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Hidden Universe Travel Guides #1
Hidden Universe Travel Guides: Star Trek: Vulcan
Set in the Star Trek universe, this Hidden Universe travel guide explores all that Vulcan - Spock's home planet - has to offer in an interactive guidebook. Plan your next trip to the planet Vulcan! Find restaurants that serve the best fried sandworms and Vulcan port. Take a trip to the Fire Plains or experience spring break at the Voroth Sea. Learn all about the native Vulcan people and their unusual customs. Discover how to correctly perform the traditional Vulcan salutation (you really don't want to get this wrong). Learn key Vulcan phrases such as Nam-tor puyan-tvi-shal 'Where is your restroom?' Find out what to do if you suddenly find yourself host to a katra - a Vulcan's living spirit - at an inconvenient moment. All this and more can be found within the pages of this essential travel guide to one of the most popular - and logical - destinations in the known universe. This Hidden Universe travel guide draws on 50 years of Star Trek TV shows, films, and novels to present a comprehensive guide to Spock's iconic home world. Modeled after real-world travel guides, the book will explore every significant region on Vulcan with fascinating historical, geographical, and cultural insights that bring the planet to life like never before. Also featuring a dynamic mixture of classic Star Trek imagery and original illustrations created exclusively for the book, Hidden Universe Travel Star Vulcan is the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of Star Trek and will thrill pop culture fans and hardcore Star Trek fans alike.
159 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
82 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Dayton Ward
112 books318 followersDayton is a software developer, having become a slave to Corporate America after spending eleven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. When asked, he’ll tell you that he left home and joined the military soon after high school because he’d grown tired of people telling him what to do all the time.
Ask him sometime how well that worked out.
In addition to the numerous credits he shares with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore, he is the author of the Star Trek novels In the Name of Honor and Open Secrets, the science fiction novels The Last World War and The Genesis Protocol, and short stories which have appeared in the first three Star Trek: Strange New Worlds anthologies, the Yard Dog Press anthology Houston, We’ve Got Bubbas, Kansas City Voices Magazine and the Star Trek: New Frontier anthology No Limits. Though he currently lives in Kansas City with wife Michi and daughters Addison and Erin, Dayton is a Florida native and still maintains a torrid long-distance romance with his beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ask him sometime how well that worked out.
In addition to the numerous credits he shares with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore, he is the author of the Star Trek novels In the Name of Honor and Open Secrets, the science fiction novels The Last World War and The Genesis Protocol, and short stories which have appeared in the first three Star Trek: Strange New Worlds anthologies, the Yard Dog Press anthology Houston, We’ve Got Bubbas, Kansas City Voices Magazine and the Star Trek: New Frontier anthology No Limits. Though he currently lives in Kansas City with wife Michi and daughters Addison and Erin, Dayton is a Florida native and still maintains a torrid long-distance romance with his beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 3, 2016
3.5 stars
I enjoyed Dayton's voice and humor, though it was a bit inconsistent veering from dry Vulcan-type humor to slightly snarky human-type humor and back again. Still, the book was well-researched and Dayton seemed to get the Vulcan way of thinking. There were references to people, places, and events from the movies and authorized books, including one of my favorites, Uhura's Song. They were a good touch and nice little Easter eggs. Several of the chapters had short intros that were 'written' by characters, mostly Vulcans, from the different TV shows in the Trek universe. He did a good job of writing in their voices, especially the piece from Dr. McCoy of the original series.
Like any real guidebook, this one gives a brief history of locales with the major points of interest, places to stay, etc. I did think some of the night life and events seemed unlikely for Vulcans; they stretched credibility. Most were right on point though and I found myself wishing I could visit a few of the places listed!
I mentioned the humor earlier; I want to share a few of my favorite quotes:
There's a distinct possibility that the planet might not exist in all realities, universes, and timelines. Check with your travel agent for details.
Don't get eaten. Great care is taken to preserve the planet's expansive undeveloped areas and limit the introduction of anything that might damage these fragile ecosystems. Le-matyas and other indigenous wildlife subsist on smaller, slower life forms that are native to the region, and the introduction of exotic foodstuffs (e.g. you) may disrupt their diets and have unforeseen effects on the food chain.
A fun book, not at all dry, and well researched even though it does take a few liberties.
ETA: I forgot to mention that the blurb lies when it calls the book interactive. It's no more interactive than any other ebook. Which was unfortunate because there were some excellent opportunities: say a link to a re-enactment of a speech by Surak or the first contact with humans, a video of a live music performance at a festival, a video tour of one of the monasteries, etc. But nope, just ye basic digital ebook. :(
I enjoyed Dayton's voice and humor, though it was a bit inconsistent veering from dry Vulcan-type humor to slightly snarky human-type humor and back again. Still, the book was well-researched and Dayton seemed to get the Vulcan way of thinking. There were references to people, places, and events from the movies and authorized books, including one of my favorites, Uhura's Song. They were a good touch and nice little Easter eggs. Several of the chapters had short intros that were 'written' by characters, mostly Vulcans, from the different TV shows in the Trek universe. He did a good job of writing in their voices, especially the piece from Dr. McCoy of the original series.
Like any real guidebook, this one gives a brief history of locales with the major points of interest, places to stay, etc. I did think some of the night life and events seemed unlikely for Vulcans; they stretched credibility. Most were right on point though and I found myself wishing I could visit a few of the places listed!
I mentioned the humor earlier; I want to share a few of my favorite quotes:
There's a distinct possibility that the planet might not exist in all realities, universes, and timelines. Check with your travel agent for details.
Don't get eaten. Great care is taken to preserve the planet's expansive undeveloped areas and limit the introduction of anything that might damage these fragile ecosystems. Le-matyas and other indigenous wildlife subsist on smaller, slower life forms that are native to the region, and the introduction of exotic foodstuffs (e.g. you) may disrupt their diets and have unforeseen effects on the food chain.
A fun book, not at all dry, and well researched even though it does take a few liberties.
ETA: I forgot to mention that the blurb lies when it calls the book interactive. It's no more interactive than any other ebook. Which was unfortunate because there were some excellent opportunities: say a link to a re-enactment of a speech by Surak or the first contact with humans, a video of a live music performance at a festival, a video tour of one of the monasteries, etc. But nope, just ye basic digital ebook. :(
January 31, 2025
An interesting and well written travel guide for tourists interested in visiting Vulcan.
Beautiful artwork and some real deep dives into 'Star Trek' lore, Ward has made a fictional world come alive.
Beautiful artwork and some real deep dives into 'Star Trek' lore, Ward has made a fictional world come alive.
August 30, 2017
A MUST READ for those wanting to travel to Vulcan because who wouldn't want to see one of the Federation's founding worlds?
Vulcan is rich with history and culture and a perfect place to spend a vacation. Just as long as you don't mind the hot weather and sand up your tuchus.
The wealth of information in this book is immense as it gives you all that you need to know in regards to places to visit, places to eat, places to stay, and cultural facts that you should know before going. There are even inserts of some of those famous Vulcans that offer a glimpse into a more personal side of Vulcan.
Don't make that several light year trip without picking up this book first. You won't regret it and your katra won't either.
Vulcan is rich with history and culture and a perfect place to spend a vacation. Just as long as you don't mind the hot weather and sand up your tuchus.
The wealth of information in this book is immense as it gives you all that you need to know in regards to places to visit, places to eat, places to stay, and cultural facts that you should know before going. There are even inserts of some of those famous Vulcans that offer a glimpse into a more personal side of Vulcan.
Don't make that several light year trip without picking up this book first. You won't regret it and your katra won't either.
January 11, 2017
A travel guide about Vulcan. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
If you don't know me already, I'll let you in on some common knowledge: I'm a HUGE nerd. It's ridiculous.
I have Marvel pajamas. There's a Harry Potter and Star Wars poster hanging in my dorm. I own all of the Lord of the Rings special extended edition DVDs. You get the idea.
So when I saw this at my local bookstore, I had a freakin' nerd aneurism. I know I said before that I had a Star Wars poster in my room, but since J.J. Abrahams directed movies in both the Star Wars and Star Trek universes, you can be a fan of both! I mean, you live in a world where you can have both. I'm a proud Trekkie.
I love Vulcan, and my favorite character in the Star Trek universe has got to be Spock. The Vulcan people are so interesting, and their culture is diverse and rich in history. I really wish Vulcan was real, because after reading this, I was ready to hop on the nearest Federation shuttle to Shi'kar.
The travel guide also references the alternate reality created by J.J. Abrams, where Vulcan was *ahem* sucked into a black hole. Nerd references throughout. It's beautiful.
If you're a Trekkie, I recommend this.
If you don't know me already, I'll let you in on some common knowledge: I'm a HUGE nerd. It's ridiculous.
I have Marvel pajamas. There's a Harry Potter and Star Wars poster hanging in my dorm. I own all of the Lord of the Rings special extended edition DVDs. You get the idea.
So when I saw this at my local bookstore, I had a freakin' nerd aneurism. I know I said before that I had a Star Wars poster in my room, but since J.J. Abrahams directed movies in both the Star Wars and Star Trek universes, you can be a fan of both! I mean, you live in a world where you can have both. I'm a proud Trekkie.
I love Vulcan, and my favorite character in the Star Trek universe has got to be Spock. The Vulcan people are so interesting, and their culture is diverse and rich in history. I really wish Vulcan was real, because after reading this, I was ready to hop on the nearest Federation shuttle to Shi'kar.
The travel guide also references the alternate reality created by J.J. Abrams, where Vulcan was *ahem* sucked into a black hole. Nerd references throughout. It's beautiful.
If you're a Trekkie, I recommend this.
August 8, 2016
Insight Editions and Netgalley offered me an ARC copy of this book for a review. It in no way influences my review (being a committed Star Trek fan does, however!) Fellow Trek fans will enjoy this book, written as if planet Vulcan were a real place and you were a Terran planning to visit. Humor abounds in this text. Ward throws in gems that nod to the entire Trek universe, even a reference to ST:The Animated Series which sent me to Memory Alpha Wiki to look it up! My favorites were the vignettes supposedly written by famous Vulcans (and Dr. McCoy) endorsing particular areas of the desert planet. Just as enjoyable were the drawings. The artwork designed to depict various landmarks was simply gorgeous.
Where the book seemed to lag for me was in all the different areas and the touristy descriptions of night clubs and whatnot. The first few were funny, but after the third or fourth section, it felt a little drawn out. I suppose if it were a real travel guide, you wouldn't be reading it from cover to cover like I was though. It just didn't capture my interest as much by the end as it did in the beginning.
Where the book seemed to lag for me was in all the different areas and the touristy descriptions of night clubs and whatnot. The first few were funny, but after the third or fourth section, it felt a little drawn out. I suppose if it were a real travel guide, you wouldn't be reading it from cover to cover like I was though. It just didn't capture my interest as much by the end as it did in the beginning.
September 23, 2016
Love!! I'm actually giving it 4.5 stars, though. It loses half a star because there are no photographs, only illustrations. I know Vulcans are not opposed to photos, so this was an odd editorial decision. The illustrations are very nice, but I hope future editions will include ample photos.
March 28, 2022
Great book for Star Trek fans, especially fans of the Vulcans. It contains a lot of information, but with sections like "Dealing with an Unexpected or Unwanted Katra" and "So You Want to Purge All of Your Emotions," it will be fun read.
June 6, 2017
Zusammenfassung
Dieser fiktionale Reiseführer beschreibt den Planeten Vulkan (Star Trek). Ein allgemeines Vorwort erläutert zunächst mal grundlegendes wie vulkanische Kleidung, Etiquette und gibt einen kurzen Geschichtsüberblick.
Das Buch stellt diese acht Regionen / Städte vor:
Shikahr (die Hauptstadt)
Lake Yuron (Urlaubsgebiet am See)
Kir Province (Herzstück Vulkans mit den Feuerebenen und dem Berg Tar'hana)
Raal (Küstenstadt)
L-Langon Mountains (südlich der Wüste Vulcan's Forge gelegen)
T`Paal (Stadt der freien Künste, am See gelegen)
Vulcana Regar (größte Stadt auf Vulkan)
Vulcan's Forge (Wüstengebiet)
Jedes Kapitel besteht aus:
Map
Sights & Activities
Shopping & Entertainment
Dining & Nightlife
Lodging
Grußwort eines bekannten Vulkaniers oder jemand mit Bezug zu Vulkan, z.B. T'Pol, McCoy, Spock oder Sarek
Dann finden sich noch drei Exkurse zu den Themen "Dealing with an unexpected or unwanted Katra", "Participating in a Vulcan marriage ritual" und "So you want to purge all of your emotions".
Jede Menge Zeichnungen runden die eher kurzen Textblöcke ab.
Persönlicher Eindruck
Wie bei einem echten Reiseführer auch habe ich in diesem fiktiven Vulkan-Reiseführer auch herumgeblättert, mich von Landkarten, Zeichnungen und Texten inspirieren lassen und mal da, mal dort reingelesen.
Die Beschreibungen der Hotels haben mich dabei am wenigsten interessiert, das ist auch so bei echten Reiseführern. Auch die Informationen über Shopping und Nightlife waren nicht interessant. Generell waren mir manche Informationen zu menschenzentriert, z.B. wenn der Autor davon ausgeht, dass es auch auf Vulkan ein Wochenende gibt, oder wenn er über Karaoke und Ausgehen schreibt. Ich denke mal, wer Vulkan besichtigt, hat besseres zu tun, als in einer Ferengi-Bar Karaoke zu singen; da hätte ich gerne mehr vulkan-typisches gehabt, mehr Sehenswürdigkeiten und Landschaften.
Am interessantesten fand ich die Karten, die Zeichnungen, Landschaftsbeschreibungen, Sehenswürdigkeiten und die historischen Gebäude und Denkmäler. Hier konnte ich mir gut vorstellen, einen Urlaub anhand der Informationen zu planen.
Die Zeichnungen waren gut gemacht, hier gab es oft viel zu entdecken. Schade, dass nicht zu jedem beschriebenen Ort eine Zeichnung dabei war. Eine planetenweite Übersicht, wo die einzelnen vorgestellten Orte liegen, wäre auch toll gewesen.
Vom Sprachstil her war es in einem heiteren, unbeschwerten Tonfall geschrieben; was gut zu einem britischen Reiseführer, aber weniger zu den strengen Vulkaniern paßt. Das Englische war nicht trivial; es war zwar noch gut zu verstehen, aber eher etwas für Fortgeschrittene (Tendenz B2-Niveau). Erschwerend kommt natürlich hinzu, dass man durch die kurzen, informativen Textblöcke nicht in einen Lesefluß hinein kommt, und es beim Verständnis oft auf einzelne Sätze oder Wörter ankommt.
Die Grußworte der verschiedenen Personen sind vom Text her sehr gut gemacht, allerdings ist die Auswahl sehr an den Serien orientiert und damit unlogisch. Eine junge T'Pol neben einem älteren Spock paßt einfach zeitlich nicht; T'Pol müsste auf dem Bild noch älter sein wie Spock. Und Amanda Grayson in allen Ehren, aber hier hätte man eine bedeutendere Persönlichkeit finden können, den Direktor der Vulkan-Akademie z.B., auch wenn wir diesen noch nie in den Serien gesehen haben.
Lesen oder nicht?
Der Reiseführer ist ganz nett, aber die Informationen sind aufgrund der englischen Sprache nicht einfach zu lesen. Die Zeichnungen und die Berichte über die Sehenswürdigkeiten bieten inspirierendes Material für Trekkies. Doch alles in allem waren mir zuviele irrelevante Informationen dabei, wie etwa zum Nachtleben oder zu Hotels. Man kann diesen Reiseführer kaufen, man muss aber nicht.
Die Rezension (und mehr) auf meinem Blog
Dieser fiktionale Reiseführer beschreibt den Planeten Vulkan (Star Trek). Ein allgemeines Vorwort erläutert zunächst mal grundlegendes wie vulkanische Kleidung, Etiquette und gibt einen kurzen Geschichtsüberblick.
Das Buch stellt diese acht Regionen / Städte vor:
Shikahr (die Hauptstadt)
Lake Yuron (Urlaubsgebiet am See)
Kir Province (Herzstück Vulkans mit den Feuerebenen und dem Berg Tar'hana)
Raal (Küstenstadt)
L-Langon Mountains (südlich der Wüste Vulcan's Forge gelegen)
T`Paal (Stadt der freien Künste, am See gelegen)
Vulcana Regar (größte Stadt auf Vulkan)
Vulcan's Forge (Wüstengebiet)
Jedes Kapitel besteht aus:
Map
Sights & Activities
Shopping & Entertainment
Dining & Nightlife
Lodging
Grußwort eines bekannten Vulkaniers oder jemand mit Bezug zu Vulkan, z.B. T'Pol, McCoy, Spock oder Sarek
Dann finden sich noch drei Exkurse zu den Themen "Dealing with an unexpected or unwanted Katra", "Participating in a Vulcan marriage ritual" und "So you want to purge all of your emotions".
Jede Menge Zeichnungen runden die eher kurzen Textblöcke ab.
Persönlicher Eindruck
Wie bei einem echten Reiseführer auch habe ich in diesem fiktiven Vulkan-Reiseführer auch herumgeblättert, mich von Landkarten, Zeichnungen und Texten inspirieren lassen und mal da, mal dort reingelesen.
Die Beschreibungen der Hotels haben mich dabei am wenigsten interessiert, das ist auch so bei echten Reiseführern. Auch die Informationen über Shopping und Nightlife waren nicht interessant. Generell waren mir manche Informationen zu menschenzentriert, z.B. wenn der Autor davon ausgeht, dass es auch auf Vulkan ein Wochenende gibt, oder wenn er über Karaoke und Ausgehen schreibt. Ich denke mal, wer Vulkan besichtigt, hat besseres zu tun, als in einer Ferengi-Bar Karaoke zu singen; da hätte ich gerne mehr vulkan-typisches gehabt, mehr Sehenswürdigkeiten und Landschaften.
Am interessantesten fand ich die Karten, die Zeichnungen, Landschaftsbeschreibungen, Sehenswürdigkeiten und die historischen Gebäude und Denkmäler. Hier konnte ich mir gut vorstellen, einen Urlaub anhand der Informationen zu planen.
Die Zeichnungen waren gut gemacht, hier gab es oft viel zu entdecken. Schade, dass nicht zu jedem beschriebenen Ort eine Zeichnung dabei war. Eine planetenweite Übersicht, wo die einzelnen vorgestellten Orte liegen, wäre auch toll gewesen.
Vom Sprachstil her war es in einem heiteren, unbeschwerten Tonfall geschrieben; was gut zu einem britischen Reiseführer, aber weniger zu den strengen Vulkaniern paßt. Das Englische war nicht trivial; es war zwar noch gut zu verstehen, aber eher etwas für Fortgeschrittene (Tendenz B2-Niveau). Erschwerend kommt natürlich hinzu, dass man durch die kurzen, informativen Textblöcke nicht in einen Lesefluß hinein kommt, und es beim Verständnis oft auf einzelne Sätze oder Wörter ankommt.
Die Grußworte der verschiedenen Personen sind vom Text her sehr gut gemacht, allerdings ist die Auswahl sehr an den Serien orientiert und damit unlogisch. Eine junge T'Pol neben einem älteren Spock paßt einfach zeitlich nicht; T'Pol müsste auf dem Bild noch älter sein wie Spock. Und Amanda Grayson in allen Ehren, aber hier hätte man eine bedeutendere Persönlichkeit finden können, den Direktor der Vulkan-Akademie z.B., auch wenn wir diesen noch nie in den Serien gesehen haben.
Lesen oder nicht?
Der Reiseführer ist ganz nett, aber die Informationen sind aufgrund der englischen Sprache nicht einfach zu lesen. Die Zeichnungen und die Berichte über die Sehenswürdigkeiten bieten inspirierendes Material für Trekkies. Doch alles in allem waren mir zuviele irrelevante Informationen dabei, wie etwa zum Nachtleben oder zu Hotels. Man kann diesen Reiseführer kaufen, man muss aber nicht.
Die Rezension (und mehr) auf meinem Blog
May 31, 2017
'Hidden Universe Travel Guides: Star Trek: Vulcan' by Dayton Ward is a fictional travel guide to a most unusual world. It's a pretty good parody of travel guides with lots of winks and nods to the world of Star Trek.
The book begins with an overview of the planet Vulcan and includes etiquette, lodging tips and a history of the people. The book then talks about the different regions of the planet like Sikahr, Kir Province, T'Paal and Vulcan's Forge. Each section talks about the history of the area, how you can get around, and what there is to see and do in the region. Shopping, dining and lodging options are discussed. Throughout the book, various well known Vulcans (and other characters) from all the series show up with something to add.
When I was young, I remember a school project where we had to plan a fictional trip to a real place. I would have had a lot more fun planning a trip to Vulcan. The book is filled with gorgeous illustrations by Livio Ramondelli and Peter Markowski. The writing is light and fun and I had a great time reading this and finding all the sly references to Star Trek moments.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Insight Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest reivew. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The book begins with an overview of the planet Vulcan and includes etiquette, lodging tips and a history of the people. The book then talks about the different regions of the planet like Sikahr, Kir Province, T'Paal and Vulcan's Forge. Each section talks about the history of the area, how you can get around, and what there is to see and do in the region. Shopping, dining and lodging options are discussed. Throughout the book, various well known Vulcans (and other characters) from all the series show up with something to add.
When I was young, I remember a school project where we had to plan a fictional trip to a real place. I would have had a lot more fun planning a trip to Vulcan. The book is filled with gorgeous illustrations by Livio Ramondelli and Peter Markowski. The writing is light and fun and I had a great time reading this and finding all the sly references to Star Trek moments.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Insight Editions and NetGalley in exchange for an honest reivew. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
September 5, 2017
I didn’t have high hopes, I just expected it to be mildly amusing and nicely designed. I thought I’d browse through it and that’d be all. Instead I ended up reading it all the way through and loving it. Throughout the book I unconsciously found myself planning the trip I’d take, and then getting sad when I caught myself and realized I couldn’t go. I even found myself getting frustrated that Vulcan was so touristy and commercial “these days,” and then realizing of course a travel guide would focus on those areas. This is honestly one of the most interesting meta experiences I’ve had, and I’m after those like an Enterprise is after strange new worlds.
Full review: https://hannahgivens.wordpress.com/20...
Full review: https://hannahgivens.wordpress.com/20...
December 31, 2021
I'm not a huge Star Trek fan, but I have wondered what it would be like to visit Vulcan. Overall, the book was fairly interesting; it gave the reader the idea that different areas of the planet had different economies and cultural aspects. I enjoy maps, but here I wasn't as satisfied with the drawings of each area. They just didn't look very realistic at all. I also had some small issues with some of the text, even though I realize that it contains numerous references to other Star Trek media that I'm not familiar with.
April 26, 2020
Oh, this was so much FUN. It gave me the opportunity to wander around one of my favorite fictional places, and the MAPS. THE ARTWORK. It was a DREAM. And Vulcan has so much more spicy cuisine than I was led to believe! That’s my main take away from this boom. That, and I how desperately I wish we were living in the Star Trek timeline. Then, at least, I would know that the ruin of the 21st century is worth something.
December 26, 2017
This was just as much fun as I hoped it would be. What Trekkie doesn't want to travel to Vulcan? Written like a traditional travel guide, it had me chuckling more than once from the little bits of humor and references to things mentioned in the television shows. I'm very impressed with the amount of research it must have taken; the illustrations and maps are a great touch.
February 18, 2018
I have been a Star Trek fan since I was a little kid watching Star Trek The Next Generation in syndication after school. The different alien cultures were always so interesting, none more so than the Vulcans. This travel guide is a must read for any Star Trek fan. The guide walks you through the many cities and points of interest that can be found on everyone’s favorite fictional desert planet.
December 3, 2021
Fun read for fans
This book gives a logical explanation of Vulcan and Vulcan culture. It is a nessicary read fir travelers.
In all seriousness this book was engaging despite being only informational. There is lots of humor within the book. I wish there were more of this style of book for the franchise.
This book gives a logical explanation of Vulcan and Vulcan culture. It is a nessicary read fir travelers.
In all seriousness this book was engaging despite being only informational. There is lots of humor within the book. I wish there were more of this style of book for the franchise.
May 12, 2018
So clever.. This is written like a travel guide of vulcan. I so wanna visit alternative factors in tpaal. Squeal... The culture, people etc are covered and makes this feel real
My inner trekkie squealed and had goosebumps.. Tingly....
2018 ultimate reading challenge - a book set in the future
My inner trekkie squealed and had goosebumps.. Tingly....
2018 ultimate reading challenge - a book set in the future
May 12, 2019
This was a treat! Vulcan fascinates me, so getting to dive a little deeper into it felt great. This book was filled with beautiful illustrations and written with a humorous tone. The only real tragedy here is that we can't actually go to Vulcan.
November 6, 2017
Muy interesante. Lo tendremos en cuenta cuando viajemos.
February 14, 2021
Good of its type, not gripping but okay
March 29, 2022
Amazing book with beautiful pictures and informations. I had no idea they had ships ⛵ and trains 🚅 on the Vulcan. 🖖😍
March 18, 2025
Cute book idea, makes you want to travel to Vulcan
August 29, 2016
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
When you start to think that they really couldn't come up with a new way to keep producing Star Trek merchandise, this fictional non-fiction travel guide pops up. And for the Trek fan who likes to own the slightly off-beat piece of memorabilia, this works. And I really loved this book.
This isn't going to be for just anyone, let's be sure to recognize that. This is for the Trekkie who already has so much and enjoys the obscure Trek trivia. This is written and put-together like any sort of travel guide you might pick up in a book store if you were planning a trip to Europe or New York City or San Francisco, etc. It is full of 'what to do, where to eat, where to stay, things to watch for,' etc. For the planet Vulcan. In the future. ...yeah...that's pretty fun, actually.
Writer Dayton Ward has clearly done his homework and a good deal of research to include a lot of (mostly) obscure references to things on the planet Vulcan. There are places or sites you would expect to see, based on episodes such as "Amok Time" and "Yesteryear" but when you see Diane Duane's book Spock's World (1988) or The Entropy Effect by Vonda N. McIntyre (1981) in the references section of the book, you can expect some pretty thorough research.
The book does get a little repetitive, but that's mostly because this sort of book isn't meant to be read cover to cover, like a novel. Ward does well to mix it up and offer a little gem of some sort in each region that the book references. My favorite moments in the book are the section that states that there were Vulcans on planet Earth before First Contact, when a small scout ship crashed and had to wait for a rescue (I'm assuming this is from a show or book, but don't know which one), and the sidebar on "Unpopular Vulcan Souvenirs" - "a list of tacky souvenirs to avoid when shopping on Vulcan" which include "anything with some variant of 'Live long and prosper'" and "Fake Vulcan ears." This seems kind of brilliant.
I would love to have this book on my shelf and it is definitely going on my Christmas Wish List (yes...I have a digital copy, but this is the sort of book you really want to have a physical copy of in order to thumb through it).
This book contains travel guide 'information' on the following Vulcan regions:
"Shikar"
"Lake Yuron"
"Kir Province"
"Raal"
"L-Langon Mountains"
"T'Paal"
"Vulcaa Regar"
"Vulcan's Forge"
Acknowledgments
This book opens up a world possibilities (pun intended). Star Trek alone offers up so many planets and/or races that could have their own Hidden Universe travel guide. But I believe that the next one coming out is from a different universe altogether. In any case, this is a great concept with lots of potential.
Looking for a good book? Start building your travel guide library right now with Hidden Universe: Star Trek: A Travel Guide to Vulcan by Dayton Ward. It's fun and informative and filled with Trek trivia and an absolute MUST for any good Star Trek fan.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
When you start to think that they really couldn't come up with a new way to keep producing Star Trek merchandise, this fictional non-fiction travel guide pops up. And for the Trek fan who likes to own the slightly off-beat piece of memorabilia, this works. And I really loved this book.
This isn't going to be for just anyone, let's be sure to recognize that. This is for the Trekkie who already has so much and enjoys the obscure Trek trivia. This is written and put-together like any sort of travel guide you might pick up in a book store if you were planning a trip to Europe or New York City or San Francisco, etc. It is full of 'what to do, where to eat, where to stay, things to watch for,' etc. For the planet Vulcan. In the future. ...yeah...that's pretty fun, actually.
Writer Dayton Ward has clearly done his homework and a good deal of research to include a lot of (mostly) obscure references to things on the planet Vulcan. There are places or sites you would expect to see, based on episodes such as "Amok Time" and "Yesteryear" but when you see Diane Duane's book Spock's World (1988) or The Entropy Effect by Vonda N. McIntyre (1981) in the references section of the book, you can expect some pretty thorough research.
The book does get a little repetitive, but that's mostly because this sort of book isn't meant to be read cover to cover, like a novel. Ward does well to mix it up and offer a little gem of some sort in each region that the book references. My favorite moments in the book are the section that states that there were Vulcans on planet Earth before First Contact, when a small scout ship crashed and had to wait for a rescue (I'm assuming this is from a show or book, but don't know which one), and the sidebar on "Unpopular Vulcan Souvenirs" - "a list of tacky souvenirs to avoid when shopping on Vulcan" which include "anything with some variant of 'Live long and prosper'" and "Fake Vulcan ears." This seems kind of brilliant.
I would love to have this book on my shelf and it is definitely going on my Christmas Wish List (yes...I have a digital copy, but this is the sort of book you really want to have a physical copy of in order to thumb through it).
This book contains travel guide 'information' on the following Vulcan regions:
"Shikar"
"Lake Yuron"
"Kir Province"
"Raal"
"L-Langon Mountains"
"T'Paal"
"Vulcaa Regar"
"Vulcan's Forge"
Acknowledgments
This book opens up a world possibilities (pun intended). Star Trek alone offers up so many planets and/or races that could have their own Hidden Universe travel guide. But I believe that the next one coming out is from a different universe altogether. In any case, this is a great concept with lots of potential.
Looking for a good book? Start building your travel guide library right now with Hidden Universe: Star Trek: A Travel Guide to Vulcan by Dayton Ward. It's fun and informative and filled with Trek trivia and an absolute MUST for any good Star Trek fan.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2020
I liked the format and premise. Beyond the main "attractions", a lot of the different regions started to feel repetitive. Not the author's fault, maybe Vulcan just isn't that interesting a place to visit?
February 25, 2017
Great book about Vulcan of Star Trek!
September 10, 2016
What a completely fun book, and it's beautifully produced in glossy pages and bright colors. I found the illustrations, captions, and headings downright believable, and this is put together as a travel guide with tabs, tables of content, and maps, as well as "Where to Stay", "Sights to See", and "Shopping" sections!
I found all of the Vulcan references accurate and inclusive of all incarnations of the Trek Universe covering all 50 years, including a sly blurb about First Contact, playing Kal-toh, suggestions from notable characters such as Spock, T'Pol, Tuvok, and what you should do if you are the recipient of an unwanted and or unexpected Katra (McCoy and Archer, take note).
If you have any fondness for Trek, this is a must have for your bookshelf. As a science fiction author I have read (and written) a lot of science fiction in my time, and this is one of the most fun and nostalgic Star Trek "artifacts" of the 21st Century (24th?) Well done, Dayton Ward!
I found all of the Vulcan references accurate and inclusive of all incarnations of the Trek Universe covering all 50 years, including a sly blurb about First Contact, playing Kal-toh, suggestions from notable characters such as Spock, T'Pol, Tuvok, and what you should do if you are the recipient of an unwanted and or unexpected Katra (McCoy and Archer, take note).
If you have any fondness for Trek, this is a must have for your bookshelf. As a science fiction author I have read (and written) a lot of science fiction in my time, and this is one of the most fun and nostalgic Star Trek "artifacts" of the 21st Century (24th?) Well done, Dayton Ward!
August 7, 2016
HIDDEN UNIVERSE TRAVEL GUIDE: STAR TREK VULCAN by Dayton Ward is a imaginary travel book for people wishing to travel to the planet Vulcan. Ward dissects each major Vulcan City into categories, from sightseeing to lodging & food to local nightlife. Ward gives plenty of Vulcan history along the way, including how the Federation has influenced and changed the Vulcan culture.
As a Star Trek fan, I really enjoyed this book. While I got many of references to the previous shows and movies, I'm sure an even bigger trekkie would pick up on and appreciate even more than I did. It's very tongue and cheek the way the book is structured as a travel guide. I laughed out loud and some of the warnings along the way in a book, like "Dealing with an Unexpected or Unwanted Katra", and how to avoid being eaten by wild animals indigenous to Vulcan. I also want to visit Surak's Last Resort as soon as possible. A major figure in our knowledge of Vulcan personalities introduces each section. I really felt like Ward did an excellent and entertaining job writing from each character's voice and what each one said rang true to me. What a treat this was to read and the illustrations and maps were awesome to look at as well.
I look forward to more Star Trek travel guides and I feel like HIDDEN UNIVERSE TRAVEL GUIDE: STAR TREK VULCAN is a must have for a serious trekkie.
Thank you to Insight Editions, Dayton Ward, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
As a Star Trek fan, I really enjoyed this book. While I got many of references to the previous shows and movies, I'm sure an even bigger trekkie would pick up on and appreciate even more than I did. It's very tongue and cheek the way the book is structured as a travel guide. I laughed out loud and some of the warnings along the way in a book, like "Dealing with an Unexpected or Unwanted Katra", and how to avoid being eaten by wild animals indigenous to Vulcan. I also want to visit Surak's Last Resort as soon as possible. A major figure in our knowledge of Vulcan personalities introduces each section. I really felt like Ward did an excellent and entertaining job writing from each character's voice and what each one said rang true to me. What a treat this was to read and the illustrations and maps were awesome to look at as well.
I look forward to more Star Trek travel guides and I feel like HIDDEN UNIVERSE TRAVEL GUIDE: STAR TREK VULCAN is a must have for a serious trekkie.
Thank you to Insight Editions, Dayton Ward, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 31, 2016
**This book was reviewed via Netgalley**
Planning an interstellar vacation? Ward's nifty Vulcan travel guide will give the lowdown on Spock’s homeworld, to help you have the most fulfilling experience possible. It is only logical.
Written as a modern travel guide, this little book is packed full of fun facts and knowledge of Vulcan. At times, Ward employs a wry sense of humour with certain asides. When discussing terms spoken in Vulcan only that one may come across, he advises the traveller to not try fal-tor-pan at home. This is the reintegration of a Vulcan’s katra, or spirit, with their living body.
Vulcans tend to be portrayed as emotionless and logical, but that notion rings somewhat false when you start learn there are plenty of gaming and multicultural establishments around the planet. You can take a coastside lounge along Lake Yuron, and stay in an underwater hotel, visit the exotic lava fields known as the Fire Plains, trek through the Forge, or visit the solemn sanctuaries at Mount Seleya, among other things. You can even find a Quark’s.
I loved this! I would so be going on a trip to Vulcan. The artwork was amazing as well. Each section has a prologue from a famous Vulcan, from Spock to Tuvok, sharing personal stories of the region. This little gem will appeal to any Trek lover.
Planning an interstellar vacation? Ward's nifty Vulcan travel guide will give the lowdown on Spock’s homeworld, to help you have the most fulfilling experience possible. It is only logical.
Written as a modern travel guide, this little book is packed full of fun facts and knowledge of Vulcan. At times, Ward employs a wry sense of humour with certain asides. When discussing terms spoken in Vulcan only that one may come across, he advises the traveller to not try fal-tor-pan at home. This is the reintegration of a Vulcan’s katra, or spirit, with their living body.
Vulcans tend to be portrayed as emotionless and logical, but that notion rings somewhat false when you start learn there are plenty of gaming and multicultural establishments around the planet. You can take a coastside lounge along Lake Yuron, and stay in an underwater hotel, visit the exotic lava fields known as the Fire Plains, trek through the Forge, or visit the solemn sanctuaries at Mount Seleya, among other things. You can even find a Quark’s.
I loved this! I would so be going on a trip to Vulcan. The artwork was amazing as well. Each section has a prologue from a famous Vulcan, from Spock to Tuvok, sharing personal stories of the region. This little gem will appeal to any Trek lover.
April 20, 2018
A nicely done fake travel guide to the planet Vulcan, for hardcore Trekkies only. The author must have put in a lot of work. I appreciate the callbacks to a couple of the better novels, such as *Uhura's Song* by Janet Kagan, as well as the reference to Mark Gardner's Vulcan Language Institute (very politely sourced, even!). Still, a mild joke well-executed is still a mild joke. Maybe check it out of the library if you're a huge Vulcanophile.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
At T'Paal's Chamber Music Pavilion, small, intimate gatherings of musicians employ disparate types of instruments--often representing different cultures and musical styles--and play for audiences ranging from the single digits to more than a hundred. One local troupe's nightly performance of "The Journey Songs," which describe the arduous migration of the Eeiauoan people from their ancestral home to their new world, routinely packs the place, so get there early.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
May 8, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is exactly what it sounds like: a travel guide to visiting the planet Vulcan. It gives some background information and lists various places on the planet that one could go and visit. As a nice touch, it even includes testimonials from people that Star Trek fans would know. The book has a great tone to it - it definitely fits the genre.
I think my only complaint is that the book spends too much time on places to visit. Which, I know, is the point of the book. However, after the fifth place the book lists to visit, it begins to sound very monotonous. I would have loved to see maybe some more Vulcan phrases or what to wear to break up the sections of the book and give readers more information about Vulcan.
Regardless of this flaw, the book is still a great, quick read for any Star Trek fan.
This book is exactly what it sounds like: a travel guide to visiting the planet Vulcan. It gives some background information and lists various places on the planet that one could go and visit. As a nice touch, it even includes testimonials from people that Star Trek fans would know. The book has a great tone to it - it definitely fits the genre.
I think my only complaint is that the book spends too much time on places to visit. Which, I know, is the point of the book. However, after the fifth place the book lists to visit, it begins to sound very monotonous. I would have loved to see maybe some more Vulcan phrases or what to wear to break up the sections of the book and give readers more information about Vulcan.
Regardless of this flaw, the book is still a great, quick read for any Star Trek fan.
September 17, 2016
From a series of fictional travel guides based around key elements of our favourite genre franchises, comes this wannabe guidebook regarding the capital city, key holiday destinations and so on on the Vulcan homeworld. It's one of those books where you only really see how naff the idea is in the execution – I realise now I was expecting too much. The guide starts off with some quips about it being used by multifarious species (talking of what clothing you should wear in regard to what limbs you might or might not have, whether you are an oxygen-breather or otherwise, etc), then goes right up its own arse with nerdy references to Vulcan lore from the series. Yes, there's a gag about research into Tribbles, and Quark now has a franchise chain, apparently, but this is purely for the specialist. Kudos to the artwork for being so old-school sci-fi (think Chris Foss and you're almost there), but otherwise this is a non-starter.
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