Obsessed, Vault, Rules: three new Star Trek book purchases

A big haul of Star Trek books this week, thanks to Galaxy Bookshop:

The "Star Trek Vault: 40 Years from the Archives" (Abrams) is by Scott Tipton, and follows the trend set by previous Marvel, DC and Star Wars vault collections. I've only had a chance to skim the fairly meaty, 126pp, contents (will Tipton throw up any factoids I don't already know?) but if you're interested to learn what collectibles have been replicated, they are: mini version of the "Planet Ecnal's Dilemma" TOS coloring book, three b/w Leaf trading cards, iron-on transfer of the Enterprise (on a cel), a sheet of four TMP gum card stickers, ST II Spock pennant, Japanese ST IV poster, Locutus's Borg arm diagram, page of "Generations" storyboard, "First Contact" captain's chair schematic, page of "Insurrection" script, invitation to DS9 Season 5 wrap party, b/w page from IDW's "TNG: Intelligence Gathering" comic, and two Rescue Emergency Evac set stickers from ENT. These items slide into little pockets, or are fastened at one edge to the pages.


ERTL's "Star Trek III" prototype action figures!

Page 45 has a colour version of a pic (above) I've always wanted: the ERTL 3.75" ST III action figure prototypes, with a Terran collie dog filling in for Kruge's Klingon pet (below)! Prior to this, I'd only had a small b/w version in an old Star Tech mail order catalog.


ERTL's Kruge and Klingon pet from "Star Trek III"

You want to take on 2500 ST trivia questions? The new trivia book, "Obsessed With Star Trek" (Chronicle Books) by Chip Carter, comes with an attached, electronic randomizer device that keeps score as you answer questions, and can be configured for two-players. Every double page spread also has a b/w photo from one of the many ST productions, with some interesting, obscure factoids and a question based on the event illustrated.

Also out this week: simultaneous hardcover and trade paperback editions of "Shatner Rules: Your Guide to Understanding the Shatnerverse and the World at Large" (Dutton) by William Shatner with Chris Regan. If you can survive the chapter where Shatner slags off on TOS actors for slagging off at him over recent years, it has some fun stuff in it.