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Star Trek: My Brother's Keeper #2
Constitution
Continuing the powerful story of Jim Kirk's lost friend, the man who helped shape a Starfleet captain... Gary Mitchell is dead, killed by his best friend for the sake of his ship. As Captain Kirk returns home in sadness, he recalls the first time he held Gary's life in his Seven years earlier, the two men have been assigned to the U.S.S. Constitution, Gary as chief navigator and Kirk as second officer, when the starship comes to the defense of an alien world menaced by ruthless invaders. An early attack leaves both the captain and the first officer in comas, and Jim Kirk must take command for the first time. He finds himself with only one chance to defeat the heavily armed enemy -- but the cost may be Gary Mitchell's life!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
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379 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jan Friedman
374 books205 followersMichael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 26, 2019
An interesting, if heart-wrenching, look at Kirk in his younger years.
August 2, 2013
“Constitution” by Michael Jan Friedman is the second novel in the “My Brother’s Keeper” trilogy. The novel continues the exploration of Kirk & Gary Mitchell’s history as started in the first novel “Republic”. As with the previous novel, it utilises a framing story set after the events of the TV episode entitled "Where No Man Has Gone Before" in which Gary Mitchell dies.
The framing story itself mainly covers Kirk’s continued struggle to come to terms with what has happened to his friend, which is not helped by a rather gruelling debriefing. Upon his return to the Enterprise however, he ends up thinking about his past and a previous adventure with Mitchell. This flashback element of the novel enables the reader to initially witness Kirk as he joins the crew of the USS Constitution as its 2nd Officer whilst trying to come to terms with a disaster on the USS Farragut which left over 200 crewmembers dead. The full facts about the Farragut tragedy had been hidden however so Mitchell, an officer on the Constitution can’t understand why his friend seems to be a shadow of his former self. However, when the Captain and 1st Officer are trapped on a planet being attacked by mysterious space borne objects, Kirk must come to terms with his guilt and lead the crew of the Constitution against this new menace.
To be honest, my first observation as I read the novel was that the framing story was much weaker than the one in “Republic”. This was mainly because a large part of it was taken up repeating story of Mitchell’s demise again and then when it came to the flashback portion, there was no real reason given for Kirk’s reminiscence. Luckily the main core of the story itself which followed Kirk and Mitchell’s past was much better. It was exciting, gripping and tried to delve into the emotions of a man struggling with guilt and fear. It probably didn’t highlight as much about Kirk and Mitchell’s relationship as the previous novel did and the plot wasn’t that original but it was still enjoyable to follow.
The writing itself was competent enough and it flowed well on the whole but I have to admit there was a few grammatical issues and one confusing section of the novel when the USS Farragut was incorrectly referred to as the USS Republic which of course, didn’t make sense. It probably wasn’t a huge issue once I realised it was just an error but it did cause the story to stutter as I had to adjust. To be honest, I really would have expected something like this to have been picked up in the editing process.
One improvement I noted over the previous novel is that Friedman has toned down Mitchell’s psychic like abilities to being almost non-existent. In “Republic” he had been using his “intuition” to solve every problem that he faced, but in “Constitution” issues were dealt with via more realistic abilities and intellect. Yes Mitchell was still the same individual seen in the previous novel but he felt more like a real life person this time rather that some sort of fantastical psychic.
Overall, this was another interesting look into Kirk and Mitchell’s history although this wasn’t as deep as what was seen in ”Republic”. If you have already ready the first book in this trilogy then I would advise you to pick it up as it does try and continue Kirk and Mitchell’s relationship but also includes a more exciting and enjoyable core story.
The framing story itself mainly covers Kirk’s continued struggle to come to terms with what has happened to his friend, which is not helped by a rather gruelling debriefing. Upon his return to the Enterprise however, he ends up thinking about his past and a previous adventure with Mitchell. This flashback element of the novel enables the reader to initially witness Kirk as he joins the crew of the USS Constitution as its 2nd Officer whilst trying to come to terms with a disaster on the USS Farragut which left over 200 crewmembers dead. The full facts about the Farragut tragedy had been hidden however so Mitchell, an officer on the Constitution can’t understand why his friend seems to be a shadow of his former self. However, when the Captain and 1st Officer are trapped on a planet being attacked by mysterious space borne objects, Kirk must come to terms with his guilt and lead the crew of the Constitution against this new menace.
To be honest, my first observation as I read the novel was that the framing story was much weaker than the one in “Republic”. This was mainly because a large part of it was taken up repeating story of Mitchell’s demise again and then when it came to the flashback portion, there was no real reason given for Kirk’s reminiscence. Luckily the main core of the story itself which followed Kirk and Mitchell’s past was much better. It was exciting, gripping and tried to delve into the emotions of a man struggling with guilt and fear. It probably didn’t highlight as much about Kirk and Mitchell’s relationship as the previous novel did and the plot wasn’t that original but it was still enjoyable to follow.
The writing itself was competent enough and it flowed well on the whole but I have to admit there was a few grammatical issues and one confusing section of the novel when the USS Farragut was incorrectly referred to as the USS Republic which of course, didn’t make sense. It probably wasn’t a huge issue once I realised it was just an error but it did cause the story to stutter as I had to adjust. To be honest, I really would have expected something like this to have been picked up in the editing process.
One improvement I noted over the previous novel is that Friedman has toned down Mitchell’s psychic like abilities to being almost non-existent. In “Republic” he had been using his “intuition” to solve every problem that he faced, but in “Constitution” issues were dealt with via more realistic abilities and intellect. Yes Mitchell was still the same individual seen in the previous novel but he felt more like a real life person this time rather that some sort of fantastical psychic.
Overall, this was another interesting look into Kirk and Mitchell’s history although this wasn’t as deep as what was seen in ”Republic”. If you have already ready the first book in this trilogy then I would advise you to pick it up as it does try and continue Kirk and Mitchell’s relationship but also includes a more exciting and enjoyable core story.
January 9, 2023
A surprisingly dark book -- I don't usually expect this kind of bleakness from Michael Jan Friedman -- but it absolutely works. Regrets and recriminations are packed to the gills in this second book of the trilogy, which manages to be a much stronger, more impactful look at aftermaths, mourning & PTSD than book one. It also moves incredibly fast, and manages to incorporate successful action scenes, which I can find hit-or-miss in many Trek novels. A powerful and satisfying revelation of a book.
January 6, 2026
2026 Review 003. Star Trek The Original Series #86, My Brother's Keeper #2 Constitution by Michael Jan Friedman
Page Count : 267
This is the 2nd book of 3 in the My Brother's Keeper series by Michael Jan Friedman in which the story of Captain James T. Kirk's friendship with Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell is revealed and how it made him the Captain he would become.
This book opens with the Enterprise arriving at a starbase for Captain Kirk to be debriefed by the Admiral who issued his orders.
This book then proceeds back in time to when Kirk is assigned to the USS Constitution as second officer and primary helmsman with his friend Gary Mitchell assigned as primary navigator.
The story tells that then Lieutenant Kirk was previously serving on the USS Farragut when a disaster occurred during the ship's mission. This portion of the book is linked to the 13th episode of the episode of the second season (Obsession) in which now Captain Kirk hunts for a creature which he previously encountered.
During this book, the Constitution and it's crew are assigned to protect a planet from being attacked by alien invaders who have deployed 6 satellites in orbit around the planet and sent a ship as well. During these events, Kirk is given command of the ship when the Captain and First Officer transport down to the planet's surface and become trapped when the attack begins.
This sequence of events, shows Kirk learning to make tough decisions that he wouldn't necessarily have done before.
I absolutely loved this book and can't recommend it enough.
I will also definitely be rereading these books in the future.
This is book 2 of my StarTrek60 challenge.
5*
*****
Page Count : 267
This is the 2nd book of 3 in the My Brother's Keeper series by Michael Jan Friedman in which the story of Captain James T. Kirk's friendship with Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell is revealed and how it made him the Captain he would become.
This book opens with the Enterprise arriving at a starbase for Captain Kirk to be debriefed by the Admiral who issued his orders.
This book then proceeds back in time to when Kirk is assigned to the USS Constitution as second officer and primary helmsman with his friend Gary Mitchell assigned as primary navigator.
The story tells that then Lieutenant Kirk was previously serving on the USS Farragut when a disaster occurred during the ship's mission. This portion of the book is linked to the 13th episode of the episode of the second season (Obsession) in which now Captain Kirk hunts for a creature which he previously encountered.
During this book, the Constitution and it's crew are assigned to protect a planet from being attacked by alien invaders who have deployed 6 satellites in orbit around the planet and sent a ship as well. During these events, Kirk is given command of the ship when the Captain and First Officer transport down to the planet's surface and become trapped when the attack begins.
This sequence of events, shows Kirk learning to make tough decisions that he wouldn't necessarily have done before.
I absolutely loved this book and can't recommend it enough.
I will also definitely be rereading these books in the future.
This is book 2 of my StarTrek60 challenge.
5*
*****
April 24, 2020
Wow! What a great book!
The book opens aboard the Enterprise for Lee Kelso, killed recently on Delta Vega. I actually shed some tears for what crew members said about this briefly seen character from "Where No Man Has Gone Before." After the service, the ship goes to a Starbase where Kirk makes his report of what happened on the planet.
This leads to him reminiscing about his relationship with Gary Mitchell, who also died on Delta Vega. The flashback is the majority of the novel and follows Kirk's arrival aboard the Constitution as the second officer. He's extremely withdrawn, given what's happened on the Farragut, but Gary tries to pull him out of his shell. The ship is ordered somewhere and some terrible things happen.
There's some great action and some even stronger character growing for Kirk. I found myself racing through the last third of the book because it was so exciting.
Another must-read for fans of the classic series.
The book opens aboard the Enterprise for Lee Kelso, killed recently on Delta Vega. I actually shed some tears for what crew members said about this briefly seen character from "Where No Man Has Gone Before." After the service, the ship goes to a Starbase where Kirk makes his report of what happened on the planet.
This leads to him reminiscing about his relationship with Gary Mitchell, who also died on Delta Vega. The flashback is the majority of the novel and follows Kirk's arrival aboard the Constitution as the second officer. He's extremely withdrawn, given what's happened on the Farragut, but Gary tries to pull him out of his shell. The ship is ordered somewhere and some terrible things happen.
There's some great action and some even stronger character growing for Kirk. I found myself racing through the last third of the book because it was so exciting.
Another must-read for fans of the classic series.
May 29, 2024
I didn’t think much of My Brother’s Keeper #1: Republic. It wasn’t terrible, it just was a little obvious. We’ll see how this one is.
This takes place immediately after ’Where No Man Has Gone Before’.
Spock cocked an eyebrow. “There are two possibilities Mr. Darnell. Either the rifle was fired and someone recharged it, perhaps to avoid any official record of its having been employed on Delta Vega… or contrary to your expectations, it was never fired. However, as the matter is now classified, I do not believe it is appropriate to speculate either way.
Okay, that was pretty cool!
Chapter 1 also had an incredible funeral for Lee Kelso (strangled by a cable if you’ll remember). I don’t much care for intra-ship transporting, but other than that it’s an awesome scene.
I do love the ideas in this book, which is what exactly was the aftermath to ‘Where No Man Had Gone Before’? What did they tell Star Fleet? How would Star Fleet react? What did the friends of those where were lost feel? How did it affect our command crew? It’s very well done.
This is yet another introduction to the first days of the Enterprise crew meeting each other and starting their stint on this ship. It’s very interesting and well done.
We then flash back to an incident when Kirk was on the Farragut where apparently half the ship was killed - to the point where he is the most senior officer left - but he successful brings the ship back safely and is treated as a hero for it. He’s not crazy about that.
Picking up a tray from a stack at one end of the counter, the lieutenant slid it along until he got to the food slot. There, with a series of beeps, he punched in his meager requirements—a tuna casserole and a cup of black coffee.
Well it turns out that the mystery in Republic is going to be revealed in this book. Good thing I stuck it out.
As Kirk faces one of his first outgunned space battles: I need options and I need them now
This books got some cool interaction on the bridge with Kirk.
It was hard enough to command a vessel without having to watch one’s back at the same time.
Perhaps its a matter of the characters getting just a few years older, but even Gary Mitchell seems a lot better put together in this book.
This was a very good adventure tale. A learning lesson for Kirk and Gary and a fun look at Kirk as a captain no one is particularly comfortable with.
This is a strong 4 stars and pretty essential reading. A keeper.
This takes place immediately after ’Where No Man Has Gone Before’.
Spock cocked an eyebrow. “There are two possibilities Mr. Darnell. Either the rifle was fired and someone recharged it, perhaps to avoid any official record of its having been employed on Delta Vega… or contrary to your expectations, it was never fired. However, as the matter is now classified, I do not believe it is appropriate to speculate either way.
Okay, that was pretty cool!
Chapter 1 also had an incredible funeral for Lee Kelso (strangled by a cable if you’ll remember). I don’t much care for intra-ship transporting, but other than that it’s an awesome scene.
I do love the ideas in this book, which is what exactly was the aftermath to ‘Where No Man Had Gone Before’? What did they tell Star Fleet? How would Star Fleet react? What did the friends of those where were lost feel? How did it affect our command crew? It’s very well done.
This is yet another introduction to the first days of the Enterprise crew meeting each other and starting their stint on this ship. It’s very interesting and well done.
We then flash back to an incident when Kirk was on the Farragut where apparently half the ship was killed - to the point where he is the most senior officer left - but he successful brings the ship back safely and is treated as a hero for it. He’s not crazy about that.
Picking up a tray from a stack at one end of the counter, the lieutenant slid it along until he got to the food slot. There, with a series of beeps, he punched in his meager requirements—a tuna casserole and a cup of black coffee.
Well it turns out that the mystery in Republic is going to be revealed in this book. Good thing I stuck it out.
As Kirk faces one of his first outgunned space battles: I need options and I need them now
This books got some cool interaction on the bridge with Kirk.
It was hard enough to command a vessel without having to watch one’s back at the same time.
Perhaps its a matter of the characters getting just a few years older, but even Gary Mitchell seems a lot better put together in this book.
This was a very good adventure tale. A learning lesson for Kirk and Gary and a fun look at Kirk as a captain no one is particularly comfortable with.
This is a strong 4 stars and pretty essential reading. A keeper.
October 20, 2021
In the second volume of Friedman’s Star Trek trilogy, the reader continues to get a look into the forging of the friendship between Kirk and Gary Mitchell, his best friend in the premier episode. Unfortunately, there continue to be credibility issues not only with some of the action sequences but with the tension between Kirk and his subordinates and frankly the decision making of the captain of the Constitution who takes himself and his second in command down to the planet’s surface with an unexplained threat in orbit and gets himself cut off from the ship. Similarly, Kirk and the bridge crew of the Constitution have a long conversation about what they should do as their shields buckle under an orbital assault. They decide to retreat. Why that wasn’t the immediate decision when the shields started buckling—and how they didn’t collapse under the assault that continued through the entire conversation—is unclear. So again, I enjoyed the novel, but I really expect better of Star Trek books.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
October 31, 2025
The story continues as second officer Kirk joins the U.S.S. Constitution and Gary Mitchell. The starship is directed to Sordinia Four and events lead Kirk to the Captain's chair to make life and death decisions.
An entertaining re-read
An entertaining re-read
August 1, 2024
I think I prefer this one over the first in the series. Kirk has to learn to move on from his own tragedy and the mistakes he thinks he has made as command and a dire situation is put on him. Gary has matured more now and is not as reckless as he was in the first book and here he is more Kirk's friend instead of the twerp he was a bit in the first. Don't get too excited to see McCoy in the book as it does set him up to be there but he never shows up. The mystery of the classified section and the Klingon ship will hopefully be resolved by the next book as Spock has already indicated he knows what went on there in the first book. I liked the conflict here and how Kirk handles each situation and his own struggles. Sometimes in life we have to put aside the harm that was done in the past and try to be objective to the moments we are in presently and I think that's one of the lessons here. Looking forward to the 3rd book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
A weird thing I've noticed over the years. Most of the time with movies, the sequel isn't as good as the original. With books, the opposite is true. Sometimes it is because less time is spent 'world building'. Other times it is just better paced. Here it is more... I dunno... this story had a hair of a reason more to exist. Not that there are two or three plots that if you're reading it on its own sort of go nowhere and do nothing or just seem out of place... not so many. It is annoying that one of the never explained things has a bit that violates the show not tell rule... but that's a problem with Star Trek as a whole sometimes.
This one is still kind of meh but it isn't as aggressively bad as book one.
This one is still kind of meh but it isn't as aggressively bad as book one.
August 9, 2021
Kirk and the Enterprise crew are en route to Earth for Gary Mitchell’s funeral service for Mitchell’s family. Kirk recalls the time when he and Mitchell are on the USS Constitution responding to a distress call from a newly minted Federation member under attack by an unknown alien race. Things get hairy quickly as the captain and first officer are planet-side trying to coddle the new member ruling council. Kirk being second in command takes some major chances that not all his colleagues really get behind him. Things work out in the usual Kirk fashion…by the skin of his teeth. In the end Kirk is still unsure what he will say as the time approaches his duty of delivering the eulogy at his best friend’s funeral. Definitely recommended.
June 10, 2023
I think I might have liked the first one a little more overall. Gary doesn't seem to be as much of a clever little shit and Kirk is a little too down in the dumps for much of the book, tho I understand why, and the second half feels like just a kind of good star trek episode where Kirk has his first taste of command. What I did really like, was Kirk retelling the events of Where No Man to superior officers, that was a fun and I wish the last book had done that instead of devote a couple dozen pages to just a straight adaption of it.
May 18, 2019
Un libro que es primero de una trilogía que explora la gran amistad que hubo entre James Kirk y Gary Mitchell desde sus inicios en la Academia de la Star Fleet. Conocemos mucho más de Mitchell, quien apareció únicamente en el primer episodio de STAR TREK clásico, y de como influye en la evolución de Kirk como personaje que ya conocemos ahora. Interesante mucho más esto que la aventura de fondo en sí.
January 30, 2021
Even better than the first one! This story was very dramatic with great loss and many hard lessons. I loved the Kirk and Mitchell banter and thought the relationship was greatly expanded by this tale.
I was impressed by several of the connections that this book made. Especially, most profoundly, how the final recall to what Gary would have done in Jim's place linked excellently with the tale just told.
I was impressed by several of the connections that this book made. Especially, most profoundly, how the final recall to what Gary would have done in Jim's place linked excellently with the tale just told.
June 14, 2023
More insight into James Kirk
Another page-turner as Kirk remembers a mission from his lieutenant years. Lots of action mixed with very nice character development for the farmboy from Iowa. Everything tying in nicely to the events of the second pilot episode, revealing more about Kirk and how he became the captain we know. A mystery still remains from the first book, touched on in this one. Looking forward to seeing if it will be revealed in book three.
Another page-turner as Kirk remembers a mission from his lieutenant years. Lots of action mixed with very nice character development for the farmboy from Iowa. Everything tying in nicely to the events of the second pilot episode, revealing more about Kirk and how he became the captain we know. A mystery still remains from the first book, touched on in this one. Looking forward to seeing if it will be revealed in book three.
December 17, 2022
As with book 1, the framing story was a bit irritating. It wasn't as pointless since it began the process of transitioning from "Where No Man Has Gone Before" to how to know the series (McCoy introduced, Sulu begins transition to helmsman, etc). But that could've been done in a separate novel.
April 21, 2019
Classic Trek
A good solid backstory which gives insight above characters you know and love. Well written and an easy read. Recommended,
A good solid backstory which gives insight above characters you know and love. Well written and an easy read. Recommended,
May 4, 2020
This one's more about Kirk's early career. Gary Mitchell doesn't play a huge role, he's pretty much a secondary character. Picks up a few plot threads from the first book.
August 23, 2020
Always love reading these kinds of books because it allows me to see the thought process of the characters I’ve grown up watching. It gives greater depth.
March 8, 2025
I think I prefer the first book. Weirdly, I found myself more invested in the present day part of the story explaining the personnel changes.
September 8, 2019
Decent book but took.a.while to get started. Helps the info the past of these twp
Yes I would recommend it.
I would recommend it to any die-hard Star Trek fan of the original series. Love that show.
Yes I would recommend it.
I would recommend it to any die-hard Star Trek fan of the original series. Love that show.
August 17, 2024
Musr read
Great back story about Kirk and Mitchell. I only wish there were more than one book left in this trilogy.
Great back story about Kirk and Mitchell. I only wish there were more than one book left in this trilogy.
Read
July 28, 2011Part two of this three-part epic deals with one of Kirk's first experiences making tough command decisions which result in loss of life. Though this topic has been covered many times in Star Trek literature (can I use that word: "Literature" and "Star Trek" in the same sentence?) it is done very well in this book. Further explained is the developing friendship between Kirk and Gary Mitchell, and "Bones" McCoy is briefly introduced as well. Michael Jan Friedman is definitely one of the best ST authors out there.
July 21, 2013
Better, but still lacking. It's more action oriented than Republic (book 1), but its far from perfect. Kirk is far less whiny, and more like his older self. It's been 7 years since the events of Republic (which seems a bit too long, should have been 3 or 4 to make it more believable), but its still well written. The alien enemy is placed in for action only, and the author spends very little time even giving them a face. They are merely there as the foil, and they do their part well.
December 20, 2010
Overall a decent sequel to the first book. However it was quite a stretch of the imagination to believe that the Constitution's Captain would put a new 2nd officer in temporary command. As for the plot itself (a variation on the colony-in-distress scenario), a bit overdone and Kirk's frequent reliance on boarding parties was very tedious by the end.
March 7, 2013
Not as good as the first book but still a decent story.
December 28, 2025
For the 2nd part of a trilogy, again, like the first book, it was an average book. Again, Kirk, reflects on a past memory of Mitchell.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews