic relationship with Deanna. Are the compatible? Would they make a good couple? #TrekBookClub #ARockAndAHardPlace